This Simple Japanese Idea Will Change How You Think About Your Entire Life
Summary
TLDRThis video explores the concept of 'ikigai,' a Japanese philosophy for finding purpose in life by intersecting what you're good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. It discusses the evolution of our search for meaning, the challenges of modern complexity, and the importance of settling on a path. Sponsored by Imprint, an interactive learning app, the video encourages intentional learning for personal growth and happiness.
Takeaways
- 🌟 The video is sponsored by Imprint, an interactive visual learning app offering a free 7-Day trial and a 20% discount on annual premium membership.
- 🔍 The script discusses the human drive for purpose, suggesting it is rooted in evolutionary biology and is crucial for survival and motivation.
- 🧬 According to psychologist Eric Clinger, the search for meaning and purpose is a biological imperative, evolving alongside humanity's cognitive and social environments.
- 🌐 The modern world presents an overwhelming array of potential roles and impacts, complicating the search for personal purpose and fulfillment.
- 👶 The societal pressure to find one's purpose early is highlighted, with the expectation to have life goals established from a young age.
- 📚 The Japanese concept of 'ikigai' is introduced as a framework for finding purpose, focusing on the intersection of what one is good at, loves, what the world needs, and what one can be paid for.
- 🎯 To achieve 'ikigai', one must identify activities that bring joy and fulfillment, align with personal abilities, provide value to the world, and offer financial sustenance.
- 🤔 The script acknowledges the difficulty in determining what the world truly needs and the challenge of aligning personal skills and passions with societal value.
- 💼 The concept of 'ikigai' has evolved in the modern Western world to be more focused on work and career, despite its traditional emphasis on a broader life perspective.
- 🌱 The importance of settling on a path and committing to it is emphasized, as the process of finding purpose involves narrowing down infinite possibilities to a single direction.
- 📈 Imprint's 'The Science of Happiness' course is recommended as a tool for intentional learning and personal growth, aiming to help viewers take better control of their thoughts and life.
Q & A
What is the interactive visual learning app Imprint offering to new users?
-Imprint is offering a free 7-Day trial and a 20% discount on the annual premium membership to new users using the link provided in the description.
Why is the search for purpose considered a biological imperative according to the psychologist Eric Clinger?
-According to Eric Clinger, the search for meaning and purpose is rooted in biology as goal striving is essential for the survival and thriving of all Zoological organisms. Our ancestors needed to achieve essential goals, and having a purpose and role within a community was crucial for motivation.
How has the concept of 'ikigai' evolved from its origins to its modern interpretation?
-Ikigai originated from the Heian period of Japanese history and was primarily associated with Okinawa. It was formally introduced and explored by Japanese psychiatrist CIA Mako in the 1960s. The modern interpretation has evolved to focus more on work and career, making it more applicable and practical for most modern individuals.
What are the two primary objectives of achieving one's 'ikigai'?
-The two primary objectives of achieving one's 'ikigai' are to achieve states of flow or being intensely and fully immersed in activities, and to provide value to the world.
What does the term 'ikigai' translate to in English and what is its significance?
-The term 'ikigai' loosely translates to 'reason for being' in English. It focuses on the dynamic interplay between objects of meaning and the experience of meaning within a social context, relating to sources or objects that bring value or meaning to life.
How does the concept of 'ikigai' relate to the lifestyle of Okinawans and their long life expectancies?
-Many researchers credit 'ikigai's influence on the lifestyle of Okinawans as a reason for their historically long life expectancies, having one of the highest numbers of 100-plus-year-olds per capita and a lower desire to retire.
What are the four key domains of life that one must consider to achieve their 'ikigai' according to the modernized concept?
-The four key domains of life to achieve 'ikigai' are what you are good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.
Why is it suggested that finding what you love and what you are good at can sometimes be challenging?
-Finding what you love and what you are good at can be challenging because it requires honest self-awareness and self-assessment. External pressures and societal expectations can also influence one's perception of what they should love or be good at.
What is the role of 'what the world needs' in the concept of 'ikigai'?
-In the concept of 'ikigai', 'what the world needs' is important because it ensures that the activities one is good at and loves also provide something valuable to the world, particularly in a sustainable way.
How does the concept of 'ikigai' relate to the idea of being paid for one's work?
-The concept of 'ikigai' suggests that one must be able to be paid for their work, indicating that the work provides value to the world. However, it does not necessarily imply that one must become rich; it's more about being paid enough to live well.
What is the final advice given in the script regarding finding and maintaining one's 'ikigai'?
-The final advice is to have the courage and make the effort to stay on the right path once you find your 'ikigai'. It acknowledges that the process is challenging and involves fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, but emphasizes the importance of making choices and settling on a path.
Outlines
🔍 The Quest for Purpose and the Concept of Ikigai
This paragraph explores the innate human desire for purpose, suggesting it stems from evolutionary biology where goal striving is crucial for survival. It introduces the Japanese concept of 'ikigai' as a framework for finding personal meaning and fulfillment. Ikigai is associated with the intersection of what one is good at, loves, the world needs, and can be compensated for. The paragraph also touches on the modern complexities of finding one's purpose amidst an overwhelming array of choices and societal pressures.
🌟 Achieving Ikigai Through Life's Four Key Domains
The second paragraph delves into the process of achieving one's 'ikigai' by identifying the intersection of four domains: what one is good at, what one loves, what the world needs, and what one can be paid for. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and experimentation in discovering one's natural abilities and passions. The paragraph also discusses the challenge of aligning personal skills and interests with societal needs and the potential for financial compensation as an indicator of value provided to the world.
🛤️ Navigating the Path to Purpose Amidst Life's Challenges
The final paragraph addresses the difficulties individuals face in finding and committing to a sense of purpose. It acknowledges the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty inherent in making life choices and the paradox of having too many options. The paragraph suggests that settling on a path is not only inevitable but also necessary for living a fulfilling life. It concludes by promoting the 'Imprint' app as a tool for intentional learning and growth, which can aid in the pursuit of happiness and meaning.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Purpose
💡Evolutionary Processes
💡Ikigai
💡Flow
💡Value
💡Social Significance
💡Paradox of Choice
💡Imposter Syndrome
💡Settling
💡Interplay
💡Imprint
Highlights
The video discusses the concept of 'purpose' and its evolutionary roots, suggesting that the search for meaning is a biological imperative for all organisms.
Psychologist Eric Clinger posits that the human desire for purpose is tied to our cognitive and social evolution, leading to the pursuit of higher, more conceptual forms of purpose.
The modern complexity of life presents an overwhelming array of choices, making the search for a singular purpose challenging.
The Japanese concept of 'ikigai' is introduced as a tool to navigate the search for purpose, defined as the reason for being.
Ikigai is associated with Okinawa, Japan, where it is linked to long life expectancies and a reluctance to retire, suggesting its potential impact on well-being.
Ikigai is said to focus on the interplay between meaningful objects and the experience of meaning within a social context.
The concept of ikigai has evolved in the modern Western world to be more focused on work and career.
Achieving one's ikigai involves finding the intersection of four key domains: what you are good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.
Self-awareness and experimentation are crucial for identifying what one is naturally good at and enjoys doing.
Charles Bukowski's perspective on not overworking or overtrying to find one's purpose is shared, emphasizing the importance of natural inclination.
The challenge of determining what the world truly needs is highlighted, as it can be difficult to assess the value one provides.
Financial compensation is presented as an imperfect metric for assessing the value one provides to the world.
Ikigai suggests that finding purpose is not about wealth but about being paid enough to live well.
The process of narrowing down life's infinite options to a singular path is described as both the allure and the terror of ikigai.
The paradox of choice and impostor syndrome are acknowledged as real challenges in the pursuit of purpose.
Settling on a path is encouraged as a necessary step in achieving purpose and success, contrary to popular belief.
Ikigai is presented as a subjective compass in a world without a true north, shaped by personal values and assessments.
The video concludes by promoting the Imprint app as a tool for intentional learning and growth, with a special offer for viewers.
Transcripts
this video is sponsored by the
interactive visual learning app imprint
get a free 7-Day trial and 20% off in
annual premium membership using the link
in the description we are all compelled
by purpose we perceive the world in the
form of reasons and justifications this
includes of course most fundamentally
ourselves why are we here what should we
do with ourselves while we are here why
should we do this and not that that and
not this we need a defined reason for
our existence to feel good about it to
want to keep going to feel like the day
is bright and worth getting up and
soaking
in this drive for purpose is like many
things likely derived from evolutionary
processes according to the psychologist
Eric Clinger the search for meaning and
purpose is rooted in biology to the
extent that goal striving is a
biological imperative of all Zoological
organisms in order to survive and thrive
our ancestors needed to achieve
essential goals and the striving and
Desiring of a purpose and role within a
community and the species more broadly
was crucial to motivation for this as
time went by and our cognitive and
symbolic capacity evolved Clinger also
suggests that our biological drive for
purpose evolved or at least altered
alongside resulting in the desire for
higher more conceptual forms of purpose
along with Humanity's cognitive
Evolution Humanity's social environments
have of course also evolved
significantly today for most of us there
are not merely a few clear important
things that we need to get done for
ourselves and our communities there
there is a near infinite number of
things we can do our potential role and
impact spanning across the globe each
role containing varying degrees of
social significance each conting
significance somewhat differently each
varying in how enjoyable the role is or
could be the joyfulness of each largely
dependent on the individual's
preferences and each role paying out
different amounts of money needless to
say it can all be very complicated and
overwhelming it does not help that in
every moment the clock is ticking toward
its final tick for each of us and for
most of us before we even really
realized the clock had started we were
told hurry up pick we were toddlers when
we were first asked what we want to be
when we grow up and we are far from
grown up before we are expected to have
it all figured out the pressure to have
it figured out although unreasonable is
well intended a sense of purpose even a
fleeting and elcer one or one that
sometimes falls short can make all the
difference in the quality of one's
experience of their life daily weekly
yearly and upon final reflection when
one looks back on their life to
determine if what they did was at the
very least consistent with who they are
and what they wanted to try but amongst
the infinite options and complexity of
things how do we do this how do we pick
what we want to try and feel good about
it the Japanese philosophical concept
known as eeky is extremely useful and
insightful to consider when dealing with
this challenge the term translates
Loosely into reason for being iigi goes
as far back as the hon period of
Japanese history between 794 in 1185 and
was primarily associated with and
practiced in Okinawa Japan the concept
was first formally introduced and
explored by the Japanese psychiatrist
CIA Mako in the 1960s broadly ikigai
focuses on the dynamic interplay between
objects of meaning and the experience of
meaning within a social context in the
words of the psychologist inui katua
ikigai relates to the sources or objects
that bring value or meaning to life and
a feeling that one's life has value or
meaning because of the existence of of
its source or object many researchers
credit igi's influence on the lifestyle
of okinawans as a reason for their
historically long life expectancies
having one of the highest numbers of 100
plus year olds per capita as well as
being a place where people have
significantly less desire to
retire according to the concept we all
have an eeky guy or reason for being but
we deviate from it or neglect to attain
it when we pursue and do things that
aren't properly aligned with the few key
objectives and domains of life broadly
igi's two primary objectives include
achieving states of flow or being
intensely and fully immersed in
activities and providing value to the
world these objectives are attained
through Devotion to activities and
people that bring states of Joy
well-being and fulfillment a more
traditional form of eigi Simply involves
appreciating the small and simple things
of Life expressing and living with
authenticity having a healthy diet and
routine living in harmony with one's
community and the natural world and
focusing on the present moment Over time
however especially in the modern Western
world eigi has evolved and been
popularized in a form that somewhat
Alters the original idea into a more
tangible formulaic and prescriptive form
more Central to one's work and career so
it goes with every Western
interpretation of everything although
it's important to note this deviation
the popularized form is nonetheless more
likely to be applicable and practical
for most modern individuals and so that
is what we will primarily be focusing on
from here
forward a according to the modernized
popular conception of the philosophy
achieving one's EIG guy is done through
locating the intersection of four key
domains of life what you are good at
what you love what the world needs and
what you can get paid for what you are
good at this domain is largely based on
honest self-awareness and
experimentation we are all naturally
better at some things than other things
and would be better at those things than
most people if we pursued them we each
have our own genetic makeups and
environmental circumstances that
ultimately culminate into a particular
set of abilities it's just a matter of
uncovering and recognizing these
abilities and then applying them to
things in the world most of us at least
have an idea of what these things are or
might be we each have an internal
barometer that we should generally trust
that directs us through a process of
play and experimentation toward these
things things that seem to come out of
us naturally as if we were almost
conduits to them from some other
dimension we have no awareness or
control over to find our eeky guy we
must first locate these
things what you love
what we are good at is often what we
enjoy doing it's certainly far easier to
enjoy doing something when you are good
at it but of course this isn't always
the case there are plenty of things we
might be good at that we despise or
things we enjoy doing but we'll never be
good at for eeky however we need to find
where both overlap like determining what
we are good at determining what we love
is entirely based on self-awareness and
self assessment the challenge however is
being honest with ourselves and parsing
out external pressures that might have
tried to convince us that there are
other better things to love that we
don't actually paradoxically often the
harder we try to find this intersection
of both what we love and what we are
good at the further we can move away
from it the American poet and novelist
Charles Bukowski a man who spent the
majority of his life trying to realize
his purpose of writing finally
succeeding at it in his 50s once wrote
we work too hard we try too hard don't
try don't work it's there looking right
at us aching to kick out of the closed
womb
in this Bukowski suggests that if we
have to try to find something try to do
something perhaps it isn't the right
thing what the world needs some of the
things that we're good at and like might
not have extrinsic value that's fine not
everything needs to be for something
else but for it to satisfy the criteria
of eeky it must provide something to the
world that the world needs particularly
in a sustainable way the problem here is
given the vast complex conditions of the
modern world as opposed to the clear
simpler conditions of smaller
communities what does benefit and
provide value to the world how many
people say and perhaps believe that they
are making the world a better place only
to provide some slop of a product or
service that primarily produces problems
for the consumer or Humanity more
broadly we are terrible at determining
what the world truly needs thus this
domain can be difficult of course there
are plenty of roles and services that
are clearly and tangibly valuable First
Responders doctors teachers construction
workers and so on these sorts of roles
are much easier to consider in these
terms but there are of course lots of
other roles and things we can do and if
in the two prior domains what we are
good at and what we love we do not find
ourselves pointed in this clear tangible
direction we are left only to our best
judgments deep down however if we are
honest with ourselves and with what we
do we likely know and are likely able to
provide what is some value to the world
all we can do here is try our
best what you can be paid for an easy
metric to determine the value you might
be providing to the world is how much
you are or could be paid for it here too
though it's not always that simple
consider how important teachers and
nurses and rescue workers are few people
would argue that they are not providing
immense value to the world and yet they
are often paid fairly little relatively
speaking furthermore on the flip side of
this there are plenty of jobs that
aren't important to anything much at all
that are paid very highly value and
contribution are not always and are
perhaps rare ly proportionately
compensated with this form of eky guy
suggests one must be able to be paid but
it does not suggest that one must become
rich quite the opposite in fact as the
idea generally suggests simpler slower
living thus for an eeky guy it is not
necessarily about how much you get paid
but the fact that you get paid enough to
live
well in the end we find our igig guy
when we have found the intersection of
these four domains and in the words of
the authors Hector Garcia and Frances
moras once you find it it's only a
matter of Having the courage and making
the effort to stay on the right path of
course this is easier said than done as
we move forward through each domain we
create a shrinking number of things to
choose from with each step forward we
negate everything else that is behind
and next to us the infinite realm of
options of what we can pursue and do
goes from everything to a narrow realm
of possibilities and then finally a
single set path this is the point of
eigi to the in a path but at the same
time this is the terror of eigi though
simple and obvious sounding so many of
us struggle with this process with
making these sorts of big decisions and
accomplishing a genuine sense of purpose
in life there are many reasons for why
this might be the case many of which
might be outside of our control it might
not be fair but even when things are in
one's favor the process is still
comprised of fear anxiety and
uncertainty perhaps we might fear that
what we are choosing is wrong no matter
what we are choosing perhaps we might
worry that that what we seem to enjoy
now we won't enjoy in the future perhaps
we might agonize over whether or not we
are good enough even if we are in the
modern world the Paradox of choice and
the sense of impostor syndrome is real
ultimately we'll never get it right
we'll never find a true ultimate purpose
free from immense doubt and challenge
whatever we enjoy broadly will always
include things we hate whatever life we
live will always carry the weight of
hardship and uncertainty but we must
choose nonetheless we must settle
the reive wisdom writes the author
Oliver burkeman articulated in a
Thousand magazine articles and
inspirational Instagram memes is that
it's always a crime to settle but the
received wisdom is wrong you should
definitely settle or to be more precise
you don't have a choice you will settle
and this fact ought to please you living
life to the fullest requires settling
you can't become an ultra successful
lawyer or artist or politician without
first settling on law or art or politics
and and therefore deciding to foro the
potential rewards of other careers if
you flip between them all you'll succeed
in none of them in the end eigi is an
ideal compass in a world with no true
north our purpose largely depends on
what we value and assess in the world in
ourselves which is deeply subjective and
complex it is in US of us built by us
out of nothingness our purpose is to
find and Define our purpose perhaps that
alone no matter what we do and
accomplish is
enough existence is strange happiness
and well-being are often nebulous but
the more we learn about ourselves in the
world the better we get at finding
things in a life that we can feel good
about as often as possible a fantastic
way to do this is with this video
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guide on igig Guy where you can learn
more about the concept and its Origins
according to research published by the
review of General psychology roughly 40%
of our happiness is determined by our
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[Music]
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