Mushin (無心) is a Japanese saying derived from Zen Buddhism that literally translates to “mind-without-mind.” Although primarily associated with Zen Buddhism and the martial arts, Mushin is a universal concept that if applied, will help you stop overanalysing things and become the executor of your dreams. All of our planners are designed from this state of mind.
The term contains the character for negation, "not" or "without" (無), along with the character for heart-mind (心). The term is shortened from mushin no shin (無心の心), a Zen expression meaning the mind without mind and is also referred to as the state of "no-mindness". That is, a mind not fixed or occupied by thought or emotion and thus open to everything.
It is translated by D.T. Suzuki as "being free from mind-attachment". Dr Robert Akita claims it helps him "listen to my wife and children more closely...especially when I disagree with them, [and] in my business it has helped when I am faced with difficult decisions.
The mind must always be in the state of 'flowing,' for when it stops anywhere that means the flow is interrupted and it is this interruption that is injurious to the well-being of the mind.
When I was 20 years old, I abandoned a business idea because my friends were not enthusiastic about it. I was young and let of support in the idea lead me to give up. Now, cocktail home delivery is a booming business in my hometown, but it was started by someone else.
I have witnessed many individuals and businesses struggle to reach their goals. At the beginning of each year, everything seems clear, but we often lose focus and give up on our routines or our business ideas. I have been guilty of this myself, both in my personal and professional life.
As an entrepreneur and a digital marketing consultant, I specialise in performance marketing for clients, delivering workshops and teaching at universities. I struggled to find a planner that met my needs, which is why I created the Mushin Planner. Using the principles of Mushin, I was able to design a planner that keeps my focus open and allows me to stay on track.
Practicing Mushin helps you create an open-mindedness and allows you to keep your focus open. We are constantly distracted and therefore more prone to losing focus and trust in our process. That's why I hold onto another Japanese principle, the principle of 'Ganbatte': do your best and don't give up. Fail, but keep moving. Keep track of your progress. You will see that all of our planners are designed with Mushin in mind. With a sprinke of 'Ganbatte'.
Yes, having the proper knowledge and skills is essential for success. However, let these planners serve as that extra push of confidence to give you the motivation to take action and achieve your goals.
A vision board is a powerful tool for visualising and manifesting your goals and aspirations. By creating a visual representation of what you want to achieve, you can keep your focus and motivation on track. Create a collage of images, words, and phrases that inspire you and align with your goals.
This section is designed to help you break down your goals into manageable steps, and to track your progress towards achieving them. The action plan will help you to identify what specific actions you need to take to achieve your goals, and assign due dates to them. Whether you're working on a business project, a personal goal or a big dream.
This feature allows you to set daily, weekly or monthly goals for yourself, and to track your progress over time. The habit tracker is designed to be simple and easy to use, so you can quickly and easily record your progress. This feature can help you to establish good habits, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, or a consistent daily routine.
The Japanese principle of "Ganbatte" is a mindset of perseverance and determination. It translates to "do your best" or "go for it" and is about giving everything you've got and not giving up, even in the face of obstacles or setbacks. At Mushin Planner, we have incorporated this principle into our design and functionality, to help you stay motivated and on track towards your goals.
It is essential to have both a strong mindset and a solid skill set. This applies to any pursuit, whether it be starting a business or training for a marathon.