Personally, we think there should be more words like this—in every language possible—which is why we’re excited to announce a new MEA Online course: “Designing Your Purposeful Path to Work.”

We hope to bring these phrases to life and ask the ultimate question behind them all—how do we commit to something meaningful to ourselves while contributing to something beyond ourselves.

The concept of Ikigai (translated as “that which makes life worth living”) is a foundational principle of the concept of Purpose. It combines four key elements:

• What do you like to do?
• What are you good at?
• What can you get paid for?
• What does the world need?
  

The bull’s eye in the center is when you feel like you’ve not just developed a career but also a calling.

What makes Ikigai effective is its inextricable link to a sense of mastery—the idea known as “chanto suru” that things should be done properly. As such, ikigai emphasizes process and immersion rather than a final aim. To get a flavor for this, I’d highly recommend watching Jiro Dreams of Sushi. And, unlike anything else you’ll find on an internet search, we have created an Ikigai diagnostic in this online course so you can get a sense of how you score on these four ways of measuring Purpose.

As MEA mastery faculty member Richard Leider writes, “While the roles we play in life—parent, child, friend, author, coach, teacher, you name it—are important, they are not our life’s purpose. Purpose is not a role or a goal; it is an aim and a mindset. To awaken, to grow, to continually give, and to make a difference to others—that’s why we are here. It’s who we bring to what we do.”

Richard is one of the teachers in our Purpose course, along with Nike CEO John Donahoe, former Paramount Pictures CEO Sherry Lansing, bestselling author Lynne Twist, award-winning musician Michael Franti, and NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.

To learn more about this course, check it out HERE. The 8-week course starts June 4 and you can receive a 20% Early Bird Plus price if you sign up by May 1.