“You glance at your wristwatch—one minute is gone, an hour is already underway”
The Japanese, renowned for their ancient wisdom, have long understood the profound significance of time—not just as a fleeting resource but as the cornerstone of discipline, productivity, and mastery. Their philosophies, deeply rooted in mindfulness and intentionality, offer lessons that transcend centuries, remaining deeply relevant in today’s fast-paced, modern world.
In this blog, we uncover the Japanese approach to time management, a philosophy that holds the power to shape the very foundation of a designer’s success. While topics like why creatives earn less, the perks of remote salaries, or leveraging AI to streamline workflows are important, they all orbit one irreplaceable element: time.
The Japanese Value of Time
If you asked a Japanese sage to summarize their culture, they might say, “focus.” At its core, this principle of mindfulness drives the Samurai code and underscores their approach to time. To the Japanese, time isn’t just a ticking clock or a rigid 24-hour structure—it’s a skill to be mastered. For designers, mastering time transforms overwhelming projects into attainable goals, builds discipline in honing skills, and enhances client relationships.
Some time benefits you enjoy when time is used wisely
- Enhanced Productivity: Focus on priorities, reduce distractions, and complete tasks efficiently.
- Better Quality of Work: Avoid rushing, ensure thoughtful execution, and deliver polished designs.
- Improved Client Relationships: Build trust by meeting deadlines and showing reliability.
- Personal Growth: Dedicate time to learning new tools and staying competitive.
- Reduced Stress: Prevent burnout with balanced workloads and timely project execution.
Here are six Japanese time management philosophies that can revolutionize your approach to time:
1. Ichi nichi ichijikan (一日一時間)
Translation: One hour a day
This philosophy emphasizes the power of small, consistent efforts to achieve mastery over time. The Japanese understood that devotion—more than mere enthusiasm—is required to truly learn a skill.
Application for Designers: Instead of cramming, dedicate one focused hour each day learning a specific skill. For example, if you’re mastering Photoshop, set aside quality time daily to a 30 day photoshop tutorial practice rather than claiming “no time.” Small, intentional efforts compound into significant progress.
2. Isogaba maware (急がば回れ)
Translation: Haste makes waste
Rushing through tasks to save time often results in errors that require more time to fix. The Japanese valued deliberation, intentionality, and thoughtfulness when approaching any task.
Application for Designers: Avoid rushing through key decisions, like selecting color palettes or interpreting a client’s brief. Hasty work can lead to multiple revisions, frustrated clients, and strained relationships. Instead, invest time in thoughtful execution to ensure quality results the first time.
3. Saru mo ki kara ochiru (猿も木から落ちる)
Translation: Even monkeys fall from trees
This proverb acknowledges that even experts make mistakes. The Japanese believed that resilience—the ability to bounce back from failure—was more important than avoiding mistakes altogether.
Application for Designers: Don’t let perfectionism paralyze you. If a project doesn’t go as planned, refocus and reapply yourself. Whether it’s a misinterpreted brief or a design mishap, learn from it and move forward with confidence.
4. Asu wa asu, kyou wa kyou (明日は明日、今日は今日)
Translation: Tomorrow is tomorrow, today is today
This philosophy promotes focus and living fully in the present. The Japanese emphasized completing today’s tasks under today’s sun, discouraging procrastination and overloading schedules.
Application for Designers: Don’t overcommit. Take on tasks that are manageable within the day and execute them with all your focus. For example, if designing a logo is on your plate, allocate time for research, sketching, and review without letting it spill into tomorrow.
5. Jikan o muda ni suru na (時間を無駄にするな)
Translation: Don’t waste time
The Japanese regarded time as sacred, meant for growth and achievement. Activities that distracted from meaningful goals were seen as wasteful.
Application for Designers: If you aim to complete a logo design in one day, focus on activities that contribute to that goal, such as studying color psychology for balanced designs or refining concepts. Avoid distractions like binge-watching or unrelated tasks that dilute your energy.
6. Ichigo ichie (一期一会)
Translation: One time, one meeting
This principle teaches us to honor the present moment as unique and irreplaceable. Instead of yearning for better tools or circumstances, maximize what you have now.
Application for Designers: Don’t let limitations—like working on an older laptop—hold you back. Learn to use your current resources to their fullest potential. For example, explore ways to optimize your software or dive deep into understanding its capabilities.
Mastering Time, Becoming a Design Samurai
Each day offers 24 hours of opportunities for growth, creativity, and achievement. By embracing these Japanese philosophies, we transform their relationship with time: learning new skills, meeting deadlines, and delivering exceptional work with grace.
Time waits for no one, and a moment wasted compounds into unfulfilled days. The Japanese teach us that success lies not in having more time but in using it wisely.
Which of these time philosophies will you embrace today? Share your thoughts below!