🌸 ikigai is a reason for being, your purpose - from the Japanese iki 生き meaning life and kai 甲斐 meaning worth 🌸
In our quest for a life filled with purpose, the challenge can seem as daunting as scaling a mountain. Many of us dream of reaching new heights in personal growth, only to find ourselves overwhelmed by the sheer scale of our ambitions.
But what if the secret to profound achievement lies in the smallest of beginnings?
Ken Mogi, renowned neuroscientist and author, introduces the concept of "Starting Small," the first of five pillars of ikigai in his enlightening work on this Japanese philosophy of living a fulfilling life.
This principle advocates for the power of taking manageable, incremental steps towards our larger goals. Both a practical strategy and a transformative mindset that offers a multitude of benefits, unlocking potential in our personal and professional lives.
What Does "Starting Small" Really Mean?
At its core, "Starting Small" means setting attainable, modest goals that collectively lead to significant results over time.
This approach involves breaking down grand, often overwhelming projects into tiny, manageable tasks. Each small step is designed to be easily achievable, reducing the intimidation factor and increasing the likelihood of sustained effort.
For instance, if your dream is to write a book, the idea of drafting hundreds of pages can be daunting. By starting small, perhaps by writing a single page each day, you make the task less formidable and more adaptable to your daily routine.
Benefits of Starting Small
Reduced Overwhelm: By focusing on small, achievable goals, we avoid the common pitfall of taking on too much too soon, which can lead to stress and burnout. This approach keeps the journey enjoyable and sustainable, maintaining our motivation and focus.
Increased Flexibility: Starting with small steps allows for more frequent reassessment and adjustment. This flexibility is crucial as it enables us to pivot and adapt based on feedback and changing circumstances without losing momentum.
Enhanced Learning: Each small step in our journey offers a valuable learning opportunity. This iterative process helps us refine our strategies and approaches continuously, ensuring that we are always moving forward in the most effective way possible.
I LOVE this thinking. I hadn’t consciously put it together until I started to drill into this pillar, that starting small is such a sensible approach. I’ve set some quite broad goals for myself for this year and next, without being too specific about how I’ll get there. I am naturally trying new things each week, all are moving me forward and teaching me something new so I don’t have to be too stressed if I change from one week to the next. It’s all part of the plan *grin*
What the experts say about embracing increments
The wisdom of taking small, deliberate steps towards achieving larger goals is a principle echoed by numerous experts and thought leaders across various fields. These individuals highlight how starting small not only sets a foundation for success but also fosters resilience and adaptability along the way.
Ken Mogi highlights the importance of small beginnings;
"The first pillar of ikigai is Starting Small. It is a strategy aimed not just at achievement, but at learning. When we start small, we give ourselves the chance to see the nuances of our actions, to adjust and to experiment without overwhelming fear or pressure. This approach allows us to keep our beginnings intimate, which can lead to significant growth and personal satisfaction."
James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, champions the power of tiny changes. Clear's approach emphasises that monumental achievements stem from the smallest, consistent actions. His advice suggests that the path to discovering and nurturing your ikigai lies in the accumulation of small, daily habits that contribute to lifelong satisfaction and achievement;
"If you improve by just 1% every day, you end up with results that are nearly 37 times better after one year."
Dr. BJ Fogg, a behaviour scientist at Stanford University, introduced the concept of "Tiny Habits" to explain how minuscule behaviour changes can lead to profound transformation. His methodology aligns closely with the principle of starting small by breaking down intimidating goals into achievable, straightforward actions.
"Take a behaviour you want, make it tiny, find where it fits naturally in your life, and nurture its growth. If you want to create long-term change, it’s best to start small."
Leo Babauta, creator of Zen Habits, also speaks to the transformative power of simplicity and small steps. He advocates for focusing on one small action at a time, stating;
“Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest."
These thought leaders provide compelling arguments for starting small, that true progress, especially in pursuit of one's ikigai, doesn't require massive leaps. Instead, it grows from the smallest seeds of effort, watered daily with intention and action.
Three Actionable Steps to Get Started Today
Define Your Direction: Begin by clearly identifying what you wish to achieve. Break down this goal into the smallest possible component. For example, if you aim to improve your health, start by incorporating a 15 minute walk into your daily routine.
Schedule Time Blocks: Dedicate specific, regular times in your day or week to pursue your small steps. Consistency is key, and even short time blocks, such as 15 minutes a day, can lead to substantial progress over time.
Celebrate Your Progress: It’s important to recognize and celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. This not only boosts your satisfaction but also reinforces your motivation to continue. Each small victory is a step closer to your larger goal.
As we embark on our individual journeys to discover and live our ikigai, let us embrace the power of starting small.
Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
What small step will you take today towards your ikigai?
I’d so love it if you would share your thoughts and the micro-habits you're implementing in the comments below. Let's inspire each other with ideas and celebrate our successes together 😍
Sarah, seeking ikigai xxx
PS - I learned a new song today in ChatGPT’s recommendations for choons to complement this topic. "Slow and Steady" by Of Monsters and Men. I hope you are as blown away as I was by the haunting sound of this song from the awesome Icelandic band. “I move slow and steady, but I feel like a waterfall” < — I couldn’t love this lyric more.