Ganbatte! The Japanese art of always moving forward

In this enjoyable debut, philosopher Liebermann explores the Japanese principle of ganbatte (translated as "do your best and don't give up"). The 50 mini chapters, each no longer than a few pages, are titled after many familiar concepts, such as "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" and "Reinventing the Wheel," while others present a story of overcoming obstacles or a singular take on uncommon issues. Liebermann, for instance, provides "Ten Ganbatte Rules for Fitness" for those who struggle to exercise--including "don't compare yourself to others, do something you enjoy, and enter a state of flow." The chapter "Tama the Cat," meanwhile, considers thinking outside the box via the story of a real cat that became stationmaster for a low-traffic railway line, increasing tourism and keeping the line from being closed. "Mentality of a Marathon Runner" explains how switching back-and-forth from associative to dissociative thinking can help one "reach the finish line" of any task. Between the chapters are photos of cultural touchstones ( among them an image from the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology) and examples famous Japanese art, including 1887's Bodhidarma by Yoshitoshi. Readers who enjoyed Hector Garcia's Ikigai for its focus on finding meaning in everyday life will appreciate this comforting take on how to address life's inevitable failures. (Sept.)

"When we contemplate the work of a famous artist or admire an athlete's records, we tend to forget there was a time when they were children. We have the feeling they acquired their skills overnight, blessed by a miracle that filled them with talent. But in reality, there was a time when: the professional pianist touched a piano key for the first time, the famous painter, on that first day, gasped a paintbrush in their childlike hand, the Olympic medal-winning athlete didn't know how to walk, and the renowned novelist learned to read. In Japanese, there is a saying: Senri no michi mo ippo kara ?????????, which means: "Even the longest journey begins with a first step." This saying reminds us that it doesn't matter what stage of life we are at; everything started with a first step and we are halfway to a future that we shouldn't feel overwhelmed by. If you are thinking about taking up a new hobby, embarking on a new relationship or making a career change, and you freeze at the thought of the chasm you will have to cross, the best thing is to focus on taking the first step. Sign up for that first class, send that text message or resume... take a step forward and start to walk. That initial step is the hardest one to take, but once taken, it will give you self-confidence. Suddenly, you will feel able to move forward with a second step, then a third...until walking becomes instinctive. And if at any time you feel down, remember the word ganbatte. It will give you the impetus you need to carry on walking. You will soon look back and realize that what you began with a single step has now turned into a long journey. What's more--and this is the most important thing--you will no longer be the person you were at the beginning. You will have grown as a human being." --Liebermann, Albert. "The Longest Journeys Begin with a First Step." Ganbatte! The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward. Tuttle Publishing, 2021, pg. 37-38. Excerpted from Ganbatte!: The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward by Albert Liebermann All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.