A word of caution.
Although pursuing one’s ikigai—one’s purpose—can lead to a fulfilling life, it doesn’t necessarily lead to a happy one.
For example, just take a look at any of the several tech billionaires so well known to all of us. They are passionate about what they do, they have have mastered the craft of business, they provide a service to the world, and they have built companies with exceptional financial models—yet their personal lives often seem to be in turmoil. Many have gone through difficult, public divorces, their relationships seem to be in chaos, and they seem neither joyful or content.
Or take a look at the long list of artists, who, at the zenith of their careers, committed suicide. In some cases, it seems their pursuit of ikigai seemed to fuel significant mental health problems (such as depression, alcohol, and drug addiction) leading to their suicide.
Now, it’s hard to generalize how pursuit of ikigai may lead to unhappiness (perhaps because the road to unhappiness is unique for everyone?) but I suspect in many of these cases it’s because these people have pursued their ikigai obsessively at the expense of loving relationships—and it’s very difficult to to be happy without love in one’s life.
So, if you are on an ikigai journey and you feel yourself getting overly focused, slow down and consider how it is affecting those around you. After all, there is more to life than purpose and mission, and love is part of that “more.”
And if you feel yourself getting consistently anxious or depressed about your ikigai, then strongly consider getting professional help. What you do—your purpose—may matter, but it doesn’t matter as much as you.