Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

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Workers looking for more fulfilling positions should start by identifying their ikigai.”― Business Insider One of the unintended—yet positive—consequences of the [pandemic] is that it is forcing people to reevaluate their jobs, careers, and lives. Use this time wisely, find your personal ikigai, and live your best life.”― Forbes While usually reserved for the individual, ikigai when applied to business has the potential to motivate an entire workforce and drive genuine change inside and outside the walls of the organization. Its effect is to invigorate and encourage a state of flow in all that we do, providing vitality and passion. There is also a small collection of Japanese proverbs and Haikus which have a very deep meaning and are inspirational at the same time. So, first, you need to find your ikigai or purpose, and then you should constantly take action to fulfill this purpose. The good news is this action wouldn’t seem boring because it will give a sense of satisfaction. If you have a definite purpose, an Ikigai, you would never feel lost.

Fragment din volumul "Ikigai: Secrete japoneze pentru o viata lunga si fericita" de Hector Garcia, Francesc Miralles:The answer is flow. Ta-dah! The psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined the term flow and described it as the pleasure we feel when we completely immerse ourselves in what we are doing. According to him,

Originating from a country with one of the world’s oldest populations, ikigai is becoming popular outside of Japan as a way to live longer and better. . . . [It] is helping people live longer on Okinawa as it gives them purpose.”— World Economic Forum The] Japanese art of ikigai ... Its basic message is about "authentic living". Practitioners must fill in overlapping circles that cover motivation, fulfilment, what they earn and what improves their life. The answer at the centre will be the key to a happy and long life. Guardian This way of applying ikigai was popularized by Albert Liebermann and Hector Garcia in their book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.[1] The diagram shows ikigai as the convergence of four areas of life: what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.And when I say the veneer of Japanese culture is thin, I mean it is THIN. The author took a trip to Okinawa at some point and has some quotes from old folks there. He makes references to big cultural figures like Miyazaki and Murakami, does some hand-waving at tai-chi and green tea and calls it a day. Ikigai is what allows you to look forward to the future... It might just help you live a more fulfilling life. BBC The book later explores the concept of Ikigai with a narrative on how the longest living communities in Japan spend their lives. There is a common pattern among those who live long - they mostly eat plant based food, have strong community bonds, are physically very active (primarily with light exercises like walking) and pursue hobbies or careers they are passionate about. Most of them do not have a concept of retirement and continue these practices well into old age. There is material devoted to yoga, meditation, and other practices which help strengthen the mind and lend balance to life.

This is a book which summarizes important concepts very well. Only, I did not find too much new information, except for the descriptions and voices of a few communities in Japan.Cultivarea prieteniilor, alimentatia moderata, odihna adecvata si miscarea usoara par sa faca parte din ecuatia sanatatii, insa in centru este acea joie de vivre, bucuria de a trai, care ii ajuta sa insumeze ani si sa sarbatoreasca in continuare fiecare rasarit de soare, ikigai-ul personal al fiecaruia.“ - HECTOR GARCIA (KIRAI) si FRANCESC MIRALLES Haven’t we all asked ourselves: Can we have a “working life that’s enjoyable, meaningful and successful”? And as a leader, how can we be a powerful source of inspiration and motivation to others? The problem is, I have to think that the author and his publisher know that this book doesn't come anywhere close to achieving that goal.

ichariba chode - adica sa-i tratam pe toti ca si cum ar fi fratii nostri, chiar daca ii intalnim pentru prima data. The happiest people are not the ones who achieve the most. They are the ones who spend more time than others in a state of flow.”Ikigai is the Japanese concept of a purposeful life where what you love, are good at intersects with what the world really needs and is willing to pay for making it a winning combination which you as an individual enjoy pursuing. The authors start with Logotherapy pioneered by Victor Frankl, who after a painful period of internment at a Nazi concentration camp, outlines this concept of finding purpose to life. In contrast to traditional psychotherapy which is concerned with finding a problem, Logotherapy offers a positive outlook. By slowly sifting out the aspects of your work you don't enjoy, and increasing what you do, you can start to gain a sense of your ikigai. Saving the world