Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
JACK’S TAKE
If anyone ever asks me what my favourite holidays were whilst we lived in Thailand, I’d quickly say “well, except for Thailand, it’s easy: Japan.”
Why did I like this country enough to visit it three times in three years? For me, it’s the country which is the most culturally opposite to where I grew up, the United Kingdom.
I strongly believe that it is those who are different to us who can teach us the most, which is why I’ve brought you this book: Ikigai.
What it's about
Your Ikigai is your reason for being. In the west, we’d call that our purpose. The authors believe that it is this very concept that gives such longevity to the people of Japan.
Your Ikigai is found at the crossroads of “what is your” Vocation, Profession, Passion and Mission.
If you can figure out your answer to each of these questions, you can then have a good go at answering, “what is my Ikigai, my purpose?”
They give us four questions to get there which I have put into the diagram here.
KEY IDEAS
① Get started. Just doing something (a vocation) is a good way to get going. Once you build momentum, you’ll be able to move forward towards more purposeful work.
② Don’t get stuck at Profession. This is a classic error. Too many people settle for work that they are good at and that pays them well. In case you didn’t know, we have one life!? So why waste it not doing something you love.
③ Passion is the missing ingredient. When you search for your passions, don’t put pressure on the process. Not everything you are passionate about can pay you, and rarely will they pay you right away. You have to follow your passions “just because.”
④ Your Mission will build over time. Figured out what you love? Great. Now it’s time to give it to the world. Is this part easy? Not at all. Give yourself time, space and grace - trust the journey and you’ll get there.
“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.”
MAYBE SKIP IF
You’re scared to death by deeply reflective questions such as “what is your mission in life?”
Right now paying the bills is where you need to be
You know your Ikigai already - if yes, then maybe recommend this book to someone else!
WHO THIS IS FOR
Your sick of people asking you “what’s your purpose?” Approach it in a different way, through Ikigai.
You love Japanese culture
You’re ready to go deep on your self reflection
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