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Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

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Re: Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

#81

Post by ALittleLight »

Explore exploit is my basic mental model for everything. When you don't know what to do randomly sample your options. When you start finding things you like begin shifting your efforts towards exploiting what you know.

If you don't know what your purpose is, try different things - art, making money, helping people, socializing, etc. Figure out low cost ways you can try new stuff. When you start to enjoy an area invest more in that area. When you start to imagine possible plans, increase your focus.

Re: Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

#82

Post by makeworld »

game_the0ry wrote: post #78

In plain english, "Ikigai" is the intersection of: - what you enjoy doing - what you are good at doing - what you can get paid for doing Imagine a a circle for each of those categiries as a Venn diagram - the middle of the 3 would be "Ikigai." Try making a list of all three, then see if there is overlap.

I think you are forgetting one more category: what the world needs

OP may find this helpful: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKPqgFP1m1Y/WdVP2sfqAmI/AAAAAAAAl...

Re: Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

#83

Post by another_story »

game_the0ry wrote: post #78

In plain english, "Ikigai" is the intersection of: - what you enjoy doing - what you are good at doing - what you can get paid for doing Imagine a a circle for each of those categiries as a Venn diagram - the middle of the 3 would be "Ikigai." Try making a list of all three, then see if there is overlap.

Unfortunately, once you start getting paid, and especially if it's what you rely on to live, the joy often disappears. Not always, but it seems to be quite common.

Re: Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

#86

Post by bluquark »

game_the0ry wrote: post #78

In plain english, "Ikigai" is the intersection of: - what you enjoy doing - what you are good at doing - what you can get paid for doing Imagine a a circle for each of those categiries as a Venn diagram - the middle of the 3 would be "Ikigai." Try making a list of all three, then see if there is overlap.

These 3 criteria seem rather narrow to define a concept as existentially loaded as ikigai. There's a related narrower Japanese word for purely work/task-related satisfaction, "yarigai", which seems closer to what you're talking about.

Re: Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

#87

Post by n0t3ths81 »

prawn wrote: post #80

Do lots of things that you find interesting. With any hope you will naturally gravitate towards something (or things) that you enjoy and look forward to. I have been a web developer since the late 90s. In the last few years, I’ve moved somewhat into shooting travel content - getting paid to go on adventures. It happened after I turned 40 and I wouldn’t have seen it coming even just a year prior.

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Re: Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

#88

Post by kleer001 »

The deepest, most significant, and heroic purpose to live one's life is taking on responsibility in service to others. Responsibility to the level where you can barely stand it. Then grow into it. Be more pro-social than you can imagine anyone being.

Re: Ask HN: How do I find my “purpose”?

#89

Post by gw98 »

game_the0ry wrote: post #78

In plain english, "Ikigai" is the intersection of: - what you enjoy doing - what you are good at doing - what you can get paid for doing Imagine a a circle for each of those categiries as a Venn diagram - the middle of the 3 would be "Ikigai." Try making a list of all three, then see if there is overlap.

I tried that and it completely broke me working with other people who did a shitty job of what I loved doing and didn't care.

I now worked out the thing to do is earn lots of money turning something you hate but are good at into something tolerable. That gives you time, energy and money for the things you love.

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