Discovering Ikigai: A Journey to Your Purpose, Part 3
As we journey through Ikigai, we arrive at the third essential element: What the World Needs. Part 1 began with exploring the Ikigai meaning for your life and Part 2 showed how to use the Ikigai diagram to discover what you’re good at. As we further explore the Ikigai Venn Diagram, the next step shifts the focus outward, exploring how your unique passions and talents can address the world’s deepest needs.
The world cries out for healing, love, compassion, and integrity. It needs people who can step into the light, resist the allure of the shadow, and inspire others to do the same. Let’s dive into what this means and how it relates to your purpose.
Understanding the Ikigai Venn Diagram
As a reminder, the Ikigai Venn diagram is a visual representation that helps individuals identify their purpose by finding the overlap between four essential areas – what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. At the core of this diagram lies one’s Ikigai, or reason for being. This concept encourages a harmonious balance between personal satisfaction and societal contribution.
The Importance of “What the World Needs” in the Ikigai Venn Diagram
The segment labeled “What the World Needs” emphasizes the significance of aligning personal passions and skills with the demands and necessities of the broader community. This alignment ensures that one’s pursuits not only bring personal fulfillment but also contribute positively to the world.
Addressing “What the World Needs” involves identifying areas where your talents and passions can meet societal challenges or gaps. This could range from addressing environmental issues to providing essential services in underserved communities. Integrating this element into your life ensures that your actions resonate beyond personal satisfaction, fostering a sense of connection and responsibility to the world around you.
What Does the World Need?
The world needs healing. It needs people willing to show the way of the light—not the shadow. The shadow is powerful, seductive, and mysterious, offering countless answers to justify taking the easy path. But the light, with its singular and unwavering call to integrity, is what the world truly needs.
Here’s an example from my own life:
I once went shopping at Marshall’s and bought a few items. When I got home and opened the bags, I realized they hadn’t charged me for a pair of Michael Kors slacks. The shadow immediately spoke to me in four different ways:
- Score! You’ve got some free pants!
- You worked hard, so you deserve them.
- It’s not your fault they don’t train their employees properly.
- The company is so big they won’t miss a $75 item.
But the light in me SCREAMED:
“Put those pants back in the bag, take them back to Marshall’s, stand in line, and pay for them.”
And that’s precisely what I did. I worked too hard to step into the light; I wasn’t about to throw it all away for a pair of pants.
A similar situation happened while grocery shopping. It was pouring rain, and I had five heavy bags. When I loaded them into my trunk, I noticed a tube of toothpaste left in the cart. The shadow tried to tempt me again: “It’s not even worth it. The toothpaste is $3. Just throw it in with your other groceries.”
But I didn’t. I went back into the store and paid for it.
These moments may seem small, but they’re significant. They’re about choosing the light over the shadow, integrity over convenience. And this is what the world desperately needs—people with the courage to resist the pull of the shadow and inspire others to do the same.
Reflecting on “What the World Needs” Within the Ikigai Venn Diagram
To effectively incorporate “What the World Needs” into your personal Ikigai Venn diagram, consider the following reflective questions:
- What do you believe the world is lacking most right now?
- How can your unique passions and talents address those needs?
- Think of a time when you chose to act with integrity. How did it impact you and those around you?
- Who inspires you to stay in the light, and how can you emulate their example?
- How can you use your voice and actions to inspire positive change?
Asking yourself these questions will help you identify how your personal attributes can align with what the world needs, giving you a greater sense of purpose.
My Personal Insights
For me, personally, I see the world’s greatest need as healing. People need love, compassion, and a way to step into the light. I’ve seen firsthand how easily the shadow can pull us in with promises of power, greed, or even convenience. But I’ve also seen the incredible transformations when someone chooses the light instead. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Integrating “What the World Needs” into Your Ikigai
Aligning your passions and skills with societal needs can lead to a more fulfilling and impactful life. For instance, if you are passionate about education and possess strong communication skills, you might find purpose in teaching or mentoring. By doing so, you address the societal need for education while engaging in work that you love and excel at.
A practical exercise to begin connecting your purpose with the world’s needs might include –
- Identify a Need:
- Reflect on what you believe the world is missing. Is it love, compassion, honesty, or something else?
- Find Your Contribution:
- Think about how your unique talents and passions can address this need.
- For example, if the world needs healing, consider how your skills—like storytelling, coaching, or art—can inspire others to heal.
- Take One Small Action:
- Commit to one action today that reflects the light you want to bring to the world. It could be as simple as showing kindness, creating something beautiful, or standing up for what’s right.
Integrating “What the World Needs” into your Ikigai Venn diagram not only enhances personal satisfaction but also ensures that your efforts contribute meaningfully to the community. This is the essence of Ikigai!
The world needs your light, courage, and willingness to stand up for what’s right. By aligning your passions and talents with what the world needs, you’re discovering your Ikigai and making a profound difference.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and creating your Ikigai Venn diagram facilitates a deeper connection between personal fulfillment and societal contribution. By focusing on “What the World Needs”, you position yourself to lead a purpose-driven life that benefits both you and the broader community.
For personalized guidance on aligning your passions and skills with societal needs, consider exploring our Transformative Coaching program. At Go Within Spiritual Coaching, we are dedicated to helping individuals discover and live their true purpose. Go ahead and schedule your complimentary 1-hour Discovery call to chat about your Ikigai.
Next up: While Part 1 began with exploring the Ikigai meaning in your life and Part 2 showed how to use the Ikigai diagram to discover what you’re good at, in Part 4 we’ll explore the final element of Ikigai: What You Can Get Paid For and how it ties everything together.
