“Ganbatte” means something like “Give your best”. Behind this lies a Japanese philosophy of life that is extremely helpful in every situation.
“Ganbatte” doesn’t simply mean “Good luck!”. Rather, it is a Japanese philosophy of life that encourages us to give the best of ourselves in difficult moments. With this word, the Japanese encourage others to work towards their goals and not give up, even if there are obstacles on the way.
“Ganbatte” is derived from the verb “ganbaru” (to strive, to make an effort). There is even a more formal way of saying it: “Ganbatte Kudasai” (Please do your best!)
This attitude to life can help us all to give our best in every situation and thus achieve our goals.
Ganbatte: Do your best!
“Ganbatte” means not giving up despite adversity and doing your best. This resilient attitude to life shapes the Japanese character: hard work is a crucial prerequisite for success. A study published in the Juntendo Medical Journal shows that positive and encouraging words are highly motivating. An example of this is the term “Ganbatte,” which appears throughout Japanese history to encourage oneself and others.
In Japanese culture, discipline and daily effort are a prerequisite for success; everyone is responsible for their own happiness.
The story of a resilient philosophy of life
Historical events such as the dropping of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis have left their mark on the Japanese population. After the severe earthquake of 2011, the call “ Ganbaro Nippon ” (roughly “Let us do our best for Japan”) appeared on the Tokyo Tower to encourage the population. The idea behind this is that every person influences their own fate through effort.
The Tōhoku earthquake in 2011 triggered a tsunami that affected around 600,000 people; around 3.5% of those affected died. After this tragedy, various measures were taken in Japan to reduce the risks of similarly dramatic events and to strengthen the resilience of the population.
An article in Jurnal Studi Hubungan Internasional explains that the Japanese ability for resilience comes from the samurai's Bushido philosophy. For them, values such as courage, honor, self-respect, self-control, self-esteem, hard work, and responsibility were crucial.
Values in Japanese society
Effort, strength, and courage are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Reciprocity and altruism are just as important: Japanese children are already learning to leave their egoism behind in order to cooperate with others. Loyalty and benevolence toward others are valued virtues.
In the book Understanding Japanese Society¹, you can read that cooperation among peers in Japan is promoted through various activities. Examples of this include group sports instead of individual sports at school or various activities to help neighbors. If you want to be successful professionally, you also have to be a team player. The success of the individual depends on the success of the company and vice versa. Self-interest therefore usually takes precedence over the common good.
Devotion to duty, discipline, commitment, and responsibility are particularly important in Japanese culture.
Ganbatte in every situation
You can do your best in every situation. Make “Ganbatte” your life philosophy by putting the following tips into practice:
1. Learn from experience and strive
Learning from experience is a basic requirement for being able to give your best in every situation. Think about what you could do better in the future, what mistakes you definitely don't want to repeat, and how you can find better solutions. Do your best to achieve better results next time.
To achieve this you need discipline. However, you also need to set boundaries and allow yourself time off to prevent excessive stress or burnout.
2. Develop resilience
A Japanese proverb makes it clear what resilience means: “If you fall seven times, you get up eight times.” Difficult moments are normal in life, so you have to learn to deal with them and overcome challenges. Take the initiative to overcome problems and take control of your destiny.
3. Practice acceptance
It's not always possible to change things. In this case, you have to accept it. The Japanese phrase “shikata ga nai,” which means “there is no choice,” reflects this acceptance. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology makes it clear that you can improve your mental health by dealing with and accepting your feelings in this situation.
4. Cooperate with others
In adverse situations, Japanese people cooperate and help each other. You too can adopt this attitude: helping, listening, or offering support is easy and very enriching. When you pay attention to others, you are more likely to receive help during difficult times. This may seem selfish, but that's how support networks work.
Ganbatte: Mindfulness and Gratitude
Mindfulness coincides with this Japanese philosophy in several ways. By being present in the present moment and focusing your full attention on the tasks at hand, you exert the effort and dedication necessary to achieve your goals, which are central elements of this concept. When you focus on your actions, you can carry them out with greater efficiency and quality, which contributes to success and overcoming challenges.
It also helps you deal with stress and pressure in difficult situations. By remaining calm and focused, you can effectively and resiliently face obstacles and overcome problems.
On the other hand, the practice of gratitude is fundamental in Japanese culture. Appreciate what you have and be grateful. Show respect and appreciation for others. Gratitude can also help you maintain a positive attitude, even when things don't always go well. You generally give your all, no matter what the conditions.
Ganbatte as a way of life
This philosophy of life helps you overcome difficulties and achieve your goals while valuing and respecting others. Mindfulness, gratitude, discipline, commitment, and mutual support are important pillars of the Japanese art of always giving your best.
