At every stage of our lives, we are continually faced with the same question: how do we find our path? With the arrival of Gen Z in the workplace, it has become clear that 21st-century workers are no longer simply looking to build a successful and well-paid career, but rather to find happiness at work. Whether you are currently looking for a job or already employed, the fact that you clicked on this article means you are undoubtedly reflecting on your future. Don’t worry, we are going to show you the right path to follow to find your direction and make the right decisions.
Ikigai, the Japanese method that helps you find your "life purpose".
Ikigai comes from a Japanese word that cannot be translated literally. It is made up of two words: "iki", meaning life, vitality, or liveliness, and "gai", meaning "that which has value". Together, these two words form what we might call our "reason to live". Completely different from a traditional skills assessment, Ikigai aims to help you achieve a fulfilling life, both professionally and personally. This method is also said to be one of the secrets behind the longevity of the Japanese people, another good reason to give it a try!
How do you get started?
First of all, it is important to choose a quiet time slot, settle somewhere you will not be disturbed, and most importantly, adopt an open mindset. Through Ikigai, you could discover your reason for living, so it is important to approach the method seriously.
As you may have guessed, this process of self-reflection involves completing the diagram above. Our advice is to begin with the outer circles before moving on to the overlapping sections.
- What I love
The first circle (and generally the easiest to complete) is the one dedicated to what you love. Here, you can write down all the things you enjoy and that bring you joy or pleasure. This can range from the things you enjoy doing at weekends, such as creative hobbies, music, discussing films, or playing video games, to the things you enjoy in your relationships with others: listening to people’s problems, planning holidays, telling jokes, and so on. You are completely free to write whatever comes to mind!
The more things you write down that you genuinely enjoy, the more helpful this exercise will be for the next stages.
- What I am good at
After identifying your different sources of joy, it is now time to delve a little deeper with the second circle: what you are good at. In this stage, you should write down the various things you do in everyday life that you feel comfortable and confident doing. These can also be tasks for which you are recognised by others: fixing computer problems, negotiating prices, making things by hand, solving equations… Once again, the longer the list, the more possibilities you will uncover for the future.
- What the world needs
Now it is time to focus on your ideals. In general, we all have our own vision of what a perfect world would look like. To complete this circle, close your eyes and try to imagine your ideal world: more environmentally friendly, more compassionate, less selfish… Then try to identify the different steps that would help achieve this ideal world (for example: companies must find less polluting production methods). This stage may seem slightly naive, but it is nevertheless essential in helping you discover your reason for getting up in the morning.
- What I can be paid for
For the final circle, you will need to adopt a more rational approach. By defining what you are currently paid to do, you will write down your present responsibilities and be able to assess whether they truly align with your values and interests.
Once the four main circles have been completed, all that remains is to identify the links between each one (see diagram). For example, the overlap between what you love and what you are good at represents your passion, while the overlap between what the world needs and what you can be paid for is called your mission.
Ikigai is truly achieved when you find an activity that allows you to do what you love, contribute positively to the world, receive recognition, and also earn a living from it.
That’s how you will find your true balance in everyday life!
To help guide you through this process, here is an example of a completed Ikigai diagram:
Source : LinkedIn
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