So many people around the globe wake up in the morning feeling empty and resentful about their jobs. They somehow drag themselves out of their bed and head to work with disgust. Research shows that only a few people find their jobs meaningful and engaging. Most people out there hate their jobs like anything. So, if you hate entering your office premises, then trust me, you are not alone! The question is – how long can a person continue like this? 

Ikigai (Review)

Work satisfaction is one of the most imperative factors for a person’s overall satisfaction and happiness in life. If your work life is not good, then chances are you will remain fatigued and mentally sick. But the Japanese people have a philosophy or rather a way of life that allows you to find satisfaction and positivity in your job. They call it Ikigai. Ikigai is basically a purpose in your life. It’s something that drives you to wake up every morning with a sense of fulfillment and purpose. In simpler words, Ikigai brings meaning to your life.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE READING: Best Japanese Non-Fiction Books You MUST Read! 🇯🇵

A lot of people will tell you that if you do what you love, you’ll live a happy life. This may sound like really great advice, but the statement has its own complexities. This is why you need Ikigai. It is an intersection point where your passion, mission, vocation, and profession merge. This is the ideal point. At this point, you will be living a purposeful life, that will give you satisfaction and happiness. 

So, all you have to do is, sit down with a notebook and pen, and write down the answers to these four questions:

• What do you love to do that makes you happy?
• What are you really good at?
• What can you do to make an impact in the world?
• What you can get paid for?

Your answers to these four questions will help you recognize your Ikigai. With all four elements, you will be able to find your purpose, which will allow you to wake up every day with an evangelical zeal. But what if you are not able to figure out your Ikigai? It’s not very unlikely, that your passion, mission, vocation, and profession will not integrate at all times. Maybe, you have something that you love doing, and know all the skills to continue doing it; it is also something that the world needs, but you can’t find a way to get paid for the same.

⭐ RECOMMENDED: Best Books by Japanese Authors You Should Definitely Read! 🇯🇵

You cannot just quit your job and start with something that won’t pay your bills, right? Now, it’s completely okay. You don’t have to wake up one morning, quit your job, and turn your life upside down. Start with finding that one thing in your job that you like doing and then go a step further and think about how it can positively affect people’s lives. Keep challenging yourself, and slowly find more such things. Eventually, you’ll realize that you have started to wake up feeling lighter and better.

You’ll stop despising your work and office this way. But what if you are not able to find anything likable in your job? If this is the case for you, then start finding such things outside of your job. Make finding Ikigai your side hustle. Keep looking for things that will integrate all four aspects of Ikigai. And once you are able to figure it out, you’ll be filled with enthusiasm to wake up every morning to fulfill your purpose and live a happy and content life. This is how Ikigai functions and will help you imbibe work-life balance. You can get the book here! 📖

This article contains affiliate links. BookWritten may earn a commission when you buy using these links.