At the age of 20, many of us question everything that happens in this life. “What kind of life should I live.” “After graduating, what kind of job do I want?” “Do I really love my job?”
We all have different ways of living our life. Our emotions, ambitions, desires, and experiences are constantly shaping our outlook on life. However, no matter where we are or who we are, one thing is common. We wake up every morning (yes, the time can be different) and we have our own reasons to do so.
We all survive but do we actually live?
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means your ‘reason for being.’ ‘Iki’ in Japanese means ‘life’, and ‘gai’ describes value or worth.
Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss. It’s what brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed every day. "Okay, I know what to do today." then live the day with joy.
Unlike people who have no purpose in life. Which every time he wakes up, he looks in the mirror, then, says to himself, "What am I actually doing this for?".
“Your ikigai is at the intersection of what you are good at and what you love doing.” — from Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.
How to Find Ikigai in Yourself
Basically, Ikigai has 4 aspects:
1. What you love
2. What you’re good at
3. What you can be paid for
4. What the world needs
This ikigai diagram helps to visualize this concept by showing these four main qualities:
"Our ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning. When we spend our days feeling connected to what is meaningful to us, we live more fully; when we lose the connection, we feel despair. " – from Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.
Here's how you can find your ikigai from the 4 aspects above:
Find a Goal That You Believe In!
It is very important for you to find the purpose of everything you do.
Why is it important? So that you are motivated to achieve the goals you want. Of course there are various ways that a person does to find his goal such as a positive experience that you have lived.
So, you can also ask yourself a few things to find your goals: What are the things that motivate me? What value do I have? And about what things are in line with my values? What kind of environment will help me achieve my goals? Of course, not in one night for you to be able to answer this question. And it's okay. Just relax and try the process!
Stop Overthinking, Start Doing!
After you reflect on the answer from the previous step, start something that you like. If you're still not sure what to make of your choice, just remember "just start first", slowly you'll definitely find which one is right for you to do it.
"But I'm too old to try.", If you know Charles Flint, he was 61 when he started the IBM business (IT company). So, there's no such thing as speed and it's too late to start something, right?
Connect With Others Who Have Similar Passions To Yours!
You can join a circle that has the same passion and interest. That way, you can learn from the experiences they've had about. The hope is that you can broaden your perspective and develop the passion you have. For example, you have a passion for music. Well, you can join the music community. There, you will meet many people who have the same interests as you. That way, you can learn to improve your skills and knowledge in this field.
Realizing that Obstacles Are Actually A Good Thing~
In the process of achieving Ikigai, of course it takes a long process and a strong determination to achieve it. Well, in the process, obstacles are something that cannot be avoided. It is important for yourself to realize that obstacles are a natural thing. Nature has a way of making us understand lessons. You should believe that they are part of your process to achieve your goals or your Ikigai.
It is important for you to believe in the process you are going through. And remember that Ikigai is one of many ways for you to find meaning and purpose in your life. Finding your purpose and motivation can sound like a daunting task. However, Ikigai is also about appreciating the small joys in your daily life. Making time for little moments of happiness in the day, and integrating things you enjoy into your daily routine will make a perceptible difference to your mood. So, it all depends on you to choose which principles of a happy life are suitable for you. Good luck with your search!
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