Life and Business Lessons from Ogimi Village, Japan (Part 2)

(This is the second installment of a two-part series. Read part 1 here)

It has  been  a few hectic  months since the delivery of my  previous  article. It  was so good to be  able  to  discuss  these concepts  with some readers  who  were kind enough to read my ideas and share their perspective. In this  article, I will explore two  powerful concepts  learned  from  a trip  to  Ogimi  Village in Okinawa, the  place with the highest longevity in the world, and  applied to the world  of business. 

Principle #3: Hara Hachi Bu 
It  literally means “eat until you are eight parts  full,” or  “belly  80% full.” This is one of the most intriguing concepts of the Okinawan life philosophy. In  its literal sense, this principle and its practice is related to food, and it carries huge positive implications in the health of the residents of Ogimi Village. The idea behind this is to stop eating before you are full, right on the edge of feeling satiated. 

From a physiological point of view, this eating habit carries strong benefits because a large  number of residents of Okinawa have a caloric-neutral diet, which is to say they spend the same energy as they consume. According  to studies cited  in Wikipedia, the average  adult  in  Okinawa consumes between 1,800 and  1,900 calories per  day. The  outcome  of  this is  that  adults  have  a  BMI  between 18  to 22, which  is  exactly in the ”normal” range. To be able to compare, according to  the “What  the  World Eats” study by National Geographic and  FAO, in the United States, the average intake is 3,641 calories per day, and in Mexico, it is a whopping 3,021  calories. Not  surprisingly, on the BMI front, the United States  averages  28.9  and  Mexico 28.0. 

The health and life quality implications  of eating too many calories are manyfold, starting with obesity, and its strong correlation to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. These are three of the Top 5 leading causes 7of death. There is ample research on the implications of obesity and unhealthy diets on life quality, aging, and death. At the same time, there is research dating almost 100 years ago about caloric restriction as one of the potential levers for longevity. This is one of the reasons why fasting is a growing trend and there is ample evidence to back its usage. Personally, fasting is not for me, but eating selectively and in smaller portions works well to increase metabolic rate, level insulin cycles, and overall improve health through a number of physiological pathways. 

But, How Does This Apply to Business? 
Imagine eating only the best 80% of calories and nutrients available to you. Now let's apply that concept to business: Imagine engaging in only the best 80% of business available to you? If you ran an organization that selectively “fasted” or only chose the best quality and the highest return on effort, what would it look like? imagine if companies focused on operating at an "80% capacity" in terms of projects, initiatives, collaborators, and even day-to-day tasks. This doesn't mean slacking off; rather, it means prioritizing efficiency and effectiveness, avoiding overextension and the burnout that often follows.

Moreover, this principle encourages businesses to focus on their core competencies, trimming the fat and avoiding diversification that spreads resources too thin. It’s about saying no to good opportunities to make room for the great ones. In essence, practicing Hara Hachi Bu in business is about strategic restraint and focused excellence.
For example, a tech company might decide to develop only the features that 80% of its users request, ensuring quality and usability, rather than cramming every possible feature into a product. This approach leads to more sustainable growth, higher quality products, and a better understanding of what truly adds value to the consumer.

For me, this concept at first may seem completely counterintuitive, as I grew up in the school of thought that more is always better. Except, it usually isn’t. I look at the teams I have the fortune to work with, they all seem overextended and, therefore, people make mistakes, projects don’t run well, teams grow too much, and a lot falls through the seams. I look at the most transformational moments of my business life, and they are usually the result of being more focused. Can we apply this to business, and selectively engage in 80% full, creating space for discovery, rest, creativity, collaboration, and success?

Principle #4: Nankurunaisa

This concept is perhaps one of the most enigmatic, yet profoundly simple, of the life philosophies hailing from Okinawa. Nankurunaisa, loosely translated, means "time will solve it" or "it will work out eventually." This philosophy promotes patience, resilience, and a deep-seated belief in the natural course of things. It's about understanding that not all problems need immediate solutions and that sometimes, the best action is inaction, allowing time to heal and resolve issues.

In the business world, this principle can often be counterintuitive. The market pressures businesses for quick fixes, fast growth, and immediate results; however, the wisdom of Nankurunaisa invites us to consider the long-term view and the power of patience. It suggests that some of the most significant achievements and resolutions come from giving processes the time they need to mature, develop, and come to fruition.

The Nankurunaisa principle teaches us the importance of a patient, long-term outlook, not just in strategy, but in nurturing a company’s culture. In a fast-paced business environment, it's easy to seek quick fixes to cultural issues or force organizational changes without giving employees time to adapt and embrace these changes naturally. By embodying Nankurunaisa, leaders can create a culture of resilience, where employees feel safe in the knowledge that not every problem needs an immediate solution. This fosters an environment where creativity and innovation can thrive, as individuals are given the space and time to think deeply and contribute meaningfully.

Merging Hara Hachi Bu and Nankurunaisa for Business Innovation
When combined, these two principles offer a powerful blueprint for sustainable business practices. By adopting the Hara Hachi Bu approach to business operations and the Nankurunaisa mindset toward time and problem-solving, organizations can achieve a balance that promotes long-term health, resilience, and innovation.

Imagine a startup that carefully chooses which projects to take on, focusing on those that align closely with their vision and have the highest potential impact. Simultaneously, they adopt a patient, long-term approach to growth, understanding that not all success comes overnight. This balanced approach can lead to more sustainable growth, happier employees, and a stronger, more resilient company culture.

As we navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape, the Okinawan principles of Hara Hachi Bu and Nankurunaisa offer a refreshing perspective. These philosophies remind us of the importance of moderation, focus, patience, and resilience. In a world where excess and speed are often celebrated, these principles invite us to slow down, prioritize, and trust in the process.

Incorporating Hara Hachi Bu and Nankurunaisa into business practices might not only lead to healthier organizations but could also contribute to a more balanced, fulfilling life for the individuals within them. So, as we move forward, let’s not forget the wisdom from Ogimi Village. Perhaps it’s not always about doing more, faster, but about doing the right things, at the right pace, with the right amount of effort. This may very well possibly be the key for true longevity in business too.