Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Rediscovering Ikigai: What We Got Wrong and How to Find Meaning in Life

One unique Japanese concept is the idea of ikigai, which can be roughly translated to reason for being (or “raison d’être” in my native French) . Each person’s ikigai is personal to them, reflective of their inner self, and creating a mental state in which they feel at ease. Wha

... See more

The Japanese resolve this tension using a concept called Ikigai. Roughly translated as a “reason for being,” discovering your Ikigai requires finding work that balances what the world needs with what you’re good at, what you love, and what you can do to earn a living.