6 ways ikigai can bless and enhance your life

Are you living the life that you intend to live?  Have you taken a few steps back to consider what you want to achieve in life, and then take a better leap forward?  I was living my life without truly knowing what I wanted until I decided to find my life purpose.

I’m a blogger who shares tips on life, self-improvement, and self-care.  I’m not a guru on the topic but would like to share with you, about this fascinating concept.  Please note that while giving information about ikigai, I’ll also include my thoughts and ideas on how it can be used in life.

What is ikigai?

‘Ikigai (生き甲斐, pronounced [ikiɡai]) is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being”. The word refers to having a direction or purpose in life, that which makes one’s life worthwhile, and towards which an individual takes spontaneous and willing actions giving them satisfaction and a sense of meaning to life.’ – as on Wikipedia.

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Why you need ikigai

Knowing your life purpose and direction is key to a fulfilling life.  If you don’t set meaningful goals, you won’t work on things you genuinely need or even care about.  Ikigai is a concept that helps you, and you can use it if you choose to.

I spent years doing things that weren’t what I truly desire.  I started a corporate job, moved to others, and never found what I wanted.  However, one day, I decided to find my life purpose and live according to my innate desires.  I chose to work from home, run my businesses, make the most of what I gained from my business degree (and also continue learning on an ongoing basis).  It wasn’t the norm in my social circle, but I now feel very happy and satisfied having taken the decision!

More about ikigai

The 4 key components are passion, mission, vocation, and profession.  They all converge in ikigai.

What you love 

Doing what you love unites passion and mission.  Being and remaining motivated keeps you going.  If you choose the wrong goals and direction, you’re likely to give up sooner or later.

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What the world needs

This one overlaps with mission and vocation.  Choose a field, business idea, or anything that you love, knowing that it’s in demand and will be so for a reasonable amount of time.  You can’t predict the future (I suppose), but with some research, you should know if your preference is valid.  In other words, the world needs it and others will benefit from it.

What you can be paid for 

This brings together vocation and profession.  Of course, we all need to make a living.  Go for something that you love and that will bring you the type of lifestyle that you aim for.  Sometimes, even hobbies can also develop into a full-time business or side-hustle.

What you’re good at 

This circle includes profession and passion.  Going to university, developing key skills, exploiting your talent… there are a variety of ways for personal development.  However, go for something that you love and are good at for a profession.

Now, I’ll finally highlight 6 ways that I find ikigai helps in life:

1. You ponder about and find your life purpose. 
2. You work on things that you genuinely need and care about.
3. You’re more likely to remain motivated in your endeavors.
4. You’re more likely to choose the right profession/career or business for yourself. 
5. You will do meaningful things in life.
6. You unify the 4 key components of ikigai in life, namely, passion, mission, vocation, and profession.

Live your life the way you mean to…  embrace ikigai!

Conclusion

Ikigai is a wonderful concept!  It’s simple… know and live your life purpose. If you need more help, take the ‘Live Your Best Life‘ online course.