In Japan, millions of people have ikigai (pronounced Ick-ee-guy)— a reason to jump out of bed each morning.
What’s your reason for getting up in the morning?
- Recommended: The Little Book of Japanese Concepts For a Good Life (free ebook).
The Japanese island of Okinawa, where ikigai has its origins, is said to be home to the largest population of centenarians in the world.
Could the concept of ikigai contribute to longevity?
Dan Buettner, author of Blue Zones: Lessons on Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest, believes it does.
According to Buettner, the concept of ikigai is not exclusive to Okinawans: “there might not be a word for it but in all four blue zones such as Sardinia and Nicoya Peninsula, the same concept exists among people living long lives.”
Buettner suggests making three lists: your values, things you like to do, and things you are good at. The cross-section of the three lists is your ikigai. Studies show that losing one’s purpose can have a detrimental effect.
American mythologist and author Joseph Campbell once said, “My general formula for my students is “Follow your bliss.” Find where it is, and don’t be afraid to follow it.”
“Your ikigai is at the intersection of what you are good at and what you love doing,” says Hector Garcia, the co-author of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.
He writes, “Just as humans have lusted after objects and money since the dawn of time, other humans have felt dissatisfaction at the relentless pursuit of money and fame and have instead focused on something bigger than their own material wealth. This has over the years been described using many different words and practices, but always hearkening back to the central core of meaningfulness in life.”
ikigai is seen as the convergence of four primary elements:
- What you love (your passion)
- What the world needs (your mission)
- What you are good at (your vocation)
- What you can get paid for (your profession)
Discovering your own ikigai is said to bring fulfilment, happiness and make you live longer.
Want to find your Ikigai? Ask yourself the following four questions:
1. What do I love?
2. What am I good at?
3. What can I be paid for now — or something that could transform into my future hustle?
4. What does the world need?
What you love keeps you alive inside.
What you’re good at gives you confidence.
What the world needs gives you purpose.
What you can be paid for keeps your lights on.
You don’t find ikigai like it’s hidden. You build it asking:
- What do I enjoy doing so much that time disappears?
- What comes naturally to me?
- Who do I want to help?
- How can I live without rushing?
In their book Ikigai The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles break down the ten rules that can help anyone find their own ikigai.
1. Stay active and don’t retire
2. Leave urgency behind and adopt a slower pace of life
3. Only eat until you are 80 per cent full
4. Surround yourself with good friends
5. Get in shape through daily, gentle exercise
6. Smile and acknowledge people around you
7. Reconnect with nature
8. Give thanks to anything that brightens our day and makes us feel alive.
9. Live in the moment
10. Follow your ikigai
What you deeply care about can unlock your ikigai
Follow your curiosity.
Philosopher and civil rights leader Howard W Thurman said, “Ask what makes you come alive and go do it.” … “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
The problem for millions of people is that they stop being curious about new experiences as they assume responsiblities and build routines.
Their sense of wonder starts to escape them.
But you can change that, especially if you are still looking for meaning and fulfilment in what you do daily.
Albert Einstein encourages us to pursue our curiosities. He once said:
“Don’t think about why you question, simply don’t stop questioning. Don’t worry about what you can’t answer, and don’t try to explain what you can’t know. Curiosity is its own reason. Aren’t you in awe when you contemplate the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure behind reality? And this is the miracle of the human mind — to use its constructions, concepts, and formulas as tools to explain what man sees, feels and touches. Try to comprehend a little more each day. Have holy curiosity.”
A classic example is Steve Jobs’ curiosity for typefaces which led him to attend a seemingly useless class on typography and to develop his design sensibility.
Later, this sensibility became an essential part of Apple computers and Apple’s core differentiator in the market.
We are born curious. Our insatiable drive to learn, invent, explore, and study deserves to have the same status as every other drive in our lives.
Fulfilment is fast becoming the main priority for most of us. Millions of people still struggle to find what they are meant to do. What excites them. What makes them lose the sense of time.
What brings out the best in them.“Our intuition and curiosity are very powerful internal compasses to help us connect with our ikigai,” Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles writes.
The Meaning of Life Is ikigai
The meaning of life is one of the most profound questions we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives.
It has been pondered by philosophers, poets, scientists, and thinkers for centuries. Many thinkers argue that the meaning of life is to find happiness, while others may believe it’s to fulfil a particular purpose.
However, I believe self-expression is the true meaning of life.
Expressing yourself is one of the most incredible things you can do in life. It allows you to connect with your inner self and share your thoughts, feelings, and ideas with the world.
When you engage in activities that allow you to express yourself, you feel alive and fulfilled. You feel like you’re making a difference in the world and leaving your mark.
Think about it — when you’re doing something that truly speaks to who you are, it feels like time stands still.
You’re in the zone, completely in tune with your thoughts and feelings.
This is what it means to live a life filled with purpose and meaning.
It’s about finding those things that make you feel alive and pursuing them with everything you’ve got.
“Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness,” says poet and writer Allen Ginsberg.
We all have our unique perspectives and beliefs.
But one thing that remains constant is that expressing yourself, defining yourself, building relationships, and other self-oriented activities are more about the meaning of life.
These activities help us understand ourselves better and in turn, help us lead a more fulfilling life.
Building a meaningful life starts with defining yourself. It means understanding your values, motivations, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses.
It’s the cornerstone for meaningful experiences and activities.
When we define ourselves, we pursue goals that make us come alive. We make decisions that align with our values and beliefs.
It’s a practice that leads to a greater sense of purpose and fulfilment in life.
Expressing yourself is a vital aspect of life. It takes many forms.
You can express yourself through art, photography, music, dance or writing. You can also pursue your curiosities by finding and doing more side projects or meaningful work.
Many people express themselves through sports, volunteering, learning new things, travelling, and connecting with others who share their interests.
Self-expression activities and experiences are more than just pastimes; they are key to unlocking life’s true meaning.
Time seems to fly by when you are engaged in activities that bring out the best in you. You feel energized and alive, and your mind is focused on the present moment.
This sense of flow is what psychologists call “optimal experience,” and it’s a state of being that can lead to greater happiness and well-being.
Find your ikigai zone of genius
The “Zone of Genius,” is a term coined by Gay Hendricks in his book “The Big Leap.” It refers to the activities you are uniquely talented at and bring you the most joy and fulfilment.
When these two concepts are combined, they represent the sweet spot where your passions, talents, purpose, and financial stability all intersect.
This is where you can find your true calling and experience a deep sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.
Finding your Ikigai Zone of Genius requires introspection, self-self-awarness and a willingness to try new things. It may take time, but the rewards of discovering and living in this zone can be immeasurable.
Putting yourself out there and showing the world who you are can be scary. But the rewards are well worth the risk.
When you’re living authentically, everything falls into place.
You attract the right people, opportunities come your way, and you feel a sense of peace and contentment that’s hard to describe.
Self-expression helps you understand who you are, what you stand for, and what you want from life.
“Be led by your curiosity, and keep busy by doing things that fill you with meaning and happiness,’ says Hector Garcia Puigcerver, author of Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life.
Apply the 4 questions rule
Your life will be meaningful if you find responses to the four questions of purpose, value, efficacy, and self-worth.
Purpose: What is the meaning of my life? What am I passionate about? What am I here to do?
Value: What do I value? What is important to me? What do I believe in?
Efficacy: Am I making a difference in the world? Am I using my talents and abilities to make a positive impact?
Self-worth: Do I believe in myself? Do I value myself? Do I feel good about myself?
When we can answer these questions, we can live a more meaningful, fulfilling, and satisfying life.
In conclusion, expressing yourself, defining yourself, building relationships, and other self-oriented activities are all integral parts of life that help us find meaning and purpose.
The meaning of life is a subjective experience.
However, doing things that express yourself is one of the most elements of a meaningful life.
When you take time to understand yourself and those around you, you open yourself to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
So, go ahead and express yourself, define yourself, build those relationships and engage in self-care activities — it’s all part of the journey towards a meaningful life.
Remember what modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham said, “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.”
What is the one simple thing you could do or be today that would be an expression of your ikigai? What’s your reason to get up tomorrow?Find it. And live it with all you have, anything less is not worth your limited time on planet earth.
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