Screenshot from businessinsider.com
Laura Oliver, writing for the World Economic Forum (via Business Insider), discusses the Japanese philosophy and practice of “ikigai” as “a way to live longer and better.” She explains:
While there is no direct English translation, ikigai is thought to combine the Japanese words ikiru, meaning “to live,” and kai, meaning “the realization of what one hopes for.” Together these definitions create the concept of “a reason to live” or the idea of having a purpose in life.
Oliver adds that according to experts, four key questions start us down the path toward the state of ikigai:
- What do you love?
- What are you good at?
- What does the world need from you?
- What can you get paid for?
Elusive combination
Okay, let’s be honest. Work and career opportunities that combine the answers to these four questions are not easy to obtain or create. We’re talking about the gold standard here. Nevertheless, if these inquiries can lead us to the best opportunities given current realities, then we’re better off for doing the exercise.
Unexpected difficulties
Furthermore, let’s acknowledge that what look like “dream jobs” from even the slightest distance can deteriorate into something much less in terms of reality. Many readers who have found this blog because of their experiences with workplace bullying, mobbing, or harassment can attest to that. So…the human side of our work environment may have a lot to do with ikigai, too, yes?
For those who have experienced the nasty side of work, perhaps the ikigai concept can help you think through your next options.
Skilled trades, too
In using the term “profession,” the graphic pictured above may suggest that ikigai has a white collar, professional bias. So let’s be sure to include skilled trades, among other things, as part of the mix. For example, take a look at this essay by Matthew Crawford, Shop Class as Soulcraft, which examines how deeply meaningful it can be to make a living via manual labor. (He later expanded the essay into a book by the same title, published in 2009.)
Avocations as an option
If that all-encompassing dream job proves to be elusive, then perhaps turning part of the dream into an avocation is an option. I’ve written about that possibility and how satisfying it can be, such as in this 2010 piece, “Embracing Creative Dreams at Midlife.”
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Hat tip to Dr. Peggy Berry for the Business Insider article.
Minding the Workplace 
David, this is really interesting. I wonder, though, how it would apply to those individuals who think they are good at something but actually aren’t. Would this concept imply that they work at developing their skills until they truly are good, or should they seek external assessments of the possibility of them improving?
Hi Fiona, because the model does require competency, we can assume that those who fall short on that measure will not achieve this state of ikigai absent dramatic skill improvement. Some may never be capable (e.g. me becoming an NFL coach), while others may be able to grow into high level performance through training or self-improvement.