Discover your purpose
You’re ready to make a change in your life or career. Maybe you are unhappy in your current job and you want to find one that will make you happy. Or maybe you are lacking a sense of satisfaction and passion for what you are doing. It is possible that are seeking a stronger purpose or “ikigai”.
So what can you do? Here is simple process to help you find some clarity.
First of all, what is Ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese word that translates as a reason for being, a reason to get up in the morning, a ‘raison d’être’ as the French would say. It’s the combination of IKI, meaning life, and KAI, meaning the realisation of hope and expectations.
Ikigai combines the joy from doing something and a sense of purpose, meaning and well-being. It’s feeling that your life is valuable, that you have an impact. It’s not linked to your status in society, or the money you earn.
This concept comes from the island of Okinawa in Japan, where inhabitants seem to be living longer than the national average. One of the cornerstones of the Okinawans' lifestyle is that they have found their Ikigai.
Everyone’s Ikigai is unique: it’s based on your personal history, your values, your beliefs and your personality. It’s a personal journey that may take time. If you are committed to making a change in your life, I assure you that you will get there.
HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR IKIGAI?
So, how do you find your ikigai?
The first step in our process is to sit down with a blank sheet of paper and free up at least one hour of undisturbed time. Find a comfortable place to sit and make sure you wont be distracted or disturbed.
Take each of the following steps, on at a time and try dive deep into your thoughts. Keep on asking yourself “what else?” and give as many possible answers as you can until you literally come up with a blank.
You might find some areas or questions are easier to answer than others. If you feel stuck, just move to another section and come back to it later.
If you need to talk it through with supportive friends and family members to brainstorm ideas.
What do you love doing:
This first step is to explore what you love doing, what brings you joy. Everything you can think of.
When we initially choose a field of study or a job, we usually go for the convenient, the known, the recognised. We do it to please someone else. But that makes us overlook what we truly love doing in life.
What did you love doing or thinking about when you were a child?
What activities do you do in your spare time that make you happy?
2. What are you good at?
This bit of the map covers what you have learned to do thanks to your training or experience. Your skills are what you CAN do whereas your strengths are what you ENJOY doing. They might be the same, they might be different. If you’re stuck, have a look at this list of skills and this list of strengths.
What are your skills and strengths?
What do people ask you help for?
3. What do you think the world needs?
This aspect of Ikigai is quite an important one. It makes you think about the impact you want to have on your community. Have a read at Tara Mohr’s definition of a 'calling', and answer these questions.
What / who inspires you?
What makes you angry, frustrated?
4. What can you be paid for?
This last part of the Ikigai map is about securing an income - yes, we need one of these. Think broadly and don’t limit your possibilities when answering these questions. Who knows, one of these ideas could be your future job!
What product or service could you sell?
What job could you do?
OVER TO YOU!
Once you’re finished, discuss your ideas and thoughts with a supportive friend or family member. Find someone that will fully listen to you, challenge you and add value to your thinking.
You could also start the conversation with a coach. A coach will ask you the right questions to make you think about what you truly want to do, and help figure out the next steps in your career change journey. Get in touch if you’d like to organise a free discovery chat to discuss your objectives and challenges.