Ganbatte!: The Japanese Art of Always Moving Forward

Ganbatte (gan-ba-tay) is a Japanese philosophy focused on doing the best you can with what you have. Though there is no direct translation, “keep going,” and “give it your all,” embody the sentiments behind the word. Just as wabi sabi shows the beauty of imperfection in life, ganbatte teaches you how to get past obstacles and be motivated to keep moving forward.

In Ganbatte! author Albert Liebermann provides an inspirational, yet practical guide to becoming more resilient the Japanese way. In 50 short chapters, some deeper and some more playful, Liebermann guides you through ways you can adopt the ganbatte approach to achieve a happier, more fulfilling life—and a happier, more fulfilled self.

These include:
• Separating “difficult” from “impossible”
• Making use of failure
• Cultivating patience
• Working mindfully with a sense of awareness
• Continually improving
• Practicing meditation
• Pushing through a crisis
• Taking the slow route

Sprinkled throughout the book are “Ganbatte Rules”—short, actionable steps you can take to move forward in a part of your life where you may be stuck (whether it’s fitness, love or starting a business). A foreword by Hector Garcia, author of the bestselling Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, introduces the concept of ganbatte and how he learned of its existence from one of Japan’s centenarians.

While many aspects of life are beyond our control, how we deal with setbacks and difficulties is as much of a choice as how we approach everyday tasks. This book helps you tap into your own ability to persevere and encourages you to stay motivated and hopeful in difficult times. If you apply the tenacity and resilience of the Japanese in your daily life, difficult becomes easy, and impossible becomes possible.