Ikigai

Ikigai is the Japanese term for your “reason for being”. It combines the ideas of passion, mission, vocation and profession. It’s the thing that gets you up in the morning. Unlike the Western idea of chasing happiness or success, ikigai is about finding a balance in life that brings joy and fulfillment. This could mean anything from pursuing a career that aligns with your passions to simply enjoying small daily rituals that bring you peace.

This ancient Japanese philosophy aims at identifying the meaning of our existence. The term ikigai comes from combining the words “iki”, Japanese for life, and “gai” which means reason. Ikigai is different for each of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.

A few years ago, I was given some slate pieces from the roof of a century old church in town. I searched for Asian prints which mean, Health, Prosperity, Peace & Love. I painted them onto the slate and display them by our pool each summer to remind me of the concept.

Ikigai doesn't have a specific year of origin, but it has been part of Japanese culture for hundreds of years. The word "ikigai" first appeared in Japanese literature around the Heian period, which was from 794 to 1185 AD. However, the idea of ikigai likely developed over many generations, influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism, which have played a big role in shaping Japanese values and beliefs.

Ikigai became well-known in the Western world more recently, especially after the book "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles came out in 2016. This book helped introduce the idea of ikigai to people outside of Japan by explaining how it can help you find purpose and happiness in life. Since then, ikigai has gained popularity around the world as people look for ways to find more meaning and joy in their lives.

In Okinawa, a place famous for its residents' longevity, ikigai is considered one of the reasons people live so long. They often credit their daily activities, strong community bonds, and sense of purpose as their ikigai.

A fun fact is that ikigai isn’t always about monumental life goals. For many, it can be as simple as taking pleasure in gardening, cooking, or spending time with loved ones. Everyone’s ikigai is unique, and finding it can lead to a more meaningful life. Whether it's a hobby, a job, or a way of living, ikigai helps us to discover what truly makes us happy.

In ikigai, the idea is that the body and mind work in harmony. It encourages finding an activity that we can excel in and are satisfied by and that also benefits others. When we feel down, just thinking about our ikigai changes something in us.

Scientists who have explored the five "Blue Zones" - places where people tend to live the longest - say that the secrets to a long life include eating healthy, staying active, having a sense of purpose ("ikigai"), and building strong social connections, like having a wide circle of friends and close family bonds.

It's important to have something to do, something to love, and something to look forward to.

One part of ikigai is its focus on enjoying the journey, not just the destination. This means that something as simple as taking a leisurely walk or enjoying our favourite hobby can be a big part of our ikigai.

It encourages us to find joy in everyday activities, like preparing a delicious meal or listening to music that makes us smile. It's a reminder that life's little moments can be just as meaningful as the big ones. So next time we're doing something we love, no matter how small, take a moment to appreciate it - it might just be a part of our ikigai!

Learning new things helps our brains create new connections and stay active. That's why it's important to welcome change, even if stepping out of our comfort zone makes us a bit nervous.

Handling new experiences, learning daily, playing games, and socializing are key ways to keep our minds young. Plus, having a positive attitude about these activities boost benefits for our brains.

The main idea behind the stress-reduction technique called mindfulness is to focus on ourselves by paying attention to our reactions, even if they come from habit. This helps us become more aware of the present moment and keeps our thoughts from spiralling out of control.

Focusing on one task at a time might be the key to getting into a state of flow.

Everything can be taken from a person except for one thing: the freedom to choose their attitude in any situation and to decide their own path. Someone with a reason to live can handle almost anything that comes their way.

So how does one find their ikigai?

Surprisingly, it’s very simple – 4 steps:

Mark Manson has a framework for finding your “life calling” or “ikigai”.

These 4 steps take about 20 minutes to complete but they are brutally effective in discovering your purpose …..

Step 1: What do you love doing?

Write down everything you enjoy spending time on.

Be as specific as possible.

Make the list long. Recall your childhood favorites too.

Big. Small. Even Medium joys

(Bonus points for things you love doing that most others don’t).

Step 2: What could you get paid for?

Go through the list and cross out any item that would probably be difficult to get paid for…

(ie. taking naps, eating tacos)

I know I said to list ALL of your joys but that was mainly to make you grateful for how many there are.

Step 3: What are you skilled at?

Go through what’s left

What are you better at than 90% of people?

(or at least willing to put in the work to become better at than 90% )

What do friends ask for your help on?

Cross out the ones that don’t apply

Step 4: What’s good for the world?

Last step….

Circle the things that can have a positive impact on other people. In any way. Big or small.

Cross out the rest.

……now take a look at what’s circled.

This combination will help you uncover your ikigai.

-Why it Works–

You’re looking for the intersection of:

1. What you love

2. What you can get paid for

3. What you’re uniquely skilled at

4. What’s good for the world

The goal is to find an activity that spans all four categories: a hobby, a sport, or even a job.

The intersection of those four is the westernized version of “ikigai”. It’s actually more relevant for finding your “career purpose” than your “reason for being”. But the insights you’ll get from the exercise are still valuable.

That combination is unique to you. Which means you have a significant advantage in achieving it.

The reason?

“No one can compete with you on being you”. – Naval Ravikant

Ikigai encourages us to make our lives simpler by doing what makes us happy. When we focus on what we truly love, we can reduce stress and find more satisfaction in life. Doing what we enjoy also helps us connect with people who have the same interests.

Why not give it a try? It’s a fun exercise and finding your ikigai may just lead you to more joy and meaning in life.

Here’s to finding happiness in every moment!

Other Japanese concepts we can apply to our life:

Kintsugi (repairing cracked pottery with gold)

Our imperfections are often the things that make us beautiful - no matter how broken things may seem, we can always put pieces back together.

Kaizen (a principle of continuous improvement)

Set small, achievable goals - don't try to do everything all at once. 1% better each day for one year = 37 times better.

Hara Hachi Bu (eat until we're 80% full)

Slow down, savor our food - let our body tell us when it's time to stop. A smart technique to avoid overeating and unnecessary weight gain.

Oubaitori (don't compare ourselves to others)

Four trees that bloom in spring: cherry blossoms, peach, plum and apricot. Each flower blooms in its own time. Embrace our unique timeline. Don't let our family, friends or Instagram feed make us feel behind in this life.

Gaman (keep our dignity during distress)

Meet hard times with patience and perserverence. The ability to stay calm during conflict is a superpower.

Shikata ga nai (let go of what we cannot change)

Focus only on the things we can control. Don't be upset when reality doesn't match our expectations.

And finally, a Japanese Legend that translates:

"If you get on the wrong train, get off at the nearest station, the longer it takes you to get off, the more expensive the return trip will be."