Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines the words "iki" (to live) and "gai" (reason) to mean "a reason to live". It is helpful in discovering your “what’s next,” exploring the intersection of what you love, what you're good at doing, what the world needs, and what you can be paid to do.
As you think deeply through each individual circle, populating them with your thoughts, and considering the intersection point of all four, you begin to find your ikigai, your reason to live.
Exercise: Walk through each of these circles individually, populating them with several answers using the following prompts. Use a legal pad or whiteboard to give space.
CRITICAL KEY: Many leaders struggle with this exercise. They start to dream. Their eyes light up as they talk about what they would love to do. But then, they interrupt themselves with this statement: “But, I don’t see HOW that could work.”
And just like that, they’ve cut off their future before it even got rolling.
The HOW is important, and will have to be figured out. But in ikagi, the HOW is the enemy of the WHAT. HOW short-circuits the dreaming. Fight it. Set the HOW aside. Give the WHAT space to breathe. Spend 90% of your time in this exercise on the first three circles.
Circle #1 WHAT DOES THE WORLD NEED?
What keeps you up at night, causing you anger or frustration about the way things are?
What bothers you as you look out upon this world?
What is your “holy discontent?”
Get specific, not idealistic. “World Hunger” is certainly a problem, but don’t put that unless it is YOUR source of discontent.
Circle #2 WHAT DO YOU LOVE?
What gets you up in the morning?
What bounds you out of bed, knowing you get to do that today?
What recharges you when you do it?
Let yourself be honest here. Include things you love to do that are not necessarily career related.
Circle #3 WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT DOING?
What are your skills?
What do others recognize that you do well?
Use your wiring (Assessments such as the Birkman) as well as your evaluated experiences (using an exercise such as the Timeline Exercise).
Note that this circle can be deceptive, because we can all get good at doing things we no longer love. It is okay to have skills or talents in this list that you admit, “But I don’t want to do that anymore!” You can also explore ways to shift that talent. For example, perhaps you are very good at public speaking, but you are finding that you find you gain more energy from coaching others in public speaking.
Pause here and notice any commonalities, rewording and clarifying them before Circle #4.
Circle #4 WHAT CAN YOU GET PAID TO DO?
Are there any new work pathways that pique your interest?
Any uncharted career territories you are inclined to explore?
Who is doing similar work that you could engage with to gain insight?
N.B. This exercise is best done with time to “marinate and ruminate.” Give space and time over days or weeks to revisit, to edit, to allow new insights or conversations to give this shape and give you direction towards your “what’s next.”
How can I help YOU discover your What's Next? Reach out to me HERE.
