The Courage to be Ordinary by Ichiro Kishimi

The inspiring guide to letting go of competition and living authentically – from the 15 million-copy bestselling author

The inspiring guide to letting go of competition, reducing stress and living a happier, more authentic life – from the 15-million-copy bestselling author of the Japanese self-help phenomenon, The Courage to Be Disliked

Are you exhausted from trying to be exceptional?

Break the Burnout Cycle. Choose Ordinary.

In The Courage to be Ordinary, Ichiro Kishimi speaks to everyone burned out by hustle, comparison and the pressure to prove their worth. His message is disarmingly simple- stop trying to stand out.

Being ordinary isn’t failure – it’s freedom. Freedom from constant competition, from chasing approval, from feeling chronically tense. Letting go of the need to be special will finally give your strengths the space they need to shine.

It’s time to release the pressure and embrace the superpower you really need to succeed- The Power of Ordinary.

About the Author: Ichiro Kishimi (Author)
Ichiro Kishimi was born in Kyoto in 1956. He graduated from Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters, at a Faculty of Letters. He has researched Adlerian psychology since 1989 and writes lectures on Adlerian psychology and classical philosophy. He is a certified counsellor and consultant for the Japanese Society of Adlerian Psychology. He is a well-known Japanese translator of selected writings by Alfred Adler.

Haydn Trowell (Translator)
Haydn Trowell has translated works by major prize-winning authors such as Yasunari Kawabata, Maki Kashimada, and Rie Qudan, and has worked extensively with publishers in Australia, Japan, the UK, and the US. Haydn holds a PhD in translation studies from Monash University and has a background in both translation and creative writing.

25 Jun 2026
 

The Courage to be Ordinary by Ichiro Kishimi ISBN 9781785046773