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Ikigai (pronounced ick-ee-guy) (it doesn’t however mean repulsive dude) is a concept originating from the Japanese island of Okinawa. For those of you, who remember the 80’s, Okinawa was the birthplace and homeland of that 80’s icon, Mr Miyagi (played by Pat Morita) in The Karate Kid quadrilogy.
To work out your purposeful, meaningful Professional Life, your Ikigai, my suggestion is to find yourself a nice and relaxing drink, ideally a comfortable chair or sofa to slightly recline in relative peace and quiet for about an hour and consider the following key questions:
There are four key concepts which overlap to find your true centre for your career.
Number. 1 Do what you LOVE
Two questions that might help you work out what you LOVE:
1a. What did you love doing or thinking about when you were a child?
1b. What activities do you do in your spare time that make you happy?
Between what you LOVE and what you’re GOOD AT, you’ll find your passion.
Number. 2 Do what you’re GOOD AT
Two questions to help you find what you’re GOOD AT:
2a. What are your skills and strengths?
2b. What do people ask you help for?
Between what you’re GOOD AT and what the WORLD NEEDS, you’ll find your profession.
Number. 3 Do Something the WORLD NEEDS
The two things to think about when working out what you want to do is something useful:
3a. What / who inspires you?
3b. What makes you angry, frustrated?
By working out what the WORLD NEEDS and what you can BE PAID FOR, you'll find your vocation.
Number. 4: Do Something you can be PAID FOR
Is what you want to do, going to give you the income
4a. What product or service could you sell?
4b. What job could you do?
Through what YOU LOVE and what you can be BE PAID FOR is your mission.
Try writing down your answers and see if you can work out your life’s passion, profession, vocation and mission.