I’m no philosopher but …

Most people who know me will not mistake me for a philosophical person and I agree, I’m not.

Plato, Socrates, Aristotle et al – who really cares? I didn’t study classics and my interest in Greece mainly revolves around holidays, beaches, food and Ouzo. So, what, you ask, is a Philistine like me talking about philosophy for? I recently read a piece about Japanese culture and some of the key pillars that shape everyday life in Japan, and it actually made me stop and think. If I’m honest my mind rarely stops – it races around at 100 miles an hour bouncing between subjects, solving problems, making shopping lists, sorting kid admin etc. – but what I read made me stop and think, and what struck me was the simplicity and applicableness of these nine idioms.

Whether you’re in tech services, customer services, product, finance, or the big cheese Mr Summersgill himself, I think there is something hidden in here for everyone.

• Oubaitori – never compare yourself to others; we all grow and shine at our own pace.
• Kaizen – small continual improvements lead to large, compounded gains.
• Wabi-sabi – embrace imperfection. There is no such thing as perfection.
• Gaman – have dignity during duress. Times can be tough, but it’s how you deal with it that people remember.
• Ikigai – know your purpose and understand what motivates you.
• Shikita ga nai – accept and let go; it will free you.
• Shu-ha-ri – learn the basics, experiment, innovate.
• Kintsugi – our flaws are what make us. Stay optimistic.
• Omoiyari – be thoughtful, put yourself in the shoes of others, build compassion.

If you’re starting the new year with goals, ideas of self-improvement or new year resolutions, take a look at these nine simple rules. Focusing on just one could help you become a better person, employee, leader, mentor or friend.

As a recovering perfectionist, I am focusing on Wabi-sabi. We’ve not made it through February and already I know it’s going to be a long road.

One for the developers that I haven’t covered here is the one I need to keep reminding myself of daily:

猿も木から落ちる Sarumo kikara ochiru

Roughly translated as “Even monkeys fall out of trees.”

and finally, for my UX friends:

花より団 Hana yori dango or – Dumplings over flowers.

By David, Head of Digital