Ikigai: Find Your Purpose in 5 Steps | Hello! Seiiti Arata 140

Summary

The video by Seiiti Arata explains 'ikigai,' a Japanese concept meaning the reason for getting out of bed every morning. It discusses the importance of finding your purpose for lasting motivation and a fulfilling life. The video outlines five steps to discover your ikigai: start small, free yourself from external influences, seek harmony and sustainability, find joy in little things, and live in the present moment. By following these steps, you can align your life with your true values and enjoy a more meaningful existence.

Takeaways

• 🌞 Ikigai is a Japanese concept representing the reason one wakes up motivated each morning, and finding it can lead to a more fulfilling life.
• 🔍 Understanding why you pursue certain dreams is crucial for internal and lasting motivation, which is more effective than temporary external influences.
• 📚 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' by neuroscientist Ken Mogi explains that ikigai is deeply connected to one's reason for living and contributes to longevity.
• 🏝 The term 'ikigai' originated from Japanese islands known for their residents' long life spans, where people engage in activities they love for a lifetime.
• 💡 To find your ikigai, one must engage in self-reflection and introspection, avoiding the influence of external expectations and societal norms.
• 🌱 The first step to finding your ikigai is to start small, focusing on one area of life that needs improvement, rather than seeking grandeur.
• 💡 The second step involves freeing oneself from preconceived notions and societal pressures to truly understand personal desires and aspirations.
• 🌿 The third step is seeking harmony and sustainability in one's ikigai, ensuring it can be maintained long-term and contribute positively to life.
• 💰 Ikigai is found at the intersection of what you love, what the world needs, what you are good at, and what can provide a livelihood.
• 😄 The fourth step encourages finding joy in the small moments and not just in achieving big goals, to avoid a cycle of constant dissatisfaction.
• 🌐 The final step is to live in the present moment, enjoying the journey towards one's ikigai, rather than focusing solely on the end goal.

Q & A

What is the Japanese concept of 'ikigai'?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that refers to the reason why you feel motivated to get out of bed every morning, essentially your purpose or reason for living.

Why is it important to know your ikigai?

Knowing your ikigai is important because it provides internal and lasting motivation, which is more effective than temporary motivation from external sources, and helps in achieving your goals.

How does ikigai relate to the longevity observed in certain Japanese islands?

Ikigai is believed to contribute to longevity because people who know what they like to do and engage in it for a lifetime tend to live with greater satisfaction, care, and productivity.

What does neuroscientist Ken Mogi say about finding your ikigai?

Ken Mogi explains that finding your ikigai is about finding your reason for living, which is a key factor in the Japanese secret to a long and happy life.

What are the five steps to finding your ikigai as mentioned in the script?

The five steps are: 1) Start Small, focusing on one area of life at a time; 2) Free yourself from preconceived ideas; 3) Seek Harmony and Sustainability in your ikigai; 4) Have joy in the little things, not just in achieving big goals; 5) Be in the here and now, enjoying the journey.

What does 'starting small' mean in the context of finding your ikigai?

Starting small means focusing on one area of your life that needs more attention and making small, consistent improvements rather than chasing grandiosity and trying to achieve everything at once.

How can one break free from old ideas that may not align with their true desires?

One can break free by reflecting on whether certain desires are truly their own or are influenced by external factors such as family, colleagues, or advertising, and then consciously choosing to pursue what they genuinely want.

What does the concept of 'harmony and sustainability' in ikigai entail?

Harmony and sustainability in ikigai mean finding an activity that can be maintained over the long term, contributes positively to your life, and allows you to make a living while maintaining your health.

Why is it important to have joy in the little things while pursuing your ikigai?

Having joy in the little things is important because it prevents you from only finding happiness in the achievement of grand goals, which can lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction and constant pursuit of more.

What does the script suggest about living in the present moment in relation to finding your ikigai?

The script suggests that living in the present moment is crucial for finding your ikigai because it allows you to enjoy the journey of life and not just the end goals, which can lead to a more fulfilling and less suffering-filled existence.

How does the script define the intersection of the four circles in finding one's ikigai?

The four circles are defined as: What you love, What the world needs, What you are good at, and That which makes you earn enough money for your living. Finding an activity that meets these four qualities is the essence of discovering your ikigai.

Outlines

00:00

🌞 Discovering Ikigai: The Path to Motivation and Purpose

The first paragraph introduces the concept of Ikigai, a Japanese term for the reason that propels you to start your day with enthusiasm. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection to understand your dreams and desires, distinguishing between internal motivations and external influences. The paragraph outlines the benefits of finding one's Ikigai, such as internal and lasting motivation, and its correlation with happiness and longevity. The author presents a five-step process to uncover one's Ikigai, starting with introspection and focusing on self-awareness to avoid conforming to societal expectations. The summary of this paragraph lays the groundwork for understanding the significance of Ikigai in achieving a fulfilling life.

05:01

🌱 Cultivating Ikigai: Steps to a Harmonious and Joyful Life

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of the five-step process to find one's Ikigai. It encourages starting with small, manageable improvements in life rather than chasing grand ambitions that may lead to dissatisfaction. The paragraph advises breaking free from societal norms and expectations to uncover genuine personal desires. It stresses the importance of finding activities that are harmonious, sustainable, and capable of providing a livelihood. The concept of Ikigai is further explained through the intersection of four elements: love, world needs, personal skills, and financial viability. The paragraph concludes with the reminder to find joy in everyday moments and to live in the present, enjoying the journey rather than fixating solely on the end goal. This summary encapsulates the practical steps towards achieving a life of contentment and purpose.

Keywords

💡Ikigai

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates to 'reason for being.' It represents the motivation that drives individuals to get out of bed every morning. In the video, ikigai is described as the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what can support you financially. The speaker emphasizes its importance for long-term motivation and satisfaction.

💡Purpose

Purpose refers to the underlying reason or intent behind one's actions and aspirations. The video explains that discovering one's purpose, or ikigai, is crucial for achieving lasting motivation and fulfillment. The speaker discusses how understanding why you want what you want can lead to a more meaningful and goal-oriented life.

💡Motivation

Motivation is the internal drive that compels someone to act or pursue goals. The video contrasts fleeting motivation, such as that derived from external sources like motivational videos, with the deeper, enduring motivation that comes from understanding one's ikigai. This deep motivation is crucial for long-term goal achievement and personal satisfaction.

💡Self-awareness

Self-awareness involves understanding one's own emotions, desires, and motivations. The video highlights the necessity of self-awareness in discovering one's ikigai. By turning inward and reflecting honestly on personal aspirations and values, individuals can identify their true purpose rather than adopting others' expectations.

💡Harmony

Harmony in the context of ikigai refers to the balance and sustainability of one's activities and lifestyle. The video stresses the importance of finding an ikigai that not only aligns with personal passions and skills but is also sustainable in the long run, ensuring that one can live a balanced and fulfilling life.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability here means the ability to maintain a certain activity or lifestyle over the long term. The video asks viewers to consider whether their pursuits can be sustained without compromising their health, finances, or overall well-being. Sustainable activities are essential for a lasting and fulfilling ikigai.

💡Joy in the little things

Finding joy in the little things means appreciating small, everyday moments rather than only seeking happiness in major achievements. The video advises viewers to derive happiness from ordinary experiences, as life is composed more of these moments than grand events. This mindset helps maintain consistent positivity and satisfaction.

💡Present moment

Living in the present moment involves fully experiencing and appreciating the current time without being preoccupied with the past or future. The video emphasizes that focusing on the present can reduce suffering and enhance life satisfaction. It encourages viewers to enjoy their journey and current experiences rather than constantly striving for future goals.

💡Internal motivation

Internal motivation is the drive that comes from within an individual, rooted in personal values and desires. The video distinguishes this from external motivation, highlighting that internal motivation, derived from understanding one's ikigai, is more powerful and enduring. It helps individuals stay committed to their goals and find lasting satisfaction.

💡External influences

External influences are the factors and pressures from outside oneself, such as societal expectations, family opinions, and advertising. The video warns against letting these influences dictate one's sense of purpose. It encourages viewers to critically examine these influences and focus on their own true desires to find their ikigai.

Highlights

Ikigai is a Japanese concept representing the reason for motivation and purpose in life.

Finding your ikigai is essential for internal and lasting motivation towards achieving goals.

Understanding why you pursue certain dreams is crucial for identifying your ikigai.

Ikigai is associated with longevity and satisfaction in life, as seen on Japanese islands.

The concept of ikigai is rooted in doing what you love and making a living from it.

Five steps are outlined to help individuals discover their ikigai.

Starting small and focusing on one area of life is the first step towards finding your ikigai.

Breaking free from societal expectations is necessary to uncover your true ikigai.

Harmony and sustainability are key factors in identifying a viable ikigai.

Ikigai is found at the intersection of love, world needs, personal skills, and financial viability.

Joy should not be conditional on achieving grand goals but found in everyday moments.

Living in the present and enjoying the journey is vital for a fulfilling life.

Ikigai is not just a reason for living but also a guide to a life plan that aligns with personal values.

The Planning Your Life course teaches the importance of defining purpose and discovering personal values.

A personal ikigai can significantly impact one's quality of life and daily living.

Finding your ikigai involves self-awareness and an honest conversation with oneself.

The concept of ikigai encourages individuals to focus on what they truly want rather than external influences.

The Personal Values course is offered as a resource for further exploration of life planning and goal achievement.

Transcripts

Hello!

Seiiti Arata.

Ikigai is a Japanese word that can be translated as the reason why you feel motivated to get

out of bed every morning.

If you are a person who has already found your purpose, who works with motivation and

who is happy with what you already have, then you have probably found your ikigai.

But if this is not your case yet, in today's conversation you will understand why it is

important to know your ikigai.

And you'll also know the five steps you need to take to find your ikigai.

Ikigai helps you understand why you want what you want

We all have dreams.

We dream of having certain material possessions, improving our health, or living some experiences

that we find interesting.

But we often forget to ask ourselves why we are chasing these dreams.

Why do you want to have this specific product?

Why do you want to be healthier, lose weight, gain muscle?

Why do you want to travel the world, parachute or meet your idol in person?

Understanding the reasons why you get out of bed every morning is important because

it brings an internal and lasting motivation.

This type of motivation can keep you on track to achieving your goals.

It's a far more effective motivation than the passing motivation that comes from a motivational

video, a catchphrase, or an inspiring example.

Anyone who can find this reason for action finds ikigai.

Ikigai is your reason for living

In Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life [source: https://arata.se/source-s68c

] neuroscientist Ken Mogi explains that finding your ikigai is finding your reason for living

.

The term was coined on Japanese islands that are famous for having a much above average

life expectancy.

One of the reasons for explaining this longevity is that people on those islands know what

they like to do and engage in it for a lifetime.

The theory is that if we can make a living doing what we like, we tend to do our activities

with greater satisfaction, care and productivity.

Therefore, to know your ikigai is to know your own reason for living.

How to do this?

You can find your ikigai in just 5 steps

There are several techniques for you to find your purpose.

These techniques vary by definition of purpose.

However, all techniques agree on one aspect.

To find your purpose, you need to turn inward.

You need to have an honest conversation with yourself and have a good deal of self-awareness.

Otherwise, what you think is your purpose may simply be what other people think is good

for you.

This includes your family members, your coworkers, the celebrities you follow and even the advertisements

you see out there.

To find your true reason for living, here are five simple steps that have a really profound

impact.

Step 1.

Start Small

The first step in finding your ikigai is to get rid of a craze of grandeur that seems

to hit a lot of people today.

We want to have a lot of money, have a fit body, have a successful career, have a happy

family, have a beautiful house, have a car of the year, have, have, have…

We want to have so much that we end up having almost nothing.

Instead, try starting small.

Choose one area of ​​your life that needs more attention and see what you can improve

a little.

Put aside the craze for greatness and start building your reason for living slowly, little

by little, but in a constant way that makes sense of longer life planning.

Step 2.

Free yourself

The second step is to break free from old ideas that may not be aligned with what you

really want from life.

For example, who says you need to have a slim body, a big house, or the car of the year

to feel happier?

Is this a real need of yours, or is it something that has come from outside - from colleagues,

family, advertising - that you've internalized so much that today you really think it's your

idea?

To find your ikigai, try to break free of these preconceived ideas and carefully reflect

on yourself to really find what you want out of life.

Step 3.

Seek Harmony and Sustainability

It is no use finding your ikigai if it does not bring harmony into your life and if it

is not sustainable in the long run.

Use the following questions as tools to find your ikigai: Is this sustainable?

Can this activity be sustained in the long run?

Can you make a living from it?

Will you keep your health?

Think of ikigai as the intersection of four circles:

What you love What the world needs

What you are good at That which makes you earn enough money for

your living

If you can find an activity that meets these four qualities, you will have found your reason

for living.

Step 4.

Have joy in the little things

The fourth step is not to condition your happiness to the fulfillment of great goals.

One mistake that many people make when designing life plans is to set up grandiose projects

and condition their own happiness to the fulfillment of these projects.

For example, let's say one of your big goals is to complete a postgraduate degree.

This can be an arduous task that will take years of dedication and study.

If you only allow yourself joy when you graduate, you will have had years of suffering for a

few moments of joy.

Yes, because soon after conquering your graduation, you will soon start looking at other goals.

Your joy will pass and you will set new and greater goals to which you will condition

your happiness again.

And this is an endless cycle.

There is a smarter way to live your life.

Learn to have joy in the little things.

Have joy every time you have to sit down to study for the tasks in this postgraduate program.

Be happy with every mistake you make when writing your final paper.

Be joyful even when you find yourself conditioning your own happiness to the fulfillment of a

goal.

Our life has many more ordinary moments than great moments.

If you only allow yourself joy in accomplishing great deeds, you are condemning yourself to

a life full of dissatisfaction with a few fleeting moments of happiness.

Step 5.

Being in the here and now

Finally, learn to live in the present moment.

Learn to enjoy the whole journey and not just the ultimate goal.

Right now, just as you are seeing me, are you enjoying the journey?

Or are you thinking that you are not one of those lucky people who can find a great purpose,

a great reason to live?

Many Eastern philosophies warn us of the risk of abandoning the now, failing to live in

the present moment.

And when we focus on desire, when our focus is on what we want or don't want, we are no

longer living in the now.

And so we open the door to suffering.

The reason we suffer is the untimely desire, the habit of always wanting to anticipate

the future, wanting more and more, or remembering the past without ever enjoying the present

moment.

If we are never satisfied with the moment right now, we are always wanting something

else.

This is the main cause of suffering.

If we are present, living the present moment completely, there would be no "wanting" and

"not wanting".

We would be in fullness.

Finding your ikigai is knowing yourself

Imagine for a moment that you had a great motivation to get out of bed every day.

You have found a true purpose.

An activity that you enjoy, where you are good, that the world needs and that can still

give you enough money to support you.

How will this affect your quality of life?

How will change the way you live your days?

How will it impact the people around you?

In Japan this is called ikigai.

And you can look inside yourself today and follow the five steps you've learned here

to find your reason for living.

Start small, throw away old ideas and look for something that brings harmony and sustainability.

Remember to have joy in the little things and especially to pay attention to the here

and now.

Finding that purpose is an essential step in putting together a life plan that truly

aligns with what you value most in life.

This is why defining purpose is one of the first steps taught in the Planning Your Life

course.

Another key pillar of the course that teaches you how to make a plan to achieve your highest

life goals is the discovery of your most important personal values.

If you would like guidance on this, take a special lesson in the Personal Values ​​course

of Planning Your Life right now by visiting https://arata.se/planningyourlife