What Is Mandala 9-Grid Thinking?
The Mandala 9-Grid Thinking model, also known as the Mandala Chart, is a structured visual method for organizing thoughts, setting goals, and identifying key strategies. Its design draws inspiration from mandalas in Tibetan Buddhism—geometric representations of the universe used as meditation aids and tools for spiritual guidance. These intricate diagrams serve as visual maps guiding practitioners through stages of spiritual development, facilitating focus and contemplation.
When the Mandala concept reached Japan, design consultant Hiroaki Imaizumi (今泉浩晃) developed it into the 9-grid model to enhance associative thinking, creativity, and logical planning. It gained popularity through the influence of business consultant Yasuo Matsumura (松村寧雄), who introduced it to industry professionals. Today, it is used by elite performers—including MLB star Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平)—to realize their ambitions with clarity and discipline.
🧠 Methodology of Mandala 9-Grid Thinking
The Mandala 9-Grid Thinking method is structured around a 3x3 grid. The central cell is filled with the goal to achieve or the problem to solve. From there, two expansion methods are employed:
- Radial Thinking: The central goal is surrounded by eight related aspects or sub-goals. Each of these can then be further expanded into sub-grids, creating a comprehensive network of ideas.
- Spiral Thinking: Begin from the center and move outward in a clockwise direction. Each step builds upon the last, helping you explore the core goal through deeper inquiry and development.
These methodologies assist in structuring thoughts while enhancing creativity, self-awareness, and problem-solving ability.
Shohei Ohtani’s 9-Grid: Discipline Meets Ambition
One of the most inspiring examples of this method is Shohei Ohtani’s (大谷翔平) Mandala Chart, designed during his high school years under the guidance of coach Hiroshi Sasaki (佐々木洋). At the center of his grid: “Becoming the No.1 pick in the NPB draft.” Surrounding this core goal are eight focused supporting areas: physical training, ball control, pitch quality, mental strength, character, adaptability, breaking ball mastery, and achieving a 160 km/h fastball.
Each of these supporting cells can be expanded into further action steps. For example, under the goal of achieving a 160 km/h fastball, Ohtani mapped out eight specific sub-goals:
- Enhance hip rotation
- Strengthen lower body
- Increase body mass
- Strengthen core
- Strengthen shoulders
- Improve flexibility
- Practice throwing
- Increase number of pitches
This breakdown shows how an ambitious objective becomes attainable through daily, measurable efforts.
Spiral Model: Tactical Thinking for Interviews
The spiral-type 9-grid is particularly useful for structured, timed goals like job interviews. With the goal of “Job Interview Preparationw” at the center, each surrounding cell addresses a tactical preparation step:
- Research the company’s background
- Identify the company’s future goals or pain points
- Understand the role and its expectations
- Identify competitor strengths you can counter
- Reorganize and tailor your documents
- Plan your route and timing for the day
- Prepare interview attire
- Arrive 5 minutes early
Expanded Applications: Beyond Individual Success
The Mandala 9-Grid Thinking method has grown beyond personal use. In business, it supports project planning, performance reviews, and vision mapping. In education, teachers use it to help students organize ideas for essays, presentations, and learning goals. Creative professionals apply it for brainstorming and mapping out portfolios or storyboards.
With digital tools like Miro and Xmind now offering Mandala templates, this model is more accessible than ever—encouraging users to visualize, organize, and act on their ideas with intention.
Conclusion: The Power of Structured Imagination
The Mandala 9-Grid Thinking model is a flexible and highly visual tool for translating dreams into structured action. It promotes clarity, discipline, and self-awareness—while also unlocking creativity and long-term vision.
Whether you're training like Shohei Ohtani or preparing for a job interview, this method gives you the framework to turn goals into step-by-step strategies. When you put your dream in the center, the grid helps you surround it with the mindset, action, and planning it needs to become reality.
中文摘要：九宮格思考法的智慧與實踐
曼陀羅九宮格思考法是一種源自日本、具備高度視覺化與邏輯結構的思考工具。以 3x3 的格子組成，中心格子為主要目標，其餘八格為輔助策略，協助使用者系統性地拆解願景，進而達成目標。
以大谷翔平（Shohei Ohtani）為例，他在高中時期就使用九宮格法規劃職涯，設定「成為選秀狀元」為核心目標，並從體能訓練、控球技巧、心理素質等八項要素展開具體行動。其中「球速達到160公里」這一目標，更被進一步拆解為臀部旋轉、增強下半身、提升體重、強化核心、增加柔軟度等細項訓練。
此外，九宮格也可依照螺旋方式展開應用。例如在求職面試情境中，以「通過面試」為中心，順時針安排包括研究公司、準備文件、練習自我介紹、規劃路線等實際步驟，讓整體行動計畫更有節奏感與方向。
無論是運動員、上班族、學生或創意人，透過九宮格思考法，不僅能釐清目標，更能從邏輯與創意雙軌並進，有效促進自我成長與目標實現。
Keywords: Mandala 9-Grid Thinking, Shohei Ohtani, 大谷翔平, goal setting, structured thinking, spiral model, radial model, personal development, visualization, productivity
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