Ikigai: Your Compass, Not Your Chain

Ikigai can be a gentle guide rather than a rigid framework, an approach for self-discovery and alignment, not a source of stress or self-reproach - find fulfilment without the pressure of perfection.

Ikigai, a reason for being, the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. 

I’m trying to find ways to make my life happier and easier as well as feeling more fulfilled more consistently.  It is easy though to fall into a trap of thinking that there is something wrong with you if you don’t have it all figured out.  I approached this project “Sarah Seeking Ikigai” thinking that there should be something to make this process quicker and easier.  I still believe that there are ways to achieve that, or certainly tangible methods and products that can help at key inflection points in life.  I need to remember the value of applying this thinking more broadly though and the fact there isn’t a single answer, it isn’t a one time and done question or methodology.

A journey not a destination, it fosters a mindset of exploration and adaptability, allowing for changes and evolution over time.  Persistence over perfection, small steps that make a big difference.

Ikigai has always instinctively meant a huge amount to me, and I love to see how others also talk about it, three examples in as many weeks I’ve seen;

• Codie Sanchez uses ikigai within a self interview journaling process, she gives an example in a LinkedIn carousel of how that has worked for her.  Initially she thinks through her recent peaks and valleys and how they made her feel, ranking of work values and then does the simple reflective exercise of writing down 3 things that come to mind for each of the four ikigai dimensions we are already familiar with.  Looking for areas that start to overlap and then using the work values as a filter to check against.

• Katy Leeson presented a really interesting way to look at ikigai recently, and she shared this picture that she found via @tylerzwise;

I love that it implies a unity, knitting together what could be disparate strands into something stronger and more beautiful.  Katy identified one key area for each of the four categories;

1. What you’re good at

2. What you love

3. What the world needs

4. What you can get paid for

For me, that’s:

1. Finding the right people for the right projects

2. Creative expression

3. Empathy

4. Understanding how to get the best out of people

When all four of these things are working in harmony, I feel so energised, which then impacts how I show up for myself, my friends, my family and my work.

I love that, the notion of harmony making you feel energised which in turn benefits you in all aspects of your life.  This makes me remember that sometimes small tweaks can have big upsides.  If for example I need to get fitter in life but am already struggling with enough free time, you can find ways to encompass exercise in your existing work day.  Perhaps by active travel, having walking meetings and if you are lucky to be able to shape your workspace you could also consider a treadmill desk or similar.

• Steven Bartlett recently stated that “The Diary Of A CEO, is my accidental Ikigai.” The use of the word accidental echoes an essay I wrote about accidental careers.  I think it’s reassuring to know that there is an element of experimentation with all of this, you can’t really know if something suits you until you try it!  We can move ourselves into a mindset though of wanting to work to our own strengths, values and passions.

IKIGAI ISN’T A JOB TITLE

I do not think that there is a perfect tool that will exactly map out everything I need to do to achieve ikigai within two years.  That is not how it works.  There possibly could be an even more perfect ikigai job title for me right here right now, but that will definitely evolve and change.  Both because I am ambitious and curious, unable to do the same job for too long without needing a change of some description, but also because the world is changing rapidly around us.

I think that ikigai is more about your approach than any specific role, so a job title is only one facet.  It is more about how you work, your personal style and preferences and ways to lean into being able to harness those more frequently.  When we have a little experience under our belt and have proven ourselves to be hard working and trustworthy, you often have the chance to do a little of what they call job crafting.  I’ve naturally done that over the years, found ways to simplify or automate existing processes or reports, to be able to spend more time on value adding activities or to put my hand up to take on interesting projects.

If getting physically fitter was a number one requirement in my life, then I may consider a more physically active role, or seeing how I can add additional physicality to my current daily routines over and above my usual 2 dog walks and a lunchtime stomp.

WHAT CAN YOU DO THIS WEEK TO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU FEEL JOY?

ChatGPT can offer an easier route for self reflection than staring at a blank journal page as well as an ability to help you summarise or make connections. I asked ChatGPT to help me with this recently and when it asked me for my top three things I love to do, I liked the way it shone a light on my answers in a way I wouldn’t necessarily have come up with;

Great choices, Sarah! Let's delve into how these passions could translate into your Ikigai.

• Playing Minecraft: This indicates a love for creativity, problem-solving, and perhaps an interest in virtual environments or gaming. Minecraft is a game that emphasises building, exploring, and creating, hinting at a strong creative streak and an appreciation for open-ended, imaginative projects

• Watching Doctor Who: This suggests a fondness for science fiction, storytelling, and perhaps complex narratives or time-travel concepts. It might also point to an interest in themes of exploration, innovation, and the human condition, as explored in science fiction.

• Writing Online Essays: This shows a passion for expressing ideas, researching, and engaging with a digital audience. It indicates skills in communication, analysis, and possibly an interest in sharing knowledge or opinions on various topics.

If you don’t have access to a supportive human coach, then GenAI at least gives you a more interactive way to reflect on where you are at, identify potential places to journey towards, and as importantly, to identify the areas to move away from.

I find joy and satisfaction in the process.  I am definitely happy with each small step I take and each little nugget I stumble upon.  I try to stay open to new opportunities and ways of blending my passions, skills, and values with my daily activities.

I have found ikigai to be a comforting method to make sure I am travelling in a happier and more intentional direction, and I am learning to shake off the shackles and chains that are often of my own making.  I am travelling my own path, but knowing that others value this approach make me happier it’s a good and happy way to travel.

Thank you so much for reading, I’d love to hear what you think about this approach and what tools or techniques you have used in life to try and understand yourself?

Sarah xxx