Unveiling Japanese Techniques for Boosting Workplace Happiness and Efficiency

Japanese Techniques for Boosting Workplace Happiness

Unveiling Japanese Techniques for Boosting Workplace Happiness and Efficiency

In the relentless pursuit of happiness, many of us have found ourselves in a peculiar predicament โ€” we are unhappy. More often than not, this unhappiness stems from a lack of discipline and an inability to maximize our productivity. In a world where time is money, the drive to increase productivity is not just for the benefit of our employers or to fuel the capitalist machine, but also for personal satisfaction and happiness. The internet is rife with productivity hacks, but the most effective ones seem to originate from Japan. Techniques like Pomodoro and Ikigai have gained popularity not only for their productivity-boosting capabilities but also for their focus on happiness. After all, a happy worker is a productive worker.

One such technique that has been a game-changer for me is the Orodomop, also known as Reverse Pomodoro. If you find your job so monotonous that it lulls you to sleep or struggle with waking up in the morning, Orodomop could be your saving grace. Unlike the Pomodoro technique, which breaks down tasks into 25-minute chunks, Orodomop applies the same principle to sleep. The technique challenges the belief that waking up means staying awake until bedtime. Instead, Orodomop encourages you to wake up for 25 seconds at a time and then go back to sleep, gradually extending your ‘awake time’ until you feel more refreshed than tired.

For those who find the concept of Ikigai daunting and are unable to identify a passion or purpose in life, there’s Katthirikai. This technique encourages you to build your life around an obsession. Named after its founder Akiraka Thirikai, who left his high-ranking position at Nintendo to cultivate Bt Brinjal on his virtual farm, Katthirikai has proven to bring happiness and fulfilment.

Another Japanese innovation is Nanban, an aural management technique that is a spin-off of the visual management tool, Kanban. Nanban focuses on boosting self-esteem by transforming your inner voice from a guilt-tripping taskmaster to your best friend who supports you unconditionally. Although it has the side effect of making you feel too relaxed to start working, the potential productivity gains from higher self-esteem make it worth trying.

The Japanese phrase Takkutakunu Seyyuda, which translates to ‘do it now, do it fast’, encapsulates the essence of avoiding procrastination. It encourages starting work in a timely manner through ceremonial procedures. While it may take years to master the art of self-administering a kick to get moving towards your workspace, the benefits are worth it.

Lastly, there’s a phrase that has been a productivity booster since the reign of Emperor Murakami in the late 1600s. Roughly translated, it means “if you check WhatsApp before you have finished 80% of your tasks, you are a genetically modified armadillo that feeds on disgusting electronic waste”. This humorous reminder to avoid social media distractions has stood the test of time.

While these techniques may seem unconventional, they provide an interesting perspective on productivity and happiness. As we navigate through our workdays, perhaps from behind an electric height adjustable standing desk, these Japanese productivity hacks could be the key to achieving not just higher productivity but also greater happiness. After all, isn’t that what we’re all striving for? So, whether you’re deciding how to choose the best standing desk or trying to find the best sit stand desk for your workspace, remember that the health benefits of an electric stand up desk go hand in hand with a productive and happy mindset.

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Guy Director
Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Ergomotion Director since 2005.

Google Reviews

Ergomotion

Google Reviews

Shelley Jensen 07/09/24

Google
Guy (the owner) delivered the desk and set it up quickly. He then gave me a lesson on how to use it and how to get the most out of it. Arrived on time and was absolutely lovely to deal with throughout the whole process. Highly recommend.

clifford sneider 06/09/24

Google
Guy was fantastic and the desk is amazing

Jo Manning 08/08/24

Google
I bought an adjustable desk from Guy a couple of years ago, got great service and good price. Recently we had a tiny issue which could not be fixed over the phone. Guy was more than happy to come out and look at it 2 days later. All fixed! I really appreciated his patience with me and accommodating us so quickly. Great old fashioned service and piece of mind. I love it. I know where to get my second desk when needed. Thank you Guy. Jo Manning

Deborah Hunt 25/07/24

Google
ergomotion were fantastic to deal with. excellent customer service and a great product.

Andrew Pieterse 14/06/24

Google
Great service and really quick shipping. It is great to know that you are getting quality parts from a Scandinavian manufacturer with your standing desk purchase rather than the cheap knock off stuff you get from other major brands. Reasonably priced for the quality too!

Janette Clarke 20/05/24

Google
Guy was very accommodating with meeting him at a time that suited me. He assembled the desk prior to me collecting so I only had to carry it inside with help (it's pretty heavy). The desk is great, the storage racks underneath with the 6 x built in powerpoints was worth the extra money. I have a functioning & tidy workplace.
Guy was brilliant, I highly recommend.
Janette

Nickel 10/05/24

Google
Have now purchased 2 stand up office desks off Guy, benchmark sales service from him, all via email, so easy; from quote to plug in, only matched by the strong quality of these machines, solid and stable. If only everything in life was this easy and reliable.

Jennifer Fadriquela 23/03/24

Google
I purchased an EDesk this month from Ergomotion, and it was a remarkably smooth transaction. Guy was eager to answer all my questions before my purchase. As a first-time buyer of a standing desk, I truly appreciated how he addressed my queries with thorough details and provided options within my budget.

The delivery process was also smooth, despite a slight delay in the ETA. Guy ensured I received all necessary updates from the courier/removalist.

I've been using the desk for a couple of weeks now and I'm satisfied with it. It's sturdy on all height adjustments and the motor works as expected. I also like oak finish because it's clean-looking and suits my room setup.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and I'll definitely recommend Ergomotion to someone looking for their desk needs.

Josh Oliver 04/02/24

Google
I've had an ergomotion desk for 10 years. It's still as good today as it was brand new. Over the years Guy has always responded promptly to any guidance I've needed (mostly help putting the desk back together after removalists take it apart).

Michael Cheung 18/01/24

Google
Great service from Guy and the team at Ergomotion! Helped with all my queries and was able to source a standing desk part for me when many others weren't able! Highly recommend!
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