Ikigai

Meaning, purpose, and belonging

Work is not everything, but it makes up a good portion of most of our days and has a huge influence on other parts of one's life.

Getting your career right is important, but can be very difficult. It can be a puzzle, a balancing act, a compromise, or a quest.

That's where the concept of Ikigai is useful. You may have seen it before. It's a wonderful guide to finding purpose and fulfillment in one’s work.

To achieve your full potential in your professional life is no small feat, and Ikigai can provide a map towards that.

The idea is to reach the centre by integrating all four circles. Do what you love and are good at to benefit others and be paid for it. The result is work that brings meaning, purpose, and belonging—a deeply valuable human experience.

Consider where you are on the map above. How might you find your way to the centre?