Everyone wants to win. At work, at school, at home. But we all know that success doesn’t come easy. You grind, you work hard, and yet, sometimes, you still can’t make it to the next level. It can be super frustrating when your routine success fails, and you just can’t reach the goals that you’ve set for yourself!
Well, lucky for you, Oishi has some pretty great tips to get your day right and achieve sweet victory. Our Japanese snack master has the perfect routine for everyday success, and they’re a sure-fire way to hit the next milestone in your journey. So put down your controller and grab your notebook so you can jot down this Japanese cheat code to succeed!
1. Zazen (坐禅) : Stillness at the Start of the Day
Zazen is the practice of sitting and meditating in Zen Buddhism. Even though you're not a Buddhist, Zazen is the perfect kind of Japanese practice to incorporate into your daily routine. Before you start your day, Oishi says you should find a quiet spot and sit still before picking up your phone and heading out the door. Searching for a bit of quiet meditation and tranquility right after getting up can really help set your day right!
Alternate Route: Not really sure about meditating? You can always try simply sitting down and taking a deep breath, thinking about your life and your day. Or, you can sit at your desk and write a few sentences in your journal. Just a little moment of reflection will help get you on the right foot!
2. Radio Taiso (ラジオ体操) : Get Your Body Moving
In Japan, people practice radio taiso, a series of light calisthenics exercises that has been broadcast on HHK Radio since 1928. Almost everyone does it - school children, office workers, retirees, and of course, Oishi. Radio taiso doesn't last for very long, just three minutes and thirty seconds. It also isn't intense, just a light workout designed to wake your body, improve circulation, and help you get moving before the day starts.
Alternate Route: If you don’t like the idea of Radio Taiso, you can always come up with an alternative way of stretching. Maybe take out a mat and do some light yoga poses. It’s always great to loosen your joints and remove the stiffness from your body first thing in the morning!
3. Oosoji (大掃除): Clearing Away the Clutter
In Japanese, osoji means big cleaning. People usually do osoji before the start at of the new year to make room for good things in life. In Japan, cleaning away clutter also helps clear the mind. A lot of monks in Buddhist temples start sweeping courtyards and corridors at dawn. According to Oishi, simple osojis don't have to be a deep clean. Just ten minutes of wiping surfaces, clearing last night's dishes, or folding your blanket.
Alternate Route: If a ten-minute osoji sounds like too much, you can always boil it down to five. Just spend some time putting things in order. Put down your phone and focus on the task in front of you. Notice how a little orderliness clears your mind of clutter, too!
4. Kakizome (書き初め): Setting Intention Through Writing
In Japan, people begin the year by doing Kakizome, the practice of writing in calligraphy their hopes and dreams for the year ahead. According to Oishi, Kakizome doesn't have to be a once-a-year tradition. You can do it before you start your day by writing out your intentions. Write it by hand! It's slower than typing, and it's deliberate. That way, you can commit to your intentions better.
Alternate Route: Make a to-do list! It might not exactly be the same as deep daily intentions, but it's a great way to orient yourself for the day. Just make sure to do it by hand, that way you can really commit every task to memory!
5. Tea Ceremony: Waking Up Your Mindful Senses
The formal tea ceremony might be too complex to do every morning, but according to Oishi, you can always do a more modern way of making your tea. Choose your favorite type of tea be it green tea, matcha, or hojicha. Learn how to make your tea right, learn the ratio, and then practice the same way of making it every morning. It becomes some sort of meditation! Plus, tea really helps get you energized for whatever challenge comes your way!
Alternate Route: Tea too fancy for your liking? Well, a cup of coffee isn't bad. Just make sure to slow it down a bit and be deliberate. Slowing down your coffee prep adds mindfulness to the process. Feel your senses awaken with the movement, the scent, and the taste of your coffee!
6. Itadakimasu (いただきます): A Practice in Gratitude
As an otaku and a lover of Japanese snacks, you've probably heard of "itadakimasu." This phrase is something Japanese people say before starting every meal. Though it's often translated as "let's eat," in anime, Oishi says the meaning of itadakimasu actually runs deep. The root verb is "itadaku," which is to receive something with both hands held above the head in gratitude. So itadakimasu is essentially about acknowledging the work put into making the food you eat.
Alternate Route: It might sound strange saying itadakimasu when you're out at a restaurant, but there's nothing wrong with having a moment of silence to reflect and feel gratitude for your meal or for your Japanese treats.
7. Harahachibu (腹八分): Eating like a Pro
Harahachibu is a concept which literally means "belly eight parts." To the modern Japanese person, this means eating until you're eighty percent full and then stopping to digest. According to Oishi, harahachibu is a great practice not only for people who want to go on diets, but for everyone who wants to succeed in life. It makes you pay attention to your body and the fullness of your stomach.
Alternate Route: Okay, so harahachibu might be a little bit hard for people who like to binge eat everything they see on the table. Maybe meal prepping might help, especially if you struggle with portion control.
8. Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) : Bathing In Nature
In Japan, Shinrin-yoku is the art of forest bathing. Though you might be wondering what to do if you don't have a forest nearby, Oishi says that the practice of simply being in nature is enough to help improve your day. If you have some spare time in the morning, you can have a short walk in the park or sit in your garden. Decades of research have shown how getting some fresh air and being with nature lowers your cortisol, improves your blood pressure, and helps boost your immune system!
Alternate route: If you don't have a park, you can always build yourself a small garden at home. Just having a small green thing to look at and care for can help calm the senses, reduce anxiety, and improve your mental state. That'll give you the energy you need to take on the day!
There you have it! These are Oishi’s 8 tips on how to start your day geared towards success. Have you ever practiced any of Oishi’s morning routines before? Which one speaks to you the most? Is it Radio Taiso? Or maybe you want to try Shinrin-yoku?
We really hope that Oishi’s tips to success help you get to the next level you’ve always wanted. Life isn’t easy, but if you take time to slow down and be more mindful, then you’ll have the capacity to take on whatever challenge comes your way.
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