Recently my activity on LinkedIn dropped a little. There are several reasons for this, but I think the most important is that I found some new areas which not on LinkedIn. Recently I found some publications regarding longevity. These articles wake up the main question, which I always ask when talking about the Ikigai concept:
What is the purpose of my being? It cannot be the work itself only. We can find topics, fields of interest in our daily work, but it is hard, especially in a manager role. Traditional culture organizations overload the importance of meetings, and instead of work, we can continuously talk and talk. Traditionally, this approach can burn all motivation. And here comes the work-life balance. The fully booked calendar with oceans of meetings cannot be a meaning for life. Somehow we need to balance.
In most of the cases, there are two directions:
One is we go with the waves, and step into a rat race. If you go on this road, and you spin-up, you will work hard, until retirement. And there comes the problem, you will feel your life empty, without a meaning.
The other way which more sustainable if you find a balance. How you able to turn off in your free time.
In most of the cases, the reaction for the second approach is that: Okay, but you will not have enough money for your retirement age if you are lazy in your middle age. This is the reason why many people jump from one workplace to another! As they have the hope of a more significant amount of salary.
I have bad news for them! The money will come out of their hands like sand. They need to be more conscious regarding their goals!
First, we must find happiness in our life! We need to find a goal of why we live! If we are confident with this goal, we have a reason for living longer.
With this clear goal, we will have the motivation to live healthier. With small changes in our life, we can extend our lifespan with many decades.
The goal is a great motivation to live by rules. And rules also help to build up the financial background. It is vital because, with freedom, we can fly.
Many people working unhappily in their job because of the money. If they start saving, they can create a stable background which over time able to serve the basic needs of them. This freedom is the one which helps us to work in a company where we can do what we like! There is no more need to compromise!
I'm fortunate because I work in the financial sector. As elsewhere, the product is catching the fish. Here we make money! This was the main reason why I asked some other business departments to teach our colleagues what we usually do as a business.
I expect two things from these thematic teachings.
Those who found their Ikigai in our department will have less financial problems, and they can focus on their daily work! They will be happy and extremely productive!
Those who don't have their Ikigai in our place. They will also be free to do what their reason for being!
I think this way we can build a team which able to complete goals which unimaginable today!