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Answers to 100+ questions about finding your life's purpose
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means 'reason for being.' It combines iki (life) and gai (worth). In simple terms, it is what gives your life purpose, joy, and motivation to keep moving forward each day.
Ikigai is pronounced 'ee-key-guy' in English. In Japanese, it's pronounced with four syllables: i-ki-ga-i, with each syllable given equal emphasis.
The 7 rules of ikigai are: 1) Stay active, don't retire 2) Take it slow 3) Don't fill your stomach 4) Surround yourself with good friends 5) Get in shape for your next birthday 6) Smile 7) Reconnect with nature.
Ikigai is your life's purpose - the thing that makes you excited to wake up every morning. It's the perfect balance between passion, talent, contribution, and livelihood.
Ikigai literally translates to "life's worth" or "reason for being." It combines the Japanese words iki (life/living) and gai (worth/value).
Ikigai is authentically Japanese, rooted in Okinawan culture. However, the popular 4-circle Venn diagram was recently created by Western authors.
What you love and energizes you
What the world needs and how you can contribute
What you're naturally good at
What you can be rewarded for
To find your ikigai, reflect on: what you love doing, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. The intersection of these four elements reveals your unique ikigai.
Apply ikigai by identifying small daily actions that align with your purpose. This can include acts of kindness, using your skills to help others, or dedicating time to activities you genuinely enjoy.