Ikigai - What is the purpose that powers your career?
Ikigai: What is the Purpose That Powers Your Career? (Finding Your Reason for Being)
This blog explores ikigai (生き甲斐), a powerful concept that can transform your career and life. Often translated as “a reason for being”, ikigai refers to the profound sense of purpose, satisfaction, and meaning that makes life worth living. The term combines iki (meaning “life”) and gai (meaning “value” or “worth”).
Although rooted in Japanese culture—dating back about a thousand years to the Heian period—the concept of ikigai is very practical and has universal applicability for life and career guidance.
Links to Western Psychology
The concept aligns strongly with Western psychology. It resonates with the work of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, who pioneered the concept of flow. Activities that make you lose track of time can put you into a state of flow, which is energy derived from balancing an activity's challenge with your skill level. Ikigai also connects with Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, which is built on the idea that meaning is the reason for living.
What else is covered in the article?
Finding Your Ikigai
Self-Reflection
Personality assessments
PSA - Personal Structure Analysis®
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Coping with Career Challenges
Realizing ikigai in your profession provides you with energy and flow, as well as the purpose and meaning needed to guide you through hard times.
PRODUCTION AND COPYRIGHT
Dr. Günther Singer - Life and Career Design Consulting GmbH
