Finding your Ikigai may be what you need in your 40s
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that refers to one’s reason for being. It is often depicted as a Venn diagram with four overlapping circles: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
Finding your ikigai can be a journey, but it is one that is well worth taking. It can help you to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
In your 40s, you may be feeling a bit lost or directionless. You may have achieved a certain level of success in your career, but you may be wondering what’s next. You may also be feeling like you’re not making a difference in the world.
If you’re feeling this way, then finding your ikigai may be just what you need.
Here are a few reasons why ikigai is especially important in your 40s:
- Your priorities may be changing. In your 20s and 30s, you may have been focused on your career and building a life for yourself. But in your 40s, you may find that your priorities are shifting. You may be more interested in giving back to your community or pursuing your passions.
- You have more life experience. In your 40s, you have more life experience than you did in your 20s and 30s. This gives you a better understanding of what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing, and what you want to contribute to the world.
- You have more time. In your 40s, you may have more time to pursue your ikigai. Your kids may be older and you may have more financial security. This gives you the freedom to explore your interests and find your passion.
So, how do you find your ikigai?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. But here are a few tips:
- Start by thinking about what you love to do. What are your passions? What do you enjoy spending your time doing?
- Then, think about what you are good at. What skills and talents do you have? What are you passionate about?
- Next, think about what the world needs. What are the problems that you want to solve? What are the causes that you care about?
- Finally, think about what you can be paid for. What can you do that others will pay you for?
The intersection of these four circles is your ikigai.
Once you have a better understanding of your ikigai, you can start to take steps to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Here are a few ideas:
- Start a side hustle. If your ikigai is something that you can monetize, then consider starting a side hustle. This is a great way to test out your business idea and see if it’s something that you can make a living from.
- Volunteer your time. If your ikigai is something that you can’t monetize, then consider volunteering your time. This is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference in the world.
- Change your career. If your current job doesn’t align with your ikigai, then consider changing your career. This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Finding your ikigai is a journey, but it is one that is well worth taking. It can help you to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Here are a few examples of people who have found their ikigai in their 40s:
- J.K. Rowling. J.K. Rowling was a single mother living on welfare when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. She was in her 40s when the book was published, and it went on to become a global bestseller.
- Colonel Sanders. Colonel Sanders was working at a gas station when he started his first KFC restaurant. He was in his 60s when the restaurant became successful, and it is now one of the most popular fast food chains in the world.
- Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey was a talk show host in Chicago when she launched her nationally syndicated show in 1986. She was in her 30s when the show became a success, and she is now one of the most successful women in the world.
These are just a few examples of people who have found their ikigai in their 40s. It is never too late to find your ikigai and start living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Finding your Ikigai may be what you need in your 40s-Further links and resources
Japanese Government Website-Ikigai Definition
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