Ikigai and Personal Growth: How to Find Your Purpose
Written by Michelle Ong | September 25, 2024 | Growth, Wellness
Discover four simple practices that can help you define your ikigai and fuel personal growth, allowing you to thrive in life.
In a previous post, I introduced ikigai as the things you do that bring you meaning and purpose in life. Understanding your ikigai can lead to personal growth by helping you align your daily actions with what truly matters to you.
In this post, we’ll explore four key practices that have helped me define my ikigai, and I hope they can do the same for you. Read on to discover how you can use these practices to guide you toward happiness, fulfillment, and personal growth.
Introspect
“Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.” – Buddha
To embrace ikigai in your daily life, start by reflecting on what you’re good at, what you love doing, and what makes you unique. Think about what makes you happy and how you can incorporate more of those activities into your daily life.
Have a conversation with yourself—identify your strengths and passions and think about what truly sets you apart. This introspection can lead to personal growth as you discover what truly brings you happiness and fulfillment.
Consider activities that bring you joy, like painting, organizing, playing music, or gardening. For instance, if you love gardening, spend more time nurturing plants or sharing that passion with others.
If teaching brings you joy, look for opportunities to help others learn, whether at work, home, or in your community. You might also recognize strengths like communicating, comforting others, or persuading—seek chances to apply these skills in daily life.
By aligning your daily tasks with your strengths and passions, you can spark personal growth and experience greater joy. Even small actions, like tending to a garden or mentoring someone, can create a sense of purpose and add meaning to your life.
Explore & Excavate
Not everyone knows exactly what they’re good at, and that’s completely fine. You might feel unsure about your strengths or talents, or perhaps you’re good at something that doesn’t seem like a practical career choice. In this case, it’s important to be open to new experiences and willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Maybe you haven’t had the chance to discover your strengths yet, but having the right mindset and being open to new opportunities is key. Try attending workshops, seminars, or conferences, and engage in conversations with different people.
The more you expose yourself to various possibilities, the more likely you are to stumble upon something you’re passionate about.
When you take the time to explore and excavate your interests, you might surprise yourself with the hidden talents you uncover. You could discover passions you never knew you had or skills you excel at.
This journey of self-discovery not only reveals more about who you are but also contributes to your personal growth.
Be adventurous and bold; don’t hesitate to try new things. You never know—you might just find your new purpose in life along the way.
You may want to check out related posts on essential mindsets for personal success, as well as one on limiting mindsets to let go of, to help you on your path towards defining your ikigai.
Self-Awareness
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama
While you’re figuring out your strengths and trying new things, it’s also important to work on self-awareness. This means being mindful of not just what you’re doing, but also why you’re doing it and how it makes you feel.
Pay attention to your actions, habits, and the people and things around you. When you’re mindful, you’re actively participating in your own life instead of just letting life happen to you.
This helps you stay present in the moment and embrace each experience as it comes. This practice aligns with the concept of ichigo ichie, which means treasuring each moment as if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Developing self-awareness can give you clarity about your purpose and what really matters to you.
You can start by incorporating daily practices like meditation and deep breathing into your routine. You might also try shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, to recharge and clear your mind amidst nature’s beauty.
By embracing mindfulness and self-awareness, you’ll gain a better understanding of yourself and your true passions.
You can read more about the Zen principles and practices mentioned above in my earlier posts.
Gratitude
Gratitude might not seem like a big deal, but it plays a huge role in clarifying your ikigai. It shapes your whole attitude toward life.
When you’re grateful for what you have—whether it’s the people around you or the small things—it shifts how you see the world.
Gratitude attracts positivity, and as your outlook becomes more positive, you start noticing new possibilities and appreciating yourself and others more. It brings joy and contentment, helping you better understand what gives your life meaning and purpose.
Life often throws difficult situations, challenges, and people our way, which can stir up negative feelings and make it hard to feel grateful. But like in math, a negative can only be balanced by a positive. Reacting negatively only adds more negativity, while positive feelings can help neutralize the bad.
Buddha teaches that “In life, we cannot always control the first arrow. However, the second arrow is our reaction to the first. The second arrow is optional.” The first arrow represents life’s hardships, and the second is how we react. When we respond negatively, we add more suffering. By practicing gratitude, we clear our minds of this extra pain we inflict on ourselves.
Similarly, in another quote by Buddha, “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Both ideas show that negative reactions only harm us further. Though it may be tough, finding gratitude in hard times can actually help us heal and make things better.
Being grateful also makes you tougher, both mentally and emotionally, helping you stay resilient when things get rough. It helps you stay positive and see the bright side, even during challenging times.
So, don’t underestimate the power of gratitude. Make it a big part of your life and don’t be shy about expressing it.
Take a moment every day to say thanks for the good things in your life, no matter how small. Whether it’s receiving praise or encouragement from a friend, enjoying a beautiful sunset, or savoring a tasty meal, just say thank you.
These little acts of gratitude add up over time, bringing more joy and abundance into your life.
If you’re interested in cultivating gratitude in your life, you might want to check out my earlier post here.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating the four practices into your daily life can guide you toward defining your ikigai and lead to personal growth. Whether you’re just starting to explore your purpose, or you’ve thought you knew what your ikigai was but realize it might have shifted, it’s never too late to start fresh.
For those whose ikigai has changed, it’s a chance to rethink and realign with what truly matters to you. But remember, don’t overthink or stress about defining it perfectly.
Ikigai is a journey of self-discovery—one that unfolds naturally as you learn and grow. Keep moving forward, and the path will become clearer.
I hope you found this article helpful! Pin and share it with your family and friends so they can benefit from it too.
If you’re wondering what comes next after defining your ikigai, check out these related articles for tips on setting personal goals and creating your own dream life blueprint.
