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Welcome to my Newsletter - Monday Morning Motivations (MMM) - Article #7:

How I Discovered My Purpose in Life by Using a Little-known Japanese Concept

January 21, 2023

Have you ever heard of Ikigai? Ikigai is an ancient Japanese concept that can be translated to “a reason for being”. It is a way of life that encourages people to find their passion and purpose in life, and to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Ikigai is a philosophy that has been around for centuries, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. People are drawn to it because it provides a sense of clarity and direction, and helps them to focus on what is most important to them.

It could be described as an intersection of four different elements: what you’re passionate about, where your skills lie, how you can earn a living and what the world needs.

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At the heart of Ikigai is the idea that everyone can find joy and purpose in their lives, no matter who they are or where they come from. It is about finding what makes you happy and aligning your life with your passion and purpose. It is about taking the time to think deeply about what truly matters to you and what you are passionate about.

There are many people who have embraced Ikigai and have found great success in their lives. One such example is Abraham Maslow, the psychologist who developed the concept of self-actualization. He believed that everyone has the potential to reach their full potential, and that it is important to find a balance between the needs of our bodies and the needs of our minds and souls.

Another example is the author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss. He is a strong believer in Ikigai, and has written extensively about it in his books and blog. He has found success by focusing on what he loves and doing what makes him happy.

Finally, there is Marie Kondo, the queen of tidying up. She believes that we can find joy and contentment in our lives if we take the time to focus on what is truly important to us. She encourages us to declutter and organize our lives so that we can focus on what truly matters and make room for the things we love.

These are just a few of the many people out there who have found success by embracing Ikigai. By taking the time to focus on what matters to them and doing what makes them happy, they have been able to find balance and fulfilment in their lives.

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Why should you learn to use Ikigai?

Ikigai has many benefits, both physical and mental. On a physical level, it can help to improve your overall health and well-being. Studies have shown that people who practice Ikigai are more likely to have better physical health, as they are more likely to engage in healthy behaviours like exercise and eating a balanced diet.

On a mental level, Ikigai can help to reduce stress and anxiety. When you are living a life of purpose, it can be easier to stay focused on what is important to you and what you are passionate about. This can help to reduce the negative thoughts and emotions that can lead to stress and anxiety.

Ikigai can also help to improve your relationships. By living a life of purpose and meaning, it can be easier to connect with others and build meaningful relationships. It can also help to improve your communication skills, as it can be easier to express your thoughts and feelings in a clear and effective way.

Finally, Ikigai can help to bring more joy and fulfillment to your life. When you are living a life of purpose and meaning, it can be easier to appreciate the simple moments and the beauty of life. You may find that you are more grateful for the small things, and that your life is more meaningful and satisfying.

Overall, Ikigai can be a powerful tool for improving your life. It can help to bring balance and fulfillment to your life, and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help to improve your relationships and communication skills, and bring more joy and fulfillment to your life.

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How do you find your Ikigai?

Finding your Ikigai can be a challenging but rewarding journey. It may take some time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. Here are some steps to take to find your own Ikigai:

1. Take the time to reflect and find what makes you happy.

Ask yourself what you truly care about and what you want to do with your life. Take the time to explore what brings you joy and what truly matters to you.

[Jc’s experience] In my case, I took long walks in a park, and listened to peaceful instrumental music, reflected on moments in my life that really made me happy, and I personally found that I was most happy when I was helping others. Eventually, a high-level purpose emerged that I would sum up as “to help people."

2. Identify what you’re good at.

Think about your strengths and weaknesses, and how you can use them to your advantage. Consider what skills and talents you have that could help you to achieve your goals.

[Jc’s experience] I’ve always had great feedback as a coach, mentor and trainer. At BCG I was awarded the “Trainer of the Year” and was involved with the training team, and delivered training for new starters and early associates, and consultants.

3. Explore your passions.

Think about what you’re passionate about and what you enjoy doing. What activities bring you joy and make you feel alive?

[Jc’s experience] I am deeply passionate about the next generation of leaders and about helping impart some of the lessons that I have learned about navigating a career and leading people over the last 20+ years. Hopefully, these experiences will help them to avoid the mistakes I made and advance in their careers faster.

4. Set goals.

Once you have identified your passions and talents, set some achievable goals that you can work toward. This will help to keep you motivated and focused on achieving your Ikigai.

[Jc’s experience] One of my goals in 2023 is to help 1,000 young leaders advance in their careers. That’s a lofty goal, and I’m in the process of breaking it down into small, manageable steps. For example, I could help:

• 250 young job seekers with their cover letters and resumes - through an AI-assisted writing tool.
• 250 young first-time leaders learn what to do in their first 90 days as a manager - through a 90-day work plan tool.
• 250 young leaders find their purpose and vision in life - through an online course.
• 250 young leaders develop a strategy - through a strategy boot camp.

TLDR;

• Ikigai can help you to feel happy and healthy every day.
• Ikigai comes from an old Japanese word meaning "a reason for being". It's a way of living that helps you figure out what makes you happy and what matters most to you.
• You can find ikigai by taking the time to think about the things that make you feel good and that you are passionate about as well as what the world needs and what can actually make you money.
• Once you have found your ikigai, you can start taking steps to make it a reality.
• It may take some time and effort, but it is worth it! With ikigai, you can find balance and fulfillment in your life and be happy and healthy every day.

If you are a regular reader of my newsletter, you would have realised that the theme for January 2023 is about vision and finding your purpose in life, if you haven’t already read my article on “How I went from 0 to being highly motivated”, check it out  here .

If you have any feedback or have more ideas on what type of career guides you would like to read about from my 20+ years of experience, reply to this email to let me know.

Cheers,

Jonathan Chan

 Empowered Leader 

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