“If I stay in this job till retirement I will regret, If I quit I have a fifty percent chance of regretting and a fifty percent chance of thriving. I am taking the fifty percent chance.” These are words from one of my coaching clients. Every time someone tells me they want to quit their job I am very cautious. I am cautious for various reasons; Entrepreneurship can be easily overrated especially in the current generation, employment pressure can easily make you jump out without giving it much thought and peer pressure from people who are their own bosses can easily get into your nerves.

My advice has always been whatever choice you make in life, make sure you are at peace with it. Life is not a competition and there are no universal standards in life. The most important thing in life is to enjoy and make the most of where you are right now. It is however important that you also realize when a season is over. It is imperative to know when you have outgrown a season, role or environment. My role as a coach is to ask you deep questions that will help you identify your source of dissatisfaction.

I hence seek to explore; have you outgrown your current role or environment. Is the current environment adding any value to your life; beyond a salary/revenue. In summary we do not just outgrow employment roles, we also outgrow business ventures and people. Once you confirm that you have outgrown your current environment then you are ready for the next step. The next step is exploring your next move. Do you need a different role, different industry, different employer, become a freelancer or start a business venture? The mistake we mostly make is assuming that we all need to venture out into business. Though we will all leave employment at some point voluntarily or involuntarily it is imperative that you design and plan your exit.

What I found interesting with this client though is what she said in our subsequent session. “I am willing to press the reset button. I can’t rush anymore.” In short she was willing to start all over again. This mostly happens after a self-discovery journey. This is a time when one sits and analyzes their work or family life. They then realize it has become a rush in a race that will never stop. The most disturbing thing about this race is that it leaves you dissatisfied and unfulfilled. The self-discovery journey makes them realize what gives them utmost pleasure, presence and satisfaction. They are hence willing to drop everything they have and go after their new defined sense of joy. It is the conviction that comes from asking, what am I here for?

In the words of Steve Jobs; “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Do not settle. As with all matters of the heart you will know when you find it”

Finding this ‘great work that you love’ starts with finding your Ikigai. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means a reason for being. It looks at what gives you direction in life, that which makes life worthwhile. It also looks at what one takes spontaneous and willing actions towards hence giving them satisfaction and a sense of meaning in life. To demonstrate the depth of Ikigai a story is told by Anthony de Mello in his book Taking flight.

A woman was in a coma and was dying. She suddenly had a feeling that she was taken up to heaven and stood before the Judgment Seat.

“Who are you?” a voice said to her.

“I’m the wife of the mayor,” she replied.

“I did not ask whose wife you are but who you are.”

“I’m the mother of four children.”

“I did not ask whose mother you are, but who you are.”

“I’m a schoolteacher.”

“I did not ask what your profession is but who you are.”

And so it went. No matter what she replied, she did not seem to give a satisfactory answer to the question, “Who are you?”

“I’m a Christian.”

“I did not ask what your religion is but who you are.”

“I’m the one who went to church every day and always helped the poor and needy.”

“I did not ask you what you did but who you are.”

She evidently failed the examination, for she was sent back to earth. When she recovered from her illness, she was determined to find out who she was.

And that made all the difference.

It took me a decade consciously and unconsciously searching for my Ikigai. I have documented a detailed insight on my journey to finding my Ikigai. I have also shared practical steps to finding your Ikigai and incorporating it in your day to day life. Look out for my new book titled, “Finding your Rhythm – A journey to my Ikigai.” It is an intriguing read with self-development tools and lessons for everyday living.

“Ikigai is what you live for, the passion and purpose of your life. It is the joy found in living whether it is your job, volunteer work, family or friends. It is what you are trying to achieve from this life that you were given.”