How Can You Get Closer to Your Purpose?
"IKIGAI" is often presented as THE solution. What does that mean?
Everyone is talking about Ikigai these days. Although there is no direct translation into English, this Japanese concept is meant to help people reconnect with what drives them. Ikigai literally consists of iki (to live) and gai (reason). This craze can be explained by Westerners’ growing fascination with Japanese culture and their increased search for meaning.
According to the Western interpretation of this concept, all you need to do is be clear about:
your interests,
your strengths,
ways to monetize your efforts,
and ways to address global challenges
to … Jackpot! … find your Ikigai.
Principles of Ikigai - Diagram
Four variables to play around with, and you can sleep soundly knowing you have a reason to wake up in the morning.
This theory is clever and appealing:
It is simple, yet holistic;
It means that you can enjoy what you do, contribute to society, and, at the same time, thrive;
She emphasizes the importance of engaging in activities that energize you and immerse you in creative enjoyment (what is known as “the flow state”).
That said, if you’re like me and most of my clients, answering the questions above probably doesn’t seem all that simple. Even if you can answer them, you may find it difficult to strike the right balance between these four factors. And if that’s the case, that’s “OK.”
This Westernized approach reminds me of the solutions proposed by certain consultants—solutions that seem practical on paper but are actually quite complicated to implement on your own. Or, if you prefer, it’s a bit like the promise of the magic mirror in *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*. Perhaps our thirst for efficiency and quick results explains this contradiction.
The Japanese meaning of the term “IKIGAI” will surely disappoint you… and put your mind at ease!
Having lived in Japan, I’ve always been a bit perplexed by people’s ecstatic enthusiasm for ikigai. While Japanese culture places great emphasis on the pursuit of continuous collective improvement (kaizen), I’ve rarely seen Japanese colleagues obsessed with their personal development and their individual contribution to the world—let alone through their work. Numbers sometimes speak louder than words: in a 2010 survey of 2,000 Japanese men and women, only 31% of participants cited work as their ikigai. That’s a bit low for the birthplace of this concept, don’t you think?
Rather than a quick fix to bridge the gap between our desire for success and our search for meaning in our careers, this concept perfectly reflects the Japanese way of life. It’s about complexity, subtlety, and simplicity. Ikigai calls for a “slow life” rather than a successful career. It is a very democratic and down-to-earth concept of life, open to everyone and disconnected from the Western vision of success.
Japanese neuroscientist and writer Ken Mogi presents five pillars to help us find true fulfillment:
Start small,
Set yourselves free,
Embrace harmony and sustainability,
Cherish the joy of the little things,
Be in the here and now.
“Ikigai lies in the little things (...). Hanami, the time of year when the Japanese admire the cherry blossoms, is a perfect example. You can’t cling to the experience, and it brings you fleeting joy.”
In other words, you appreciate what makes life meaningful when you savor the experience of the present moment and reconnect with the ecosystem that transcends you and surrounds you. This raises the question of whether our purpose lies in our ability to maintain a permanent state of meditation. This seems to contradict all our beliefs. To be in harmony with our purpose, must we step away from the endless cycle of personal and professional development?
The concepts of humility, authenticity, and courage pave the way for us
According to this Japanese philosophy, here are a few key elements—guiding principles—for finding your Ikigai:
Dare to embrace who you are —with your talents, hopes, fears, and areas for growth (not all of which necessarily need to be developed!). Stay humble by reminding yourself that you are part of a larger ecosystem. Continue to push yourself by leveraging your unique strengths and the complementary resources at your disposal.
Exercise and embrace your free will. On this point, Western and Japanese perspectives converge:
"You cannot and should not blame your surroundings for a lack of ikigai. After all, it's up to you to find your own ikigai, in your own way. (Ken Mogi)."
"If you do something with a goal in mind, you do it intentionally, not by accident" (Cambridge)
Recognize that your purpose continues to evolve, just as you and your environment evolve over time and through experience. It is a complex system that cannot be resolved once and for all.
Maintain your inner well-being and enjoyment as you continue your journey. Striving to fulfill your purpose while sacrificing your health, relationships, and self-esteem seems irrational. Yet it’s common.
My friend Marie would say, “Stop thinking you’re climbing a mountain when you’re actually running on a treadmill.”
Take Action to Reconnect
Finding a balance in all the important areas of our lives to ensure that we live fully, sustainably, and peacefully may be more important than pursuing a single goal, however noble it may be.
Instead of being the strategist of your career, how about being both the artist and the driving force on the ground? Let’s try to focus on who we are right now, on the world and lifestyle we aspire to, and on the concrete actions we can take to bridge the potential gap. Of course, circumstances may vary from one situation to another, but our personal intentions should remain the same. Strategies, money, and success should be the consequences of our personal and inner alignment, not the reasons for our actions.
A simple tool
Creating a mantra—a summary of your purpose—can serve as a compass on your long-term journey.
How and where should I start?
"Easier said than done," you might say. All these concepts and recommendations may indeed seem abstract to many people. Here are a few steps that might help you “put the pieces of the puzzle together.” I invite you to set aside your judgment and trust your instincts as you answer the following questions:
What are the key elements that need to be in balance for you to be happy in life?
What are your deepest hopes for the world? (You can draw or write down 3 to 5 characteristics that describe the ideal world in which you want to live.)
What might be your strengths and your role in turning this dream into reality?
Once you've identified these elements, you can complete this summary: “I aspire to a world [adjectives], where I can find a fulfilling balance between [nouns], [nouns], and [nouns]. To achieve this goal, my mission is to [verb]. I draw on my [talents] to make this happen.”
Here's an example:
“I aspire to a humanistic, nature-centered world where I can find a fulfilling balance between my well-being, my family, my work, my intellectual pursuits, and my social relationships. To achieve this goal, my mission is to act as a catalyst for change—both individual and collective—so that my purpose can serve as a driver of positive impact and serenity. I trust in my vision, my creativity, and my ability to listen to make this a reality.”
Whenever you're faced with a new decision, ask yourself:
Does this align with my purpose?
Does this choice allow me to feel good, right here and now?
How can I better balance the important aspects of my life?
The Mantra
“‘Thereis no single best way to find one’s ikigai. Each of us must search for our own, within the forest of our unique individualities.’”
Now it's your turn
What's your mantra?
Do you need someone to help light your path toward discovering the many possibilities that await you? Contact me!
Do you want to become the leader you envision for the world you hope to see? Is it time to discover and assert your leadership? Do you want to embed the concepts of positive impact and purpose at the heart of your organization? Is the challenge to accelerate engagement within your ecosystem to drive systemic change?
If your answer is yes and you’d like some guidance along the way, please contact me! Here’s a link to schedule a exploratory session and the form to further explore your goals and challenges.
