Finding Your Ikigai
The other day, I was having lunch with a friend, and she asked me what I thought my ikigai was. I had no idea what she was talking about, so she explained that ikigai is a Japanese concept that roughly translates to "a reason for being." In other words, what is it that gets you up in the morning and makes you excited to start your day?
I have to admit I've been struggling with that question lately. I've been feeling really uninspired and stuck. So, I decided to conduct my own little experiment to see if I could find my ikigai. Here's what I did. I started by making a list of all the things I love to do. Here's what ended up on my list:
- travel
- golf
- meet new people
- family
- writing
- take photos
- Disney
- hiking
Then, I took a look at my list and brainstormed ways that I could turn those interests into a career. For example, I could become a travel writer or photographer or work in a hotel or restaurant. I even considered becoming a tour guide or starting my own travel company. But nothing really jumped out at me as THE THING that I was meant to do with my life. So, I kept brainstorming.
Finally, it dawned on me that maybe my ikigai wasn't just one thing—maybe it was a combination of several things. And that's when it hit me: my ikigai is adventure. It's about seeking out new experiences and learning from them. It's about pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and growing as a person. It's about taking risks and seeing where they lead me. In short, it's about living life to the fullest. And isn't that what we all want?
We all have our own unique ikigais—the things that make us feel alive and give our lives purpose and meaning. If you're not sure what yours is, don't worry! Sometimes it takes a little trial and error (and some soul-searching) to figure it out.
Finding Your Ikigai
We all want to find meaning in our lives. We want to know that our lives are valuable and that we are doing something fulfilling. But how do you find that meaning? How do you find something that is worth waking up for every day? What is your key to a happy and fulfilling life? Here's an approach to help find yours.
1. Reflect on your past.
What were you passionate about as a child? What did you love to do? Ikigai can sometimes come from things we loved to do as kids. When we're children, we don't worry about whether something is practical or not. We follow our hearts. So think back to what made you happiest when you were younger.
2. Identify your values.
What is important to you? What do you believe in? Your ikigai should be something that aligns with your values. If it isn't, you'll never be truly happy with it. Some people value money and power. Others prioritize creativity and freedom. There is no right or wrong answer here. Just make sure that your ikigai is something you believe in deeply.
3. Consider your talents.
What are you good at? What can you do better than anyone else? Your ikigai ought to be something that makes use of your talents and strengths. It should be something that allows you to use your unique skillset.
4. Determine what the world needs.
What does the world need from you? What problem can you solve? Your ikigai is something that makes the world a better place. It solves a problem or meets a need and makes the world better.
5. Find what makes you happy.
Your ikigai should be something that brings you joy and happiness. It can be something that makes you look forward to waking up every day and facing the challenges of the day head-on.
If you can find something that meets all of these criteria, chances are good that you've found your ikigai. But it's not always easy to find something that meets most of these criteria. That's why it's important to keep searching and experimenting until you find something that feels right for you. There is no one-size-fits-all solution here; everyone's path to fulfillment is different. But if you keep searching, eventually, you will find yours. Namaste!