In Japan, people practise something called Hansei (hahn-say), which means “to look back and think deeply.” It isn’t about guilt — it’s about learning. After finishing a project, Japanese students and workers reflect on what went well and what could improve. They believe progress starts with quiet honesty.
At school, Hansei could mean reviewing a test to see which answers went wrong and why, or thinking about how a group task could have been smoother. It’s not about blaming anyone — it’s about becoming wiser through awareness.
Many Japanese schools even hold Hansei meetings where students discuss what they learned, not just what they achieved. Psychologists say this habit builds humility and growth mindset — the belief that skills improve through effort. Hansei teaches that reflection turns mistakes into teachers. When you pause to ask, “What did I learn from this?” you move closer to excellence, not perfection.