In today’s fast paced and busy world how do you balance and prioritise work, family, health and still make time to follow your passions? Perhaps the answer is finding your flow and going with it..
The Japanese believe in a concept called Ikigai. That finding your flow and doing what you are passionate about will lead to a long and happy life. It is no coincidence that in Japanese there is no word for retire.
Finding flow is about turning work and free time into spaces for growth. It is “the reason for being” and is achieved at the intersection of passion, mission, profession and vocation.
Linked to this is a body of research by Owen Schaffer of DePaul University that suggests setting difficult tasks that we have a chance of completing but that are outside our comfort zone, when achieved builds confidence, pleasure and
satisfaction – resulting in flow.
Our Ikigai is different for all of us but we are all searching for meaning. The intention of this post is to appeal to your curiosity and create a desire to know more. There is a wealth of material on-line to assist with your journey of self-discovery to understand what activities in your life make you enter a state of flow.
10 rules of Ikigai (distilled from the long-living residents of Ogami)
- Stay active; don’t retire
- Take it slow
- Don’t fill your stomache
- Surround yourself with good friends
- Get in shape for your next birthday
- Smile
- Reconnect with nature
- Give thanks
- Live in the moment
- Follow your Ikigai
There is passion inside you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end. If you don’t know what your passion is yet, your mission is to discover it!
If you enjoyed the post, please click the thumbs up icon above and let me know!
Source: Ikigai – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Frances Miralles
