What does it mean, or what does it look like to truly find your purpose in life? This is a question most people have at least a few times throughout their life. Suppose they aren’t thinking about that question. In that case, it likely means they are too busy in the grips of daily life to have time to stop and think in general, or they have already realized this and need not ask anymore!
Each of us is a unique and very complex individual. So much goes into making us the person we are, and no two recipes can ever be precisely the same, even for siblings or twins! Each interaction, each exposure, each challenge, each stroke of luck, and each breath has formed us into who we are today. And who we are tomorrow will be someone else! I have a bookmark that quotes Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland. It is a picture of Alice and says, “I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.” I love that quote! It was undoubtedly true for Alice but no less for you and me. We are not beings that stay stagnant or unchanged. Instead, we are constantly growing and shifting and adapting and evolving. If you aren’t changing in some way, I would question if you are actually a living organism.
Each moment-by-moment experience has shaped and forged us, just as many drops of water pushing and flowing together have and continue to carve the walls of the Grand Canyon. Each of us is designed specifically for a purpose only we can meet in our unique way. But how do you know what your design was created to accomplish? There are so many professions, charities, duties, and needs in the world – how do you know which is the perfect glass slipper fitted precisely to suit you? Well- it might just be a little easier than you think.
IKIGAI is a Japanese word composed of Iki ‘life’ and Kai ‘meaning.’ The term calls for understanding what brings meaning to one’s life, what motivates an individual, and the sense of fulfillment that comes once found. There is a Japanese psychiatrist, Mieko Kamiya, who really popularized the concept, and even wrote a book called “On the Meaning of Life.” I am sure it is an excellent book and likely tells everything one needs to know to find Ikigai. Unfortunately, they have never translated it into English and have instead decided to keep the secret all to themselves! Rude.
That’s fine; he can keep his book! We can figure it out without his help! Who likes taking the easy path to an answer anyways? (Unless you know Japanese and can translate it for us??) Oh well, it’s like that poem, “There’s no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue; there’s no joy in merely doing things which anyone can do. But there is some satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take, when you reach a destination that you never thought you’d make.” So let’s get started, shall we?
The best place to start is to recognize those things you are good at. Go ahead; this isn’t a time to be modest. Just list all the things you can do well, whether through natural in-born talent and ability or after having spent years in training and practice. It isn’t bragging. These are just facts, so don’t be modest! Draw yourself a big ol’ circle on the left middle side of a piece of paper. Inside write all the things you can think of that you are good at. – Keep all the things you enjoy doing closer to the right and those you aren’t as fond of closer to the left side of the circle. Now draw another big circle in the bottom center of the page. Now think of all the things you know how to get paid for doing. Think about all the things you are capable of doing for a paycheck. Various jobs, crafts, skills, degrees, certificates, specialized training, etc. -all go in this circle. For a third circle, draw this one on the right middle side of the page. Inside here, put all the things you think the world needs. Let your mind really explore what could make the world a better place, what could help, what could make it more pleasant, and what need is there that may be overlooked? For a fourth and final circle, draw this one top center of the page. Inside this circle, write out what it is that you love. Write down all the things you can think of that you love or enjoy. This can be people, places, things, feelings, experiences… whatever!
Once you can gain some perspective on what it is you are good at, can get paid to do, what the world needs, and what you really love, you can find how those pieces can fit together to reveal your Ikigai! Now, that wasn’t so hard after all, was it? Maybe someone is good at talking or connecting with people, and what they love is fashion; what the world needs is social justice, and what they can get paid for is journalism. This is an excellent recipe for drawing people in to talk about challenging topics while not compromising fashion, which pulls in a much more diverse demographic, all through the journalism platform. That happens to be the case for Elaine Welteroth. Elaine is award-winning in many categories, notably journalism, authoring books, and hosting television. She calls this finding of the intersections you want to play in your zone of genius. In her Masterclass, she helps people to find their zone of genius by asking a few key questions such as “what matters to you more than money? – and why?” and “What are the family stories about who you are?” This helps pinpoint internal values and recall who one really was before society buckled them in with the draw of conformity. Next, Elaine talks about the importance of getting an eagle eye (30,000 ft) view of the big picture – then taking that hawk eye (the micro view). Together you will have the beginning stages of the mind map to your future and obtain your own grasp on IKIGAI!
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