If you aren’t feeling connected to the work you are currently doing, there are a few key things to consider if you are going to find your sweet spot – or your Ikigai.
Added bonus…
this exercise works well for team managers and project leads too! If you are working with someone who just doesn’t seem to be engaged or enthused by the work right now, you can use these prompts to explore where there might be disconnect and to ignite inspiration in connecting back to what that person needs from their role.
1. What are you good at?
Where do you excel? What do others come to you for? What are your strengths? What do you bring to the party?
By thinking about the skills we already have and focusing on our strengths we are building on solid foundations. You are already nailing it in these areas! Don’t just think about the skills of your current role either. Take some time to consider the wide variety of skills you are utilising throughout your life because many of these are transferable to the work place.
2. What are your passions?
What do you thoroughly enjoy doing? What are the tasks where you get into flow and time just flies by? What are the things that light you up when you talk to others?
Passion is what lights us up, it is where we already feel a deep connection and calling. Knowing we enjoy something is a great starting point because it comes easily, our interest is already peaked. When what we are doing makes us feel happy, we are more resilient to finding a way through the challenges that present themselves along the way.
3. What is the purpose you feel called to?
What matters most to you in this world? What do you feel your mission in life is? What do you want to work towards that is bigger than just you? How do you want to add value to those around you? What causes matter to you?
This one can feel big and scary but in essence it’s about getting really clear on the causes we feel called to invest something of ourselves in. Purpose connects us to the wider world, it helps us to see we are each part of something bigger than just ourselves and our immediate world. It can provide clues into areas of work that will help you to feel you are making a difference in your community, society and even on a global level.
4. What brings you value?
This could be what you want or need to earn and what you can be paid for but it can also be bigger than that. It can be about what motivates you? What challenges you? What is worth getting out of bed in the morning for?
Really digging into the things that are our highest priority helps us to align ourselves to workplaces in which we can truly thrive. What we value is where we place importance and given that work takes up the majority of our time for a huge portion of our lives, we need to make sure there’s a good match between what we want and need and the place where we can find those things.
