How to Find a Happier & More Fulfilled Life
- anatanovas
- Jan 14, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 18, 2022
Have you ever felt like there is something missing in your life? You love the work that you do, you have strong social connections with friends/families, but you still feel a void in you. Contemplating your purpose in life is a good start to figuring out your ikigai. This can lead you to a happier and more fulfilled life.
Ikigai is a concept derived from Japanese ideology. It is the culmination of one’s skills, passions, what they can be paid for, and what the world needs. The convergence of these four sections – skills, passion, what can be turned into a source of income, and what the world needs – allow for the individual to better understand their ikigai (reason for being). Each individual’s ikigai is unique to themselves, and once you find it, you have found your purpose in life resulting in a life that holds deeper meaning, and greater fulfillment because things begin to work in harmony. The road that you travel becomes clear, and you’re able to better navigate because you now have a map.
Ok let's find your own ikigai! First, break down the diagram, and ask yourself these four questions:
What am I good at (Your Skills)?
What do I love/What is your passion?
What does the world need?
How can I make money from these?
Your Skills
Within this sphere, you need to consider what skills you have that give you an edge. These skills can be hands-on, but they can also be intangible. It’s usually a skill that you naturally excel at.
Ask yourself: What are three things I am really good at?
What You Love
Here is where you take a deeper look at what you are passionate about. However, if you pursue a career based solely on your passion, there could be financial consequences. Therefore, it is important to consider how you can turn your passion into a source of income.
Ask yourself: What are a few things you truly and thoroughly enjoy?
What the World Needs
This sphere’s focus is outside of the self, where you reflect upon what you see is missing in the world around you. For this, you must step back and look at things from a distance, with objectivity, to see where the gaps are.
Ask yourself: What can I do to make life easier for the people I want to help? How can I use my skills or knowledge to make an impact?
What You Can be Paid For
Here is where you will evaluate whether there are people out there willing to pay for what you want to offer, and how much they may pay. This will help you identify viability, and sustainability of your chosen path. Follow what’s in demand. However, if you only pursue a career because of how much it pays you, you will end up being dissatisfied because it’s not meaningful to you. Money isn’t everything!
Ask yourself: What sort of income am I happy with?
Once you have an answer to each of these questions, you are now able to ascertain your passion (skills + what you love), your mission (what you love + what the world needs), your vocation (what the world needs + what you can be paid for), and finally your profession (what you can be paid for + skills). The amalgamation of all of these answers will be your ikigai.
Have you found a happier and more fulfilled life? Have you found your ikigai? If so, please share it with us in the comments below :)
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