3-Step Framework to Discover Ikigai

Finding your Ikigai is like making the perfect cup of chai. You need the right ingredients, a dash of patience, and a little bit of love to brew it just right.

Acronym: TEA (Talent, Enjoyment, Alignment)

Step 1: T - Talent

What Are You Good At?

Identify your unique skills and strengths—those natural abilities that you've developed over time. This step is like selecting the best tea leaves for your chai. Each tea leaf represents a unique skill that adds flavor. For example, an Indian professional might be good at negotiation, data analysis, or public speaking.

Challenge Example: Common Challenge: "I don’t know what I’m truly skilled at." Solution: Reflect on feedback from colleagues, friends, and family. What do they often compliment you on? List these strengths and see which ones come naturally to you.

Step 2: E - Enjoyment

What Do You Love to Do?

Think about the activities that bring you joy—those moments when time flies and you're fully immersed. This is like adding the perfect blend of spices (ginger, cardamom, cinnamon) to your chai. For instance, some professionals love creating content, mentoring others, or solving complex problems.

Fun Exercise: Make a list of things you love doing, both at work and in your free time. The goal is to find where your Talent intersects with Enjoyment.

Step 3: A - Alignment

What Aligns with Your Values and Purpose?

Finally, consider what aligns with your deeper values and purpose. It’s about finding the sweet spot between what you are good at, what you love, and what feels meaningful. This is like adding just the right amount of milk to your chai to balance the flavors. For example, an Indian professional might find that mentoring and coaching aligns with their value of helping others grow.

Challenge Example: Common Challenge: "I’m not sure how my work aligns with my values." Solution: Reflect on what truly matters to you. What values do you want to embody in your daily work? Seek roles or projects that allow you to express those values.

Quote:

"Ikigai is the perfect blend of what you’re good at, what you love, and what makes your heart feel aligned—just like a cup of chai brewed to perfection."

Conclusion:

Discovering your Ikigai is like brewing the perfect cup of chai—finding the balance between your talents, what you enjoy, and what aligns with your deeper values. Start brewing your TEA today! ?