Addicted to Thinking
From his 15 years as a lead producer for NHK’s educational programs to his decades of teaching, Takashi Saito knows the critical difference between mindless rumination and productive thinking. In *Addicted to Thinking*, he breaks down how many people confuse worrying or vague “daydreaming” with focused, output-driven work—especially vital in an AI-dominated world where routine jobs are fading fast. Saito walks readers through actionable steps to build a sustainable thinking habit: rejecting mindless tasks, defining clear thinking goals, and keeping a physical thinking journal. He also shares advanced strategies to elevate your thinking, like debating with a creative partner, practicing self-dialogue, and using comparison and recombination to spark innovation. Beyond practical skills, he explores how true thinking addiction triggers beta-endorphin releases, bringing lasting joy and fulfillment, and profiles iconic figures like Balzac and Hideyoshi Toyotomi who turned relentless thinking into extraordinary success.