Harada Method Template: The Free Printable 64-Grid (Blank + Filled Example)
The Harada Method template is a 9-square grid that breaks one central goal into 64 concrete actions. Here is exactly what it looks like, how to fill it out, and a complete filled example you can use as a starting point.
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Add to Chrome — It's FreeWhat Does the Harada Method Template Actually Look Like?
The Harada Method template is a 9x9 grid with 81 cells, but you fill in 64 action cells. At the center sits your one main goal. Surrounding it are 8 squares, each representing a supporting pillar.
Each pillar then becomes the center of its own 3x3 block along the outer ring. You fill in 8 action items around each pillar: 8 pillars times 8 actions equals 64 total.
The structure was developed by Takashi Harada, a Japanese track and field coach at Naniwa Sogo High School whose underdog athletes won national championships. The most famous example is Shohei Ohtani, who filled out his grid at Hanamaki Higashi High School around age 15 or 16 with guidance from coach Hiroshi Sasaki. Ohtani's central goal was to be drafted by 8 NPB teams, and his pillars covered everything from pitching mechanics to mental toughness to luck.
A blank template can seem overwhelming, but the structure is what makes it powerful. You are not brainstorming randomly. You are building outward from one clear goal.
For a concrete example, see [_software engineer goals_](https://open64.us/goals/career/software-engineer-goals-examples).
How Do You Fill Out the Harada Method Template Step by Step?
Start in the center. Write your single most important goal. Be specific. "Get healthier" is too vague. "Run a half marathon in under 2 hours by December" gives you something concrete to build around.
Next, fill in the 8 cells surrounding the center. These are your pillars, the major areas that need to come together. For a running goal, pillars might include training volume, speed work, nutrition, recovery, gear, mental preparation, race strategy, and injury prevention.
Fill the Outer Ring: 8 Actions Per Pillar
Take each pillar to its corresponding 3x3 block on the outer edge of the grid. That pillar becomes the center of its own block, and you fill in 8 specific actions around it.
Actions should be concrete and doable. Under "nutrition" you would not write "eat better." You would write "meal prep every Sunday," "cut added sugar on weekdays," "eat 140g protein daily," and "hydrate 3L water on training days."
Work through all 8 pillars this way. Some will flow easily. Others will force you to think harder. The grid reveals blind spots. If you cannot fill 8 actions for a pillar, you either need to research that area or reconsider whether that pillar belongs.
Review and Refine
Once all 64 cells are filled, read the entire grid. Look for overlaps or filler. Every cell should pass one test: if you did this consistently, would it move you closer to the goal? If not, replace it.
What Does a Filled Harada Method Template Look Like?
Here is an example using "Launch a freelance design business earning $5K/month in 12 months" as the center goal.
The 8 pillars: Portfolio, Marketing, Finances, Skills, Client Process, Networking, Time Management, Mindset.
Portfolio: build 6 case studies, redesign website, create 3 spec projects, photograph past work, collect 4 testimonials, record a portfolio video, set up Behance, write a case study template.
Marketing: post 3x/week on LinkedIn, write 2 blog posts/month, launch a newsletter, create a lead magnet, cold outreach weekly, ask clients for referrals, optimize Google Business, build a pricing page.
Finances: open business bank account, set rate at $75/hour, create invoice template, track expenses weekly, save 30% for taxes, build $1K emergency fund, research insurance, review monthly.
Every action is specific and supports its pillar. Every cell answers: what would I actually need to do?
For a concrete example, see [_project manager goals_](https://open64.us/goals/career/project-manager-goals-examples).
Ready to build your own 64-action grid?
Open64 replaces your new tab with a goal-setting grid based on the Harada Method. Free forever.
Add to Chrome — It's FreeWhat Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make With This Template?
The most frequent mistake is writing vague actions. "Get better at marketing" is not an action. "Send 10 cold emails per week to agencies" is. Every cell should describe something you could put on a calendar.
The second mistake is treating all 8 pillars as equally weighted from day one. Some pillars need attention first. Building a portfolio comes before marketing it. The grid shows everything at once, but execution still needs sequencing.
Another error is copying someone else's grid without customizing it. Ohtani's grid worked because it reflected his specific situation. Your grid needs to reflect yours.
Finally, people fill out the grid once and never revisit it. Takashi Harada built regular review cycles into the system at Naniwa Sogo. The grid is a living document, not a one-time exercise.
Can You Use the Harada Method Template Digitally?
Paper has limitations. You cannot rearrange cells, and a 9x9 grid on one sheet means tiny text.
Open64 is a free Chrome extension that replaces your new tab with your 64-cell Harada grid. Every new tab shows your goal, 8 pillars, and all 64 actions. Edit any cell instantly.
As you complete actions or restructure pillars, just update the cell. The structure stays intact while the content evolves.
Where Can You Download a Free Harada Method Template?
For a printable version, search for "Harada Method 64-grid printable" to find blank PDF options. Print at least on letter-size paper so you have room to write in each cell.
For a digital version, install Open64 from the Chrome Web Store. It is free and takes 30 seconds to set up. Your 64-cell grid lives on every new tab, ready to fill out using the process described above.
Whichever format you choose, the important thing is to actually fill it in. A blank template teaches nothing. The value comes from the thinking the grid forces you to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Harada Method template the same as the Ohtani grid?
They use the same structure. The Harada Method was created by Takashi Harada for his athletes at Naniwa Sogo High School. Shohei Ohtani filled out his version at Hanamaki Higashi High School with guidance from coach Hiroshi Sasaki. Ohtani's grid is the most famous example of the Harada Method template in action, but the system predates him.
How many cells does the Harada Method template have?
The full grid is 9x9 (81 cells), but you fill in 64 action cells plus 8 pillar cells plus 1 central goal. The remaining 8 cells in the outer corners of the inner ring are duplicates of the pillars that anchor each outer 3x3 block.
Can I use the Harada Method template for team goals?
Yes. Takashi Harada originally designed it for student athletes, and coaches have used it with entire teams where each athlete fills out their own grid. For business teams, a manager can use the center goal as a team objective and have team members own specific pillars or actions within the shared grid.
How often should I update my Harada Method template?
Review your grid at least once per week. Mark actions as complete, replace finished items with new ones, and check whether your pillars still make sense. A monthly deep review where you reassess the entire grid is also valuable. The grid is meant to be a living tool, not a one-time planning exercise.
Ready to build your own 64-action grid?
Open64 replaces your new tab with a goal-setting grid based on the Harada Method. Free forever.
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