Use Ikigai to Unlock the New You

The quest for self-discovery can take many years – even decades – to manifest and crystallise.

As co-journeyers into the unknown, we only have one thing in common:

We are all  f i r s t  t i m e r s  in life. Without prior experience or “factory instructions” to guide us on how to navigate safely and blissfully through life’s ever-unfolding peaks and valleys. This is why at various points along the journey, many of us will often be faced with extremely difficult decisions, life-changing experiences and paralysing dilemmas.

You know there is a call for change when every cell in your body resists the very idea of staying any longer on your current path. This is when you know that you are on a cross-road while on the path of self-discovery and that you are in the process of self-transformation.

This is when you know that you should turn to Ikigai.

Ikigai is considered by many to be the Japanese secret to a long and happy life.

The secret to a deeply fulfilled life could be to find your own Ikigai, that is to find an occupation and a life-purpose that combines all (and lies at the heart of) the following:-

1.What you are GOOD AT.
2.What you LOVE.
3. What the world NEEDS.
4. What you can be PAID FOR.

As Howard Thurman said:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

To find your IKIGAI please take a step back for a moment and reflect on the diagram below.

Ikigai is totally unique to each and every individual. What could be your own Ikigai?