Why should everyone find their IKIGAI

Many people reading this may have heard the term Ikigai, a few may have even read the book. I am filled with gratitude as I had the opportunity to interview the author of the book, Ikigai, Hector Garcia.

The word ‘Ikigai,’ was first introduced when Mieko Kamiya in 1966 wrote a book ‘On the Meaning of Life’. Post that the concept became popular in 2017 when Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles wrote a book titled ‘Ikigai, — The Japanese Secret to a Long, and Healthy Life’.

Ikigai is an ancient Japanese ideology that’s been associated with the Japanese long life expectancy. “iki” translates to “life,” and “gai” which is used to describe value or worth, ikigai is all about finding joy in life through purpose.

Simply explained, your ikigai is what motivates you to get up every day and keep moving ahead.

Why is it important to find your purpose you may ask?

I am a keen observer, and my observations, along with some research indicate that people who have found purpose in life, are, always excited and self-motivated to keep moving forward with zest and zeal to reach their goals. Since their goal is purpose-driven their motivation, perseverance and resilience are sustained from inner sources. They will keep moving forward undaunted by external rewards, recognition or accolades. While people who work only to earn money, recognition or accolades can find initial happiness, this happiness will only remain till the external rewards keep them engaged. After which they will have no zeal to work.

The power of purpose has helped people survive the worst of their times. In his book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ Viktor Frankl talks about his experience in concentration camps where he spent 3 years. He observed that all the people who survived their days in the concentration camp had something to look forward to and had found some meaning or purpose in life to keep them going.

What’s your Ikigai?

I realized that my calling (Ikigai,) was to help children find their Ikigai, years back, so I looked for my calling in the area of children, learning and education. It is also why I am against a standarised curriculum and assessment as this does nothing to help children find their ikigai. Most children stumble upon their ikigai accidentally. We could design our education system in a way that more children have a structured way of discovering their ikigai.

Having studied the Ikigai, concept, my life has seen various changes for the good. You don’t have to find external habits and actions that are, beneficial to your progress and growth. You are pulled towards them. I start my day with meditation, this helps me with my productivity and creativity. I read in the area of neuroscience, behavioural science, and the future of the world every day so that I have as much knowledge, tools, and skills to help children find their ikigai and become the best version of themselves.

Finding your Ikigai

What are some ways you could help your child find their ikigai?

1. Expose children to various activities and experiences so that they can have experiences that may reveal their Ikigai.

2. Listen for ‘curiosity questions’ that your child asks. These usually begin with ‘why’ or ‘what if’

3. As parents and teachers observe what they surround themselves within their environment and what they are driven to do without your instructions.

4. Ikigai, is not a static thing. People can have more than one Ikigai and their Ikigai can change over time. So, don’t force children to stick to one thing. Let them shift and change

5. While helping children to find their Ikigai, do not force anything. Just create the right environment. For E.G if one sits in a room filled with food and video games, everyone will be eating food and playing video games all day. On the other hand, if one sits in a room with books and a music player, it will be more about books and music. Surround your child with as many experiences as possible which include books, people, travel.

6. Work towards helping children become self-aware about who they are, what they like doing. Then help them build a life around it so that they’re not fighting with themselves all the time

A child who discovers his or her ikigai is an adult who never works a day in his or her life.