Ikigai The Japanese Secret To A Long And Happy Work Direct

Your unique skills, talents, and the strengths others recognize in you.

Let’s break down the word. Iki means "life" or "to live." Gai means "value" or "worth." Thus, ikigai is literally "a reason to live." But unlike the grand, singular purpose often promoted in Western self-help (e.g., "find your one true calling"), ikigai is more subtle. It can be found in small, daily moments: the first sip of tea, the greeting of a neighbor, the rhythm of a well-executed task. As Japanese psychologist Michiko Kumano puts it, ikigai is a "sense of life worthiness" – a feeling that your existence matters. ikigai the japanese secret to a long and happy work