The Japanese concept of ikigai can be translated as "reason for being." The diagram shows four overlapping circles, each representing a different aspect of ikigai:
- What you love: This is what you do for fun and makes you happy. It's what you would do even if you weren't getting paid for it.
- What you're good at: This is what you're naturally talented at and enjoy doing. It's something that you can do well without a lot of effort.
- What the world needs: This is the thing that the world would benefit from having. You can do something to make a difference in the world.
- What you can be paid for: This is the thing that you can make a living doing. It's something that people are willing to pay you for.
The intersection of these four circles is your ikigai. It's the thing that you're passionate about, that you're good at, that the world needs, and that you can be paid for.
If you're looking for your ikigai, the first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses. What are you naturally good at? What do you enjoy doing? What are you passionate about? Once you understand your strengths and weaknesses well, you can start to think about what you could do with them.
Next, you need to think about what the world needs. What are the problems that need to be solved? What are the things that could be improved? What are the things that people would benefit from having? Once you understand the world's needs well, you can start thinking about how you could use your strengths and weaknesses to address them.
Finally, you need to think about what you can be paid for. What are your skills and talents? What are you willing to do for money? Once you understand your marketability, you can start thinking about how you could turn your ikigai into a career.
Finding your ikigai is a journey, not a destination. It's a process of self-discovery and reflection. But if you're willing to put in the work, you can find your ikigai and live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Here are some additional tips for finding your ikigai:
- Talk to people who are already living their ikigai. Ask them how they found their ikigai and what advice they have for you.
- Experiment with different things. Try new activities and see what you enjoy. You might be surprised at what you find.
- Don't be afraid to change your mind. Your ikigai might not be the same thing that it is today in 10 years. That's okay. Just keep exploring and learning until you find something you're passionate about.
Finding your ikigai is a lifelong journey, but it's a journey that is well worth taking. When you find your ikigai, you'll find a sense of purpose and direction. You'll wake up in the morning excited to start your day, and you'll feel fulfilled at the end of it. So don't give up. Keep exploring and learning until you find your ikigai.