Ikigai & why it matters
The Japanese have a secret to living a long and happy Life
Ikigai
Ikigai is something or someone that gives a person a sense of purpose or a reason for living ultimately something that brings fulfilment.
In Japanese tradition, everyone has an Ikigai, a reason for living. A purpose that brings you to live life in flow with true meaning.
For some it can take many years to learn or develop what this is, for others it is hard wired from the very start
Our true purpose stems from a balance between of the following areas:
What we are passionate about.
Our vocation / work.
What we are naturally good at.
Understanding what that is can truly transform your life.
The benefits are:
Increased passion in what you do
Increased focus
Life clarity
Fulfilment
Clear sense of self
Living in line with your values
Uncovering your purpose
What you love / are passionate about
The starting point is uncovering what you are truly passionate about, what you genuinely care about that feels bigger than yourself.
You may already be doing this or feel a calling to a hobby or a particular bit of work that you are always happy to do for free. Or that similarity between all the work or jobs that you have done that you have thoroughly enjoyed and would do without being paid.
Here are 4 key questions to ask when you are defining what that is
What do I love?
What am I good at?
What does the world need?
Is this something that I can be paid for?
As said, for some finding your purpose takes time. To help with this explore and allow yourself to grow, invest in your personal development and spend time thinking about what you are truly passionate about.
The balance: your flow state
Ikigaii is also about finding balance and joy in all that you do, to be ‘in flow’.
In flow is when a person becomes truly emersed in what they are doing and loses a sense of time. Where what they are doing is effortless and their presence is absolutely within the task at hand.
This can be extremely good for our health creating a sense of focus, calm and fulfilment.
The benefits are:
More creativity
Improved performance
Increased engagement
Better emotional balance
Improved motivation
Fulfilment
To find yourself feeling in this state is easier if you know what you enjoy doing and find yourself slipping in to this easily.
However you can also bring this in to your work or personal life too in all that you do. It is about being truly present with what you are doing.
Forget over multiple tasking, focus in on the task at hand and allow yourself to fully immerse in it. To enjoy it. To flow.
That combined with your true purpose?
Powerful stuff.
About Sian Winfield
Sian has spent the last two and a half decades working with those that have made the choice to take action. From the fitness industry as a fitness professional to NLP coach and trainer working with Traders to attain peak performance in London City. Moving on to start her own company 7 years ago within which she has had the fortune of being involved with the successful growth and scaling of over 200 start-ups.
Empowering hundreds of entrepreneurs internationally coaching individually and through group programmes most recently including programmes such as Foundervine & Barclays Black Founder Accelerator Programme and mentoring for The Peter Jones Foundation.
Her experience has provided her with a huge wealth of experience in how others have attained their success and she is hungry to share her learning with as many people as possible.
Connecting with Sian
If you are interested in finding more about Sian and her coaching visit her website HERE
Connect on Linkedin and follow HERE