How the Concept of ‘Ikigai’ Helped Me Find a Better Work-Life Balance in Japan

How the Concept of ‘Ikigai’ Helped Me Find a Better Work-Life Balance in Japan

Have you ever experienced feeling overworked, overwhelmed and unsatisfied with your work? Working hard and long hours might have seemed like the sole way to achieve success, but as the years go by, such a lifestyle can take a toll on your wellbeing. You can easily find yourself feeling drained, stressed out and devoid of any purpose. I was facing a similar situation when I moved to Japan.

Japan is known for its work culture, where career advancement is highly valued, and people work tirelessly to achieve it. Long hours, the pressure to perform, and burnout are not unusual. As someone who was looking to carve a niche and build a successful career, I knew that I had to find a way to balance my work and personal life. This is where the concept of ‘Ikigai’ came to my rescue.

The word ‘Ikigai’ means ‘a reason for being’. It is a Japanese concept that refers to the value and meaning of one’s life, or what makes one’s life worth living. In simpler terms, it is about finding your purpose in life. It is believed that everyone has a unique Ikigai, a combination of their passions, talents, mission, and values. When we align our work with our Ikigai, we not only feel fulfilled but also find a perfect balance of work and personal life.

The concept of Ikigai revolves around four key areas: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. These areas represent the intersection of your passion, skills, purpose and financial sustainability. It is a simple yet profound way to find satisfaction and happiness in life.

Here are a few ways in which the concept of Ikigai helped me find a better work-life balance in Japan:

1. Discovering my Ikigai: To find my Ikigai, I reflected on my passions, strengths, values and mission. I asked myself, what do I love doing? What am I good at? What the world needs from me? And what can I be paid for? This process helped me narrow down my career options and gave me a sense of purpose and direction.

2. Aligning my work with my passions and strengths: Once I found my Ikigai, I focused on aligning my work with it. I sought out opportunities that would allow me to use my strengths and pursue my passions. This helped me to be more engaged and motivated in my work, resulting in increased productivity and satisfaction.

3. Setting boundaries: While we often think work-life balance is about equal time spent on work and personal life, it’s about setting boundaries. I learned to prioritize my time and set boundaries between work and personal life. I established clear working hours, avoided working on weekends and took a break from work when necessary.

4. Practicing Mindfulness: To pursue my Ikigai and maintain a good work-life balance, I started practicing mindfulness. It helped me to be present in the moment, reduce stress and improve focus. I practiced meditation, took breaks throughout the day, and maintained good sleep hygiene.

In conclusion, the concept of Ikigai is a valuable tool to find balance and purpose in life. It helped me to align my work with my passions and mission, set priorities and boundaries, and practice mindfulness. By finding my Ikigai, I not only found fulfillment in my work but also improved my wellbeing. I encourage everyone to discover their Ikigai and start living a life that is truly worth living.