The sense of your true purpose

The Japanese call it “Ikigai”. In Spanish it is named “Plan de vida”. The French have a term “Raison d’etre”. We call it “Unarthodox Element”. The sense of your true purpose, the reason why you wake up in the morning, the inner light that you bring into this world.

Wherever you look, people are mainly searching for common things: love, happiness, joy, the sense of fulfilment and life meaning. We all strive for similar destinations, although it is often not clear how to get there. There is, however, general agreement that most of the answers come from within.

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” – Nietzsche

The concept of Unarthodox Element is what clarifies the “why”. Being based on the conviction that every person possesses their own identity code, it frees our inner Creator, our individuality and authenticity. Unarthodox Element is what determines the sweet spot where our gifts and passions meet with our needs and possibilities. Usually, this is where the feelings of fulfillment and happiness occur. The Japanese idea of Ikigai explains this connection perfectly.

The word Ikigai is combined out of the terms iki, meaning “alive” or “life,” and gai, meaning “benefit” or “worth.” What we eventually get is the term meaning “that which gives your life meaning and purpose”. Ikigai is a state of wellbeing based on a fundamental link between mental and physical health, as the latter is directly affected by our inner emotional state. Ikigai occurs at the intersection of our passions, talents, activities that can benefit others as well as those from which we can make a living. When all the four spheres overlap, joy and happiness easily enter our lives.

Deep personal work, self-exploration, and self-reflection are required to find Unarthodox Element and structure life according to Ikigai. For some people this is a life-long journey. Others are a bit luckier to find that sweet spot early on. Discovering answers to the following Ikigai-related questions can surely accelerate the process:

1)    What do you love?

2)    What are you good at?

3)    What does the world need?

4)    What can you get paid for?

If you’ve found your Unarthodox Element, now you know what to do with it. If not yet – what an exciting journey is awaiting you!