So what is Ikigai? IKIGAI is considered to be a Japanese term meaning, ‘reason for being’. You may have heard it for the first time and quite naturally to be intrigued by it. You are to know about this framework as well as how it applies to your entrepreneurial life.
It is rather pronounced as ‘eye-ka-guy’ and is stated to be a lifestyle to strive perfect balance with spiritual and practical. Balance can be derived at the intersection where talents and passions converge with those things required by the world. It should be in demand and have monetary value.
Tips to identify your IKIGAI
This popular Japanese term refers to value source in one’s life or those things that tend to make life worthwhile. IKIGAI can be generally found at the intersection especially between 4 interdependent elements like:
- Your profession (Reason for getting paid)
- Your vocation (What you feel good at|)
- Your mission (What is desired by the world)
- Your passion (What you love)
Profession
Try to identify those activities that you find most fruitful and productive. You get paid exclusively for this particular aspect. It is also your sole or primary income source. The chosen profession is to be result of the other three aspects.
Vocation
This particular aspect involves the aspects that you are drawn to. ‘Vocation’ term is taken from ‘vocatio’ in Latin, meaning ‘call’. It means what you feel, based on your qualifications, abilities, personality and experience.
Mission
This particular is aspect is related to what provides you with the feeling of being useful. Contributing towards the world and creating a difference is sure to help derive immense satisfaction. It is also admirable from humanitarian, moral and social viewpoint. There is no need to believe that you are perhaps on a special mission to achieve something on Earth. However, there are many things that you can share with the world.
Passion
This particular aspect determines what exactly provides you with motivation or inspiration. Simply forget the issues that cloud your vision and cause trouble in your day-to-day activities. Remember, money is not the sole object while others opinions are quite irrelevant. Rather, you may spend your precious energy and time on those things that excite you the most. Just explore the passion especially its scope and depth and distribute the same across commitments. This way, you can derive that enthusiastic feeling both during downtime and at work.
Your best approach will be avail all the above four categories and consider them to be a holistic one. Hence, IKGAI does require self-awareness, motivation and enthusiasm.