From where I stand, this question is rather important: “What is my life’s purpose?” Understanding this question gives an individual the ability to make informed decisions about their life. For example, researchers have pinpointed regions in Japan like Okinawa, where people live over 100 years. It is believed that their sense of purpose is the secret behind their longevity and life satisfaction. The Japanese explain this idea with the term *Ikigai*, which translates roughly to “a reason for being” or in other words, “life’s purpose.”
The concept of Ikigai is a model built on four critical components. When these four components come together, it leads to fulfillment and purpose in one’s life. Ikigai is not just a theory.
What You Are Good At
Step one of the journey is understanding your skillset. The foundation of your purpose is what you are naturally good at, or what you have already acquired through hard work. After all, it could be cooking, writing, coding, or teaching. The first step of discovering your purpose is accepting your talents.
What You Love
It matters that one is good at something, but equally, it is critical that one is passioned about it, and that it brings them joy. Life is truly stellar when one derives contentment. Savoring an activity and performing an activity are two sides of the same coin, but they are unquestionably separate. You may be a superbly skilled artist, but if your heart isn’t in practicing, you could find no satisfaction in it. Finding out what makes you tick together with what you do well would immerse you in profoundly greater contentment.
What The World Needs
The next step of Ikigai involves figuring out how you are able to help people. From the desire to make a difference is how one builds a purpose. Look around you, what do you think is the need of the hour that you are able to supply? If you are a pro at balancing life, then you could teach others about managing stress and looking after their wellness. Likewise, if you are a gifted person in problem-solving, you could solve people’s problems in innumerable ways. This is the essence behind your purpose. It normally conforms to the exigencies, or requests, of the society, and this eases the burden of figuring out one’s place in the world.
What You Can Earn Money For
As much as joy and intentions matter, the reality of the situation must be accepted. You should ask yourself whether your effort can sustain your living. Consider whether you can earn money from doing what you like and what the world demands. There is only one way to ensure that your passion integrates into your career and that is by monetizing it. This does not mean chasing after money for the sake of being wealthy. Rather, it means that the endeavor you dedicate your life’s work to should provide you with a living.
The Four Circles of Ikigai
Skills and passions, the world’s needs and profit opportunities – when these four aspects overlap, you find Ikigai: the sweetest spot of where everything intersects. This intersection allows one to lead a truly enriched, fulfilled, and impactful life.
Key Takeaways:
- Do what you are good at: Identify and refine your skill sets.
- Do what you love: Actively attempt to marry your vocation with your passions.
- Do what the world needs: Selflessly give back to the society that matters to you.
- Do what you can get paid for: Make certain that your passion can paid for living.
The process of unearthing your Ikigai is not one that will guarantee quick results, yet it can significantly alter how you approach and appreciate life. When your work incorporates your passions, strengths, and the needs of the world, it brings a greater sense of happiness and contentment.
