If you talk to asians of various origins about success, you will usually get hints about very simple principles. The following 7 simple wisdoms will change your life in no time if you apply them with discipline and consistency.

1. Ikigai

Discover your purpose in life

Determine the reason why you wake up every morning.

Choose something that aligns with your strengths, passions and other people’s needs.

This will give meaning to your life.

2. Shikata ga nai

Let go of what you cannot change.

Realise that some things are out of your control and that’s OK. Let go and focus on what you can change.

3. Wabi sabi

Find peace in imperfection.

Realise that nothing in life is perfect – that includes you and other people.

Find joy in the imperfections of life that make it unique, rather than constantly striving for perfection.

4. Gaman

Keep your dignity in difficult times.

Show emotional maturity and self-control even when faced with challenges.

Remind yourself to remain patient, resilient and understanding.

5. Oubaitori

Don’t compare yourself to others.

Everyone has their own unique path.

Focus on your own progress instead of measuring yourself and your progress against others.

6. Kaizen

Always strive to become better in all areas of life.

Ask yourself every day, what can I do better in this matter, relationship, situation, etc.?

Even small changes add up over time and cause a big impact.

7. Shu Ha Ri

“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. When the student is really ready, the teacher will disappear”.

Tao Te Ching

This describes the understanding of how you should accumulate knowledge.

Shu: Learn the basics by learning teachings and knowledge from a teacher who is a leader in their field.

Ha: Start implementing the knowledge in your own way. “Learning by doing”

Ri: Add something of yourself to knowledge so that new knowledge can emerge – that is innovation.

Apply these 7 wisdoms for one month and observe how your life or your perception of life changes. These wisdoms have existed for centuries and appear again and again in biographies, reports or advice from successful people. So they have stood the test of time!

What has helped countless other people to succeed will also be helpful for you. In addition, practising these wisdoms will also help you train discipline and consistency. Two qualities that are essential for success in all areas of life.