Ikigai & Kaizen

1. Discover Your Ikigai: Your Reason for Being

"My reason to get out of bed in the morning."

Ikigai defined. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates to "reason for being" or "reason to get out of bed in the morning." It's the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. To find your Ikigai:

• Ask yourself four questions:

  1. What do you love? (Passion)
  2. What are you good at? (Vocation)
  3. What does the world need? (Mission)
  4. What can you be paid for? (Profession)

• Use a worksheet or create a list to rank potential Ikigai candidates based on these four criteria.

• Remember that your Ikigai may evolve over time, so revisit this exercise periodically.

Benefits of finding your Ikigai. Discovering your Ikigai can lead to increased motivation, job satisfaction, and overall life fulfillment. It helps align your daily activities with your core values and strengths, making work feel less like a chore and more like a purposeful endeavor.

2. Embrace Kaizen: Continuous Improvement Through Small Steps

"What small step could I take today which may (in the long run) improve my situation?"

Start with small actions. Kaizen, a Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement, encourages taking small, manageable steps towards your goals. This approach helps build momentum and overcome the paralysis often associated with large, daunting tasks.

• Begin with "laughably small" goals, such as:
  • Writing one paragraph of your novel
  • Cleaning out one section of your garage for five minutes
  • Jogging on your treadmill for one minute

Use the OPDCA cycle. Implement the Observe-Plan-Do-Check-Adjust cycle to systematically improve your processes:

1. Observe: Identify areas for improvement
2. Plan: Develop a strategy to address the issue
3. Do: Implement the plan and collect data
4. Check: Analyze the results
5. Adjust: Make changes based on your findings and repeat the cycle

By consistently applying this method, you can make steady progress towards your goals and develop a habit of continuous improvement in all areas of life.

3. Recognize Lingchi: The Cumulative Effect of Small Mistakes

"Most of us (despite our many personal flaws) are actually quite restrained. Even the most violent men among us are usually only violent for a few moments in their entire life; the rest of their time is spent in relative peace."

Understand the concept. Lingchi, or "death by a thousand cuts," illustrates how small, seemingly insignificant mistakes can accumulate over time to create major problems. This applies to various aspects of life, including relationships, health, and personal goals.

Identify your "cuts". Be aware of the minor infractions that may be hindering your progress:

• Small lies or broken promises
• Skipped workouts or unhealthy meals
• Procrastination on important tasks
• Negative self-talk or self-sabotaging behaviors

By recognizing these "little cuts" early on, you can address them before they compound into larger issues, ultimately preventing the "death" of your goals and aspirations.

4. Practice Hansei: Honest Self-Reflection for Personal Growth

"Even if a task is completed successfully, Toyota recognizes the need for a hansei-kai "reflection meeting"… [It's] a process that helps to identify failures experienced along the way and create clear plans for future efforts."

Implement Hansei rituals. Hansei, or honest self-reflection, is a Japanese practice that encourages individuals to critically examine their actions and identify areas for improvement. To incorporate Hansei into your life:

1. Set aside regular time for reflection (daily or weekly)
2. Review past failures or mistakes without self-judgment
3. Log negative tendencies and patterns
4. Make a commitment to improve based on your insights

Benefits of Hansei. Regular self-reflection helps you:

• Identify recurring mistakes and patterns
• Take responsibility for your actions
• Develop a growth mindset
• Improve decision-making and problem-solving skills

By practicing Hansei, you cultivate self-awareness and create a foundation for continuous personal and professional growth.

5. Overcome Procrastination by Aligning with Your True Calling

"Your brain exists to help you survive, not to thrive."

Understand procrastination's roots. Procrastination often stems from a misalignment between our conscious goals and our subconscious desires. Our "lower mind" or "lizard brain" prioritizes immediate comfort over long-term benefits, leading to procrastination.

Align your goals with intrinsic motivation. To combat procrastination:

1. Identify your Ikigai (true calling)
2. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps (Kaizen)
3. Focus on the process rather than the outcome
4. Cultivate a sense of purpose in your daily activities

By aligning your actions with your intrinsic motivations and values, you can reduce the internal resistance that leads to procrastination and increase your overall productivity and satisfaction.

6. Master Your Financial Journey Through Incremental Progress

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Apply Kaizen to finances. Use the principles of continuous improvement to steadily enhance your financial situation:

1. Start with small, achievable financial goals
2. Implement the OPDCA cycle for financial decisions
3. Focus on your most crucial financial objectives
4. Learn to say "no" to non-essential expenses

Prepare for opportunities. Financial success often comes from a combination of preparation and serendipity. To increase your chances of success:

• Consistently work on improving your skills and knowledge
• Stay alert for potential opportunities in your field
• Be willing to take calculated risks
• Maintain a long-term perspective on your financial journey

Remember that financial success is rarely instantaneous; it's the result of consistent effort and incremental improvements over time.

7. Cultivate Health and Longevity with Daily Habits

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper."

Implement small, sustainable changes. Rather than pursuing drastic, short-term health goals, focus on developing lasting habits:

1. Track unhealthy food consumption and gradually reduce intake
2. Frontload calories by eating larger meals earlier in the day
3. Increase daily physical activity through small changes (e.g., taking stairs, parking farther away)
4. Use psychological tricks to curb hunger and manage portion sizes

Create a home fitness routine. Design a convenient, accessible workout space:

• Choose a comfortable, frequently-used area in your home
• Start with simple equipment like dumbbells and a bench
• Begin with small, achievable workout goals and gradually increase intensity
• Track your progress to maintain motivation

By focusing on incremental improvements and sustainable habits, you can build a foundation for long-term health and longevity.

8. Nurture Harmonious Relationships Through Communication and Understanding

"Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you."

Practice the 110% Rule. In relationships, strive to contribute more than what's expected of you. This mindset helps foster understanding and appreciation between partners.

Identify personal triggers. Develop self-awareness to recognize what irritates you and why. This knowledge can help you:

• Avoid or manage potentially contentious situations
• Communicate more effectively with your partner
• Develop empathy for others' perspectives

Improve communication. Use techniques like the "Five Whys" to dig deeper into the root causes of conflicts and misunderstandings. By addressing underlying issues, you can prevent small disagreements from escalating into larger problems.

9. Find Meaning in Life by Accepting What You Cannot Change

"Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not."

Focus on what you can control. Recognize that many aspects of life are beyond your influence. By accepting this reality, you can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety about uncontrollable circumstances
• Direct your energy towards productive actions and personal growth
• Find peace in difficult situations

Practice acceptance and forgiveness. Learn to let go of grudges and resentments, both towards others and yourself. This acceptance can lead to greater inner peace and more fulfilling relationships.

Continuously reassess your life's direction. Regularly ask yourself:

1. Who am I?
2. Why am I here?
3. Where am I going?

By reflecting on these questions and aligning your actions with your values and Ikigai, you can find greater meaning and purpose in life, even amidst challenges and uncertainties.

Last updated: October 3, 2024