A while back, I read the book Ikigai, which delved into the Japanese philosophy of living a meaningful and fulfilled life. At its core, ikigai revolves around the intersection of four key elements:
- What you love (your passion)
- What you are good at (your strengths)
- What the world needs (your mission)
- What you can get paid for (your profession)
Many individuals have been fortunate enough to have these four elements aligned in one role, evolving into a lifelong career. But for most, finding the perfect balance among these factors takes time, reflection, and exploration.
The first two elements, your passion and strengths, are deeply personal and often stem from early interests, talents, or hobbies. It is the pursuit of these interests that brings a sense of joy and energy into our lives. However, passion alone does not always lead to fulfillment unless it also addresses the needs of the world and offers a means to sustain oneself financially.
This is where the latter two elements come in your mission and profession. They involve understanding the broader impact of your work and how it serves others while ensuring you can make a living from it. When we find ways to bridge these elements, we often feel a deeper sense of contribution and value in the work we do.
However, it’s important to remember that not everyone finds all four elements perfectly aligned in one job or career. Many of us may find fulfillment by exploring multiple paths. This may look like side projects, volunteer work, learning a new skill, or mentoring. I believe it is even more difficult for persons who are multi-passionate; our interests and passions are expansive.
I was forced to believe that I had to find one thing that I am passionate about and stick to it, but that didn’t resonate with me. As someone who is multi-passionate, I’ve always struggled with the idea that I must narrow down my interests to just one path. The truth is, you don’t have to limit yourself to a single passion or profession. In fact, embracing multiple interests can open up more opportunities for discovering your true ikigai.
For those of us with varied interests, it’s about finding creative ways to connect our passions with what the world needs, and identifying where those intersections might also lead to financial sustainability. Your ikigai may not come from one specific job or role, but from a combination of projects, hobbies, and career paths that together bring fulfillment.
I’m still on my journey to finding my ikigai, and I’ve realized it’s okay to take my time. It’s an evolving process, one that requires self-reflection, trial and error, and often stepping out of our comfort zones. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea that you must find “the one thing” that will fulfill you, take a step back and consider the broader picture. Maybe your ikigai is a mosaic of your passions, skills, and contributions to the world rather than a single career path. Embrace the journey, and don’t be afraid to explore and experiment along the way.
Where do you find yourself on the path to discovering your ikigai? Are you multi-passionate like me, or do you feel more aligned with a single calling? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!