(Approx 2 minute 50 second read)

I don’t know about you, but I always try my best in everything I do. Occasionally, I get annoyed with myself, thinking I could have done better. Maybe I’m just wired that way. Of course, I don’t always succeed, but next time, I try that bit harder.
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An important aspect of Japanese culture is the value placed on giving your best, no matter what you’re doing – whether it’s work, study, training, or helping others. This mindset is reflected in the concept of ganbaru (頑張る). It plays a significant role in many areas of life in Japan. It’s about persevering and putting in your utmost effort, no matter what that task might be.
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The word ganbaru roughly translates to “to do one’s best” or “to persevere,” but its meaning goes beyond simply trying hard.
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There are several variations of ganbaru, each with a slightly different nuance. Ganbatte (頑張って) is the softer, more polite form of the word, suitable for most situations. When you want to be more polite, you can say ganbatte kudasai (頑張ってください), which is a formal request to try your best.
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This phrase can be understood as “please do your best,” with kudasai meaning “please,” though it is often left out in more casual conversations.
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Ganbare (頑張れ) is used to encourage someone in a more direct, imperative way. It’s can be used for motivating someone who is struggling, pushing them to keep going. However, it’s not suited for use with someone significantly senior to you, as it may sound too commanding.
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Ganbarou (頑張ろう), on the other hand, is used when motivating yourself or a group. It means “Let’s do our best!” and is often used to encourage everyone to keep going together.
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In the martial arts, or anything worthwhile to you, it’s not just about achieving perfection or success, but about the effort you put into every training session, every technique, and every aspect of your practice. It encourages a mindset where pride is taken in doing your best, regardless of the outcome. It’s about self-discipline and determination to keep going, even when progress feels slow.
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In the dojo, you should approach every aspect of your training with this kind of spirit.
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Whether you’re working on trying to make your kata visually appealing, sparring, or perfecting a specific technique or drill, focusing on doing your best is an important part of everything you do.
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Remember that the value in your training isn’t just in the results but in the continuous effort and improvement you make along the way.
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I think this mindset is vital – that never-give-up, do-your-best attitude. It teaches that success is not determined by how quickly you reach your goals, but by the persistence and effort you put in. It’s about the spirit of perseverance, pride, and dedication in everything you do.
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In this context, the idea of ‘nana korobi ya oki’ (七転び八起き), which translates to “fall seven times, stand up eight”, reinforces the importance of persistence and never giving up, no matter how many times you stumble or fail. It complements the spirit of doing your best and continuing to try, even when things are difficult.
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Just like ganbaru encourages putting in your utmost effort, nana korobi ya oki teaches that setbacks are part of your training and that the key is to always rise again, stronger and more determined.
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When I was young, I was told by an Army PT instructor that I was like a ferret – tenacious, always keeping on going, always trying, never giving up. I’ll take that. Perhaps I do embody this, I hope so. After all, it’s the spirit of ganbaru no seishin – the spirit of perseverance – that carries us through, no matter how many times we stumble along the way, whether in the dojo or in life.
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And if at first you don’t succeed, just remember: even the frog who couldn’t escape still had the stork by the throat, and that’s something.
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Keep trying.
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Written by Adam Carter