doda and note are hosting a submission contest: #WorkLikeBalance!
[Updated August 10]
The contest results have been announced! Please check them out via the article link below.
Work, housework, childcare, hobbies. Everything has two sides: the things we "must do" and the things we "want to do." While we want to cherish both and find a balance, don't you sometimes find it difficult?
In this collaboration contest between note and the job change service "doda" operated by Persol Career Co., Ltd., we are calling for submissions about ""#WorkLikeBalance"."
Work <Like> Balance is a new concept of modern working proposed by "doda" as working styles, life views, and values diversify. Here, "work" refers not just to your job, but to the things you feel you "must do" in your daily life. In other words, it aims to improve life satisfaction by balancing the things you must do (work) with the things you want to do (like).
Please share your values with us, such as what a comfortable Work <Like> Balance looks like to you, episodes of balancing things you must do and things you want to do, or working styles that make your life more fulfilling. We also welcome tips that are working for you, adjustments you are currently trying, or moments of realization. We look forward to your entries.
Additionally, the "doda special site" currently features the "Work <Like> Balance Diagnosis." Please use it as a hint for your post, such as to check your current balance.
Contest Overview
■ Theme & Format
We are looking for note posts on the theme of "#WorkLikeBalance." Feel free to write in any format, such as manga, essays, illustrations, or novels. There are no restrictions on the format.
■ Schedule
Submission Period: Thursday, May 21, 2026, 11:00 AM – Tuesday, June 20, 2026, 11:59 PM
Results Announcement: Scheduled for late August 2026
■ Prizes
・Grand Prize: 1 winner (100,000 yen gift card)
・Jury Special Award: 2 winners (50,000 yen gift card each)
・"doda" Award: 2 winners (50,000 yen gift card each)
・Runner-up: 5 winners (20,000 yen gift card each)
Please also refer to this article when submitting.
Judge Introduction
■Kaho Miyake
Literary critic. Part-time lecturer at Kyoto City University of Arts. Born in Kochi Prefecture in 1994. Completed the master's program at the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University. After working at Recruit, she became independent. She works on criticism and commentary in a wide range of fields, including novels, classical literature, and entertainment. Author of numerous books, including "The Buzzing Writing Class Taught by a Literature Geek," "Why You Can't Read Books When You're Working," "Techniques for Verbalizing 'Likes'," "What and How Do 'Interesting People' Read?," and "Young People Who Speculate."
In 2025, she became the youngest person in history to win the "Shinsho Taisho" (New Book Award) for "Why You Can't Read Books When You're Working." Guest judge for the 76th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Details of Work <Like> Balance
Since the term "work-life balance" became widespread in the 1990s, "Work <Like> Balance" is a new concept of modern working proposed by "doda" in response to the diversification of actual working styles, life views, and values. To improve life satisfaction, it aims to increase the proportion of "things you feel you want to do (like)" and adjust the balance with "things you feel you have to do (work)."
Work <Like> Balance Special Site
https://doda.jp/campaign/worklike/
Work <Like> Balance Diagnosis
https://doda.jp/campaign/worklike/mode-check/
How to Apply
(1) Create a note account or log in.
(2) Follow the official doda note account (Hataraku Shiori | doda).
(3) Post an article with the hashtag "#WorkLikeBalance".
*The official name is "Work <Like> Balance," but due to hashtag specifications, please set it as "#WorkLikeBalance" when posting.
・Please publish your entry for "free" when submitting.
・You can also enter by adding the project hashtag to an article you have posted in the past.
・You may submit multiple entries.
Regarding the use of submitted content
Please note that submitted content may be featured on the official doda note, website, or social media channels.
We will also feature them on note's social media accounts.
Message from the sponsoring company
The career change service "doda" offers a wide range of support, including agent services for advice on work styles and career changes, job search services to find positions that match your preferences, and scout services to receive offers from companies.
In your daily life, do you ever feel hesitation or wavering between "things you feel you must do (work)" and "things you want to do (like)"?
Work, housework, childcare, hobbies—the same action can be either work or like, depending on how you feel at the time.
doda has named this approach of rethinking the balance that suits you, centered on your own emotions and motivations, "Work <Like> Balance."
We hope that by writing about what you feel and the choices you have made in your own words, this will serve as an opportunity for you to rethink your own way of working.
We look forward to your submissions!
<Notes on Submission>
■ About Submitted Works
・The copyright of submitted works belongs to the creator.
・Please ensure your submission complies with copyright law. For details, please check "Copyright Concepts to Support Creativity".
・Please refrain from submitting works that have won or are similar to works that have won other contests held by note or other companies.
・The note management team may remove hashtags from articles that are unrelated to the submission theme or from paid articles.
■ About Judging and Winning Works
・We cannot respond to inquiries regarding judging criteria.
・If a winning work or the creator themselves is found to be in violation of the Terms of Service, the award may be revoked even after judging.
・Winning works will be announced in this article and via email to the winners.
・For final selection, the management office will verify your identity. Please note that if we cannot verify your identity by the deadline, you will be excluded from the final selection.
・The delivery of prizes is completed by sending an Amazon Gift Card to the winner's email address.
・The handling of personal information will follow our Privacy Policy.
・The Amazon Gift Card provided as a prize can be used for purchases on the Japanese Amazon site. For details, please refer to the Amazon Gift Card Terms and Conditions.