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Do You Know Your Ikigai?

at Tuesday, August 09, 2016


It's a rainy Tuesday and I was lazily lying on my bed when suddenly I thought of browsing my 2015 Belle de Jour Power Planner. Written on my 2015 financial goals were monetize my blog and have a freelance work. My blog has been earning a few cents on Google Adsense but I didn't land any freelance work last year. The reason why I was a bit depressed during the last few weeks of 2015 and the first week of 2016. 

When I received my personalized BDJ planner last year, I was so excited to fill in the pages. The most difficult part for me though was answering the question, "What's your Ikigai?" That part of the planner remained empty except for the three words I wrote under "That Which You Love".



What is Ikigai?

Ikigai is the reason why you get up in the morning. For me, it is the reason why I am excited to get up in the morning. I used to waste my life away staying in bed all day. For months I've been suffering from depression. 

Then..

Are you doing something that you love? Hmm.. I think so.
Is it something that the world needs? I don't know.
Are you good at it? I'd like to think I am.
Can you be paid for it? Hopefully.




Now..

Are you doing something that you love? Yes!
Is it something that the world needs? Definitely!
Are you good at it? I am and I keep getting better.
Can you be paid for it? I am paid for it!

PSST.Ph is the best thing that happened to me in January. I was broke and I was almost convinced that although I love what I am doing, I am not good enough to get paid for doing it. I was not even sure I'm fit for the freelance job offered. I just grabbed the opportunity and see how far it will take me. I'm on my 7th month with PSST and I am so blessed to be #PartOfTheStory

Have you been in the same situation I was months ago? Devote time to reflect and answer the questions to know your Ikigai. 


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13 Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 9, 2016 at 11:22 AM

    I love dancing and I am attending now trainings to become zumba instructor.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 9, 2016 at 11:40 AM

    I am still a student. I also love to write. I have schoolmates who are already earning writing articles.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ROBERT LEEAugust 9, 2016 at 12:00 PM

    I feel you. Doing something that you love vs. doing something that you need. Most people are stuck with doing what is needed because the truth is, we need to live and money is needed. Now, there are some people who are doing what they love, but live day to day without savings. The best of course is to be able to do what you love to do, and live well because of that.

    Another approach, say when it comes to writing, is to write for the love of it, while earning from something else that you may grow to love.

    #AmazingLifeDaily

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  4. UnknownAugust 9, 2016 at 1:50 PM

    I felt the same way before. Depressed and feeling ko I am useless kasi I am jobless for more than 4 years now as in yung sa office based phase of work. Pero I'd realized all those years na wala akong work, my son is still alive and fighting. Like you, tried my luck working as a writer not knowing if qualified ba talaga ako, until it became a passion already. Keep up the good work and I know you can do more;)

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  5. NilynAugust 9, 2016 at 3:54 PM

    I blog out of passion, that's why even if I don't get much money out of it, I still do it. Blogging gave me so many reasons to keep going - new friends, new ideas/learning, new experience and freebies (I shouldn't forget to add that, lol). I'm glad you're doing the things you love to do and you, without doubt know your ikigai! :)

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  6. alyssa tuangcoAugust 9, 2016 at 5:46 PM

    I never knew I could blog until my friends pushed me to and now I love it. I think it was a secret talent that I didn't know yet. I'm always excited to post something new knowing that other people would also love it.

    www. alyssatuangco.blogspot.com

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  7. UnknownAugust 9, 2016 at 6:03 PM

    Ever since I was in college, I've always wanted to blog, but I was scared of being a public figure back then. They say everything happens for a reason. Now, I have a partner in blogging and although we don't get paid, we're happy doing what we love, we're happy to be able to help not only our readers but local businesses as well, we had received affirmation that we're good at it and we're receiving opportunities that we didn't expect. Our growth is so fast that it feels like a dream. So, yes, we know our ikigai :) -Me-An Clemente of http://yogoandcream.com

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  8. UnknownAugust 9, 2016 at 6:53 PM

    I actually miss the days when I would just write. I started that way, back when I first blogged in 2001!! My current blog is a mix of things, but it really is a business. Sometimes I wish I could just write and be an outlet again, haha! If I were you, I'd do what the others advise: blog, but do something else as work and let that work fund your blog. Nice post!

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  9. Mauie FloresAugust 9, 2016 at 8:17 PM

    This is the first time I read about it. I can see that this is a good personal exercise. I think most people go through a phase of depression. Good thing you were able to make a comeback.

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  10. YanAugust 10, 2016 at 12:24 AM

    Ikigai is pretty much your life purpose right? I've seen a lot of versions of that diagram and it never fails to make you reflect. I'm glad you're on the right track. :D

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  11. SamAugust 10, 2016 at 7:36 PM

    This is the dream. I haven't heard of Ikigai before. It sounded like flower arranging too. I believe the harmony of finding your purpose on earth is essential to humans.

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  12. Dorothy Mae C. TorretijoAugust 12, 2016 at 12:51 PM

    Actually, blogging is such a dream. I started blogging because I got a courage from my top supporters: Family and Friends.

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  13. UnknownAugust 13, 2016 at 11:17 PM

    BDJ! I have one as well and read Ikigai on it and I truly believe on it :)

    ReplyDelete