About
The Harada
Method
What is it?
The Harada Method is a structured goal-setting and self-management framework developed by Takashi Harada, a Japanese educator who originally designed it to help underperforming students take ownership of their goals and achieve measurable results.
At its core, the method asks you to start with one ambitious objective and systematically break it down into actionable pieces. The full framework consists of:
01
Determine your goal
Define a single, clear objective that drives everything else.
02
Identify purpose & value
Understand why this goal matters to you and the people around you.
03
Self-analysis
Honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses relative to the goal.
04
64-action chart
Break the goal into 8 subgoals, then 8 concrete behaviors per subgoal.
05
Ongoing diary
Monitor your actions, outcomes, and performance over time.
06
Coaching & feedback
Seek guidance from mentors to stay accountable and course-correct.
The centerpiece is the 64-action chart (also called the open window 64 chart) — a single-page visual grid where your main goal sits at the center, surrounded by 8 subgoals, each radiating outward into 8 daily behaviors. It turns an abstract ambition into a concrete, repeatable system.
Shohei Ohtani & the Harada Method
One of the most famous practitioners of the Harada Method is Shohei Ohtani. While still a high school student in Japan, Ohtani filled out a 64-action chart with a central goal of being drafted by eight NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) teams in the first round.
His handwritten chart — completed as a teenager — is a remarkable display of focus, self-awareness, and determination. His 8 subgoals covered everything from pitching mechanics and physical conditioning to mental fortitude and character. Notably, one of his 64 behaviors was simply “pick up trash” — a small daily act reflecting the discipline and humility that would come to define his career.
Ohtani went on to become arguably the greatest two-way player in the history of baseball, starring in both the NPB and MLB. His story is a testament to the power of structured goal-setting and deliberate daily action — the very principles at the heart of the Harada Method.
You can view a copy of Ohtani's original handwritten chart in this Reddit post.
Why this site?
This site was inspired by Ohtani's use of the Harada Method. The goal is to make the 64-action chart accessible as a free, digital tool — so anyone can map out their ambitions the same way Ohtani did with pen and paper as a high schooler.