How to Find Joy at Work (Ikigai)
Back when I was in high school, I remember feeling confused about what my future would hold. I grew up in South Korea where most high school students are under extreme pressure to score well on the college entrance exam (수능, Korea's equivalent of the SAT). There was little to no resources on what kind of careers were available, and how to get there.
Looking back, I wish I could tell my younger self that my personal hobbies were precious clues into many paths that are available to pursue. It took me many years to better understand what I enjoy.
If you are fortunate enough to wake up and have work that brings you joy each day, you might have what Japanese call Ikigai.
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai (生き甲斐) (pronounced [ikiɡai]) is a Japanese concept loosely translated to ‘things that bring joy in life'. When author Dan Buettner was researching how people of Okinawa have a long life expectancy, he noticed that many residents could clearly describe their Ikigai that was bringing joy every day. Many centenarians of Okinawa never considered retiring. Instead, they would continue to pursue their Ikigai each day, regardless of their age. Dan describes a hundred-year-old fisherman who continued to catch fish for his family.
So how can I adapt the concept of Ikigai to my work life?
Four key questions for finding Ikigai
What you love
What you love is the foundation of what keeps you motivated. If you don't enjoy something, it is much harder to keep doing it over time and continue when there are challenges.
What you are skilled at
Skill is an important ingredient of Ikigai, especially for those who spend a lot of time at their jobs. If you love something, but you are not skilled at it, there’s a potential ceiling on what you can achieve. Without skills, you will likely have more obstacles as you pursue what you love.
What pays you money
In the modern world, money is often necessary to support yourself and your family. If you don't make money, your pursuit may not be sustainable over time.
What the world needs
There are some things that the world needs but don't pay well. It's important to look at your Ikigai from the perspective of others and the community around you.
Intersections and what’s missing for Ikigai
When you meet the four criteria of love, skill, money, and the other's needs, you may have found your Ikigai at work. You will now have joy at work while maximizing your impact.
Inspirations for the “Find Your Purpose” Infographic
In his best-selling book “Good to Great”, author Jim Collins used a three-circle Venn diagram to help readers figure out where to focus their career.
In 2014, designer Marc Winn modified the hedgehog concept with inspiration from the Japanese word “Ikigai” after watching Dan Buettner’s TED talk on How to Live to 100+.
David McCandless from the “information is beautiful” blog provided us with the final inspiration for the Adioma version of the “Purpose” infographic. David modified Marc Winn’s graphic into a true Venn diagram to allow all four sections to uniquely intersect.