If you have been feeling lost or stuck, searching for that something that will make your life feel purposeful and financially free, then this article is for you. Together, we will explore how to find your Ikigai and how it can help you create a thriving, purpose-driven business.
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means "reason for being." It is the intersection of four key elements: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. When these four elements align, you've found your Ikigai – your true purpose and the key to living a fulfilling life.
To get started on your journey to finding your Ikigai, begin by exploring each of the four elements. Make a list of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Think about how these elements intersect and how they can come together to create a meaningful life and business. Once you have a clearer idea of your Ikigai, you can start to build the roadmap for creating your dream business.
Step 1: Discover what you love
The first step in finding your Ikigai is to explore your passions and strengths. Reflect on the activities and projects that bring you joy and make you lose track of time. These are the things that you love doing.
One way you can discover your passions is by asking yourself questions like, "What activities make me feel alive?", "What hobbies do I enjoy in my free time?", and "What topics do I find myself constantly researching or talking about?". Take some time to reflect on these questions and jot down your answers. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of what truly excites and motivates you.
For me, I wrote down coming up with new ideas, learning new things, helping cats, coming up with shortcuts, entrepreneurship, finding patterns in things, and discovering more about myself.
Step 2: List down what you're good at
Next, identify the skills and talents that you excel at. This could be anything from communication, leadership, creativity, or problem-solving. Don't be shy! Embrace your strengths and recognize the value that you bring to the table.
To further explore your skills and talents, consider asking friends, family, and colleagues for their input. They might see strengths in you that you haven't recognized in yourself. Additionally, take note of any compliments or positive feedback you've received in the past. This information will help you create a comprehensive list of what you're good at, providing a solid foundation for discovering your Ikigai.
This is what I came up with personally: understanding new concepts, finding associations between ideas, solving problems, coming up with product and business ideas (absolutely poor at executing them), researching, adapting to change, learning things especially technologies, and designing websites.
Step 3: Find out what you can be paid for
Consider how you can turn these passions and strengths into a profitable business. What services or products can you offer that people are willing to pay for? This is where your entrepreneurial spirit kicks in – finding creative ways to monetize your passion and skills.
I wouldn't worry too much about this part because I believe that you can be paid for almost anything, as long as you can find the right audience and market your skills effectively. For example, if you're passionate about teaching and have a knack for explaining complex concepts, you could create online courses or offer tutoring services. If you love to write and have a talent for storytelling, you could become a freelance writer or start a blog. The key is to identify the unique value you can provide and find ways to monetize it.
The simplest and easiest way to monetize what you love and your talents is through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy where you promote other people's products or services and earn a commission for each sale or lead generated through your unique referral link.
This approach allows you to monetize your passions and skills without having to create your own product or service. To succeed in affiliate marketing, you'll need to choose a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise, build an audience (usually through content creation like blogging, social media, or YouTube), and connect with relevant brands and affiliate programs that offer products or services your audience would find valuable. By providing genuine recommendations and sharing valuable information with your audience, you can establish trust and generate income while helping others benefit from the products and services you promote.
Step 4: Identity what the world needs
Now that you have a clear understanding of your passions and strengths, it's time to think about how they can serve the world. What are the problems and challenges that people face every day that you could help solve through your skills and passions?
Here are two ways you can go about doing this. The first approach would be to build your business or side hustle such that it directly solves the problems the world is facing. The second approach would be to support the cause you are interested in indirectly.
For the first approach, consider how your skills and passions can directly address global issues like climate change, poverty, or mental health. For example, if you're passionate about sustainable living and have a talent for crafting, you could create eco-friendly products that help reduce waste. Alternatively, if you're skilled in programming and care deeply about mental health, you could develop an app that connects people with resources and support.
For the second approach, you can support the cause indirectly by donating a portion of your profits to a relevant charity or organization. This way, your business success also contributes to making a positive impact on the world. You could also collaborate with other businesses or organizations that share your values and work together towards a common goal.
Step 5: Align your purpose with your business
With a clear understanding of your Ikigai, it's time to infuse your purpose into your business. Create a mission statement that encapsulates the essence of your Ikigai and let it guide your business decisions, branding, and marketing. This will not only attract customers who resonate with your purpose but also help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
For example, my mission statement is: "To help women find purpose and financial freedom through entrepreneurship, empowering them to live fulfilling lives and hence creating a positive ripple effect on the world."
By having a mission statement that reflects your Ikigai, you'll be able to make more intentional choices about the products and services you offer, the audience you support, and the overall direction of your business. This alignment between your purpose and your business will not only bring you personal fulfillment but also attract like-minded customers who share your values and are excited to support your vision.
Step 6: Embrace Self-development & Continuous growth
Finding your Ikigai is just the beginning. As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, it's essential to embrace self-development and continuous growth. Invest in yourself by attending workshops, reading books, and connecting with mentors who can guide you on your journey. Stay curious and open to new ideas, as this will help you stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changes in your industry. Cultivate a growth mindset, believing that you can always improve and learn from your experiences. This will not only help you grow as an entrepreneur but also ensure that your business remains relevant and successful in the long run.
Remember that your Ikigai may evolve over time, and that's perfectly okay. Stay open to learning and adapting as you navigate the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship.
My Journey to Discovering My Ikigai
My journey to discovering my Ikigai began with a lot of trial and error. I experimented with different business ideas, some of which worked and some of which didn't. Through the process, I made mistakes and learned valuable lessons that molded me into a better entrepreneur.
However, the most important lesson I learned was to accept the fact that your ikigai can change, and if it does, be prepared to evaluate and adjust your focus. Embracing change and staying true to your evolving passions will ultimately lead to greater fulfillment and success in your entrepreneurial journey.
For me, here are some of the business ideas that derive from the first 2 steps above
A community platform offering step-by-step guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs, supported by a team of mentors and coaches
A blog covering productivity, life design, and entrepreneurship
A charity dedicated to providing food for stray cats by partnering with cat food brands
Being an inventor for big brands by designing unique products and selling the ownership rights
An e-commerce wellness brand that embraces the slow living philosophy
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In conclusion, finding your Ikigai can be a transformative experience that brings meaning, purpose, and financial freedom to your life. By following these steps and staying true to your unique path, you too can create a purpose-driven business that impacts the world in a positive way.