For many of us, there comes a time in life where we have met goals, succeeded and acquired in our career and life(hopefully), and find ourselves at a precipice asking:
"Is this all there is?"
And for most, the search begins for a purpose, a more meaningful career and life as many Master Coaches I have interviewed have shared. The commonality is the age group. Middle years 45+. From CEOs & highly paid executives to nonworking empty nesters - all experience this phenomenon resulting in seeking purpose and meaning in career and life.
Fortunately, in recent years, more people from all age groups are seeking meaningful careers or to work within companies that have a social impact. And, many are willing to take lesser pay for a meaningful career, as this report reflects, but for the majority of those 20-40yr. old age group, it is still considered a "luxury" to care about the meaning of your work when earning is a priority.
The largest group making meaningful work as most important, as this poll from CNBC reflects, are those reaching or in their middle years. By then, they have built lives, have some stability, and may have achieved the goals they had set for themselves.
Studies also show that this age group tends to be anxious or depressed and seeking more. Something beyond working. To earn, and also be fulfilled.
"What is my purpose?"
In the Japanese culture, seeking fulfillment or purpose is recognized as "ikigai" [iki-gahy] noun and has been identified as one of the main components credited to their overall health and longevity.
Ikigai translates as "the reason for living". Having a life purpose and transcends the idea that economic success, wealth, possessions, and signs of achievement are the sole items responsible for our happiness.
Much has been written about this concept and you can read a bit more in-depth here or browse the book by authors Albert Liebermann, Hector Garcia
In simple terms, this idealogy is attributed to happiness and can help begin to discover it when these questions are answered:
1. What do I love? (passion)
2. What am I good at? (vocation)
3. What can I be paid for? (profession)
4. What does the world need? (mission)
When passion, vocation, mission, and profession intersect, this is where we can find purpose and meaning. Sometimes, we take a job that we may not be passionate about to support our passion, and in that, we have meaning and purpose. Take a look at the diagram below. 
Realizing your purpose or ikigai is not an intellectual pursuit. It is not an action-based, goal setting concept that is scheduled and created.
It is a journey that evolves. As in the research/work I have done and in many of my podcast interviews with amazing women who have been through incredible experiences. They have shared - each of them - about their journey and were "open" to realizing their purpose, but did not try to make it happen. That is when it begins to unfold. Every time.
Ikigai is a lifelong pursuit and your purpose weaves in and out of the actions that serve your purpose and gives you your reason for living.
I have experienced this personally and witnessed it amongst the women I have worked with and interviewed. It is always when the person is aware of themselves, what gives them joy, open to who they are, what they might be seeking but not putting limitations on it, connecting and interacting with others, and "saying it out loud". It is when they are trusting the outcome, getting into action but again not defining it so strictly that there isn't room for inspiration. The course and cohorts offered through NEXT Career & Life are a good exercise in setting this practice into motion.
Ken Mogi, a neuroscientist, and author of Awakening Your Ikigai, defines the Five Pillars or actions to keep in mind:
1. Starting small
2. Accepting yourself
3. Connecting with the world around you
4. Seeking out small joys
5. Being in the here and now
Finding our purpose, what aligns with our true nature and elevates us is a journey that unfolds and evolves. It is not our cause - that is a tangible thing - purpose is something we are born to be our "reason for being" Cause focuses on an issue or problem, purpose focuses on empowering, creating, and changing it.
It may seem or feel elusive but our purpose reveals itself to us when we are living and engaged in life and with others and availing ourselves to it.
Many of the podcasts recorded reflect this but you may especially want to listen to Your NEXT: Could It Be Your Purpose? Listen
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” - -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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