This is my first english written article artickle and it's really meaningful for me to start with the topic IKIGAI - A reason for being -
İn the Last two months i was travelling and working hard. That was my dream life and i really worked hard to have this lifestyle. When i had have it, i realized that i lost my real goal and life purpose. Then i started to search about my IKIGAI. At the end, i realized that my IKIGAI is to share my happiness and experiences, write a blog to inspire you to achive your dreams like i do. So here is my attempt tried to write in english to reach and inspire more people.
Finding your ikigai is no easy task, but without knowing what it is, you can’t fulfill it – so it is worth undertaking the search.
In Japanese culture, there is a concept known as "ikigai," which roughly translates to "a reason for being." It's the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. When you find your ikigai, you have a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life. Not only that, but it can also be a powerful tool for setting goals and achieving them.
Finding your Ikigai is a life-long individual exploration journey. If you are committed to making a change in your life, I assure you that you will get there. But you need to put the time and energy in the process.
Ikigai Venn diagram was created by entrepreneur Marc Winn, whose only knowledge of ikigai was from a TedTalk. He simply replaced the word "purpose" with "ikigai" thinking it would be a cool idea. He wrote a blogpost with his version of the Venn diagram, claiming that ikigai lies in the center of the interconnecting four circles.
There is no diagram, chart or framework that the Japanese use to understand or find their ikigai. Japanese learn the word Ikigai when they are young and understand its multifaceted meaning as they grow and experience life. If we were to use a Venn diagram to visualise what ikigai means to the Japanese, then it would look like this:
In this representation, your daily life is at the center, and the overlapping circles represent areas of your life where you can find ikigai, your reasons for being. It’s important to understand that Japanese find ikigai in various areas of their lives - from small everyday rituals to the pursuit of meaningful goals. This illustrates that your reason for being, or your reason for living is not a sweet spot of doing something that you love, that you are good at, that the world needs, and that you can be paid for, but a rich spectrum where you can find reasons to live in the realm of small things, in the practice of a hobby, in your roles and relationships, and by simply living your values. We can see that Ikigai is something easily achievable, not a single formidable life goal that might take us years to achieve as represented by the Westernised version.
Where You Can Find Your Reason For Being
You can find your reason, or reasons, for being in: Connection & Harmony - in the building of harmonious relationships that align with your values. Creativity & Flow - when reaching a flow state in your hobbies, interests or work, and by expressing your creative self. Gratitude & Contribution - by expressing gratitude, and in the helping of others via your life roles. Rituals & Small Joys - when being present while performing daily rituals, and in appreciating the small joys of life.
When You Find Ikigai You Have More Than One Reason To Live
When you have ikigai you are full of life and actively pursue what you enjoy doing. You don't just have one reason for being, you have several, maybe even many. And once you find your reasons for being your live will change or the better in four core ares:
life meaning
life purpose
life freedom
life growth
You find meaning in your life through interpersonal connections, intimate relationships and in your creative pursuits. When you reflect upon the meaning of your life you are satisfied and find that you have plenty to live for. In performing your various life roles you have a sense of purpose as you contribute to your family, workplace, and community. You also find that you have a lot to be grateful for and express this to family, friends and the people around you. Despite the constraints of life, you often experience a true sense of freedom in your hobbies, interests and work. You also find freedom and joy in the little things and in the practice of daily rituals. When you have ikigai, your life is not standart, nor boring. You grow and embrace change as you anticipate a bright future ahead of you. Even during challenging times and after negative life events your ikigai can guide you to a positive new direction. This is what ikigai is to the Japanese.
The Japanese Ikigai Diagram;
Using Ikigai for Goal Setting
Once you've found your ikigai, you can use it as a guide for setting goals in your life. Start by brainstorming a list of goals that align with your ikigai. These goals should be specific, measurable, and achievable. They should also be challenging enough to push you out of your comfort zone, but not so challenging that they're impossible to achieve.
Next, prioritize your goals based on their importance and relevance to your ikigai. This will help you focus your time and energy on the goals that matter most to you. I can advice you to fill this form to understand for what you are spending your time. Do what you love, love what you do!
It can be surprising to find out how you spend your time, and possibly a little disappointing. Try to realize what is your real life purpose and do you spend time enough for this.
It is not easy step to change our life and habbits to our real life purpose. Because there are many unknowns, uncomfort and risks. But trust me, if you work for yourself, you will be successfull and happier. To achieve your dream and Ikigai, break each goal down into smaller, actionable steps. This will make them more manageable and less overwhelming. It's important to remember that setting goals based on your ikigai is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process. As you continue to grow and evolve, your ikigai may shift, and your goals may need to be adjusted accordingly. This is normal and should be embraced as part of the journey.
Tracking Progress and Celebrating Success
Tracking your progress towards your goals and celebrating your successes along the way is crucial. By doing this, you'll be able to see how far you've come and stay motivated to keep going. Remember, the journey towards your goals is just as important as the destination.
There are various ways to track your progress, such as using a planner or journal, creating a vision board, or using a goal-tracking app. Find a method that works best for you and stick to it. For me the best method is to write 2-3 pages in the mornings. I started this method with the book: 'The Artist Way by Julia Cameron' . I highly recommend you to read this book. It will change your life and help you to find what you want, what you like, what was your dream when you were child and how they affect you... basically it will help you to find your Ikigai.
When you achieve a goal, take the time to celebrate your success. Celebrating your success will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to keep going. I love this part and before i start to celebrate, i always thank to the universe, god, energies to help me for the success. It is important to be thankful, as i believe.
So, Ikigai is a powerful concept that can help you find your purpose in life and guide you in setting goals that align with that purpose. By using ikigai as a guide for setting goals, you'll be living a purposeful life that brings you joy and fulfillment. Remember, your ikigai is unique to you, so don't compare yourself to others. Embrace your passions, talents, and strengths, and use them to make a positive impact on the world.
Links to check more details about IKIGAI:
IKIGAI TEST: https://ikigaitest.com/ (It takes 15 mins. free and useful)
IKIGAI BOOKS: https://positivepsychology.com/ikigai-books/
Your 3 Meaning and Valued Living Exercises: https://positivepsychology.com/wp-content/uploads/3-Meaning-Valued-Living-Exercises.pdf
Comments