I recently came across an excellent tweet from presentation coach, Tessa Davis setting out 10 Japanese concepts that will improve your life. They will also improve your practice of law. The concepts are:

1. Oubaitori
   
   Never compare yourself. Don’t judge yourself by someone else’s path.
   In law, don’t set your standards based on what others are doing. Be your best, regardless of what opposing counsel may stoop to.
   
   
2. Kaizen
   
   Continuously improve. Small changes accumulate and make all the difference.
   
   See my blog on kaizen, Atomic Habits and tiny changes here. 
   
   At Hull and Hull, we are constantly examining our processes and service delivery to find ways to improve them. 
   
   
3. Wabi-sabi
   
   Embrace imperfection. Accept your own flaws and those of others.
   
   We aren’t perfect. We need to understand our imperfections and those of others and work with (or around) them. 
   
   
   
4. Mottainai
   
   Don’t be wasteful. Recognize the value in what is around you and don’t waste it.
   
   Do you need to print that email?
   
   
5. Gaman
   
   Have dignity during duress. Hard times need to be met with emotional maturity and self-control.
   
   Great advice when facing questions from a Court of Appeal panel that is not enamored with your argument.
   
   
   
6. Yuugen
   
   Appreciate mysterious beauty. Discover subtle beauty beyond aesthetics. Experience something words cannot describe.
   
   Like that time when a completely novel settlement option lead to a settlement at a mediation that no one was expecting.
   
   
   
7. Ikigai
   
   Know your reason for being. Define your reason to get up in the morning. Make it something you are good at, passionate about, and that the world needs.
   
   As Rodney Hull used to say, “Do you have a fire in your belly?”
   
   
   
8. Shikita ga nai
   
   Accept and let go. Some things are simply not in our control. Accept what you cannot change and move on.
   
   In law, as in all other areas of our lives, sometimes “it is what it is”.
   
   
   
9. Kintsugi
   
   Repair cracks with gold. Imperfections are a thing of beauty. Our flaws are embellishments that make us more beautiful.
   
   This one seems to be similar to #8. However, it is something more: don’t just accept imperfection, by embrace it. Our scars and wrinkles make us who we are.
   
   
   
10. Omoiyari
    
    Show consideration for others. Life is better when we care for others. Be thoughtful. Build compassion.
    
    Sort of like the golden rule. Always good advice.

Thank you for reading.

Paul Trudelle