We all want to be happy, but most of us have no idea what to
do.
Should we make more money?
Should we focus on pursuing our passions?
Should we give up all our material possessions and become a monk in the
mountains?
Well, we all have a different take on it and there are times when nothing seems
to work.
Having said that, let me introduce you to the concept of ‘ikigai’, few identify it with the Japanese formula of happiness,
but I say, it helps you lead a more meaningful life. Well, let’s be honest, happiness
has no exclusive rights of the path to heaven.
Ikigai roughly translates into ‘a reason for being’, you need to have a
purpose of living. Though it sounds easier than done, when you know nothing is
under your control. However, there are four components you need to check to
achieve ‘ikigai’.
1) Find something you love:
Find things that make you feel good, that makes us stop thinking for a short
period of time, few call it the ‘Flow State’.
This could be drawing, singing,
reading, etc. – that takes you to the state of bliss where you feel focused.
The same happens when you fall in love with someone because being with that
person allows us to forget all the other problems at least momentarily.
2) Find something
that the world needs:
We humans are hardwired to feel good when we know we are needed. Back in the
day when we were hunters, it was easy, as everybody played an important part—the
hunter was as important as the cleaner, and one could easily gauge the effect
of one on the other. However, nowadays, most people work in corporations –
being given small roles in massive companies, where even if we work our butts
off, it’s hard to see the positive outcome, it doesn’t look we’ve accomplished
anything and even if we quit, no one will really care. You need to find something that creates a positive
impact around you and that’s the second component of ikigai.
3) Find something
that you get paid well for:
Let’s be real– ‘You need money’ – money to put a roof over
your head, food in your mouth and clothes in your body. Without enough of it,
you’ll spend most of your life worrying and stressed. It is crucial to earn not
just some money, but a good enough to live a comfortable life. You need to live
without stress and achieve financial independence, which is the third component
of ikigai.
4) Find something
that you’re good at:
This doesn’t mean you’ve got to be born with talent – it means you’ll have
put in time and effort in order to get better at the skill. We often face
difficulty in the beginning when we take the first step; however, practice is
the key, which lets you overcome the hurdle, and this makes it the fourth
component of ikigai.
The Venn diagram below gives a better picture of what ikigai
is and how to strike a balance between Passion, Mission, Profession and
Vocation.
