As you head out into the New Year on the journey of cultivating your Ikigai, you may want to pay attention to what travel aids you would like to pack with you to make this a promising, yet pragmatic, and proficient passage.
Start by identifying when you are the happiest. What are those times when you are so absorbed in life that everything else fades into the background becoming inconsequential? This is not a fleeting, momentary pleasure but a state of sustained happiness. To be completely immersed in that moment is to be in Flow.
When we build our psychological capital of moments and activities that engage us in Flow, we are drawing the 4 circles of Passion (what we love), Profession (what we are good at), Vocation (what we are paid for), and Mission (what the world needs), closer together so that they are interlinked. All of these guide us closer to the optimal state of being, our Ikigai.
The challenge is to recognize in what direction you want to head to achieve this optimal experience. When leaving for a new dining experience you are quick to whip out Google maps to get your bearing. What if you created a similar habit for following your Ikigai?
Some people prefer GPS navigations and digital or physical maps to give detailed instructions on where to go, what exits to take, where to stop for fuel, where the speed traps are, where the traffic is slowed to a crawl, and so forth. These minutiae can offer a safe, predictable journey and yet rob you of your zest. Some prefer apps such as Ultimate Drives that offer scenic routes to truly savor the journey and drink in the beauty of nature. Some are in a tearing hurry to go from point A to point B, when apps such as Waze Navigation or Live Traffic come in handy. They all serve a good purpose.
Having a crisp, clearly defined mission is critical to point you in the right direction. Like an explorer on an adventure, a compass helps orient us to our True North. Navigating the environment with all its ruggedness, current weather conditions, and unexpected challenges, while retaining a single-minded focus on where you want to go is critical for an inspiring quest. You become a truly inspiring visionary.
In ‘Whiplash’, authors Jeff Howe and Joichi Hito, write about the significance of using compasses over maps, as a desired condition to work in today’s fast economy. The premise is if we lose sight of our mission, we will meander through our excursion as we stick to our maps and circuitous routes that may take an inordinately long time, or worse, lead us astray. The compass points us where we want to go and it holds our purpose steady and forefront.
What speaks to you the most? Decide what you want to take with you to lead you to your Ikigai. A combination of all these tools can be what you pack in your backpack as you head out the door today. And oh, don’t forget your compass!