Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines the terms “life” and “benefit”. These terms, when combined, refers to what gives your life worth, a meaning or a benefit.
Ikigai has evolved from the essential health and wellness principles of traditional Japanese medicine. This tradition connects physical wellbeing and mental-emotional health, and a sense of purpose in life. Japanese psychologist Michiko Kumano (2017) has said that ikigai is a state of wellbeing that arises from devotion to activities one enjoys, bringing a sense of fulfilment. Ikigai emphasis engaging in activities that produce enjoyment and a sense of mastery, specifically as a way to cope with emotional distress.
The concept of ikigai considers both personal and social dimensions covering:
What you love
Ikigai includes activities or experiences that bring us the utmost joy and give us a sense of being alive and fulfilled. What you love could be sailing, writing poetry, singing, travel etc.
What you are good at
This dimension anything that a person is specialised and good at, such as communication skills, creative skills, hobbies, language proficiency or talents you’ve presented since childhood.
What the world needs
The “world” does not always mean humanity as a whole. It could be a small community or anything in between. The world’s needs may be based on what you perceive the needs of others. The domain of ikigai focuses on connecting with those around us and doing something that brings wellness beyond our own needs.
What you can get paid for
This dimension is concerned with whether someone else is willing to pay for you or what the financial market would spend. You may be passionate about reading books or camping, but this may not necessarily mean you can generate income from these sources. However, revenue from our passions often depends on factors such as the economy or current market demands.
To understand ikigai, we need to realise that its an interaction of the different dimensions. The interaction between what you love and what you are good at is the passion of one’s life. Life’s mission is the interaction of what you love and what the world needs. Vocation is what the world needs and what can generate income. A profession is what you are good at and what you can get paid for. The key is to find the “sweet spot.”
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About the Author.
Gurbaani Bhalla is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.