How to give your life a sense of purpose

Hi there!  I hope that all's well in your life. I would like you all to try this activity.  I use it and it's so worthwhile for self reflection.  If used effectively it can be a game changer.

Ikigai (生き甲斐, lit. 'a reason for being') is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living. (From Wikipedia)

The Ikigai technique helps you to list your strengths and achievements which will in turn aid you to find your goals and work on achieving them. It represents the connection of four key elements:

1. What you love (Passion) – Activities that bring you excitement and fulfilment. What activities make you feel happy? What hobbies or interests energise you?

2. What you are good at (Vocation) – Skills and talents that you have or can develop that you would like to get better at. What skills come naturally to you or do you call your talents? What do others compliment or praise you for?

3. What the world needs (Mission) – How you can contribute to society, the community or help others. What problems in life would you like to solve? How can you contribute to the wellbeing of others?

4. What you can be paid for (Profession) – Work that provides financial stability and enjoyment. What jobs or careers align with your skills? How can you monetise your passions?

When these aspects work together and link, you can achieve a more directed sense of purpose, motivation, excitement and fulfilment in life. Discovering your Ikigai leads to a more meaningful life.

Follow the technique diagram, draw some circles and take some time to fill it out.  This doesn't need to be done all at once and it also can be developed over time.  Write down in a 4 circle venn diagram and find where they overlap - that is your Ikigai. Please find my Ikigai diagrams. The first above is the template and in the second one I have had added some suggestions and examples. Feel free to use these and also add your own.

The 10 Rules of Ikigai are:

1. Stay active - keep doing the things you love. By being active and busy life is more focused

2. Take it slow - don’t rush through life. Make sure you take time to do things well and that you appreciate the important things in life. Use mindful techniques to ground you.

3. Don’t overeat -eat until you are about 80% full and eat a balanced and healthy diet. Drink water to keep you hydrated

4. Surround yourself with friends - choose friends who will be there to support you and

5. Exercise Daily - this is not only important to our general health. When we exercise we also release endorphins, which makes us feel happy and connected

6. Smile - smiling can boost your mood and health by triggering feel good chemicals in the brain. When we smile at someone they often smile back which makes us feel good

7. Reconnect with nature - as we have discussed in other of my articles taking walks and exploring nature around you can give you a sense of calm and clarity. Breathe in and out to relax you. It can be a restorative process

8. Express gratitude- this does not only benefit the people that you are showing this appreciation, it in turn will make you feel better and positive about yourself. And you are likely you want to give more to others which gives us fulfilment and show kindness to others

9. Live in the moment - make sure to savour those small moments in life. They mean a lot

10. And last, not least, Live your Ikigai - use this technique to find your purpose in life by understanding what you love, what you are good at and what the world needs from you and then achieve it! Start by incorporating small elements of your “ikigai” into your routine, even if it is just for a few minutes a day. Aim to gradually build on these. You may need to connect with others and needs to advance your skills in the form of self assessment, self study or through workshops and courses

I would love to help you find your goals and advise you on how to keep them and incorporate them in your life by using effective techniques. Be in touch for a first consultation on +447958342522 or on [email protected] 

Feel free to call me for a non obligation chat to discuss. Click here for more information or to send anyone else a link to subscribe.

All the very best.

Life is good,
Lisa

[email protected]
+44 7958 342522

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