Jiyū in Business: What “True Freedom” Really Means (And How to Achieve It)
Hanshi Cezar Borkowski, founder and leader of Northern Karate Schools, whose commitment to Martial Arts has been inspiring our global community for decades has recently posted this on his social media:
“Shodo: A bridge to centuries of tradition, where the elegance of Japanese calligraphy invites reflection on the beauty and meaning of life at every stage. Are you free?”
In Japanese, the word “jiyū” (自由) means freedom — not just legally or politically, but personally and deeply.
In business, especially in North America, freedom is often misunderstood as “escaping a 9-5” or “making more money.” But true freedom is much more powerful than that.
It’s about building a business that works for you, not the other way around.
It can include things like control of your time, creativity and autonomy in choosing what you work on and why, and operational freedom where the business runs (and grows) without you doing everything.
Here are a few ways to consider when designing Jiyū in Your Business:
- Build Systems, Not Jobs – If you stop working and income stops, it’s not freedom — it’s a job with extra stress.
- Automate and Delegate Early – Tools like Zapier + virtual assistants can free up dozens of hours each month.
- Create Scalable Income Streams – Digital products, courses, consulting packages — make your knowledge earn passively.
- Work Asynchronously & Remotely – Remote isn’t just about where you work — it’s about when and how. Freedom thrives in async work.
- Live by Design, Not Default – Define what freedom means to you, and build around that. Clarity is power.
It looks like wanting to achieve sustainable growth you need to combine higher purpose and freedom, because mixing jiyū (freedom) with ikigai (purpose) is where true business fulfillment really happens. It means you are not just chasing income, but, on your terms, you are creating impact.
If I understand Jiyū correctly, Jiyū is not a destination, it is a mindset. It is a business philosophy.
How does freedom in business look like for you?
We are keen to know,
With special thanks to Hanshi Cezar Borkowski
