Finding Your Purpose in Life Through Ikigai

Ikigai has spread through the world as a solution to finding your purpose in life. Ikigai is a Japanese word with no close translation in English. It’s a combination of the words “Life” and “Gai” which is best translated as “Value.”

Although the Western idea of a life’s purpose is often something grand, your Ikigai doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as gardening or hiking. It can be big also, such as fighting world hunger. Ikigai is what motivates you to jump out of bed in the morning. It’s also perfectly possible to have more than one Ikigai, and many Japanese do.

The benefits of Ikigai

Several studies have been done on Ikigai. People who have an Ikigai tend to live longer, have fewer heart problems, and often choose not to retire, especially if their jobs intersect with their Ikigai. A 2017 study also found that elderly Japanese who had an Ikigai were significantly less likely to have an incident functional disability versus those who did.

All “Blue Zones” in the world, or places where people are more likely to live to see 100 than in other places, have a concept similar to Ikigai, even if there is no formal word for it in those areas. While diet is more likely to play a role in long lifespan, it is believed that Ikigai also plays a strong part.

Finding your Ikigai

If you’re not sure what gives you passion in life, these four questions can help you choose a path:

What do you love?

What are you good at?

What are your values?

Where all of these intersect is your Ikigai. Some western cultures often try to tie finances into your Ikigai as well, but while some people do find passion in work, it could just as easily be something that has nothing to do with money at all.

It’s more about what is important to you, and what you enjoy doing. If you think you ought to feed the hungry because that matches your values, but you don’t love it, this isn’t your Ikagai even if it is a very noble thing to do.

This isn’t something you can answer in mere minutes, so expect to spend a few days reflecting on it before you find one or more Ikigai.

After you find your Ikigai

Once you know what your Ikigai is, pursuing it will certainly help you feel more fulfilled—but it’s important to know that Ikigai is not about mastery. Although you will likely become a master as you follow your dream, the path along the way is considered the most important part.

In a way, this is very freeing. If your passion happens to be racing, knowing that simply lacing up your sneakers is just as important as your personal best can make the whole process more enjoyable. Winning may come along with your practice, but the journey itself is what makes it your Ikigai.

Once you are freed from thinking you must be the best in the world in order to fulfill your life purpose, you may find that your life has become more enjoyable.