Erlina Sidik - Leadership Coach, Trainer and Facilitator

View Original

Living with purpose: What happens when you find your IKIGAI

Simon Middleton

We have an innate desire to find meaning and purpose in our lives and  ikigai offers a structured framework for this quest, making it relatable and actionable. The term "ikigai" has been part of Japanese culture for centuries, but it gained international popularity when the book "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" was published in 2016.

The concept gained a global audience for its promise of a more purposeful, balanced, and meaningful life, which resonates with the core aspirations of individuals seeking a happier and more fulfilling existence.

What is “Ikigai”?

If you’re new to this Japanese concept imagine a venn diagram with four crucial elements:

  • What you love (your passion)

  • What you are good at (your profession)

  • What the world needs (your mission)

  • What you can be paid for (your vocation)

The sweet spot where these four aspects intersect is your Ikigai—a Japanese concept for finding fulfillment and meaning by aligning your passions, talents, mission, and livelihood.

How I found my Ikigai

Discovering my Ikigai has been a decade long journey of:

  • Self discovery, 

  • Self acceptance, 

  • Leveraging strengths,

  • Letting go and 

  • Taking fearless action.

It all began when I started a yoga practice 10 years ago, which led to the painful awareness that I’ve not been honest with myself and had been out of alignment for most of my life. 

What happens when you realize your Ikigai?

Like a river flowing, discovering my Ikigai was like a dam opening in my soul. I could not go back to what it was and I had no choice but to move forward. After years of constant searching for meaning, I suddenly realized what I needed to do. 

This is what happened when I found my Ikigai:

  • Alignment with purpose: I discovered ways to transform my life to align with my IKIGAI, and everything else appeared out of sync. My journey led me to leave my corporate job and embark on a path of coaching, relocating to a serene, nature-rich environment that nourished my creativity and intuition.

  • Improved motivation and resilience: With unwavering conviction that this is my destined path, my motivation and resilience soared. Challenges ceased to be roadblocks; instead, they became stepping stones for growth.

  • Fulfillment Over Instant Gratification: Fulfillment replaced the ceaseless pursuit of quick fixes, and the constant yearning for weekends and getaways faded. Shopping, once an outlet for instant gratification, lost its allure.

  • Better Well-Being: My overall well-being flourished as internal conflicts diminished. I took it upon myself to be in the prime mental, emotional, and physical condition to fulfill my IKIGAI.

  • Constant Personal Growth: Personal growth became an integral facet of my life, continually seeking ways to improve and create impact on the lives of others.

Seeking Your Ikigai

Ready to find your Ikigai? Begin by:

  • Reflecting on what in your life doesn't align with your values, goals, and dreams?

  • Being prepared for resistance and fear—it's your ego's way of resisting change.

  • Embracing the discomfort as a sign that you're moving closer to your answers.

If you're intrigued by the idea of discovering your Ikigai, send me a message or comment below. Let’s discuss how you can explore your purpose and start living a life of alignment. 


USEFUL RESOURCES