The Western world is often obsessed with the notion of finding one’s purpose.  There is the expectation that this relentless search will someday reveal the ultimate answer, putting an end to strife, emptiness & angst and result in lifelong happiness, fulfillment, and contentment.

I spent much of my thirties on this elusive pursuit.  I read endless books, attended workshops, watched videos, signed up for seminars, went away on retreats, etc.  The harder I worked at pinning down my deep “Purpose”,  the more frustrated I felt.  How can I boil down my entire life to one singular focus?  How will I know if it is the right one?  What if I have several conflicting desires?  On one hand, I want to live a life of meaning and consequence. On the other, I want to enjoy the lifestyle that came along with wealth.

Then I came across the Japanese concept of Ikigai ((pronounced ee-key-guy). The 2 words iki, meaning “alive” and gai, meaning “worth” when combined refers to that which gives your life worth, meaning, or purpose.  In short, it simply means “a reason for being”, or something that makes you jump out of bed in the morning.  It embodies the idea of happiness in everyday living, and feeling that what you do makes a difference in people’s lives.

You can discover your ikigai by asking yourself 4 questions:

• What do you love:  what are the things you do that bring you joy and make you feel alive; where you lose track of time and experience flow or being ‘in the zone’
• What are you good at:  your talents, skills, or capabilities
• What does the world need – this might be humanity as a whole, the community in which you live, or anything in between
• What can you get paid for – what skills do you have that someone else is willing to pay for

The intersection of these 4 areas is your ikigai.  It is typically represented in the diagram below.

It is important that all 4 components are present, for without that balance, true fulfillment will not be achieved.  Below are some possible outcomes of having only a few intersecting spheres.

• Passion: is the result of doing what you love + what you’re good at (but may be missing meaning and wealth)
• Profession: is the result of doing what you’re good at + what you can get paid for (but may not experience joy and meaning)
• Mission: is the result of doing what you love + what the world needs (but may be missing wealth and satisfaction)
• Vocation: is the result of doing what the world needs + what you can get paid for (but may be missing joy and satisfaction)

Rather than carving out a singular lofty mission that defines your life, the Japanese believes that the sum of small joys in everyday life results in a more fulfilling life as a whole.  It is about being present in the here and now, appreciating small wonders, accepting ourselves, being grateful for little blessings, connecting with the world around us, and sharing the best of ourselves with others, DAILY.

Most of us cannot expect to find our Ikigai overnight, for it is an understanding of our own unique life mission, which can take many years of exploration.  Oftentimes, our ikigai can also change depending on our life experiences and circumstances.    But the journey of discovery in itself is a rewarding process.  And it begins by starting small, finding joy in the everyday gifts of life, and giving ourselves in service of others.  Happiness is a choice.  Take action today.

About:

Bernice Ang is an Executive Coach who spent 30 years as a Marketing Executive in Fortune 50 companies. She currently works with high performing professionals to integrate their work and life goals so they can thrive and live life on their own terms. For more information, please visit www.ThriveGlobalCoaching.com