Finding Purpose in Your Job: Mastering Self-Realization through the Ikigai Model
Enhancing Personal Growth at the Workplace: A Guide to Boosting Self-Awareness and Professional Development
Ready to love your job and feel fulfilled? Here's how the Ikigai model can help boost your work satisfaction.
According to Selma Fehrmann, organizational psychologist, job satisfaction consists of five key factors: meaning, self-actualization, social connections, personal balance, and security. Of these, meaning and self-actualization are the most crucial, as they provide a sense of purpose and make work satisfying and rewarding long-term.
So, what exactly is self-actualization, and how can you achieve it at work? According to Fehrmann, it's all about using your talents, interests, and values to their fullest potential on the job. This often leads to flow states—situations where time seems to fly and you're completely absorbed in your work.
Fortunately, finding your Ikigai is within reach for everyone. The Ikigai model consists of four key questions:
- What do I love?: Identify activities that excite and energize you, and look for ways to incorporate them into your job.
- What am I good at?: Assess your skills and strengths and seek opportunities to use them at work.
- What does the world need?: Consider how your unique talents can help address societal needs and make a positive impact on the world.
- What am I paid for?: Aim for a career that aligns with your passion, skills, and societal needs to ensure financial stability and satisfaction.
While it's essential to find meaning in your work, it's also vital to step outside the office and discover opportunities for self-actualization in other aspects of life. Whether it's creative hobbies, social engagement, or volunteering, finding purpose beyond your job can strengthen your overall sense of self-efficacy.
Small adjustments in daily life, such as occasionally noting down moments when your work had significant meaning, can help you stay focused on your Ikigai. Even jobs with limited scope can offer increased self-actualization through more targeted use of your strengths, such as team projects and new tasks.
If you're still struggling to find your Ikigai at work, remember that it's not a one-time achievement; it's an ongoing process that requires self-reflection and adaptation to life's changes. So keep exploring, asking questions, and making adjustments, and you'll find your path to job satisfaction and meaningful self-actualization.
And while surveys show that many people grapple with work motivation, don't lose hope. By embracing the Ikigai model and focusing on finding meaning and self-actualization at work and beyond, you can turn your job into a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
[1] The Ikigai Concept: A Personal Guide to Finding Fulfillment and Longevity (Jill Jonnes, 2022)[2] The Little Book of Ikigai: Your Key to a Happier Life (Hector Garcia, Francesc Miralles, 2020)[3] The Ikigai Way: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life (Héctor García, and Francesc Miralles, 2018)
- To nurture personal growth and career development, consider incorporating elements of the community policy and employment policy into your lifestyle, ensuring that your skills and interests align with your job, yet also provide opportunities for self-actualization beyond the office, such as education-and-self-development activities or volunteering.
- As you pursue employment opportunities, prioritize organizations that not only value lifestyle balance but also support career-development initiatives encouraging self-actualization, enabling you to continue your personal growth journey while making a positive impact in the world according to your Ikigai.
