WEBVTT 00:00:04.486 --> 00:00:10.016 Ikigai: the Japanese secret to living a purposeful life, 00:00:10.744 --> 00:00:13.844 originating from the island of Okinawa, 00:00:13.844 --> 00:00:18.484 where its residents have the highest life expectancy in the world. 00:00:19.938 --> 00:00:24.088 Once called the land of immortals, the UN states 00:00:24.088 --> 00:00:29.158 that Okinawa has the highest proportion of centenarians to date. 00:00:30.056 --> 00:00:34.416 These Okinawans live by a concept known as ikigai. 00:00:35.210 --> 00:00:39.810 "Iki" translates to life, and "gai" describes value. 00:00:40.655 --> 00:00:46.085 This term refers to the things that make one's life worthwhile, 00:00:46.089 --> 00:00:48.429 the reason you get out of bed every morning. 00:00:50.241 --> 00:00:55.461 Ikigai stands at the crossroad of four main qualities: 00:00:55.461 --> 00:01:01.167 what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, 00:01:01.167 --> 00:01:04.377 and what you can be rewarded for. 00:01:05.054 --> 00:01:11.294 The intersection between what you love and what you're good at is your passion. 00:01:11.294 --> 00:01:15.192 This is something that is truly meaningful to you 00:01:15.192 --> 00:01:18.862 and you're willing to make sacrifices for. 00:01:20.225 --> 00:01:24.615 Adding to the picture, what the world needs is vital, 00:01:24.615 --> 00:01:30.277 as serving society gives us this sense of belonging and purpose. 00:01:31.124 --> 00:01:35.794 Finally, adding on what you can be rewarded for 00:01:35.794 --> 00:01:40.104 is essential to make a living out of your purpose. 00:01:41.412 --> 00:01:44.161 Now, finding your ikigai 00:01:44.161 --> 00:01:49.422 requires deep experimentation and self exploration. 00:01:50.195 --> 00:01:55.675 By pursuing concrete actions and reflecting back thoughtfully, 00:01:55.675 --> 00:01:59.007 you can discover how your passion, 00:01:59.007 --> 00:02:02.157 mission, profession and vocation 00:02:02.157 --> 00:02:07.739 all intersect to bring more meaning to your career and life. 00:02:09.489 --> 00:02:11.679 Take Steve Jobs for example. 00:02:11.679 --> 00:02:15.679 He was the epitome of success in the technology field, 00:02:16.763 --> 00:02:20.353 but he wasn't passionate about computer hardware; 00:02:20.353 --> 00:02:22.403 he was passionate about the tools 00:02:22.403 --> 00:02:25.763 that would unleash his personal creativity. 00:02:26.488 --> 00:02:30.968 His curiosity and interest in calligraphy 00:02:30.968 --> 00:02:33.766 eventually became the inspiration 00:02:33.766 --> 00:02:37.306 for Apple and its unique typography. 00:02:38.777 --> 00:02:42.877 By exploring your passions and interest, 00:02:42.877 --> 00:02:46.827 you can engage your mind in novel ways 00:02:46.827 --> 00:02:51.287 and discover your purpose, your ikigai. 00:02:52.308 --> 00:02:55.618 And not only will your ikigai 00:02:55.618 --> 00:02:59.068 help you live a more meaningful life, 00:02:59.068 --> 00:03:04.875 but it will also protect you from stress and illness. 00:03:05.684 --> 00:03:09.684 According to the American psychosomatic society, 00:03:09.684 --> 00:03:12.984 possessing a high sense of purpose in life 00:03:12.984 --> 00:03:16.584 is associated with a reduced risk for mortality 00:03:16.584 --> 00:03:18.714 and cardiovascular accidents. 00:03:19.544 --> 00:03:24.934 So those who feel purpose tend to live healthier lives 00:03:24.934 --> 00:03:28.228 and are more motivated and resilient. 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:34.899 And I believe that each and every one of us 00:03:35.369 --> 00:03:37.429 has an ikigai. 00:03:37.429 --> 00:03:43.119 You just have to undertake a deep exploration of yourself to find it. 00:03:44.426 --> 00:03:48.306 But let me tell you now: it is not easy. 00:03:49.251 --> 00:03:53.251 It requires courage, determination, 00:03:53.251 --> 00:03:56.621 and a willingness to make sacrifices. 00:03:57.670 --> 00:04:02.078 In order for me to discover my ikigai, 00:04:02.078 --> 00:04:05.428 I first had to detach myself 00:04:05.428 --> 00:04:09.158 from my fears, negativity, and worries. 00:04:10.187 --> 00:04:16.797 I would often think I'm too shy to make any contributions to society, 00:04:17.615 --> 00:04:22.085 and even if I do, who's actually going to care? 00:04:22.935 --> 00:04:25.885 What even is my purpose? 00:04:27.128 --> 00:04:33.108 I would constantly criticize myself and find faults with who I was 00:04:33.108 --> 00:04:35.052 and what I did. 00:04:36.400 --> 00:04:41.700 But after years and years of self-doubt and a lack of confidence, 00:04:42.796 --> 00:04:48.256 I realized that my only true enemy was myself 00:04:48.256 --> 00:04:51.028 and that if this continues, 00:04:51.028 --> 00:04:57.518 I would never be able to experience and discover my full potential. 00:04:59.339 --> 00:05:05.679 So I tried convincing myself that my contributions do matter 00:05:05.679 --> 00:05:08.307 and that I do have a purpose, 00:05:09.137 --> 00:05:12.077 but I just couldn't seem to believe that. 00:05:14.034 --> 00:05:20.504 So that is when I decided to take concrete actions 00:05:20.504 --> 00:05:24.072 that would build up the confidence inside of me 00:05:24.072 --> 00:05:28.202 and help me see what I am actually capable of. 00:05:29.876 --> 00:05:33.986 Although it took a lot of consideration 00:05:33.986 --> 00:05:37.276 and a lengthy list of pros and cons, 00:05:38.594 --> 00:05:44.694 I had joined an entrepreneurial program by the name FutureHack, 00:05:44.694 --> 00:05:48.601 a boot camp designed for self-motivated leaders 00:05:48.601 --> 00:05:51.521 who strive to solve global issues. 00:05:52.808 --> 00:05:57.378 I set foot into the program with a shy personality, 00:05:57.378 --> 00:06:00.122 minimal experience in leadership, 00:06:00.122 --> 00:06:05.582 and the inability to comfortably express my ideas to others. 00:06:07.341 --> 00:06:10.271 But throughout the experience, 00:06:10.271 --> 00:06:16.881 I had met so many passionate, hard-working and inspirational people. 00:06:17.911 --> 00:06:19.651 We worked collaboratively 00:06:19.651 --> 00:06:23.501 under a national project for educational innovation. 00:06:24.184 --> 00:06:29.624 It was the first time governors, teachers, and students of Japan 00:06:29.624 --> 00:06:33.424 had all come together to exchange ideas 00:06:33.424 --> 00:06:37.724 on how to reform the Japanese education system. 00:06:38.756 --> 00:06:43.906 Over 50 teachers and 50 students had attended this movement 00:06:43.906 --> 00:06:46.681 while government officials watched over 00:06:46.681 --> 00:06:50.681 and actually took students' ideas into consideration. 00:06:52.137 --> 00:06:58.127 It was astonishing to watch students and teachers interacting 00:06:58.127 --> 00:07:01.051 and pitching their own ideas to one another. 00:07:02.248 --> 00:07:07.488 And this new feeling of enthusiasm and ambition 00:07:07.488 --> 00:07:10.535 sparked the confidence inside of me, 00:07:11.573 --> 00:07:18.073 and I happily pitched my reformation ideas to the changemakers themselves. 00:07:19.575 --> 00:07:25.745 By facing my fear and realizing that I am capable, 00:07:25.745 --> 00:07:30.111 I no longer felt scared or intimidated. 00:07:30.111 --> 00:07:35.364 I finally felt like my opinion truly did matter to people, 00:07:35.364 --> 00:07:41.303 and I developed this great drive towards making a positive impact on society. 00:07:42.114 --> 00:07:47.374 I had uncovered my passion for design and entrepreneurship, 00:07:47.374 --> 00:07:53.077 and built up this desire to continue expanding and exploring 00:07:53.077 --> 00:07:57.183 to further discover my true inner self. 00:07:59.228 --> 00:08:04.348 The great Dalai Lama has summed up my experience: 00:08:06.738 --> 00:08:10.598 "With realization of one's own potential 00:08:10.598 --> 00:08:13.808 and confidence in one's ability, 00:08:13.808 --> 00:08:16.718 one can build a better world." 00:08:18.962 --> 00:08:21.642 Now, close your eyes. 00:08:23.638 --> 00:08:27.948 I am giving you this moment to ask yourself, 00:08:29.494 --> 00:08:31.374 What do you love? 00:08:34.326 --> 00:08:36.196 What are you good at? 00:08:38.265 --> 00:08:41.245 What can you be rewarded for? 00:08:43.474 --> 00:08:47.984 And what would you like to see change in this world? 00:08:50.044 --> 00:08:52.344 Now, open your eyes, 00:08:53.297 --> 00:08:57.914 and open yourself to the opportunities that await you. 00:08:58.377 --> 00:09:04.534 I encourage you to branch out and take advantage of these opportunities, 00:09:04.534 --> 00:09:07.480 despite your insecurities. 00:09:07.488 --> 00:09:09.778 Keep your passion in mind. 00:09:09.778 --> 00:09:12.458 Let go of your fear. 00:09:12.459 --> 00:09:17.479 Go pursue that thing you've been holding yourself back from for so long. 00:09:18.355 --> 00:09:23.495 Shift your mindset from viewing things as obstacles 00:09:23.495 --> 00:09:26.373 and see them as opportunities. 00:09:27.864 --> 00:09:31.664 Eventually, your purpose may unfold. 00:09:32.674 --> 00:09:37.174 Go out and discover your ikigai. 00:09:38.906 --> 00:09:39.946 Thank you.