Chapter Content
Okay, so let's talk about finding your purpose, right? It's a big question, I know. But, um, there's this really cool concept called Ikigai. It's used by, like, the super-long-lived people in Okinawa, Japan, to, you know, basically figure out their reason for being. And, honestly, you can use it too to start figuring things out for yourself.
So, the idea is that your Ikigai, your purpose in life, it kind of sits right in the middle of three things. Think of it like three overlapping circles, okay?
The first circle is "What you love." These are the activities that, you know, give you life, make you feel good.
The second circle is "What you're good at." So, it's those things that feel effortless to you, the things that maybe other people struggle with but you just seem to naturally nail.
And the third circle, and this is an important one, is "What the world needs." Now, that can be a big question, right?
So, here’s a little exercise you can do. Grab a piece of paper. seriously, go grab one and a pen. I’ll wait.
Okay. So, first, let's tackle "What you love." What activities, or maybe even just responsibilities, bring joy into your life? What were you actually doing when you felt, like, genuinely, naturally happy? Make a list of all those activities that are life-giving for you. Just brainstorm it out, no pressure.
Next up, "What you're good at." What feels effortless to you that might be, you know, hard for others? Where do your natural talents and, you know, skills that you've picked up along the way really shine? What do other people seem to recognize as your strengths, your attributes, your skills? Jot down a list of those activities where you've got a real, unique competency.
And then, the big one, "What the world needs." So, what activities does your *world* need from you in this season of your life? And how you define your world can really change over time, you know? Sometimes your world is just you and your family, that inner circle. Sometimes it's your community, and sometimes, yeah, it's the whole darn globe. And the most common thing is that your definition of "world" gets wider over time, then kind of shrinks back down again. You might start out focused on yourself and your family when you’re younger. Then, you might expand to focus on your community and, like, bigger picture stuff in your middle years. And then, maybe later in life, it comes back to focusing on yourself and your family again. It's a pretty common arc, you know?
When you feel like you've met the needs of your current world, then you're free to kind of expand your definition to the next level. That’s a big reason why, you know, people who are financially successful, and who were driven by the purpose to provide for their families earlier on, might need to adjust to a broader “world” to keep that sense of purpose going.
So, define *your* current world and make a list of what it needs from you right now.
Okay, so you've got your three lists: what you love, what you're good at, and what the world needs. Now, the intersection of those three lists, where they all overlap, that's a super strong starting point to explore and uncover your bigger life purpose. And just remember, your purpose doesn't necessarily have to be tied to your job or your profession. That's not the point.
So, just work through the exercise, you know, give it some thought, be honest with yourself, and you'll be well on your way to tapping into the power of Ikigai, just like those Okinawans. Good luck! You got this!