Do you Need to Get Paid to Feel a Sense of Purpose in Life?
Ikigai doesn't have to be your 'day job' does it?
Let’s wrap up the 4 questions for finding your Ikigai this week.
Last week we covered what the world needs, and it ran way too long, destroying the purpose of the series. Let’s get back on track.
Our final question to ask is, “What Can I Get Paid For?”
Initial Thoughts
You should now have a list of what you love to do, what you’re good at, and what the world needs. This will help narrow down the options dramatically.
Some additional considerations are: where you’re at in your career, what your living situation is, and how much of a change you’re willing to make.
You may be able to give up money to feel purpose, if that’s the case, this gets a lot easier.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Without much preamble, pull out your journal and start answering questions!
Your Current Status
How am I paid today?
Is this enough money?
Can I get by with less?
What am I doing for money for today?
Does it meet any or all of the criteria from the previous assessments?
Considering the previous questions, can I find my Ikigai at my current employer?
Does my employer offer any support to help me move towards my Ikigai?
Willingness to Change
Am I willing to look for other work?
What are some organizations I’d like to work with?
Am I willing to create my own business?
Am I financially able to make that change?
Do I have the flexibility and time to make that change?
Do I know anyone doing what I would like to do?
Is there anyone doing it that I don’t know yet?
Can I reach out to them to learn more about what they’re doing?
Can I work for them or with them?
Combining Previous Questions
Knowing what I’m good at and what I love to do, what is a list of jobs I could do?
Can I improve skills to be more qualified for those roles?
Knowing what the world needs, do any of my skills align?
Am I willing to learn new skills to transition to any of those roles?
If I could create my own job, what would the title and responsibilities be?
Does that job exist?
What companies have jobs like that or hire someone for that role?
Acceptable Sacrifices
Would I be willing to make less money?
Could I survive if I made less money?
Could I something I don’t love if it met the other 3 criteria?
What would give me the greatest purpose in life, keeping me excited or motivated every day and for years to come?
Am I willing to forsake a ‘fancy’ title or set of responsibilities to feel a sense of purpose?
Job Considerations
Your willingness to make sacrifices or ability to find comfort in a less prestigious job can go a long way in defining the job you could take. There are plenty of things that the world needs that are viewed in a poor light.
Being a trash collector lets you be outside, it lets you see the city you’re in, it helps people live in a clean environment.
Being a teacher (at least in the United States) is a chance to help people learn, but it’s not paid as well and in some places, is a dangerous job.
Working in any ‘trade’ has stigma (again, in the United States) where you’re encouraged to become a Doctor, a Lawyer, an Engineer or work in Finance.
Final Thoughts
The goal of defining your ikigai is to give your life meaning or to leave you with a sense of fulfillment or purpose in your day.
This doesn’t have to be your life’s work, or even a job at all. The addition of ‘can you get paid’ is a western addition to the concept with the intent of letting you find a job.
If you enjoy your job but feel unfulfilled, use the first 3 questions we asked to find a sense of purpose outside of work, and then prioritize finding a way to contribute in that manner.