Ikigai

I spend a lot of my reading time clicking links, bookmarking pages, and favouriting websites. An interesting article can become a day’s work to trawl through, reading not only the original piece, but the offshoots which catch my attention. Anything which suggests there might be learning at the other end of the link will capture my attention. And so it was, that I came across the concept of Ikigai. 

Pronunciation varies, but “ick-ee-guy”, seems to be one of the more popular. Ikigai is a Japanese approach to life. There is no exact translation, but essentially, it is our reason. Our passion. Why we get up in the morning. The origin of Ikigai is thought to be the Okinawa Archipelago, where the average life expectancy and number of centenarians is higher than most other parts of the world.

Imagine living a life in which there is no distinction between ‘working’ and ‘retirement’. Life is a continuum. We have our reason to get up; it does not matter whether we go to work, or to see our grandchildren. We live in the moment, not by the labels which compartmentalise our lives into sections.

The diagram below shows how Ikigai is created through four main elements. What we love, what the world needs, what we can be paid for, and what we are good at. The intersection of these areas is our Ikigai. [Some might ask why money is a feature of the chart. Simply because we are considering a whole life; without some form of finance, it becomes difficult to get by.] 

Diagram

The image also includes some of the areas we can work on towards adopting a healthier lifestyle. Having a routemap for whatever reason we have to drive us on, is much easier to follow if we’re as mentally and physically healthy as we can be.

Starting small is the first step towards finding Ikigai. A small step is a means of preparing the groundwork for future success. By working at our passions, we build our skill. In doing so, we may find new opportunities, and new ideas about how to use our skill productively. Ikigai challenges us. It is about more than just pursuing our passions. Ikigai is a commitment of time and belief to something which we have chosen. It gives us more energy than it takes from us.

Looking at my own passions, writing and photography, they are things I can work at. I know people do make a living out of them. They can also provide something which the world needs. Perhaps raising awareness of causes, or a means of escapism from busy lives.

Photographing animals is a passion (image: K. Smith)

Finding Ikigai

Finding one’s own Ikigai is an evolving process which takes time and dedication. It involves self-reflection and honesty. One way to approach this is the Saturday Morning Test. Advocated by Neil Pasricha, the idea is simple. What do you do on a Saturday morning when (if!) you have nothing to do? Put down your mobile devices, turn off screens, and think about the question. Let your true self come forward with answers to the test. What are you so passionate about that you will use precious spare time pursuing it.

Ikigai is an all encompassing approach to life. It is about finding and reaching our own individual potential. It is about the purpose in our lives. About living in the moment; there is no past and no future. The moment which we are in will never be here again. Use it.

If you’d like to find out more about Ikigai, the best selling book “Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life”, by Héctor Garcia and Francesc Miralles might be of interest. I’ll leave you with the ten rules of Ikigai, presented by the authors:

  • Stay active; don’t retire
  • Take it slow
  • Don’t fill your stomach
  • Surround yourself with good friends
  • Get in shape for your next birthday
  • Smile
  • Reconnect with nature
  • Give thanks
  • Live in the moment
  • Follow your Ikigai