Ikigai - A Reason For Being

In last week’s article, I spoke about how our auto-pilot and past experiences can make us lose the connection with who we truly are. This process is often very slow, and therefore not always easily detectable, but at some point we begin to realize that ‘something is off’. And in today’s world, this seems to be an uncontrollable epidemic. Let’s look at a very beautiful and powerful concept that is the antidote for this.

Ikigai

The term “Ikigai” has deep roots in Japanese culture, with origins tracing back to the island of Okinawa, known for having one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Okinawans have long been celebrated for their sense of purpose, strong community ties, and positive outlook on life. In fact, their culture has shown that people who have a clear sense of Ikigai tend to live longer, healthier, and more content lives (which makes total sense to me).

While the concept is not unique to Japan – other cultures have similar ideas around purpose – what sets Ikigai apart is how it emphasizes balance and integration across all aspects of life. It encourages individuals to focus on what truly matters, not just personal gain or material wealth.

Easter Sunday - A Reason for Being - FREE - Join the family

The Four Pillars of Ikigai

To understand how Ikigai can be applied to our lives, it’s important to understand its four core components:

1. What You Love (Your Passion)
   This is the heart of Ikigai – whatever it is you do that brings you joy, excitement, and fulfillment. It could be anything from painting, writing, or playing an instrument to a more intellectual focus like solving problems or researching. Exploring what you love is crucial for understanding your deeper desires.

2. What You Are Good At (Your Talent)
   This is all about your talents, skills, and natural abilities. When you are good at something, it not only boosts your confidence but also allows you to provide value to others. I would suggest to ask yourself: What comes easily to me? What do others often seek my help for?

3. What the World Needs (Your Mission)
   Ikigai is much more than personal fulfillment; it emphasizes the importance of our contribution to society. For me personally, this element is key to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Identifying how your skills and passions can help others or solve problems in the world is essential. What does the world need that you can provide? This part of Ikigai gives a sense of purpose and connection with the greater whole.

4. What You Can Be Paid For (Your Profession)
   While this may seem like the most practical element, it’s important to remember that Ikigai isn’t about financial gain. The idea is to align your passion and mission with a way of sustaining yourself. When you find the sweet spot where you can be compensated for doing something meaningful, work stops feeling like a job.

When all four of these elements align, you’ve found your Ikigai – a state of harmony, happiness, and fulfillment. But even if you don't find all four immediately, starting with one or two can give you a clearer sense of direction and purpose.

How Ikigai Can Change Your Life

Incorporating Ikigai into your life isn't just about finding a career or a passion project that fits perfectly into all these categories. It's a way of thinking about life as a whole – a framework for sustainable happiness and well-being. Here's how it can change both your individual and our collective well-being:

1. Personal Fulfillment
   The main benefit of living according to Ikigai is a sense of inner fulfillment. When we identify what we love and align it with what we are good at, we can focus on doing work that brings both joy and satisfaction. This leads to less stress and burnout, and experiencing more joy in everyday activities.

2. Mental and Physical Health
   Studies have shown that having a clear sense of purpose can improve mental and physical health (you can read my articles about epigenetics). It decreases feelings of loneliness and anxiety, increases resilience, and enhances life satisfaction. But also, when we have a sense of direction, we tend to make healthier lifestyle choices – from the way we think, whether we regularly exercise to our choices for daily meals, as we are more motivated to take care of ourselves.

3. Stronger Relationships and Community
   Ikigai isn’t just about the individual – it’s also about connecting with others. When we live with purpose, we often create stronger bonds with people who share our values and passions. Whether it’s within our families, workplaces, or larger communities, having a sense of Ikigai allows us to form deeper, more meaningful relationships and create a culture of shared well-being. Something we can definitely focus more on these days, right!?

4. Collective Well-Being
   The collective impact of people living with Ikigai is profound. When more individuals align their passions, skills, and values with the needs of the world, it leads to a beautiful social change. Communities will become more resilient, sustainable, and also more compassionate. People who live with purpose are more likely to choose activities that benefit not only themselves but also those around them, resulting in stronger, more coherent societies—That’s why I started building Coherence Hotspot.

In Other Words…

Practicing Ikigai can start with small, intentional steps:

• Reflect on your passions: Take some time to think about what excites you and brings you joy, even in small moments.

• Identify your strengths: What are you good at? Sometimes it’s hard to see our own abilities, so asking others for feedback can help.

• Consider the needs of the world: Where do you see a gap or problem that you would love to help solve?

• Integrate your purpose into daily life: Whether through your career or volunteer work, find ways to align your day-to-day activities with your sense of purpose.

And finally, drop me a line by replying to this email. I love to hear from you! Feedback or just a “hi” is important to me.

Dirk