What is Your IKIGAI - Your Reason for Getting Up in the Morning?

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." - C.S. Lewis

Can you believe we've got six weeks left in this year? How did that happen?!

Do you feel 2021 has been hijacked by events? The good news is, it's not too late to create something that makes this a good year despite everything that's happened.

What's that look like for you?

What is an IKIGAI (a Japanese word that means "purpose, a reason to wake up in the morning") project that could give your days meaning and momentum, passion and purpose?

What could you accomplish in the next six weeks that could help "change the ending" of 2021 so some good can come out of this year? These steps can help you figure that out.

1.???????Identify a meaningful IKIGAI project that lights you up just thinking about it.

Is that hosting a holiday zoom reunion for friends? Participating in a virtual exercise class three times a week? Starting those piano or singing lessons? Putting together a digital photo album for your folks? What would be additive to your life?

2. What is ONE STEP you can take TODAY to start turning this wish into a reality?

Martin Luther King said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." What is ONE step you can take right now to set this in motion? Can you send out invitations? Register for the class? Set aside time this weekend to collect photos? This first step may only take 5 minutes, yet it is the key to turning procrastination into progress.

3.??????Make your IKIGAI project VISUAL to keep it top-of-mind.

Have you ever got excited about a project and then life intervened, you set it aside and forgot all about it? Don't let that happen this time. Post a picture of what you want on your refrigerator or by your desk to keep it in-sight, in-mind instead of out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

4. Team up with an accountability partner so you go far.

You're more likely to succeed if your IKIGAI project is fun and done with someone. As the African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Who will join you on this Hero's Journey? Who will support you and cheer you on to keep you motivated? Who will remind you this is worth doing so you keep your commitment?

5. Persevere through setbacks by focusing on how glad you'll be you did this.

Mary Morrissey says, "Hold the vision, not the circumstances." Life is a roller coaster. You will run into ups and downs along the way. That's why marathoners picture themselves crossing the finish line so they continue instead of quit when they hit the wall. You can do the same. If you run out of energy or confidence and are tempted to give up, ask yourself "What will matter a year from now?" Then, re-dedicate yourself to finishing this Ikigai project that will add meaningful "I did that" memories to your life.

Henry Miller said, "Life, as it is called, is for most of us one long postponement."

Don't postpone this. Don't wait for the perfect time or for more time.

NOW is the right time.

In fact, you might want to print this and discuss it with a loved one so both of you clarify an IKIGAI project and put a date on the calendar when you will celebrate its successful completion.

I promise, you will never regret doing something contributory that adds tangible value to your days, you'll only regret not doing it sooner.