IKIGAI, The Art of Finding Yourself and a Way of Life with Arie Wibowo Irawan, SP MM

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FEB, UNPAK— Although there is a lot of debate regarding whether one should follow his passion at work. Or on the contrary take the opportunities that are in front of your eyes?

There are so many pros and cons to these two opinions. The two pro and con arguments actually each have strong reasons behind them. Despite all that, my view on this is simple. If we do something not with a sense of pleasure and happiness, it is certain that what we do will not produce maximum results. Results that are not optimal will lead to the same output. Remember, the beginning of success is a sense of happiness.

The analogy is simple. When we were in school, if we didn't like a subject, we would feel compelled to come to school and be lazy to take the lesson. Finally predictably, our value will not be maximized. Imagine if we don't like something, then our challenges will be twofold. But if we like something, even failure many times tends to make it easy for us to get back up.

There is an interesting Japanese approach to how we find meaning in life. A reason for being. The approach that has been booming in recent years is called IKIGAI. This ikigai approach will lead us to four important questions in life, namely:

1. What do you like/love?
2. What are you good at?
3. What are other people willing to pay for?
4. What does the world need?

From the combination of these four questions, several combinations are formed, namely the combination of 2, 3 and 4. The combination of the 2 (two) questions above will produce passion, profession, expertise and mission.

• PASSION is a combination of what you like / love with what you are good at
• PROFESSION is a combination of what you are good at with what other people are willing to pay
• EXPERTISE is a mix of what other people are willing to pay with what the world needs MISSION is a combination of what you are good at with what the world needs

The combination of 3 (three) questions will also produce something positive. It's just that one thing is not accommodated which will cause a lack.

• Doing what you love / love, master and other people are willing to pay for, but it's not what the world needs will result in SATISFACTION but there is a feeling of worthlessness.
• Doing what you are good at, other people are willing to pay for and what the world needs, but you don't like / love it then it will only produce a feeling of CONVENIENCE but there is a feeling of emptiness.
• Doing what other people are willing to pay, the world needs and likes / loves, but in fact you lack mastery of it will only result in PASSION AND SATISFACTION but there will always be uncertainty.
• Doing what you are good at, love/love and the world needs, but no one else is willing to pay for that will only result in feelings of HAPPY AND FULFILLMENT but no wealth.

Of course, the most ideal condition is a condition where the four questions are accommodated (a combination of 4 questions). If this is fulfilled, that is what is called IKIGAI.