“The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence

Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.

A balanced diet, physical activity, and regular routines are essential. Simple habits like eating slowly, walking every day, and practicing mindfulness can help you lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Nurture Good Habits

When you’re in flow, it’s like riding a wave of energy, your actions feel effortless.

Ikigai is the Japanese concept of having a reason to jump out of bed every morning.It's about finding that sweet spot where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all intersect. It’s your reason for being.

Finding Your Ikigai

When you engage in tasks that align with your Ikigai, you often enter a state called 'flow'—a state where time seems to fly, and you're fully immersed and enjoying what you do. This state boosts happiness and productivity.

Embrace the Flow State

Happiness is only real when shared.

Being present in the moment is a key aspect of finding your Ikigai. It’s about appreciating the small things—whether it’s enjoying a cup of tea or taking in the beauty of nature—without rushing through life.

Live in the Moment

It’s not about chasing perfection but doing what you love with authenticity. Mistakes are part of the journey. Your passion becomes your craft when you embrace learning and growth.

Pursue Your Passion, Not Perfection

Retirement kills more people than hard work ever did.

Strong social connections are a pillar of Ikigai. Forming meaningful relationships with others who share your passions or who you can help brings fulfillment. It’s not just about you; it’s about the community.

Connect with Others

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

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The people of Okinawa, Japan, who live long, happy lives, never truly retire. They find ways to stay active, both physically and mentally. When your life has a purpose, there’s no reason to stop.

Keep Moving, Don’t Retire

What if finding your purpose could change everything?

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • 1.5 MILLION+ COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE “Workers looking for more fulfilling positions should start by identifying their ikigai.” ―Business Insider   “One of the unintended—yet positive—consequences of the [pandemic] is that it is forcing people to reevaluate their jobs, careers, and lives. Use this time wisely, find your personal ikigai, and live your best life.” ―Forbes Find your ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) to live longer and bring more meaning and joy to all your days. “Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.” —Japanese proverb   According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai—a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai—where what you love, what you’re good at, what you can get paid for, and what the world needs all overlap—means that each day is infused with meaning. It’s the reason we get up in the morning. It’s also the reason many Japanese never really retire (in fact there’s no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense it does in English): They remain active and work at what they enjoy, because they’ve found a real purpose in life—the happiness of always being busy. In researching this book, the authors interviewed the residents of the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds—one of the world’s Blue Zones. Ikigai reveals the secrets to their longevity and happiness: how they eat, how they move, how they work, how they foster collaboration and community, and—their best-kept secret—how they find the ikigai that brings satisfaction to their lives. And it provides practical tools to help you discover your own ikigai. Because who doesn’t want to find happiness in every day?

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Hector Garcia was born in Spain in 1981 and has been living in Tokyo since 2004. During his spare time he writes aGeekinJapan.com, one of the most widely-read blogs in the world in Spanish and in English, as well as books about his experiences in Japan. He is the author of the bestsellers: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life and A Geek in Japan. You can find more of Hector's musings at ageekinjapan.com

Héctor García

Francesc Miralles Contijoch is a Catalan writer, essayist, translator, and musician.

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