This post is a part of A-Z Challenge for bloggers, that takes place every year in the month of April. Bloggers take part in this challenge for self-improvement and to overcome the “writer’s block”. Each one of us writes one article every day, starting from the alphabet ‘A’, right up to ‘Z’. My theme for this year’s challenge is – “Life Philosophies round the World”.
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What is Ikigai?
Ikigai (ee-kee-guy) is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being“. The literal translation of Ikigai would be ‘Iki’ meaning ‘to live’ and ‘gai’ meaning to ‘reason’. Hence, translating to having or finding a reason to live.
The concept refers to having a direction or purpose in life which makes one’s life worthwhile and encourages an individual towards taking spontaneous and willing actions. Which in turn brings a feeling of satisfaction, fulfilment and a sense of meaning to life.
Essentially, Ikigai is the reason why you willingly get up in the morning!
Since following your passion on a daily basis makes life happier, it is claimed that ikigai can make you live longer as well! A long yet happy life? Isn’t that dreamy?
How to find your Ikigai?
As simple and joyous it may sound, finding your true calling isn’t a cake walk. Here’s a Venn diagram that can help you figure out your Ikigai. One needs to answer the following questions for the same:
What you love? These may include hobbies, something that relaxes or energises you. For example, painting, gardening, reading, traveling, cooking, animals, spending time with family or friends etc. Basically, ANYTHING that you love doing.
What you are good at? This relates to your skills either professional or personal hobbies. Example, marketing, painting, singing, telling stories etc. This can also be something that you are willing to develop or are working to get better at.
If what you love intersects with what you are good at, you’ve found your passion!
What the world needs? This relates to the things the world needs right now, and if you think you can offer that to the world, you’ve found your mission. For example, if the world (around you) needs painters and you are good at painting, voila!
What can you be paid for? The last question includes what the world is ready to pay you for. If the world is ready to pay you for painting and you are good at it, you’ve found your profession! Similarly, if the world needs a gardener and is ready to pay you for it, you’ve found your vocation!
If you have anything in common in these sections, as shown in the diagram, you can in turn find your Passion, Mission, Vocation and Profession. These 4 further combine to finally form your Ikigai!
Now, if there is something common in all the 4 quadrants of mission, passion, profession and vocation, that would be your IKIGAI! If you’ve found yours, congratulations! If not, try filling the Venn diagram once again from scratch.
You may read about other such mind and soul evoking philosophies here.
This post is part of #BlogchatterAtoZ challenge 2021.
Penning from the Heart 
I’m going to have a training about ikigai, and how to “translate” it with kids, for finding the job they want/need/love.
Your theme is a great inspiration source for me! Thank you.
Quilting Patchwork & Appliqué
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Ikigai happens to be quite the hot topic these days. There’s reams and reams written about it.
Yours is a simply explained one. Loved it.
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Finding that sweet spot is the challenge. Weekends In Maine
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