How to find your Ikigai with Japanese best practices

Do you ever wake up and wonder if there’s more to life than just going through the motions?

Are you looking for a deeper sense of purpose that feels genuine and fulfilling?

What if I told you there’s a Japanese practice that could help you find joy in even the smallest moments of your day?

If you nodded "yes" to any of these questions, you're about to discover Ikigai—a concept that blends life purpose and fulfillment in a way that's both profound and practical.

Understanding the True Meaning of Ikigai

Ikigai, in its original Japanese context, refers to "a reason for being"—the purpose that gives you a reason to wake up each morning. It’s often misunderstood in the West to combine passion, profession, and financial success.

But in Japan, Ikigai is more about finding joy in daily life and appreciating the small things that make life meaningful.

Japanese Secret to a Fulfilling Life

In Japan, the idea of Ikigai has been a quiet, cultural secret for centuries. The people of Okinawa, an island known for its long-living residents, often attribute their happy life and longevity to having a clear sense of purpose, or Ikigai.

This doesn’t come from their jobs or careers, but from the small joys of life—like tending to a garden, spending time with family, or practicing a hobby.

Life Purpose: The Western Perspective

In the West, Ikigai is often presented through a Venn diagram that overlaps four areas: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

This version aligns more closely with Western ideas of career fulfillment and life’s work. The focus is on aligning your passion with a job that meets both your personal and financial needs.

Finding Your True Purpose: The Eastern Approach

For those looking for their true purpose, the traditional Japanese view of Ikigai offers a different approach. Rather than focusing solely on a career path, it's about finding purpose in small steps and everyday activities. This can be anything from taking care of a loved one to cooking a meal that brings joy to others.

Components of Ikigai

Unlike the Western approach, which emphasizes combining passion with profession, the Japanese concept of Ikigai doesn’t require balancing all four areas at once. Your Ikigai could be purely personal, with no connection to your professional life. It might be about finding joy in the simple routines of life or having a sense of responsibility toward family or community.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Own Life Purpose

To find your Ikigai, start by reflecting on what truly matters to you. Consider what brings you life satisfaction. Is it spending time with friends or family? Helping others in your community? The key here is to look at your personal life and professional life separately, and not feel pressured to combine them.

Ask Yourself These Key Questions:

• What activities make me lose track of time?
• What small things make me feel fulfilled, even if they seem insignificant?
• How do I contribute to the lives of others around me?

By answering these questions, you’ll uncover what your true purpose might be. It’s less about grand, world-changing ideas and more about the small but meaningful contributions you make in your daily life.

Step 2: Find Fulfillment in the Small Things

The Japanese version of Ikigai emphasizes the importance of small things in everyday life. Unlike the Western model, which often ties happiness to career success, the Eastern philosophy finds value in the moments that bring joy, peace, and contentment.

Appreciate Daily Life

In Okinawa, where people live long, happy lives, their Ikigai is often tied to simple routines—like gardening, preparing meals, or chatting with neighbors. These activities may seem ordinary, but they are rich in meaning.

The act of appreciating these small moments brings a sense of fulfillment that can last a lifetime.

Personal Growth Through Small Steps

Finding your Ikigai doesn’t have to be a sudden revelation. Instead, it’s a process of discovery that happens over time, through trial and error. 

By focusing on the little things that make you happy, you’re gradually building a life of meaning and purpose.

Step 3: The Role of Relationships in Ikigai

In Japan, relationships with family and friends are a key part of one’s Ikigai. Unlike the Western focus on individual achievement, the Eastern approach sees purpose as something that often comes from connections with others.

Good Friends and Family Members

Caring for a family member or being a supportive friend can be your Ikigai. These relationships offer a sense of purpose that is deeply rooted in love and responsibility.

In the West, Ikigai is often seen as something you find through your work, but in Japan, your role as a father, mother, or friend can be the most fulfilling part of your life.

Contribution to People’s Lives

Your Ikigai might also come from how you contribute to the well-being of others in your community. Whether you're a teacher, a nurse, or a volunteer, your sense of purpose can come from making even a small positive impact on someone else’s life.

Step 4: Use Helpful Tools to Reflect on Your Ikigai

Though the Eastern philosophy of Ikigai is more about reflection and appreciation of life’s small moments, there are still practical tools that can help guide you.

Ikigai Tests and Questionnaires

• Ikigai Questionnaire: This simple tool asks a series of questions to help you reflect on your values, passions, and what brings you fulfillment. It’s designed to help you think about how you already engage with your Ikigai.
• Personality Test: Understanding your personality traits can help you identify areas of life where you naturally find purpose and joy.

These tools are not about finding a quick answer but about encouraging deeper self-reflection and a better understanding of how your daily activities contribute to your sense of fulfillment.

Step 5: Apply the Eastern Concept of Ikigai in Your Own Life

To truly live with Ikigai, you need to focus on the small joys in your daily life. Here’s how you can apply the traditional Japanese version of Ikigai to your own life:

Appreciate the Little Things

Enjoy daily rituals that bring you peace, whether it’s your morning coffee, a walk in nature, or time spent with loved ones.

Focus on what improves your life in small ways. Your Ikigai can be found in the simple, everyday moments that bring happiness and contentment.

Align with Your Values

Reflect on your personal values and how you can live according to them. Whether it’s being there for family, helping others, or enjoying time in nature, aligning your life with your values is key to finding your Ikigai.

Contribute to the World in Small but Meaningful Ways

Instead of aiming to change the world, focus on making your immediate world—a better place. Helping a neighbor or spending time with family can bring you closer to finding your Ikigai.

Next Steps: Begin Your Own Ikigai Journey

Finding your Ikigai is not about reaching a final destination but about appreciating life’s small moments and living with purpose. Whether it’s in your personal life or professional life, the key to living with Ikigai is to stay present and find joy in everything.

By embracing the Japanese cultural influence of Ikigai, you’ll uncover a deeper sense of purpose that goes beyond career success or financial gain. It’s about finding your happy life through small steps and an appreciation for what really matters.