Ikigai: a necessity for career

                                                    

            Ikigai: a necessity for career

Introduction

 

The global pandemic and the adjustment to a new normal has led to many people taking a moment to self-reflect and question one's own purpose.

Motivation has increasingly become a priority for organizations looking to maintain an engaged and eager workforce.

The pandemic has made many people reevaluate their life and work. Seeing so many people succumb to the Covid-19 disease was an eye-opening, sobering experience. It hit home that life is precious and too short. We’re always one step away from disaster. In an instant, our time here is over.

More of us want to feel fulfilled; we want to have a purpose and a greater understanding of what our reason for being is. Our motivation is linked to our sense of purpose, and in these circumstances, the reason why we struggle so much can be easily lost in the haze of constant working.

It’s a time of immense uncertainty. But for many of us, it’s also a chance to pause and reflect on our lives and the world in general. There’s never been a better time to consider your personal ikigai.

 

Definition of ikigai

Ikigai can be translated as “to live (iki) and reason (gai)” – essentially, what is the source of your daily motivation? It's a Japanese concept with no direct English translation, generally meaning "your life's purpose," or "reason for waking up in the morning with glee."

 

Discussion about ikigai

Ikigai can be applied as a practical philosophy for life, a way to find strength in tough times, and as a way to identify what you want from your career. It can give value to the everyday “mundane” things, while also helping you to identify what you truly value.

 

Those who have studied the phenomenon believe that finding your own ikigai is linked to a longer life. According to Tokyo-based neuroscientist, broadcaster, and writer Ken Mogi, "when you can find pleasure and satisfaction in what you do and you’re good at it, you've found your ikigai."

 

However, this concept is not centered merely on the personal aspect of goals. Ikigai also describes a purpose that is rooted in serving the community. It highlights the importance and the happiness we gain from helping others and not just serving ourselves.

 

There is an amazing benefit that comes along with finding your Ikigai. When you labor at something you enjoy, it doesn’t feel like work. Think of a fantastic athlete like former basketball star Michael Jordan. When he was on the court, you could feel his intense love and passion for the sport. He was always locked in to what he was doing.

 

Four P’s of Ikigai

 

To find your Ikigai, you have to understand four elements:

What you are good at (Purpose)

What you can get paid for (Profit)

What the world needs (Problems)

What you love (Passion)

 

Then, think of what purpose lies at the intersection of each question. That is where you can find your ikigai. If you can't think of anything concrete, that's perfectly fine. Finding your ikigai is meant to be done regularly, and thoughts and tastes change over time, so your ikigai will too.

 

Your passions, what the world needs, your skill sets, and what you can get paid for will all likely go through many iterations throughout your lifetime on this blue-green globe. Realizing this early on in your career, and optimizing yourself to embrace change rather than fight it or run from it, will give you a huge leg up — no matter what work you choose to do.

 

Role of Ikigai in your Career

Taking the cue from the four elements diagram, seeking your ikigai is akin to finding your dream job.

 

Imagine combining what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and – the kicker – what you can get paid for. Is it even possible? Maybe it will take years to work out, but if you can find the sweet spot where those points converge, you’ll be leaping out of bed every day.

 

Pursuing your ikigai, however, is not easy for everyone. Ikigai and job hunting won't always go together: many people have passions they love but they may not be good at them, nor can all passions sustain a family or household. It's one of the main reasons why many don't pursue their passions as a career.

 

There is a healthy debate over the interpretation of ikigai itself. Some say that one’s ikigai "does not have to involve something the world needs, or that you can get paid for, or that is a talent." Rather, it is "…embracing the joy of little things, being in the here and now, reflecting on past happy memories, and having a frame of mind that one can build a happy and active life."

 

It is not enough to simply know what your ikigai is; you have to put it into action to truly see its benefits as the key to unlocking career happiness.

 

There is no doubt that our careers are an important source of our happiness. But having high pay or working at an attractive location is not always enough to ensure our job satisfaction. You find your Ikigai when you prioritise your personal development rather than material things. When you understand your purpose, you can achieve balance in your personal and your professional life, all the while accepting the idea that earning less may help you to live a better life as ikigai urges us to take a deeper look into the meaning behind our work, and how it really factors in our overall happiness.

 

References:

1.  What’s Your Ikigai? Finding Meaning in Work and Life

by Matthew Hughes

August 13, 2021.

2.  A career coach explains how to find 'ikigai' at work, the Japanese concept for 'jumping out of bed with glee'

HANNAH TOWEYNOV 18, 2021.

3.  Ikigai and the Four P’s: How to Get Paid, Enjoy Your Work, Solve Problems, and Find Purpose

Maren Kate

Apr 10, 2019

4.  How to find your ikigai at work.