A big part of who I am is shaped by these Japanese philosophies
Ikigai, Kaizen, Wabi-Sabi and Meraki.
Ikigai taught me to align my skills, passions, and purpose.
For me, that alignment is clear: building products for people and the planet. It’s what I’m good at, what I enjoy, what the world needs, and what I do for a living.
Kaizen means continuous improvement, one step at a time.
Isn’t this what agile is?
Wabi-Sabi
Wabi-Sabi, on the other hand, showed me the beauty of imperfection. Coming from a design background, I once wrestled with perfectionism, always chasing flawless details. But embracing the agile mindset changed me. I began to find joy in progress, not perfection. I learned that it’s okay to ship something imperfect, as long as it moves forward. Improvement comes with time, and that realization was liberating.
And finally, Meraki.
To do something with soul, creativity, and love. I truly believe that when you work on something with deep interest, you can’t help but leave a piece of yourself in it. The work becomes more than just output; it becomes an extension of you.
