In Japan, there’s a special place called Okinawa where people live longer and happier than almost anywhere else in the world. Their secret? The wisdom of Ikigai (ik-kee-guy). Achieving Ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being" or "a reason to wake up in the morning," involves finding a balance between what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.  

At Sycamoreiki, we’ve discovered a unique connection between the Ikigai concept (see diagram below) and the four petals of a flower. This special flower, which can help anyone discover their passion, purpose, and potential, is what we call the Magic Flower. Inspired by this philosophy, we created The Magic Garden to help children and families explore these ideas early in life, empowering them to nurture their unique talents and dreams from the very beginning. Through the Magic Flower, The Magic Garden encourages young minds to bloom with confidence, kindness, and a sense of purpose.

Ikigai - The Magic Flower

Each petal of this flower stands for something important in life, and at the very centre is where the real magic happens

❤️ Discover What You Love 

Reflect on Your Interests: Think about the activities or topics that you are naturally drawn to. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Identify Joyful Activities: Recall moments when you felt truly happy and fulfilled. What were you doing at those times?
Experiment: Try new activities or hobbies to explore new interests. Sometimes, you may discover passions through new experiences.

🎯 Identify What You Are Good At 

Assess Your Skills: List your strengths and skills. What are you naturally good at? What skills have you developed over time?
Seek Feedback: Ask friends, family, and colleagues what they think you excel at. Sometimes others can see your strengths more clearly than you can.
Develop Competence: Continue to improve and refine your skills through practice, education, and training.

🌍 Determine What the World Needs 

Observe Your Community: Look at the needs and problems in your community or society. What issues resonate with you?
Volunteer: Get involved in community service or volunteer work to understand where help is needed and how you can contribute.
Think Globally: Consider broader issues that affect the world, such as environmental sustainability, education, and healthcare.

💰 Find What You Can Be Paid For

Research Opportunities: Look into career options that align with your skills and interests. What industries or roles can benefit from your expertise?
Network: Connect with professionals in your areas of interest to learn about opportunities and how to enter those fields.
Create Value: Think about how you can provide value to others through your work. What services or products can you offer that people are willing to pay for?

⚖️ Balance and Integrate

Overlap Analysis: Identify the overlaps between the four components: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
Create a Venn Diagram: Visualize these overlaps by creating a Venn diagram with four circles representing each component. Your Ikigai lies at the intersection of all four circles.
Adjust and Align: Make adjustments in your life and career to move closer to this intersection. It might involve changing jobs, learning new skills, or taking on new projects.

🌈 Live Your Ikigai

Stay True to Yourself: Continuously align your daily activities and long-term goals with your Ikigai. Make decisions that bring you closer to it.
Embrace Lifelong Learning: Stay curious and open to learning. Your Ikigai may evolve over time as you grow and gain new experiences.
Maintain Balance: Ensure that you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being is crucial for sustaining your Ikigai.