Finding who you truly are and what you want to do with your life are some of the most important and stressful questions we all have come across. For some of us, we spend our entire lives trying to figure it out, yet, we rarely ever do.

We are constantly told by the world about what we should or should not become, but even after all the advice and counselling, it still just doesn't feel right for some reason.

Figuring out what your life means and why were we brought into this world is a question many of us ask ourselves, but rarely do we get an answer that is both satisfactory and plausible.

However, some of the great minds of Japan, seems to have it figured out way long ago. The 'Ikigai' concept might very well be the closest way we have to find meaning in our lives and find what our purpose should truly be.

A Reason For Being

^{Image: Jeremy Agnew}

Ikigai or 'a reason for being', focuses on the purpose of one's existence. It lays down the four simple and basic elements of what makes up for a meaningful and fulfilling life and then finds an equilibrium between them.

What You Love

Everyone has something in their life that they absolutely love doing and can't imagine their life without, even if they are not necessarily good at it. Find what you love.

What The World Needs

Serve others and the world you live in for the betterment of everyone. The idea is, the more you help others grow, the more valuable your life becomes.

What You Can Be Paid For

No matter how much you want to become or do something, if it can't pay you enough for living a decent life, then it's probably not a deal worth considering.

What You Are Good At

Ask yourself: What is something that you can do that nobody else can do as good as you? Every single one of us is born with a gift, but not everyone realizes it.

Now it's important to acknowledge the fact that rediscovering these qualities about yourself isn't a one-time thing. It can take a lot of time, and you have to be patient with it because it will require looking deep into yourself and asking yourself the kinda questions that you usually don't.

Finding An Equilibrium

Once you have figured out all the four elements, combine them. The equilibrium then achieved, is Ikigai. But though it might sound easy enough while reading about it through an article, it really is quite the hassle when you actually get yourself to find it.

More often than not, you will find yourself in a place where you can satisfy two or three elements but are not sure about the others. For example, you may know what you're good at or what you love, but doubt if what you love is also what the world needs right now.

Passion

When you know that what you are good at is also what you love doing, and you have a strong feeling that it is what your heart desires, but don't necessarily know if it can give you enough to live a decent life or if you can add any value to the world by doing it.

Mission

Aiming for a moral approach, you know what the world needs right now, and you are more than happy to serve the world for that, but don't know if you will be any good at it and struggle to find that something that can be made money out of.

Vocation

You know that what you are doing is right for your professional life, but wonder about the idea of doing what you truly want for a living. You are paid good and you are helping the economy, sure, but that sense of fulfillment and bliss is still missing.

Profession

You are paid for doing what you are good at, and are set to succeed in your work life, but the thought of whether or not are you really of any worth to this world still wanders your mind. You feel good about what you have achieved, but don't know if what you are doing is helping the world become a better place.

In the end, it all comes down to finding a balance between being valuable for the world, and feeling like you did what you were meant to do. It's not gonna be easy to find it, but it's worth all the time and effort you put into it once you do find your balance, your own Ikigai.

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