“Ikigai is more than just a concept; it's a way of life. It embodies the essence of finding joy and purpose in every moment, whether through work, relationships, or personal pursuits. Understanding one's ikigai can lead to a deep sense of fulfilment and contentment."
Dr Yamada, Japanese Psychologist
Discovering your Ikigai is like finding your true north. When I was first introduced to Ikigai I will admit to being somewhat sceptical. Having been exposed to various leadership and developmental frameworks over the years, wasn’t this just one more to add to the list, and soon to be forgotten? To my surprise, this couldn’t have been further from the truth. Like anything that I learn about, I am always prepared to give it a go – to say that I have tried, rather than be instantly dismissive; call it my innate desire for personal evidence on which to form an opinion, rather than relying on the evidence of others. I understood that it was an iterative framework and I was pleased that I stuck with it. By regularly reviewing and refining my thinking I progressed through my 30s with an ever stronger, ever clearer sense of my ‘why’ that gradually made sense of the really disparate collection of passions and interests that I filled my life with.
My always strong sense of purpose really evolved into a strong sense of awareness of purpose being my purpose! It was the common thread that brought everything together, the thread that links many of the ideas I will write about here and the thread that ultimately led to total clarity of my purpose as ‘inspiring others to be inspirational’. This has been a powerful catalyst for me in recent years and has enabled me to make significant changes in my career and my life, which I firmly believe have led to a greater sense of fulfilment. It has also been a great source of comfort and resilience during challenging times in my recent life, helping me to stay focused and able to overcome adversity.
Like many others who mentor or coach, I find myself introducing and referring to Ikigai all the time in my conversations. Whilst always careful to emphasise that it isn’t guaranteed to work for everyone, I do encourage all those where I mention it to at least give it a go, in the hope that it might unlock a powerful force for positive change!
My experience of the process is that it has helped me to live life more authentically to who I am, which in turn has attracted an abundance of opportunities and connections in my life that I otherwise would not have had the good fortune to experience.
Ikigai, a Japanese word translating to "a reason for being," encapsulates the intersection of four elements: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It embodies a sense of purpose, fulfilment, and joy in life. By identifying and pursuing activities that align with these four aspects, you can discover your ikigai and lead a more meaningful existence.