Ikigai, Kaizen, Dolce far Niente, Lagom, Hygge, Friluftsliv, and Lykke
Ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) is a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being" or "a reason to wake up in the morning". It represents the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, leading to a life of joy, fulfillment, and purpose. The original Japanese meaning is simpler, encompassing the feelings of joy and worth derived from simple things and the appreciation of the present moment.
Kaizen (Japanese: 改善; "improvement") is a Japanese concept in business studies which asserts that significant positive results may be achieved due the cumulative effect of many, often small (and even trivial), improvements to all aspects of a company's operations. Kaizen is put into action by continuously improving every facet of a company's production and requires the participation of all employees from the CEO to assembly line workers. Kaizen may also be referred to as zero investment improvement (ZII) due to its utilization of existing resources.
Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy and aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and the simple, natural cycle of life. It encourages an appreciation for things that are modest, weathered, and incomplete, rather than striving for unattainable perfection. "Wabi" relates to humility, simplicity, and a connection to nature, while "sabi" refers to the beauty that comes with age, wear, and the passage of time.
Mono no aware combination of two words—aware, which stands for sensitivity or sadness, and mono, which stands for things. The meaning of mono no aware, a core mood of Japanese culture, can be described as feeling sympathy that comes from realizing the transience of things. The key point of this concept is that impermanence should not only be accepted, but also celebrated.
Shu Ha Ri originates from Eastern martial arts, describes the stages of learning that a student goes through to gain mastery. Literally, Shu Ha Ri can be translated as “to keep, to fall, to break away”:
- Shu (to keep): following the rules. At this stage, the student must follow all the teacher’s instructions. The goal is to do exactly what the master says.
- Ha (to fall): breaking the rules. The student is already prepared enough to bring something of their own to the training and experiment. At this point, a deeper understanding of the discipline is gained.
- Ri (to break away): transcending the rules. In this phase, a person has fully absorbed the methodology and realized the core of the teaching. They no longer need rules; they just act naturally.
Hansei is a concept of Japanese philosophy. Its essence lies in acknowledging and processing one’s mistakes in order to prevent them from happening again.
Eudaimonia (/juːdɪˈmoʊniə/; Ancient Greek: εὐδαιμονία [eu̯dai̯moníaː]) is a Greek word literally translating to the state or condition of good spirit, and which is commonly translated as happiness or welfare.
Raison d'être; a reason to be
Joie de vivre (/ˌʒwɑː də ˈviːv(rə)/ ZHWAH də VEEV(-rə), French: [ʒwa d(ə) vivʁ] ⓘ; "joy of living") is a French phrase often used in English to express a cheerful enjoyment of life, an exultation of spirit, and general happiness.
Dolce far Niente: Embracing the Sweetness of Doing Nothing Dolce far niente isn’t just a beautiful Italian phrase but a lifestyle and mindset deeply entrenched in the Italian culture, known for its passion for life and leisure. However, it doesn’t imply laziness or idleness. Rather, it’s the conscious enjoyment of the present moment.
Lagom, Hygge, Friluftsliv, and Lykke are key principles of the Scandinavian lifestyle.
Lagom is a Swedish concept that means moderation in everyday life, and literally translates as “just enough.” focus on essential things and eliminates unnecessary distractions. and reduce, reuse, and recycle. It's about having the right amount of everything — not too much, not too little.
Friluftsliv comes from Norway; it means spending as much time outdoors as possible. The literal translation is “living open-air.”
Lykke originates from Denmark, where it refers to finding a state of peace and happiness by switching off external signals and spending time with others.
Hygge; The Scandinavian concept of “coziness” encourages people to enjoy small things in life.
