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Discover Your Purpose with our Ikigai Test – 10 Proven Ways to Find Meaning and Fulfillment in Life through Research-based Methods.

By: Catherine Mattiske

© 2023 – GQ Global

The GQ Blog
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Are you searching for your life’s purpose? Do you want to discover what brings you joy, aligns with your strengths, fulfills a mission, and has the potential for financial reward? Look no further!

Our Inner Genius Profile correlates to an Ikigai Test to guide you on your journey to finding your ikigai, your reason for being. With just 10 minutes of focused attention, you can gain clarity and direction in your quest for purpose and fulfillment. We call this finding your Genius Zone.

Take the Inner Genius Profile today and unlock the power of living a purposeful life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover your true purpose with our Inner Genius Profile correlates to an Ikigai Test
  • Align your passions, skills, and values to find your ikigai
  • Visualize the overlap between passion, vocation, profession, and mission
  • Experience the benefits of living a purposeful life
  • Bring your ikigai into your everyday routine and career choices

What is Ikigai?

Ikigai is the Japanese concept of finding your reason for being, your life purpose. It is the essence of living a fulfilled and meaningful life. Ikigai goes beyond the external factors like money and status and focuses on identifying what brings you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose on a deeper level. It involves aligning your personal values, skills, and passions with what the world needs, creating a harmonious balance between your inner desires and the greater good.

Those who embark on ikigai discovery hold the belief that everyone has a unique purpose that they can discover and live out. It is about finding that sweet spot where your passion, vocation, profession, and mission intersect. By following your ikigai, you can experience a greater sense of happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life.

Ikigai

Ikigai Table

Passion

Vocation

Profession

Mission

What you love What the world needs What you can be paid for What you are good at
Your ikigai Your contribution to society Your financial stability Your personal fulfillment

Finding your ikigai involves self-reflection, exploring your passions, identifying your skills and strengths, and understanding the impact you want to make in the world. It is a journey that requires introspection and a willingness to align your life with your true purpose. By embracing ikigai, you can live a more purposeful and fulfilling life, finding joy and fulfillment in the pursuit of your passions and the contribution you make to the world.

How does the Inner Genius Profile work?  Why is it like an ikigai assessment?

The Inner Genius Profile unlocks your hidden potential and helps you find your Genius Zone – your ikigai.

Gq And Ikigai

The Inner Genius Profile is an online assessment, unlike any other assessment or personality test. It’s based on cutting-edge neuroscience research that helps you identify and understand your unique mental skills, allowing you to tap into a powerful source of personal growth.

The Inner Genius Profile is designed to take the guesswork out of improving your communication skills, interpersonal relationships, and career prospects. By uncovering your unique mental patterns and understanding how they can be harnessed, you will discover a newfound potential in yourself and communicate in a whole new way. With the help of this powerful tool, you can embark on a journey of self-discovery, unlock new possibilities, and reach your full potential.

Benefits:

How to find your ikigai:

  • Provides clarity and direction in life
  • Promotes a sense of fulfillment and purpose
  • Enhances overall well-being and life satisfaction
  1. Reflect on your passions and interests
  2. Explore your strengths and skills
  3. Consider the impact you want to have on the world
  4. Answer the Inner Genius Profile questions honestly and thoroughly

The Inner Genius Profile is a valuable tool for self-discovery and personal growth. By taking the time to explore your inner self and uncover your ikigai, you can embark on a journey towards a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

The Benefits of Finding Your Ikigai

Discovering and living your ikigai can have a profound impact on your overall well-being and life satisfaction. When you have a clear sense of purpose and are aligned with your true calling, you experience a greater sense of fulfillment and joy in your everyday life. Research has shown that individuals who have found their ikigai tend to have higher levels of happiness, lower levels of stress, and better mental health.

Living your ikigai allows you to tap into your passions and utilize your unique strengths and skills. It gives you a sense of direction and meaning, enabling you to make choices that align with your values and goals. When you are doing what you love and what you are naturally good at, work becomes more enjoyable and fulfilling. This sense of purpose extends beyond your professional life and influences all aspects of your well-being.

This is what we call finding your Genius Zone.   It’s the place where you can bring your best self forward and make the world a better place. Your Genius Zone is made up of all the activities, skills, and knowledge that come naturally to you – the things that make you unique in a way that no one else can imitate. When combined with purposeful action, these become the foundation for your ikigai which is the Japanese word for “a reason for being”.

As you discover your Genius Zone and express yourself through meaningful work, you gain clarity around what matters most to you – not just in your career but also in your relationships, lifestyle choices, and how you spend your time.

By living with intention and purpose, you can create an impactful legacy that extends far beyond yourself. 

Having a clear sense of purpose also provides a strong motivation to overcome challenges and pursue personal growth. When you are driven by a higher mission or a sense of contribution, you are more likely to persevere and take proactive steps towards achieving your goals. This resilience and determination can lead to greater success and satisfaction in both your personal and professional endeavors.

Benefits of Finding Your Ikigai

Increased happiness and life satisfaction
Reduced stress and improved mental health
Enhanced work enjoyment and fulfillment
Greater motivation and resilience

Overall, finding your ikigai is a journey of self-discovery and self-actualization. It allows you to live a purpose-driven life, where your actions and choices are guided by your passions, values, and strengths. The benefits of finding your ikigai extend beyond personal satisfaction to positively impact your relationships, career, and overall well-being. So, take the time to explore your inner desires, reflect on your values, and discover what truly brings you joy. Your ikigai is waiting to be uncovered.

How to Find Your Ikigai via Self-reflection & Exploring Strengths and Skills

Finding your ikigai requires self-reflection and deep exploration. It starts by identifying activities and interests that bring joy and align with your personal values. Take the time to reflect on what truly inspires and motivates you. Consider the impact you want to have on the world and the ways in which you can make a difference. This self-discovery process will guide you towards a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

Another approach to finding your ikigai is to explore your strengths and skills. Reflect on what you excel at and what comes naturally to you. Consider how you can leverage these strengths to make a positive impact and contribute to the world. Additionally, take the time to identify your values. What principles and beliefs are important to you? How can you align your actions and choices with these values?

Remember that finding your ikigai is a journey. It may take time and self-reflection to explore your strengths and skills and uncover your true purpose. Embrace the process and allow yourself to explore different paths. Trust that your ikigai will reveal itself to you as you continue to grow and evolve. By finding and living your ikigai, you can live a life filled with meaning, fulfillment, and happiness.

Steps to Find Your Ikigai

Benefits

Identify activities and interests that bring you joy – Greater happiness and life satisfaction
Reflect on your strengths and skills – Improved mental well-being
Consider the impact you want to have on the world – Alignment between personal values and work
Answer the questions in the Inner Genius Profile – Clarity and direction in finding your purpose
Understanding your Genius Zone and your Inner Genius (GQ) – Making more informed career decisions

Visualizing Your Ikigai

The ikigai diagram is a powerful tool that visually represents the intersection of passion, vocation, profession, and mission. It provides a clear and concise way to understand how these elements align and contribute to your overall sense of purpose in life.

The passion circle represents the activities and interests that bring you joy and fulfillment. It reflects the things you love and are deeply passionate about. The vocation circle represents the skills and talents you possess and how you can use them to make a meaningful contribution. The profession circle represents the areas where you can apply your skills and talents to earn a living. And finally, the mission circle represents the impact you want to have on the world, the difference you want to make.

By visualizing your ikigai in this way, you can gain clarity and guidance in making purposeful choices in your life and career. It helps you identify the areas where you can find fulfillment and align your actions with your true purpose. Whether you’re considering a career change, exploring new hobbies, or seeking a greater sense of meaning, the ikigai diagram can serve as a compass to guide you on your journey.

Bringing Ikigai into Your Life

Now that you have discovered your ikigai, it’s time to bring it into your everyday life. Living your ikigai involves making purposeful choices and integrating activities that align with your sense of fulfillment and alignment.

One way to incorporate your ikigai is through rituals. These are moments or activities that bring a sense of joy and purpose. They can be as simple as a morning walk, meditation, or journaling. By engaging in these rituals regularly, you create a space for reflection and connection with your true purpose.

Another way to live your ikigai is by pursuing hobbies that align with your passions and interests. Whether it’s painting, gardening, or playing a musical instrument, these activities allow you to immerse yourself in what brings you joy and fulfillment. They serve as outlets for self-expression and can bring a sense of flow and contentment.

Additionally, consider embracing a portfolio career that allows you to pursue multiple streams of income and explore various passions. This type of career allows you to create a balance between fulfilling your financial needs and engaging in work that aligns with your ikigai. It enables you to have a more holistic and fulfilling professional life.

Living Your Ikigai

Benefits

Create rituals • Enhances the sense of purpose
• Provides regular moments of reflection
Pursue hobbies • Brings joy and fulfillment
• Allows for self-expression
Develop a portfolio career • Explores diverse passions and interests
• Provides financial stability

By actively incorporating your ikigai into your daily routine and career choices, you embrace a more purposeful and fulfilling life. It’s about making deliberate decisions that align with your values, passions, and aspirations. Take the necessary steps to infuse your life with meaning and unlock the power of your ikigai.

Living Your Ikigai

The Power of Ikigai in Blue Zones®

Blue Zones® are regions around the world where people live longer, healthier lives. These areas have been studied extensively by researchers who have identified common lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity. One of the key factors found in Blue Zones® is a strong sense of purpose, or ikigai, among the residents. This sense of purpose is deeply ingrained in their daily lives and serves as a guiding force for their actions and decisions.

Living with a sense of purpose has been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced stress levels, improved mental well-being, and a lower risk of chronic diseases. In Blue Zones®, individuals have a deep understanding of their ikigai, which provides them with a clear sense of direction and motivation to live a purposeful life. This sense of purpose not only enhances their overall well-being but also contributes to their longevity.

The people living in Blue Zones® actively engage in activities that align with their ikigai, whether it’s through their work, personal hobbies, or community involvement. They prioritize activities that bring them joy, fulfill their mission, and allow them to make a positive impact on others. This alignment of personal values, passions, and actions leads to a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in life.

Blue Zones® Location
Okinawa, Japan Japan
Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica Costa Rica
Sardinia, Italy Italy
Icaria, Greece Greece
Loma Linda, California United States

By observing the lifestyles of individuals in Blue Zones®, we can learn valuable lessons about the power of ikigai and its impact on our well-being and longevity. Incorporating the principles of ikigai into our own lives can help us find greater fulfillment, purpose, and joy. Whether it’s through self-reflection, setting meaningful goals, or embracing activities that align with our passions and values, we have the ability to cultivate our own sense of ikigai and live a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

10 ways to find Your Ikigai

Finding your ikigai is a deeply personal journey, and there are various resources available to support you along the way. Whether you prefer self-reflection exercises, guided worksheets, or books on the topic, these resources can provide valuable insights and tools to help you uncover your true purpose.

  1. Inner Genius Profile:  This online questionnaire helps you identify your individual strengths, values, and passions. Start Now
  2. Unlock Inner Genius:  This book and accompanying toolkit  by Catherine Mattiske provides a step-by-step guide on how to uncover your Inner Genius.Get the eBook Package

  3. Ikigai Journal: This guided journal contains a series of activities to help you tap into your ikigai and achieve greater meaning in life.
  4.  The Book of Ikigai: Written by acclaimed author Héctor García, this book provides an in-depth exploration of the philosophy of ikigai and how to find your own. View the book on Amazon
  5. Ikigai-Inspired Podcasts: Tune into podcasts such as Ikigai Way, Ikigai Hour, and Living Your Ikigai to gain valuable insights from experts and practitioners in the field.
  6.  Ikigai exercises: There are a plethora of ikigai exercises available online that can help you dive deep into your passions, values, and goals. These exercises often involve prompts and questions that encourage self-reflection and exploration. By taking the time to engage in these exercises, you can gain a better understanding of what truly brings you joy and fulfillment.
  7.  Self-reflection tools: Self-reflection is a key component of discovering your ikigai. There are various tools and questionnaires available that can guide you through this process. These tools prompt you to reflect on different aspects of your life, such as your values, strengths, and aspirations. By dedicating time to self-reflection, you can gain clarity and insight into your true purpose.
  8. Professional guidance: Sometimes, it can be helpful to seek guidance from a professional. Life coaches, therapists, and counselors are trained to help individuals explore their passions and goals in life. By working with a professional, you can gain valuable insights and support as you navigate your journey towards discovering your ikigai.
  9. Meditation and mindfulness: Practices such as meditation and mindfulness can help you quiet your mind, connect with your inner self, and gain clarity on what truly matters to you. These practices can also help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing space for your ikigai to emerge.
  10. Learn from others: Lastly, one of the best ways to find your ikigai is to learn from others who have already found theirs. Engage in conversations with people who inspire you, read about the journeys of successful individuals, and attend workshops or events to gain insights and inspiration from those who have discovered their true purpose.

      Remember, finding your ikigai is a continuous journey and may involve trial and error. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself the time and space to explore your passions and values. With dedication and an open mind, you can uncover your ikigai and live a more fulfilling life. So why wait? Start your journey towards finding your ikigai today!

    Ikigai Resources

    Conclusion

    Congratulations on starting the journey of discovering your Genius Zone – your ikigai! By taking the time to reflect on your passions, skills, values, and desired impact, you have taken a significant step towards finding your purpose in life.

    Living your ikigai is about aligning your personal values and passions with meaningful work and daily choices. It’s about pursuing activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, and creating a life that is true to your purpose.

    Remember, finding your purpose is an ongoing process. As you navigate through life, continue to explore your interests, reflect on your strengths, and adapt your path accordingly. Embrace rituals and hobbies that bring you a sense of fulfillment, and consider a portfolio career that allows you to pursue multiple passions.

    By living your ikigai, you are not only creating a more meaningful life for yourself, but you are also making a positive impact on those around you. So, go forth and embrace your purpose, and may your journey be filled with joy, fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose!

    FAQ

    What is the Ikigai Test?

    The Ikigai Test is a valuable tool to help individuals discover their purpose in life. It combines the Japanese concept of ikigai, meaning “reason for being,” with a personality assessment to provide insights into what activities bring joy, align with personal strengths, fulfill a mission, and have the potential for financial reward.

    How long does it take to take the Ikigai Test?

    Taking the test requires dedicating 10 minutes of focused attention and answering questions about passions, skills, values, and potential career paths.

    What is the purpose of the ikigai diagram?

    The ikigai diagram visualizes the overlap between passion, vocation, profession, and mission, helping individuals gain clarity and direction in finding their life’s purpose.

    What is ikigai?

    Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines the words “iki,” meaning life, and “gai,” meaning purpose. It refers to having a reason to get up in the morning and living a fulfilled life. It is about finding and living one’s true purpose and aligning personal values, skills, and passions with what the world needs.

    How can ikigai improve overall well-being?

    Research has shown that having a sense of purpose can positively impact physical and psychological health. It can lead to greater happiness, decreased risk of certain health conditions, and improved mental well-being.

    How can I measure my level of ikigai?

    There are several evidence-based questionnaires and tools available to measure and assess one’s level of ikigai, such as the Ikigai-9 questionnaire, the Dispositional Flow Scale-2 (DFS-2), and the Satisfaction With Life Scale.

    How can I find my ikigai?

    Finding your ikigai requires self-reflection and deep exploration. It starts by identifying activities and interests that bring joy and align with personal values. Reflecting on what inspires and motivates you can also help uncover your ikigai.

    What is the significance of the ikigai diagram?

    The ikigai diagram is a visual representation of the intersection between passion, vocation, profession, and mission. It allows individuals to see how their personal interests, skills, and values align with what the world needs.

    How can I bring ikigai into my everyday life?

    This can be done through rituals and developing a portfolio career, which combines multiple streams of income and allows for the pursuit of various passions and interests.

    How can a coach help in uncovering my ikigai?

    A coach can provide personalized guidance, help navigate the self-discovery process, and hold individuals accountable for taking action towards their goals.

    What are Blue Zones® and their connection to ikigai?

    Blue Zones® are areas around the world known for their high concentration of centenarians and healthy, active lifestyles. In these Blue Zones®, individuals have a strong sense of purpose and a deep connection to their ikigai.

    What resources are available for finding my ikigai?

    There are several resources available, including ikigai exercises, worksheets, and self-reflection tools designed to help individuals explore their passions, values, and goals.

    Catherine Mattiske Inner Genius GQ

    Catherine Mattiske, best known for creating ID9 Intelligent Design and the Genius Quotient (GQ), is a leading light in the corporate learning and team-building industries. She regularly works with large and small organizations to help team members better understand one another while effectively collaborating and boosting individual and team morale and productivity in the workplace.

    Contact Catherine

    Go to Catherine Mattiske’s LinkedIn Profile

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