How to Uncover Your Ikigai

To identify your Ikigai, it's essential to engage in self-reflection and honestly answer the following questions:

• What are your passions?
• What skills do you possess?
• What does the world need?
• What can you earn a living from?

By contemplating these inquiries, you gain valuable insights into your identity and potential life path. Understanding your passions can illuminate your true calling, while recognizing your strengths can guide you towards a fulfilling career. Identifying societal needs can provide direction for your mission, and acknowledging which skills can generate income ensures the sustainability of your passion. The intersection of these elements is where your Ikigai lies.

As the Kybalion states, "As above, so below; as within, so without." This principle illustrates that everything is interconnected. Just like your body relies on joints to function properly, discovering your purpose requires finding that intersection where your skills, passions, and needs converge.

It’s ineffective to excel at something the world doesn't require, or to toil in a job you dislike until the end of your days. Finding a balance among your love, skills, societal contributions, and monetization is key to discovering your Ikigai.

For instance, I once aspired to be a rap artist. Although I loved singing, recognized the demand for musicians, and saw avenues for income, I lacked the necessary talent. Conversely, I discovered that writing aligns with my passions, skills, and marketability—this realization defined my Ikigai.

By asking yourself the right questions and answering them truthfully, you can uncover your own purpose.

Practical Application in Content Creation

Suppose you've identified your Ikigai as creating content online, whether through:

• YouTube videos
• Articles
• Books
• Social media posts

You can apply the same principles to boost your visibility. Consider these questions:

• What topics excite you?
• What subjects are you knowledgeable about?
• What does the audience seek?
• Can you monetize your insights?

The key lies in the intersection again. Your content should ignite your passion, leverage your expertise, capture public interest, and have monetization potential. Meeting these criteria can lead to a significant increase in your audience.

Why Do Many Fail?

Many fail to thrive with their content because they aren’t sincere in answering these fundamental questions. The reality is that if you don’t genuinely enjoy the topic, sustaining your engagement over the years will be challenging. For example, discussing technology simply because it’s trendy, while feeling bored, won’t yield long-term success. Your lack of enthusiasm will be evident, and your content will struggle to resonate.

Furthermore, credibility is paramount. Aspiring writers often attempt to provide psychological advice without the requisite qualifications, competing against seasoned professionals like Benjamin Hardy, who has a Ph.D. in psychology. Why would readers choose your insights over established experts?

Additionally, if your content lacks relevance, it will fail to capture interest. Many pursue what they think is a niche, only to find it lacks viability. Writing about personal interests, like a school comic collection, may not sustain a career. If your goal is to earn a living through writing, focus on topics with market potential—self-help, travel, music, gaming, economics, history, etc.

In summary, if you aim to be a professional, approach it with the seriousness it deserves.

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Learn more about Ikigai in this insightful video: "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Hector Garcia.

Watch this video, "Ikigai // The Japanese Secret To A Long & Happy Life," to delve deeper into this enriching concept.