When you're considering a new job, project or investment, there are ways to identify whether or not it's a smart decision.
You can evaluate what the bottom line will be, whether or not you'll see career growth, or what opportunities may be available to you later on. You can usually identify with whom you would be able to network, and what your trajectory might be for the next few years. But there's one crucial element that it's often difficult to identify: will you actually be happy doing it?
Though it's hard to predict until we first try and then give ourselves some time to try to acclimate to a new routine (experts suggest waiting at least a year at a new job before deciding whether or not you want to stick with it) there's another way to see if your work is really fulfilling you, and it's called ikigai.
Dan Buettner is a National Geographic fellow, New York Times bestselling author, and the founder of the company Blue Zones, and he specializes in understanding longevity, and what makes for a meaningful life. He explained to me that ikigai is a Japanese term that refers to the concept of a "reason for being." Loosely translated, it's your purpose, or the reason you wake up every morning.
He explains that though ikigai can change throughout our lives (we certainly don't extract the same purpose from life when we are a student as when we are a professional, or parent) there's empirical evidence that backs up its effectiveness, and that's how those in the culture who practice it live. "Okinawa is one of the world's blue zones regions and has one of the highest rates of centenarians. On Okinawa, ikigai imbues the culture. In the Okinawan language, there is no word for retirement. For elders there, their ikigai might be minding their grandchildren and great grandchildren, teaching martial arts, or minding their garden and sharing their bounty with their friends," Dan explains.
Essentially, knowing your purpose can add years to your life, and depth to them, as well. "People with purpose live longer, sleep better, and are healthier and happier," he said.
For those who want to determine their own, Dan says to follow these steps:
- Make three lists: your values, things you like to do, and things you are good at.
- The cross section of the three lists is your ikigai.
- Find an outlet for your ikigai; ikigai is purpose in action.
For those who are struggling even to identify what they are interested in or genuinely good at, Dan explains that it's not a cause for stress or worry, rather, an opportunity to do some self-exploration. He recommends signing up to volunteer at a local organization or group that interests you. In doing so, you'll be able to connect with like-minded people who have a similar goal as you. Not only will you be helping your community, but you'll be developing a sense of ikigai in the process.
But if that isn't a long-term solution, consider other avenues. Read, research and take some quiet time to reflect on what it is that makes you feel most productive, inspired and useful. The interesting part of ikigai is that what we do for others best stems from what we are first passionate about. If we combine that spark of interest with consistent action — inspired at least in part by the desire to do well for others, and ourselves — we will find that work, and life, does not only feel a bit more bearable, but maybe even worthwhile.
