Finding Your IKIGAI

In my last post -“What’s Yours?” (you should go read if you haven’t), I promised to share with you something I learnt recently. Let’s get started, shall we!

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being.” It is thought of as the reason why you want to get up in the morning, what makes you enjoy life, makes you happy and gives you fulfillment. The word ikigai is usually used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the virtues that make your life worthwhile.

Ikigai = Purpose

To know your reason for being and why you want to wake up in the morning, or what gives you fulfillment is actually quite easy; just follow the steps below {You might need to get a notepad and pen here}

a) What are those skills you have that you can be paid for? 

b) What do you have that the world needs?

c) What are you good at?

d) What do you love doing?

*What the world needs + What you love = your MISSION

*What you can be paid for + What you are good at = your PROFESSION

*What the world needs + What you can be paid for = your VOCATION (side hustle)

*What you are good at + What you love = your PASSION.

Let’s use Aishat Bukola Charles as a case study (I love how I sound like a lecturer here…lol).

The skill Aishat has that can be paid for is Event Planning.
What Aishat has that the world needs is Counselling & Mentoring
What Aishat is good at is Cooking
What Aishat loves doing is Talking

This was first posted on Candid Pens by Bolaji Gelax.