Do you get out of bed each morning filled with joy and purpose, or are you more the "snooze until you lose" type? Don't worry, you're not alone; most of us need an industrial-sized cup of coffee before we can even think about conquering the world.
But what if there was something that could give you that "oomph" you need to kickstart your day? Say hello to ikigai, the Japanese secret sauce to loving life.
What's this Ikigai business?
Ikigai basically means "the reason you get out of bed in the morning." It’s like life’s VIP pass to all the good stuff: passion, fulfilment, and a reason to rock those spreadsheets like a boss. This isn’t some pie-in-the-sky idea; it's a legit lifestyle and it could be your ticket to more zest in your life.
Four key ingredients
Imagine ikigai as a cocktail mixed with four key ingredients: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Mix them together and you've got yourself a reason to jump out of bed even on a Monday.
Too zen? Enter hobbies
So, you're thinking great, but what if I'm still not sure about this ikigai thing? Where do hobbies come into play? Listen up, you aspiring chefs, painters, and guitar heroes! Sometimes what you're passionate about—your hobby—could very well be an essential part of your ikigai. Maybe it's not your day job, but it could offer a taste of what makes life worth living.
At Trills, we believe in the power of hobbies. In fact, we're on a mission to get companies to sponsor employee hobbies. We reckon that hobbies aren't just a 'nice to have'; they can breathe life into your workday. Picture this: Mondays don't just mean another dreary team meeting but also an evening of salsa dancing or pottery. Now, how's that for job satisfaction?
Buettner's Blue Zones: where ikigai isn't a luxury, it’s a lifesaver
If you’re still sceptical, let’s drop some science here. Ever heard of Dan Buettner and his book on "Blue Zones"? These are places around the globe where people are celebrating their 100th birthday and smashing it. And guess what? Okinawa in Japan, the home of ikigai, is one of these zones.
Buettner reckons having a ‘reason to wake up in the morning’ is one of the common denominators in these long-living communities. Your ikigai could not only make your life more exciting but also a bit longer.
The bottom line
Being overwhelmed and over-caffeinated is not a lifestyle but a cry for help. Ikigai nudges you to enjoy the moment, not just hustle for the next big thing. After all, what's the point of rushing through life without enjoying the ride?
So, whether you're the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or someone simplytrying to figure things out, finding your ikigai could be a game-changer. Go find your ikigai, or at least get cracking on that new hobby of yours. Who knows, it might just be the missing piece in your jigsaw puzzle of life.
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