Elevate Your Mind.

Society often pressures people to define their identity solely based on their work, creating an unhealthy and unbalanced emphasis on that aspect of our lives. However, it is essential to remember that people are complex and multi-faceted individuals, and work is just a piece of the puzzle. To find meaning and purpose in work, take a step back and examine what is truly meaningful to you and how work can fit into that.

The Ikigai is an exercise in redesigning one’s life. It is a Japanese concept that originates from the Okinawan culture and translates to a reason for being. People from Okinawa have a reputation for being some of the longest-lived and healthiest people in the world and attribute this unique mantle to how they approach life.

The beauty of the ikigai lies in its specificity to each individual. Once found, it gives you a reason to wake up daily with excitement — it’s about uncovering what makes life worth living. Finding your ikigai involves discovering what aligns with your values, passions, skills, and the world’s needs rather than simply following societal expectations. It is a personal discovery that comes spontaneously, and since it is chosen, your Ikigai creates a sense of peace in you.

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Surfacing Your Reason For Being

Finding your ikigai involves discovering the intersection of four elements and maintaining a balance between them.

• The first element is what you love, which refers to your passions and hobbies. It’s about finding joy in what you do and having a sense of fulfillment when engaging in enjoyable activities.
• The second element is what you are good at, which refers to your skills and talents. This aspect of ikigai is about utilizing your strengths to bring value to others and make a difference in the world.
• The third element is what the world needs, which refers to the social impact you can have through your actions and decisions. This aspect of ikigai is about making a positive difference in the world and contributing to society.
• The fourth element is what you can be paid for, which refers to the financial stability that comes from doing work that is fulfilling and in demand.

In practice, it’s about finding a way to make a living while doing what you love and contributing to society. When all four elements align, ikigai can lead to a sense of satisfaction and happiness not found in traditional success measures such as wealth or status.

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Practicing Your Ikigai For Transformational Outcomes

Living in accordance with your ikigai positively affects your well-being, happiness, and longevity. The practice contains five pillars for everyday life.

• Starting Small: You should begin with small steps toward your life purpose instead of trying to achieve grand goals overnight. This helps build momentum and allows you to gradually progress towards your ultimate vision while recognizing that success and recognition may take time and requires persistence and patience.
• Releasing Yourself: You must let go of the need for external validation and embrace who you are and what you stand for. You can focus on your path and find fulfillment in your unique journey by releasing the need to conform to societal expectations or comparisons to others.
• Harmony and Sustainability: You should consider the impact of your actions on others and the environment and perform actions harmoniously and sustainably, creating a positive ripple effect and contributing to a better world for all.
• The Joy of Little Things: It’s essential to find joy and satisfaction in the present moment and the small things in life. Valuing and appreciating life’s simple pleasures can allow work to bring joy and fulfillment, even in the tiniest details. By focusing on the present, you can experience more happiness and fulfillment in your daily life.
• Being in the Here and Now: You should be present in the moment and value what is before you. This means stepping away from distractions and worries about the future or regrets about the past. By being mindful of the present moment, you can live more intentionally, find more peace and joy, and ultimately be more fulfilled.

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Will it Change Your Life?

The concept of ikigai has recently gained popularity as a means of finding meaning and purpose in life. However, it’s not for everyone, and there’s a fair amount of ambiguity about how it helps generalists.

• Is the ikigai too narrow? Humans are complex, and the intersection of just four specific elements may not be enough. There are more ways folks find purpose in their lives, and a Venn diagram may not illustrate that nuance.
• Is it too prescriptive? One answer for how to live your life is rigid and might only apply to some folks.
• Is it unrealistic? Some folks may argue that many people cannot make a living doing what they love or that the world does not necessarily need what they are good at.
• Is it limiting? A focus on financial stability and making a living restricts creativity and personal growth.
• Is it too stressful? Similar to searching for the meaning of life, the idea that there’s one reason to exist is too daunting.

These are valid concerns and underline an important facet of the ikigai — it’s personal to you. Regardless of the output, what matters most is the process of discovery. So, put your doubts aside and open your mind.

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Diving Headfirst into Your Ikigai

Now you’re going to define the four elements: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Take time to reflect on each of the four elements and list what comes to mind for each.

What you love:

This is about your passions and interests. Think about what activities you enjoy in your free time, what topics you are naturally drawn to, and what makes you feel fulfilled.

• Identify your passions
• Reflect on your values
• Assess your strengths
• Evaluate your goals

Examples: Writing, Art, Photography, Music, Film making, Theater, Gaming, Cooking, Baking, Gardening, Traveling, Adventure sports, Nature, Animals, Environmental Conservation, Volunteering, Helping others, Mentoring, Teaching, Health and wellness, Fitness, Yoga, Dance, Fashion, Interior design, Architecture, Creative writing, Poetry, Graphic design, Painting, Sculpture, Jewelry making, Web development, Mobile app development, Database administration, Cloud computing, Cybersecurity, Data analysis, Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Robotics, Renewable energy, Space exploration, Astrophysics, Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Culture, Language, Literature, Philosophy, Theology, Spirituality, etc.

What you are good at:

Consider your skills, talents, and natural abilities. What have you been complimented on or recognized for in the past? What do others see as your strengths?

• Assess your skills
• Reflect on your achievements
• Consider your job performance

Examples: Woodworking, Jewelry making, Knitting, Crochet, Pottery, Ceramics, Blacksmithing, Sewing, Quilting, Scrapbooking, Drawing, Calligraphy, Paper crafting, Embroidery, Glass blowing, Soap making, Candle making, Essential oil creation, Herbalism, Beekeeping, Sustainable agriculture, Permaculture, Geocaching, Rock climbing, Surfing, Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Survival skills, Firefighting, Paramedicine, Nursing, Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Speech therapy, Music therapy, Art therapy, Pet Grooming, Dog Training, Horse training, Falconry, Falconry, Archery, Fencing, Martial arts, Diving, Surfing, Paragliding, Hang gliding, Skydiving, Flying (small aircraft), etc.

What the world needs:

This refers to what the world lacks or what problems need to be solved. What issues are you passionate about and want to make a difference in? What needs or challenges do you see in your community or society?

• Observe current trends and problems
• Identify your values
• Research potential solutions

Examples: Innovative solutions for sustainable energy, Water conservation, Renewable resources, Climate change mitigation, Affordable housing, Homelessness solutions, Healthcare access for all, Mental health support, Drug addiction rehabilitation, Criminal justice reform, Education for underprivileged children, Women’s rights advocacy, LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, Racial equality and justice, Access to clean water, Improved sanitation, Food security, Sustainable agriculture, Disaster relief, Environmental Conservation, Species preservation, Forest preservation, Animal welfare, Access to education, Access to technology, Access to basic necessities, Access to healthcare, Access to clean air, Empowerment of marginalized communities, Support for refugees and asylum seekers, Support for military veterans, Aid to disaster-stricken areas, Promoting diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, Supporting local economies, Developing new technology for the betterment of humanity, etc.

What you can be paid for:

This is about finding a way to monetize your skills, passions, and interests. Think about how you can turn your talents into a viable career or business opportunity. What jobs or industries align with your skills and passions?

• Research job market demand
• Consider your earning potential
• Evaluate job stability
• Assess your financial goals

Examples: Architecture, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrician, Auto mechanics, Computer Repair, Networking, Data Analysis, Accounting, Legal Research, Medicine, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental science, Astronomy, Geology, Archaeology, Anthropology, Linguistics, Translation, Voice acting, Acting, Stand-up comedy, Music production, Sound engineering, Film editing, Game Development, Robotics, Web development, Mobile app development, Software engineering, Cloud computing, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Renewable energy, Environmental consulting, Scientific research, Medical research, etc.

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Putting it Together

Now that you’ve had a chance to reflect on each of the elements, here’s how to piece these lists together:

• Identify common themes: For example, you love filmmaking and are good at it, and the world needs visual storytelling.
• Consider your values: Think about what’s important to you. For example, if you value sustainability, you might look for a career that allows you to impact climate change positively.

Once you’ve found your ikigai, embrace it and pursue it. But recognize your ikigai may change over time, reflect and adjust as needed.

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The Journey is as Good as the Destination

The ikigai provides individuals with a framework for self-discovery, balance, and purposeful living. The act of discovery alone can be a mechanism for growth as it:

• Fosters self-discovery
• Promotes balance
• Encourages purposeful living
• Supports positive change
• Improves mental health

The ikigai encourages finding your passion, using your strengths, positively impacting the world, and having financial stability. Finding it and practicing the five pillars of ikigai can bring a sense of fulfillment.