Reflection: What is your Ikigai?
Before 2018 ended, I finally finished reading a book I’ve been trying to get to for a while: IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Hector Garcia, which a colleague introduced to me many months back. I’m so glad I finally made time to read it, as it really impacted me, especially during this time when the year changes and a certain amount of regrouping is inevitable. It helped me to consider the various parts of my life, and re-focus on the goals that really matter to me.
It has taught me the following:
1. Stay active, don't retire
Running CreativesAtWork for the last 7 years, it is clear to me that in order to keep the Company relevant in today’s market, it is important to continue exploring new ideas, businesses, new ways of doing things and keep up with the changing times. I can’t step back now! There’s way too many exciting things to do!
2. Take it slow
Sometimes it feels like we drown in our daily tasks and get tied up in fighting one metaphorical fire after another. But it’s important to make time to slow down, take a breath, and think. Slowing down, to consider these “big picture” questions, is an investment in the future.
3. Don't fill your stomach
Always be hungry. There will always be people quicker than you, better than you and cheaper than you. Being complacent is the last thing that should happen. Stay sharp, alert and stay competitive.
4. Surround yourself with good friends
Positive thinking is very important. Surround yourself with positive energy instead of negative, and that includes business partners.
5. Get in Shape
Health and lifestyle underpins everything. Make sure you are taking care of yourself, and you’ll start to see the improvement both in your happiness levels, and also in your professional effectiveness.
6. Smile
This is so easy to do but yet, many of us seldom practice this. Smile more whether is it to your partners, colleagues, friends and even customers. And bonus: when you smile, your brain automatically processes it as happiness, so you feel better!
7. Reconnect with Nature
Getting outside is so important, and so easy to skip, so many of us don’t get the dose of nature we really need. But more and more therapists are starting to see the difference that regular outdoor activity makes in a person’s happiness. Make sure you make time to go on a walk, or a hike, or even just a picnic in a garden. Leave your Computer for a little while and appreciate the natural beauty of the world. And in the meantime, I keep some green plants in office!
8. Give thanks
We should always be grateful and give thanks to all those wonderful people who have journeyed with us and supported us. I don’t know where I would be without the love and support of some key people in my life, and when I stop and think about everything they have done for me, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s humbling, and important to recognize what others have done to get me to where I am today.
9. Live in the moment
Sometimes, especially as an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in “the next thing.” That’s the nature of the job – always pushing forward, always looking ahead. But living in the present is important too. We should always treasure “now” while also looking forward to tomorrow. I’ll be trying harder this year to recognize the beauty of the current moment, before I go immediately to the next.
10. Follow your IKIGAI
As the title suggest, IKIGAI is the central theme of the book, and while it has a few possible definitions, I see IKIGAI primarily as finding the passion in your life. Through CreativesAtWork, I have found my passion (ie. using media for good). At CreativesAtWork, our passion is to empower all freelancers to be able to freelance for as long as they want!
What is your IKIGAI? Do share with us!
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