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The Japanese Art of Making Boring Tasks Better
Even if your work feels mundane, there’s a way to find meaning in it
In Japan, phenomenal customer service is not limited to just high-end luxury shops and hotels. If you walk into any regular store, you will likely be greeted by an employee who will politely welcome you in, bow to you, and rush to help you as soon as they realize you need assistance. Their uniforms are crisp, clean, and appearance clearly cared for. The shelves are put together, the products aligned and organized. Floors are mopped, windows are clean, and when you exit the store, the employees will say thank you, smile, and bow to you until you are a considerable distance from the exit.
This is not to say that Japanese people always love their jobs. In any job, there are moments that are tiring, boring, and tedious. But the idea of putting your best foot forward in your work — ganbaru — is one that is widely valued, no matter your profession. Whether you’re a CEO or convenience store worker, if you can exemplify the principles of ganbaru, your work will be respected. Even this Japanese daikon radish gained nationwide applause and attention for its perseverance in less-than-ideal circumstances. “To see a daikon ganbaru in a place like this, it even gave me encouragement,” Osaka resident Ms. Shima told the Japanese publication Nikkei. “I want to show it to my grandkids.”
When you think about what is necessary to enjoy work, it’s easy to point to the big things — money, status, the ability to gain valuable skills, and having a meaningful “why.” These factors are important, but what do we do about the tasks we have no control over in the moment? We can find meaning there, too. When we are positive towards our work — even boring work — people notice, and our attitude uplifts the spirit of those around us. Knowing that you’re doing work that is respected and uplifting to others can make any boring job better.
