Management’s Point of View ~ Enjoy Your Work ~

February 13, 2026

According to a survey by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, approximately 80% of Japanese workers experience “strong anxiety, worries, or stress.” Similarly, a survey by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that 80% of American workers “suffer from work-related stress,” with about half—40% overall—reporting it as “very/extremely stressful.” As I’ve written before, I, too, struggled early in my career when work piled up and I felt overwhelmed by stress while lacking motivation. Yet while some people feel stressed out by their work, others approach the same jobs cheerfully and enjoyably. If you’re going to do the same work in any case, there’s no better way than to enjoy it. 

In fact, my ongoing project with TOPC Axis—writing about the company’s philosophy and action principles—is directly connected to enjoying work. There are several traits that people who work cheerfully and proactively seem to possess, and I’d like to share those with you here. 

Understanding the purpose of the work and mastering the fundamentals 

As I wrote in “Stick to the Basics,” simple tasks like reconciling invoices can feel tedious if you just repeat them mechanically. Indeed, many of my colleagues regularly complained about such tasks. However, I noticed that those who excelled at the same work had a clear purpose, explicitly defined their methods, documented the work procedures, and neatly summarized their conclusions. To master these fundamentals of work, it’s not enough to do what you’re told. You need to understand the task’s purpose and think through the optimal process for yourself. Through this process, you become conscious of the importance of each mundane step. This gradually evolves into a professional mindset, and that professional mindset is the very source that makes work enjoyable. 

Realizing that work can bring joy to others 

“Professional work makes clients go ‘Wow!’ (from Wow! Your Client).” Isn’t it enjoyable when clients, or even your boss or those working under you, have a genuine “Wow!” reaction to your work? Bringing joy to others ultimately leads to happiness for yourself. Of course, such work demands more effort than average. But isn’t it far more meaningful to do work that brings joy to others, even if it requires extra effort, than to just get by with a 9-to-6 routine? That extra thought, that extra effort put into each twist or refinement, brings joy to others and ultimately transforms work into something enjoyable. 

Finding joy in the growth of people and companies 

If you persistently make efforts to create an environment where your subordinates can thrive, you’ll eventually see them grow. You might also realize that even the most unglamorous tasks, when done consistently, can contribute to a client’s business development. Our contribution might be less than 1% of their business growth, but if you become the kind of person who can feel joy in contributing that 1%, your work should feel more enjoyable and meaningful. 

It may be bucking the current trend, but I don’t think shorter working hours or a four-day work week are the solution to employees’ success and fulfillment. I feel very strongly that, in some cases, such measures could nip the growth of young professionals in the bud, just as they are in the midst of developing their careers. Of course, working in a way that harms your physical and mental health is unacceptable, but I think it’s a bit simplistic to assume that reducing working hours will reduce stress and make people happier. During Japan’s postwar era of economic vitality, everyone was hungry for a better life and worked hard. While some may have worked desperately to survive back then, working hard naturally improves one’s abilities. When you put those abilities in meaningful ways, you realize that your work brings happiness to those around you. It was precisely this virtuous cycle that made Japan so vibrant at that time. 

It’s essential to take breaks and reward yourself now and then. I myself am looking forward to next week‘s Super Bowl party. However, if your hobby is simply to enjoy yourself, your work can be a great way to bring joy to others and you as well. When you realize that, in addition to individual gain, once you become a person who can give to others and find joy in others’ happiness, then you will find your work has become enjoyable and genuinely satisfying.