Many people struggle to find purpose in their lives, but there's a Japanese concept that can help – Ikigai (生き甲斐).
The literal translation of the word is ‘A reason for being’ and in some ways it shares a similar concept to the one highlighted in Victor Frankl’s logotherapy. It is also said to be one of the key elements for explaining the extraordinary longevity of the Japanese, especially on the island of Okinawa where there are 24.55 people over the age of 100 for every 100,000 inhabitants – far more than the global average.
Those who study why the inhabitants of this island in the south of Japan live longer than people anywhere else in the world believe that one of the keys—in addition to a healthful diet, a simple life in the outdoors, green tea, and the subtropical climate (its average temperature is similar to that of Hawaii)—is the Ikigai that shapes their lives.

What is it and how can you use in your daily life?
At its core, Ikigai is a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It's the feeling that what you're doing matters and that you're contributing to something greater than yourself. Ikigai is a unique combination of your passion, mission, vocation, and profession.
To discover your Ikigai, start by asking yourself four key questions:
What do you love? Think about the things you enjoy doing the most. What gives you a sense of joy and fulfilment? What makes you lose track of time?
What are you good at? Consider the things you excel at, the skills you've developed over time, and the knowledge you've acquired. What do people come to you for help or advice with?
What does the world need? Think about the problems in the world that you care about deeply. What causes do you want to contribute to? What positive impact do you want to have on the world?
What can you get paid for? Consider the things you can do that others are willing to pay you for. What services or products can you provide that people need or want?
Your Ikigai lies at the intersection of these four sets of questions. By finding the overlap between what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for, you can discover your unique sense of purpose and meaning in life.
how do you put your Ikigai into action?
One way is to set goals and take action towards achieving them. Break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps and take consistent action towards them every day.
Another way is to focus on the present moment and find joy in the journey. Take time to appreciate the small things in life and find beauty in the ordinary. Cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for what you have in your life.
Remember, finding your Ikigai is an ongoing journey and it may take time and effort to discover, but the journey is worth it.When you have this clear sense of purpose and direction, you are better placed to prioritise your time and energy on activities that align with your values and bring you joy. This can help to reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety as well as increasing feelings of fulfilment and satisfaction. All of this makes us more resilient and helps to reduce the negative effects of stress which are prominent in our daily lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ikigai is a powerful concept that can help us find purpose and meaning in life. By answering the four key questions and finding the overlap between them, we can discover our unique Ikigai. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a career professional, or simply someone seeking more meaning in your life, I encourage you to discover your Ikigai and live a life of purpose and meaning.
Further reading
For further reading on this topic, I can recommend the following book:
Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life
Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
In future blogs I will explore this concept in more detail and will create worksheets to help you ideate and discover your Ikigai.
Until next time, keep passionate about your journey!