Fixable Podcast Summary

Episode: Toolkit: Set Better Goals (like Shohei Ohtani)

Hosts: Anne Morris & Frances Frei
Date: January 26, 2026

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode launches Fixable's new “Toolkit” series, delivering practical frameworks to help listeners improve their workplace (and personal) effectiveness. The inaugural topic is goal-setting, focusing on the Harada Method—a structured approach designed to turn ambitions into actionable, daily behaviors. The hosts use MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani as an inspiring example and share how they’ve personally implemented the method.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Harada Method: Origins and Principles

[02:54 – 05:08]

• Developed by Takashi Harada: A middle-school coach in Japan, Harada wanted a practical way for students to take ownership of their growth.
• Core Principles:
  • Self-reliance over external motivation
  • Process over quick results
  • Daily practice over “raw talent”
• Widespread Use: Adopted by athletes, companies (for employee development), and individuals worldwide.

Quote:
"Self reliance over external motivation, process over quick results, and daily practice over raw inherent talent." — Anne Morris (04:46)

The Toolkit: Goal Achievement Chart Structure

[06:21 – 09:10]

• Step 1: Identify the “one thing”—a multi-year, world-class ambition at the center of the chart.
• Step 2: Surround it with eight annual goals (pillars) that, if achieved, bring you closer to the central goal.
• Step 3: For each pillar, define eight daily habits/activities, resulting in a 9x9 matrix.

Quote:
"It begins with, what do you want to be best in the world at? ...what's the thing you would gnaw off a limb to be great at?" — Frances Frei (06:34)

• Practical Visualization:
  • Center box: multi-year goal
  • 8 boxes: annual pillars
  • Each pillar = 8 surrounding daily actions
• Iterative and flexible: Start with a “sparse matrix” and evolve it as needed.

Shohei Ohtani: The Method in Action

[09:10 – 12:55]

• Backstory: Ohtani created his Harada chart in 9th grade; the chart resurfaced in 2025 and inspired many.
• Ohtani’s central goal: Be drafted #1 in Japan’s professional baseball draft.
• Annual pillars: Four are pitching-specific (control, sharpness, speed, breaking balls); others include physical conditioning, mental strength, karma, and character.
• Example—Karma Pillar Daily Actions: Greetings, caring for equipment, positive thinking, picking up trash, being someone people want to support, keeping a clean room, respect towards umpires, reading books.

Quote:
"It's karma for me, it's so easy... He begins karma with greetings... care for equipment... positive thinking... pick up trash... be a person people root for... clean room... respect towards umpires... read books." — Frances Frei (11:29)

• Ohtani's Impact: The daily actions are visible in his sportsmanship and behavior, reinforcing the method's efficacy.

Quote:
"Not only currently in the game—in the history of the game, it's been an antagonistic relationship for most. He greets the umpire at every plate appearance. He shows deep respect to the opponents. You can feel these things." — Frances Frei (12:29)

Bringing It Home: Guidance for Listeners

[14:55 – 16:53]

• Start small: Don’t worry about filling all boxes.
• Iterative process: Do a v1, test it out, and revise over time.
• Write in pencil: It's a living document.
• Having an accountability partner helps.

Quote:
"If you end up with a sparse matrix, no problem... it is meant to be this living, breathing tool." — Anne Morris (15:43)

Applying the Harada Method: The Hosts' Experience

[19:30 – 38:55]

Annual New Year’s Ritual

• Context: Each year, Anne and Frances share ambitions and challenge each other to articulate them.
• 2026 Twist: Both created Harada charts and exchanged/discussed them.

Memorable Moment:
"I hide it a little bit because you are so savagely competitive that I just get to defer to you. But I'm like, quiet Midwestern competitive..." — Anne Morris (20:43)

Frances’s Chart

• Central Goal: “Add a zero on every important thing I do” (aim for exponential, not incremental, impact).
• Annual Pillars:
  1. Book project
  2. Podcast
  3. Office Hours (community leadership)
  4. Harvard Business School
  5. Karma
  6. Body
  7. Family
  8. Clients

Quote:
"With greater ambition, we make greater progress... If everything works out, what will success look like? And then we suggest, and what if we added a zero?" — Frances Frei (24:29)

Anne’s Chart

• Central Goal: “Catalytic impact”—to accelerate others’ growth and progress.
• Annual Pillars: Visibility, creativity, capital, strategic use of time/resources, performance (public speaking), spirit, family, mindset, body.

Quote:
"If that's what you want to be best in the world at, what is it going to take?" — Anne Morris (30:12)

Deep Dive: Favorite/Notable Influences from Each Other’s Charts

[31:42 – 37:54]

Frances’s “Karma” Pillar

• Daily Action: “Empty the dishwasher” — a small, specific act to support her partner.
• Aim: Identify granular acts that provide outsized relational impact.
• Insight: These tiny actions can reliably “spark joy.”

Quote:
"It's the thing. And I encourage people to think, what's your version of empty the dishwasher? Or what's your version of show respect to umpires? What's the granular thing that will make an outsized difference on someone you love?" — Frances Frei (34:20)

Anne’s “Body” Pillar

• Learning: Focus on strength, flexibility, and stamina as a foundation for achieving all other categories.
• Link: Body as the starting point for catalytic impact—when you commit deeply, the behaviors flow naturally.

Quote:
"My conviction is higher. So there's no longer like, oh, should I or shouldn't I? Because I'm very aware of its connection to creativity, performance, spirit, my relationship with my family... there is a very physical foundation to reaching excellence in all of these other categories." — Anne Morris (37:59)

Monthly Check-ins and Partnership

[38:27 – 39:54]

• Plan: Anne and Frances will check in monthly on their charts, make improvements, and hold each other accountable.
• Advice: Find someone to share your chart with for feedback and support—it sharpens your thinking and builds commitment.

Quote:
"A person who is as curious about yours as you are and you're as curious about theirs as they are, I think it's just great to have someone who you can do it with initially and then someone that you check in with on a regular basis." — Frances Frei (38:55)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Frances explaining the “gnaw off a limb” metric: (06:34) "What's the thing you would gnaw off a limb to be great at?"
• Anne on “be someone people want to support”: (13:21) "Because we don't think of that as within our control. And the suggestion that it is is super powerful."
• Frances on making things feel accessible: (16:30) "When people see or get to hear about an additional example... it makes it more accessible."
• Anne on “empty the dishwasher” as an act of love: (34:20) "What's the granular thing that will make an outsized difference on someone you love?"
• On applying these frameworks: (15:43) "This is a very iterative process... do v1, go out in the world and take it for a test drive."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:30] — Introduction to Toolkit format
• [02:54] — History & core concepts of the Harada Method
• [06:34] — Step-by-step through the method
• [09:10] — Shohei Ohtani’s Harada grid
• [14:55] — Guidance for listeners: How to get started
• [19:30] — Hosts’ personal experience with the method
• [23:47] — Sharing and discussing each other's charts
• [31:41] — Discussion of most impactful “outer boxes”
• [38:27] — Monthly check-in and advice for accountability

Takeaways & Toolkit for Listeners

• Start with intention: Define a big, meaningful multi-year goal.
• Break it down: Identify 8 annual pillars, then daily behaviors for each pillar.
• Iterate and revise: Don’t worry about getting it perfect—use pencil, adapt as you learn.
• Find a partner: Share your chart with a supportive, interested person for deeper reflection and accountability.
• Model small, specific actions: Look for small, under-your-control activities that will make a big difference—like “empty the dishwasher.”
• Research the method: Look up "Harada Ohtani" online for examples and resources.

This episode offers a hands-on, motivational look at how to transform lofty ambitions into daily commitments, using a world-class athlete as inspiration and real-life application from two of today’s top leadership coaches.