Ikigai: How Some People Live to the Age of 110. (and Enjoy It…)

Ikigai is a Japanese word for "reason for being". Is it also the secret potion for a long, happy, and healthy life? Friday's Digest #160

Table of contents

1. Life Update
2. Ikigai
3. Stuff

Life Update

It's June.

The sun is shining, the days are long, and our kids have their end-of-school-year events.

This time of year, I feel like a kindergarten teacher.

But I'm not talking about my kids.

I'm talking about my students.

The students I have now, the students whom I say goodbye to, and the students I will begin mentoring soon.

This time of year, I feel like I stand at the door and watch them walk into something bigger.

New beginnings.

Let's focus on research students for a second.

Specifically, dental and medical students who are pursuing a research degree in parallel.

In our school, the 6-year dental and medical programs are divided into two parts: the initial (theoretical, pre-clinical) 3 years and the final (clinical) 3 years.

Between these two phases, students may take a break from their studies to pursue research. They can take 1 year off (to pursue a Master's degree) or 3 years off (to start a PhD).

So let's focus on those who consider taking 3 years off. Many of them are saying to me:

"Isn't 3 years a really long time? Maybe I'll just take 1 year off".

And this is what I always answer:

"You're Asking the Wrong Question!"

Why? Because the moment you've decided to take 1 year off, you've already done the hard part.

You're not deciding between 1 year and 3 anymore.

You're deciding whether to spend 2 MORE years on top of a decision you already made.

It may sound like a math trick, but it's actually not.

You're considering 2 more years.

And two years, looking back, is NOTHING.

Absolutely nothing.

When you become older, you realize how two years go by SO FAST.

And the difference between a Master's and a PhD is HUGE.

Much more than the extra two years you added.

So that's my kindergarten teacher's advice 🙂.

Speaking on life-changing decisions and the purpose of life - today we will discuss Ikigai.

"Iki-what?!" you ask?

Let's dive in.

Number 160!

Ikigai

Recently, I read a book called "Ikigai".

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that roughly translates to "a reason for being."

Not a grand life purpose.

Something smaller.

Something closer to the reason you get out of bed in the morning.

In general, it is composed of four overlapping circles:

What you love.
What you're good at.
What the world needs.
And what you can be paid for.

Whenever all four overlap - that's your ikigai.

🔵 Do I Actually Fit the Diagram?

This book made me think.

Does my day-to-day life fall within the four circles?

I love the work. It's hard, but I love it.
I'm good at it.
There's obviously a need for cancer surgeons and cancer scientists.
And I get paid for it.

By the book's own logic, I should be at peace with all of it. Happy. In the Zone.

🔵 No Time for Tea

But here's the thing.

Every time I picture ikigai, I picture an old man in Okinawa, Japan.

Sitting in his garden, drinking green tea.

And I don't see myself there. I simply don't have time for that.

I know that's probably the wrong way to look at it.

Ikigai isn't supposed to be about running around all day.

It's supposed to be the opposite. A quiet reason that doesn't need urgency behind it.

Right?

Maybe it's because I'm not finished. The garden and the tea feel like something that belongs to someone looking back on a full life.

I'm still standing at the door (remember? kindergarten teacher)

I haven't earned the chair yet.

Or maybe I just haven't let myself sit in it...

Stuff

📚 Book I Read - Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

A quick read on the Okinawan idea of a reason for being.

Don't expect much research there. It's more inspirational than that.

But it gave me a word I didn't have.

Epilogue

If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to join Friday's Digest, visit https://newsletter.shaysharon.com​

That’s it for this issue.

See you next week!

Shay

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