I Don’t Like Discipline — But These 7 Japanese Ideas Changed My Mind.

I’ve always had a difficult relationship with “discipline.” It felt like a force I had to fight with. Something external. Something rigid.

But when I read about these 7 Japanese rules — everything shifted. They didn’t demand perfection. They invited intention.

• Kaizen showed me I could improve without hustling.

• Gaman reminded me to stay grounded when things go sideways.

• Shikata ga nai helped me let go of things beyond my control.

• Mottainai made me more mindful of time, ideas, and even energy.

• Oubaitori set me free from comparison.

• Wabi-Sabi made me love what’s unfinished.

• Ikigai gave me a compass.

This isn’t productivity advice. It’s a way of being — one that’s deeply aligned with Rework:

• Live light, build slow.

• Progress over perfection.

• Personal before polished.

I don’t follow these “rules.” I live into them. And they’ve changed the way I show up.

Maybe they’ll do the same for you.