How to find your ikigai

To begin with the parable. Once in a small Japanese town was dying woman. At some point she felt that her soul leaves the body, rises up and stands before the spirits of the ancestors.

A loud voice asked her:
— Who are you?
— I am the wife of the mayor — she said.
— I'm not asking who your husband was. Tell me, who are you?
I'm a mother of four children. I am a teacher at the school.
— I didn't ask you how many children you have or where you work?
And so it went until, until she said, "I'm the one who wakes up every day in order to help his family and teach children in school." After this she returned to her body and the disease has receded. She found your ikigai.

The Japanese concept of "ikigai" is quite difficult to translate into Russian language, but some can be deciphered as "what gives life meaning, what makes us Wake up every morning with joy." In other words, ikigai is in the East graceful and compact definition of your main interest, what brings joy into your life.
Although the Japanese island of Okinawa has managed to make this concept part of my philosophy, not to say that ikigai is completely unknown in the West. We met his followers, especially among those people who have managed to achieve much in his life:
"We could hardly wait for the morning to get to work". — Wilbur Wright, inventor of the aircraft.
"Do what you love the most. It will lead you to success! Every morning I looked at myself in the mirror and say, ' If today were the last day of my life, I wish I could do what I do today? And if the answer to for many days in a row was "no", then I need to change something". — Steve jobs, Apple's CEO.
It is the interest in life, the desire to proceed immediately to their work and perform it in the best way gives people a sense of self worth, a sense of satisfaction and meaning of life. Those people who know your ikigai, unfamiliar depression, they retain an optimistic attitude to life and is not subject to destructive habits. So for every person who wants to live a long and meaningful life, it is so important to find a reason to get up in the morning.

How to find your ikigai?

Opening its main business will require you, perhaps, a significant investment of time and energy. You have to make a meaningful and important decision, and it is very unfortunate that many people realize the need too late. The sooner you start finding your ikigai, the sooner you will begin to feel the tranquility and satisfaction in your life. Here are some questions the answers to which will help you in your search:
— Achievements. What achievements in your life you consider most valuable? Take a sheet of paper and write down their 2-3 things that you are really proud of. It may be a good starting point for finding your ikigai.

— Knowledge. What are your special knowledge and skills? What do you consider yourself a specialist? What are you happy to talk about the topic of reading literature? What sites do you visit most often in your free time?

— Sensations. Work in the area in which you understand, is the key to career success. But if you want to find happiness, it is necessary to do what you love. Your ikigai was not too worried about your business success, if they are not backed joy in my heart. This is what you should pay attention in the first place.

— Self-esteem. Where do you see yourself in your dreams? You are a teacher, lawyer, mother, scientist, publisher, farmer? Perhaps your assessment of his future could be the lens which will help focus your efforts.

— The personality. No people are alike, and different individuals suit totally different types of work. Knowing your personality type, you will understand why some classes bring you great pleasure, while others do not touch a single string of your soul.
You can use to search for ikigai and the special card that shows that your main business is located at the intersection of what you most want and what is better.

The final farewell

"You have to find what you love. And find your favorite work is as necessary as your loved one. The work will take a very big part of your life and the only way to get real satisfaction from work is to do it perfectly, aware of this. And the only way to do his job perfectly is to love her. If you haven't found your favorite thing, keep looking. Don't stop looking until you find it. As in all things, what is the heart, you will know that I found what I was looking for. And like any great relationship, your dedication will only increase. So, look for and not settle down until you find". ©Steve Jobs

 

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