IKIGAI: a method that will help you discover your reason for being.
We are all in the world for something, and not for the same thing. That is the exciting thing about human existence. Embarking on the path towards finding your reason for being is difficult and can frustrate you, but guides like the IKIGAI help us to easily decipher what we have been called to the world for, and to get to know our vocation pleasantly.
One of the ways to achieve happiness is to discover what we are good at. Feeling useful helps our satisfaction, and if it has to do with something that we are passionate about doing and that gives us food, then we are on the right path.
To discover what it is that you love; you need to ask yourself the following questions:
- What do you love to do? What do you enjoy doing? Do you like to experiment about...?
- What are you good at? What skills do you have? What do you know how to do? What are you talented at? What is your expertise?
- What are the things you can do that you can get paid for? What can you do or create that other people can pay you for?
- What does the world need? What are the problems that need to be solved? What needs do people have?
When you have the answers you will discover that there is something you love to do and at the same time the world needs it. We leave you the step by step so you can connect deeply with yourself and find the answers you are looking for.
Ikigai step by step
Initial reflection: It begins with the four outer circles. What do you like? What are you good at? What can they pay you for? What does the world need? In each circle, it would be good to answer between 3 to 5 options.
Connect: What answers do you find in the overlapping circles: passion, mission, vocation, profession? It's time to check the overlapping circles. Find answers. Move them from one side to another. Or possibly combine them.
Ikigai: Connect and discover within yourself what can be placed in the center, of your ikigai. You may not find it at first. Go back to the main circles. Reflect, rest and try at another time, if not, consult your circle of friends, and family. Ask them what they think of you to identify what you are good at, what you can earn money at, etc.
Check: It is time to review and look at it as if it were a mirror. Do you feel good about what you read in the outer circles? Is there any feature, characteristic, or assessment that you miss? You could contrast with family or friends to get feedback.
Keep the Ikigai for a while. It will be fun to see if it evolves in future revisions. For example in a year.
Try to do these exercises in a quiet place, don't put pressure on yourself, and free yourself from your prejudices and personal labels. The way to know yourself is to find yourself, and do not forget that even if it costs, it will leave you on the path to your happiness.
Cheer up and enjoy!
