Based on the 10 rules of ikigai, these questions will help you find your ‘reason for being’.
How can we find our why? Simon Sinek asked this question 2 years ago and since then many people have delved deep into themselves to find the answer to this universal question.
We all want to know our purpose in life! You want to find your passion and the meaning you bring within for those around you!
Your Why is the thing you give to the world and those around you, your close ones, your friends. It is the space you fill in their lives.
Sinek says to ask a close friend, “Why are you my friend?” and you may find your perceived value in their life, but you may not find your ultimate WHY through that answer.
I feel the answer is much more deep and requires much more soul-searching than simply asking someone.
The answer lies deep within yourself and many people, through the centuries, have tried to find this answer through deep meditation, isolation, prayers, and sometimes just by being themselves like the calm waters of the ocean.
In this blog, I will offer 20 soul-searching questions to you that you can ask yourselves to delve deep into your purpose in this world.
You may find your answer or it may begin the quest to find your passion, but these questions are bound to bring you closer to your WHY!
Reasons To Find Your Why?
Your Why is the ultimate question that serves several purposes in life. Finding your Why is like a guiding beacon, steering you toward your passion and your inner creativity.
Your path in life and your heart will always be guided by your purpose in life, hence, you need to find your passion to live a fulfilled and passionate life. Find your passion and it will steer you towards:
- The dream job that matches your creative and analytical side.
- Knowing your hidden self that has always eluded you.
- A higher objective in life beyond self-service and your personal goals.
The Story Of Simon Sinek Who Found His Why!
If you’ve ever felt lost or unfulfilled in life, it might be a result of not identifying purpose in your life, or not knowing your WHY.
It is not that easy to find your passion, but once you do, you wake up every day with unwavering determination and a self-fulfilling purpose in life.
Simon Sinek’s Find Your Why story is a great example that offers many brainstorming ideas for those in pursuit of their WHY.
Simon found his WHY when he had lost all passion for his work. He was depressed and there was no advice or support that could find him the answer to this dilemma.
In his pursuit of WHY, he found that his purpose was to inspire others. Inspiring others fueled his motivation, and he felt he had found his purpose in life. Since then, his worldview completely changed, and he acquired newfound clarity and optimism.
“Knowing his WHY gave Sinek’s life direction, and he soon found that this confidence was appealing to others.” (1)
The Universal Laws of Ikigai
The Japanese concept of Ikigai might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Ikigai literally translates to “reason for being”—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 collide.
This philosophy comes straight from the wisdom of Japan, particularly the island of Okinawa, famous for its residents’ long lifespans.
It’s not about chasing grand, world-altering goals, but rather identifying the smaller joys and motivations that make each day feel meaningful.
The 10 Ikigai Secrets To Bring You Closer To Your Why
- Stay active; don’t retire.
- Take it slow.
- Don’t fill your stomach.
- Surround yourself with good friends.
- Get in shape for your next birthday.
- Smile
- Reconnect with nature
- Give thanks
- Live in the moment
- Follow your Ikigai, Find your passion. (4)
One thing is for sure you cannot find your “Why” all alone! You need people around you, a reason to be loved and live among relationships to reach your ikigai, your purpose in life.
It can be your work family, your blood family, or your circle of friends, but Ikigai cannot be found in isolation.
若い人たちはよく、「生き甲斐がない」といます。しかしそれは当たり前です。孤立した人には生き甲斐がない。生き甲斐とは人間関係です。
– 石川達三
Young people often say “My life has no ikigai”. This is obvious. People who isolate themselves can’t have ikigai – meaning or purpose. Ikigai is only found in interpersonal relationships.
– Ishikawa Tatsuzō
20 Soul-Searching Questions To Find Your WHY
(Based on 4 Ikigai Elements)
Ikigai represents the four key aspects of a fulfilling life. In the sweet spot where these areas converge lies your Ikigai, your reason for being. It is where you will find your passion.
Image Caption: The Ikigai Diagram – A visual tool exploring the intersection of four essential elements of one’s life. (Source: www.zen-buddhism.net)
The heart of ikigai is the ikigai diagram — a visual tool that helps you explore the intersection of four essential elements:
- Your passion (what you love)
- Your vocation (what you’re good at)
- Your mission (what the world needs)
- Your profession (what you can be paid for) (2)
By reflecting on these areas with quiet contemplation, you embark on a journey of self-discovery.
It’s not about finding a single, fixed purpose, but an ongoing exploration of the things that bring a sense of fulfillment and value to your life.
This introspective process can be incredibly rewarding, guiding you towards a life filled with meaning and purpose.
There are many variables that affect your life’s “Why!” Your Ikigai is not a singular goal or objective that fulfils your life rather, it is a spectrum.
You can have several Ikigai in life, from that early morning coffee to daily workouts and to even working little by little towards a life goal.
Each sets the pace for the next one, ultimately feeding all their positive energy to a “Deeper sense of purpose”, your “WHY.”
In my quest for my “Why,” I periodically wrote down the recipe or the journey leading towards it.
I scratched out many notes and sieved through many soul-searching questions.
Finally, I compiled a list of questions that have helped me find my passion and purpose in life. These 20 soul-searching questions are based on the 10 rules of Ikigai mentioned above.
These may help you figure out what brings out fulfilment and joy and what is your ‘reason for being.’ Even if you cannot find your “Why” right away, these questions will help you start your journey to find your passion evidently.
You can begin to peel back the layers and discover the essence of what truly brings you joy. Here are 20 soul-searching questions inspired by the 10 rules of Ikigai to guide you on this transformative journey:
20 Questions To Ask Yourself & Find Your “Why”
Find Your Why Questions
| Ikigai of Passion And Mission |
| Question 1: What activities make you lose track of time? What energizes you, even when you’re tired? Question 2: What problems in the world ignite a passion in you to resolve them? What issues compel you to take action? Question 3: What is the first thing you want to do or do after getting out of bed to energize you for the day? Question 4: Think back to your childhood. What did you dream of becoming? What captured your imagination? Question 5: Imagine you have unlimited resources. What cause would you dedicate your life to? Question 6: What are your non-negotiables in life? They can be certain principles you adhere to or your core beliefs that fuel your thought processes. |
| The Ikigai of Vocation And Profession |
| Question 7: What skills do you possess that come naturally to you? What are you complimented on most often? Question 8: What kind of work environment thrives on your strengths? Do you crave collaboration or solitude? Question 9: Consider your financial needs. What kind of lifestyle do you envision for yourself? Question 10: Do you live life beyond consumerism and finances, or are you bound by financial constraints and your material needs? Question 11: List down top three specific careers that align with your values and passions. Question 12: Are you willing to take on volunteer work or short-term projects to test different paths? |
| Digging Deeper |
| Question 13: Are there recurring themes in your answers? What threads connect your passions, skills, and values? Question 14: Considering your past work experiences, what projects or roles have left you feeling accomplished and fulfilled? Question 15: Name a person/loved one/friend that inspires you. What did they say about you? What qualities do they possess that resonate with you? Question 16: Think about the impact you want to leave on the world. How can your talents make a difference? Question 17: Imagine you have a magic “undo” button. What past experience would you change and why? |
| The Ikigai of Living |
| Question 18: If money were no object, how would you spend your days? Question 19: Are you surrounded by people who share your values and aspirations and who support you in your journey to find your passion? Question 20: Do you live in fear or do you live with purpose, with passion, with your whole heart? Do allow your Ikigai to guide you and illuminate your path? |
These “Find Your Why” questions are not a culmination of the pursuit of your ‘Why’ rather, they are the beginning, they are a means to no end.
If you realize that Ikigai and your purpose are not a destination but a journey, you will live a fulfilling life in which you can find your passion daily.
Reaching this higher mental level is an exercise in Ikigai and neural patience, which is difficult to achieve. Like Sinek, I have spent countless hours ruminating about my ‘Why’ journey and so will you.
I will leave you with a reading list that helped me sort through my thoughts as I got closer to my ultimate ‘Why.’
Till next time.
Mata Ne
また後で。
Recommended Reading: Find Your Why Books
1: Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer
The book provides guidance on how to discover your true calling through self-reflection and introspection.
The author, Parker J. Palmer, shares his struggles in finding his calling and emphasizes that following your true self is more important than succumbing to external pressures.
2: Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis
Jarvis tells you to stop waiting for a magical calling to appear – it’s about creating your own! Jarvis argues that creativity isn’t a gift for the lucky few.
It’s a muscle we can all build. This book is your guide. With his “IDEA” framework, you’ll learn to envision your dream life, design a daily routine that fuels your passions, and take action to make it happen.
3: How to See Yourself As You Really Are by Dalai Lama
Happiness isn’t an accident – it’s built on self-knowledge. The Dalai Lama guides you through dismantling negative self-perceptions and embracing a more compassionate perspective.
Through this journey of self-discovery, you’ll find a clearer path towards your purpose. The book emphasizes that true happiness comes from connecting with your inner potential and fostering positive relationships with the world around you.
4: Find Your Why by Simon Sinek
This is my most favorite read which inspired me to write the 20 soul-searching questions. Sinek says that knowing your “why” fuels motivation and happiness in all aspects of life. By following his practical exercises, you’ll gain clarity on your core values and beliefs. With this newfound purpose, you’ll be empowered to make fulfilling choices and live a life that truly matters.
5: IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret To a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
Inspired by the wisdom of Okinawa’s long-living residents, this book explores the concept of Ikigai – your reason for being.
Through practical exercises, you’ll discover the sweet spot where your passions, skills, mission, and profession converge.
