Running a business can be filled with fun and frustrations.
Here at PitStop HQ we know that from our own experiences, but also from the many conversations we have with our lovely clients.
One of the reasons founders will often give for starting their own business is that they are looking for a sense of freedom, and yet often they get trapped into having just created a job for themselves.
This does not necessarily mean happiness or freedom.
Ikigai is a Japanese word that is broadly translated as "the happiness of always being busy".
It is also the title of a best-selling book by authors Garcia and Miralles, who visited Japan to understand more fully the concept and its practice in providing people with purpose.
If you are following your own personal Ikigai, then you are managing to combine a number of factors in your day-to-day life, namely:
The definition of what these mean is obviously different for us all, but if we are keeping ourselves busy doing these things then we are combining passion, mission, profession and vocation and heading for a long and happy life.
The modern concept of working hard for 40 years and then retiring is certainly not in line with Ikigai.
To follow your Ikigai, you will always stay active in an unhurried way, be it through your profession, hobbies, volunteering, larking around with friends, whatever brings you joy.
So what in your life gives you a reason to jump out of bed in the morning?
And conversely, what makes you want to hide under the duvet?!
If your life is filled with mostly the former, then maybe you are close to finding your Ikigai.
We are here to help you with all your people related queries and issues and to help you find your Ikigai...
さようなら
Sayōnara