Date
Oct 14, 2023

Discovering Ikigai

The Intersection of Passion and Purpose in Habit Formation

Zoe Dunkelt

Prosperity Engineer

In the coastal villages of Okinawa, Japan, where some of the world's oldest people reside, the concept of Ikigai is not just a philosophy but a way of life. It's the reason the elderly might still wake up at dawn to fish or sculpt pottery with hands that tell tales of a century. Ikigai isn't just about grand purposes but the daily actions and decisions that infuse life with joy and meaning.

Understanding Ikigai

Ikigai, often represented as the meeting point of passion, profession, mission, and vocation.

  1. Your passion: What you love
  2. Your vocation: What you're Good at
  3. Your mission: What the World Needs
  4. Your profession: What you can be Paid for

When these elements align, one finds their Ikigai. But it's not just about a career choice or a singular purpose, it's about everyday actions and decisions that bring joy and meaning.

A sushi chef might consider their craft as Ikigai. Beyond the act of preparing food (profession), it's the artistry and precision in each roll, the joy of seeing someone savor their creation (passion), and the transmission of cultural traditions (mission).

Ikigai and Habit Formation

At the core of Ikigai is the idea of doing something for its inherent satisfaction rather than an external reward. For the Japanese, it is often about the joy of small things, like tending to bonsai trees or practicing the tea ceremony. It's the intrinsic satisfaction these activities offer. When our habits resonate with our inner joys, they naturally become enduring.

Understanding your Ikigai can guide you to form habits that align with your life's purpose. For instance, if part of your Ikigai revolves around helping others, then habits like volunteering or mentorship become more meaningful and easier to maintain.

Knowing that a habit aligns with your deeper purpose can make you more resilient in the face of challenges. When obstacles arise, the foundation of your Ikigai can remind you why you started and motivate you to push through.

Practical Steps to Connect Ikigai with Habit Formation

Ikigai is not just a distant, philosophical concept; it's a deeply personal journey to finding what truly matters in our lives. By understanding our unique Ikigai and aligning our habits with it, we pave a path of joy, meaning, and contentment. Whether it's the simple pleasure of brewing your morning coffee or the larger mission of community service, every day presents an opportunity to live out your Ikigai.

Spend time introspecting about what genuinely drives you, what you're passionate about, and how it aligns with what the world needs. Journals, meditation, or discussions with close friends can help in this journey. Consider the hobbies or activities that make you lose track of time. Is it baking, writing, gardening, or mentoring?

Once you've identified elements of your Ikigai, think about small daily habits that can resonate with it. It could be as simple as reading up on a subject you're passionate about or dedicating time to a side project that fulfills your mission. If part of your Ikigai involves community service (mission), a daily habit might be checking in on an elderly neighbor or volunteering online. If it's about continuous learning (passion), dedicate 30 minutes a day to a new course or book.

Ikigai is as much about the journey as the destination. Each day you stick to your Ikigai-aligned habit, take a moment to appreciate the joy and purpose it brings. If dancing is your passion, then every day you practice is a day lived in alignment with your Ikigai. Celebrate these moments, no matter how small they seem.