# What is your Ikigai While you don’t necessarily need a clear purpose in life (it’s all right to go with the flow sometimes), it can be beneficial to at least have an idea about what you want to achieve in your life. Personally, having a clear purpose creates meaning in my life, and helps me define goals and priorities that push me forward and motivate me. When I think about life and purpose, my mind directly thinks about the Japanese concept of [Ikigai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai). > _**Ikigai**_ (生き甲斐, lit. 'a reason for being') is a [Japanese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan) concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living. — Wikipedia ![[What is your Ikigai - ikigai.png]] Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2018/02/23/how-to-find-your-ikigai-and-transform-your-outlook-on-life-and-business Your Ikigai is an ideal for you. It is at the frontier between: 1. What you love 2. What you are good at 3. What the world needs 4. What you can be paid for Basically, it’s about finding what you can do forever, “effortlessly” with intrinsic motivation (i.e., without requiring external forces to push you forward), with a deep meaning. Also, it should be useful enough for others to be willing to pay you for it. It is all about combining your ambitions, your passion, and your purpose. Personally, my Ikigai is clear: > Helping others grow in meaningful ways. It is my purpose. It aligns with my [[Personal Manifesto]], helps me fulfill my needs, respects my values, gives me a ton of motivation and energy, and is valuable enough for others (the proof is that you are currently reading this! ❤️). So, what is _your_ Ikigai? ## References - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai - https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrismyers/2018/02/23/how-to-find-your-ikigai-and-transform-your-outlook-on-life-and-business ## Related - [[Personal Manifesto]]