Ikigai is a Japanese words that translates "reason for being". Every human on this planet has an Ikigai. Sometimes finding it requires a lengthy search, and sometimes some people never find it living in the dogma of others expectation. Once somebody finds their Ikigai , it brings satisfaction and meaning to their life and a good reason to wake up in the morning .I myself am on a quest to find my Ikigai and am using the underneath diagram in the search for it. You can use it to find your Ikigai and maybe one day you will be fulfilled and find the reason to wake up in the morning. (without the alarm clock)
Make no mistake finding your Ikigai dosen't strictly mean finding your career or hobbies . It is the culmination of your life as a whole . Your career, hobbies, passion , relationship , spirituality etc.
How can You achieve your Ikigai?
Ikigai can be achieved by answering these Four Questions
1- What You love ?
2- What you are good at?
3- What you can be paid for?
4- What the world needs?
What you love ?
Finding love in your career, relationship , hobbies , interests etc. Finding love will enable you to be happier and wholesome and give your life some meaningful purpose .
What you are good at ?
Finding what you are good at will give you the slight edge in the competition. Every person is endowed with talent some find it and some don't . You have to search what you are good at and hone your skills to make it perfect . Imagine if Michael Jordan had never found basketball , or Picasso had not found art and painting . (What would the world have been like) You have to search for what you are good at.
What you can be paid for ?
Combining what you love and what you are good at , why not get paid for it . We live in a world of materialism and sometimes having extra $$$$$ will give you the freedom to hone you skills and take it to the next level . (Imagine Michael Jackson doing the moon walk and making it look simple , in reality he practiced till his feet was sore )
What the world needs ?
Finally after you achieve everything in this life and have a life of abundance it will be time to give back.Leaving the world better and doing your part to improve the world after your departure . You will not be able to take any wealth after you die, so its time to give back .( Imagine Bill Gates and Warren Buffet' s philanthropic contribution as an example. They were pioneers and game changers in their respected fields and now they are giving back to the causes they are passionate and believe in.)
When you put these four questions together and the intersection in between will show you your Ikigai. It will give you the meaning of your life .and the reason to wake up in the morning . And if you are like me get a pen and paper and write down the four questions and search for the Ikigai in your life and if you are fortunate enough to find it , you are blessed.
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