Ikigai: Finding Your Why, and WHY That’s Important

This principle of mindfulness may be unconventional, I know … but hear me out.

And please let me know your own take on this.

If you’re in the air at 30,000 feet and there’s “a sudden loss of cabin pressure”, those little breathing cups drop down. You’re instructed to breathe for yourself first, so you are better able to help others.

In scuba, if you’re deep under water and a person signals that they’re out of air, the first thing you do is take a deep breath yourself before passing the regulator.

• This is not selfish.
• If you are not cared for, you cannot care for others.

We are normally coached to be selfless, and that to deny ourselves is a virtue. There’s definitely a place for that. But it also definitely doesn’t make sense all the time.

There are times when the best way to be truly self…less, is to care for your self…more.

Here’s why WHY is important

The deepest level of self care is living your reason for being, your WHY. Focusing on yourself by finding you WHY takes ongoing self-discovery. As you do this, and live your passions in a positive light, everyone benefits.

When you live your WHY, that presence is seen and felt by everyone around you. They breathe in your inspiration, just as if you’ve handed them the oxygen mask.

So yes, finding your WHY is important for you personally. But for everyone else around you as well.

The text below is the oxygen mask that drops down. It’s called Ikigai. Take it for yourself, breathe it in, and then you will be better able to pay that forward for others.

Where’s my why?

Ikigai is a Japanese principle that focuses in on finding your why, through four elements:

Passion:

• Do what you love and enjoy, engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
• Think about the activities you engage in. If you’re doing them for the wrong reasons, you may not even like them.
• So find those activities that, themselves, pull you forward.

Promise:

• Utilize your skills, talents, and expertise in a way that provides a sense of accomplishment and mastery.
• It’s good if the outcome of your talents produces something you love — like art, crafts, music, or sports.
• It’s better when the process is the thing you love — the act of painting, singing, building, playing, moving … before the end is even in sight.

Potential:

• Contribute to something greater than yourself, making a positive impact, and aligning your actions with your values.
• Start with you, and what you love. Once you have that passion and promise, see how this contributes to those around you.
• Once you have that contribution, target that gift to someone who could most use it in their lives.

Profession:

• Sustain yourself professionally, as a part of a productive team.
• Contribute to the group so that all benefit around you.

If your WHY were a Venn Diagram

According to Ikigai, when you identify these four elements, then you can find a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and overall well-being.

Your own particular WHY is specific to you alone. And your own quirky mix of these 4 elements brings balance and meaning by pursuing activities that align with your passions, values, and skills.

It’s worth noting that ikigai can be a moving target. It may evolve and change over time as your circumstances and priorities shift. And that’s perfectly okay. Discovering and nurturing your own personal ikigai is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

If this helped you, it may help someone else as well. Please SHARE this article.