What if You are Not Able to Achieve Ikigai Yet?

Like a river meandering through a vast landscape, our lives traverse a terrain of experiences, values, and aspirations. At the heart of this journey lies the elusive concept of ikigai, a Japanese term that encapsulates the essence of purpose, the confluence of passion, skill, need, and profession. It is the raison d'être, the driving force that propels us forward, infusing our existence with meaning and fulfillment.

Yet, the pursuit of ikigai is not a straightforward endeavor. It is a dance with uncertainty, a navigation through the rapids of life's complexities. We may find ourselves caught in eddies of self-doubt, grappling with the question of whether we are truly capable of achieving such an elusive state of purpose.

In the realm of human potential, Csikszentmihalyi's concept of flow offers a guiding light. Flow, that state of effortless absorption in a task, is a hallmark of ikigai. When we are immersed in flow, we are fully engaged, our minds focused, our skills harmoniously deployed. Time seems to melt away, and we become one with the activity at hand. It’s about finding the sweet spot where your passion, talent, need, and profession meet. It’s about making your life your masterpiece.?

But what if you can’t find that sweet spot? What if you have to choose one aspect of Ikigai over the others?

A LinkedIn poll ( https://www.dhirubhai.net/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7113798681992052736/ ) was conducted, asking users which aspect of Ikigai they would start first if they could not converge all four Ikigai aspects simultaneously. ?The poll has 97 votes and is closed. The results show that “Do what you love” has the highest percentage of votes at 33%, followed by “Practice what you’re good at” at 29%, “Do what you can be paid for” at 21%, and “Give what the world needs” at 18%.

This suggests that most people value passion over other factors when it comes to finding their purpose in life. They prefer to do something that brings them joy and satisfaction, even if it is not profitable, practical, or beneficial to others. They may also believe that doing what they love will eventually lead them to discover or develop their other elements of Ikigai.

However, some people may have different preferences, priorities, or circumstances that influence their choice. For example, some people may choose to practice what they are good at, because they want to enhance their skills, confidence, and performance. They may also enjoy the challenge and recognition that come with being good at something.

Others may choose to do what they can be paid for, because they need to provide for themselves and their families. They may also value stability and security over other aspects of life. They may hope that doing what they can be paid for will enable them to pursue their other passions later.

Still others may choose to give what the world needs, because they want to make a positive impact and create social value. They may also feel inspired by a higher cause or mission. They may think that giving what the world needs will make their work more meaningful and fulfilling.

Of course, these choices are not mutually exclusive, and one may try to combine or balance two or more aspects of Ikigai. Ultimately, the goal is to find one’s Ikigai, or one’s reason for living, by aligning one’s passions, talents, values, and purpose. The secret to Ikigai is not to pick one aspect over the others, but to integrate them all.

The path to ikigai, like the journey towards flow, is paved with self-discovery. It is about delving into the depths of our being, exploring the hidden currents of our passions, talents, and values. It is about understanding what ignites our enthusiasm, what tasks allow us to lose ourselves in the moment.

This introspection is not a solitary pursuit. It requires the courage to seek feedback, to engage in dialogues with mentors, friends, and loved ones. Their insights, like tributaries feeding into the main stream, can illuminate hidden strengths and potential paths.

As we embark on this journey of self-discovery, experimentation becomes our compass. We must be willing to venture into the unknown, to step outside our comfort zones and explore new avenues. Just as a river carves its path through the landscape, we too must forge our own way, embracing the thrill of discovery.

Ikigai is an ongoing process of evolution and adaptation. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of life, our ikigai may transform, adapting to new experiences, opportunities, and challenges.

The key lies in maintaining a spirit of curiosity, a willingness to embrace the fluidity of life. Like a river adapting its course to the changing terrain, we too must remain flexible, allowing our ikigai to evolve as we grow and change.

So, how do we embark on this lifelong pursuit of ikigai? Delve into the depths of your existence, and ask yourself:

• What ignites your passion?
• What tasks allow you to lose yourself in the moment?
• What skills do you possess that could benefit others?
• What impact do you want to have on the world?

By answering these questions, you begin to uncover the hidden currents that flow within you. You start to chart the course towards your own unique ikigai.

Remember, the pursuit of ikigai is not a race to a finish line, but a journey of continuous learning and growth. Embrace the process, savor the experiences, and allow your ikigai to unfold like a river meandering through life's ever-changing landscape.