IKIGAI is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being”. The word refers to having a direction or purpose in life, that which makes one’s life worthwhile, and towards which an individual takes spontaneous and willing actions giving them satisfaction and a sense of meaning to life.

The Japanese island of Okinawa, where IKIGAI has its origins, is said to be home to the largest population of centenarians in the world.

IKIGAI can describe having a sense of purpose in life, as well as being motivated. The word IKIGAI is also used to describe the inner self of an individual, and a mental state in which the individual feels at ease.

Activities that allow one to feel ikigai are not forced on an individual; they are perceived as being spontaneous and undertaken willingly.
Dan Buettner suggested IKIGAI may be one of the reasons for the longevity of the people of Okinawa.

According to Buettner, Okinawans have less desire to retire, as people continue to do their favorite job as long as they remain healthy.

IKIGAI is seen as the convergence of four primary elements:
What you love (your passion)
What the world needs (your mission)
What you can get paid for (your vocation)
What you are good at (your profession)

Let us see combinations of these four primary elements. Starting from top and clockwise.

What you love (your passion) is combined with, what the world needs (your mission) it results in delight
and fullness but no wealth (because What you can get paid for-your vocation- is missing).
What the world needs (your mission) is combined with, what you can be paid for (your vocation) it results in excitement and complacency but a sense of uncertainty (because what you are good at -your profession – is missing.
What you can get paid (your vocation) is combined with, what you are good at (your profession) it results in comfort but feeling of emptiness (because what you love -your passion- is missing)
What you are good at (your profession) is combined with, what you love (your passion) it results in
Satisfaction but feeling of uselessness (because What the world needs -your mission- is missing)
When Passion-Mission-Vocation-Profession, all are present, that is your IKIGAI.

So, what is your IKIGAI?
Finding your IKIGAI is not easy. You need to think deeply, explore and understand yourself and the world around you.
Your IKIGAI, can change over your lifetime as you change your Passion, Mission, Vocation and Profession. These will change as demanded by the world around you.
However, please note that IKIGAI is not a quick-fix or immediate solution to a windy or unstable career path. It is meant to be a long-term practice, a means of exploring your purpose and identity over several years.

Ask yourself four questions and answer them honestly…

What you love?
What the world needs?
What are you good at?
What you can get paid for?
These questions should remain in your mind several days. The answers to those questions will come later
and all together, probably when you least expect it, may be suddenly when you see the light.
I would answer these questions, considering myself in three distinct roles I played in my life as below.

These will help you in finding your IKIGAI.

(a) Sateesh Kamat as a Machine Design Engineer at 35 years Age:
I love when my designs and drawings help people build Machines and structures serving the desired purpose.
The world needs perfectly designed Machines and Structures with minutely detailed drawings, easy for manufacturing.
I am good at understanding machine requirements, selecting appropriate materials, knowing manufacturing methods and making required drawings.
I can be paid for Designing Machine elements like shafts, couplings, Motors, chains and belts and using them together to bring out assembly and detail drawings.

(b)Sateesh Kamat as a SAP ERP Project Manager at 50 years Age:
1.I love to understand different businesses like Textile, Engineering Pharmaceuticals, fast moving
Consumer goods and configure and implement Software Systems for them.
2.The world needs software which will help them to carry out their businesses
Systematically and easily in an integrated way.
3. I am good at business analysis, logical thinking, people management and leadership.
4. I can be paid for Managing Large Software implementation projects involving multiple plants, depots
and sales offices in different countries all over the world.

(c) Sateesh Kamat as a Personal Mastery Coach at 68 years Age:
1.I love to explore and share with many, what makes people always
happy, successful, stress free and peaceful.
2.The world needs guidance for achieving happiness and leading peaceful life with purpose
3. I am good at observation, analysis, communicating and transferring knowledge to others.
4. I can be paid for guidance, mentoring and coaching.
We can see IKIGAI is one way to look at Self-discovery. Discovering your own ikigai is said to bring
fulfilment, happiness and make you live longer.

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