For most people the most difficult aspect of a job is staying in one. Most of us are confined to our jobs out of pure necessity for monetary compensation. This money that we need for our personal and our family’s survival. If we don’t find a deeper purpose for what we do, then it will only be just a Job, hence a JOB is a JOB is a JOB. After 15-20+ years, we will just wake up in a stupor because we either got stuck in a JOB that we hate or we just kept jumping from Job to Job or worst unemployed.
For Japanese, the concept of IKIGAI is a very important part of life and is also called the reason for being or the reason for one’s existence. This gives people a purpose, fulfillment, happiness and even longevity. This might be one reason why the Japanese take pride in their work and have one of the longest life span in the world.
It’s a gruesome process to find one’s purpose, mission, passion, and vocation in life. For some people it can take a few years or even decades to find their IKIGAI. When you find it, it’s better than any caffeine that will perk you up in the morning.
To guide you on your quest for IKIGAI, we should ask our self the following questions:
What do you love to do? What are you passionate about?
What does the world need?
What can you get paid for?
What are you good at? What are your talents?
Make up a list of all answers and try to focus on the answers that shows coherence between them. If there is no coherent answer yet maybe you still need more time for self-discovery and self-improvement. We have to experience more, diligently work more, love more, and learn more so we can discover what we can offer this world for the betterment of mankind.