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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”?

#111

Post by xyzwave »

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.

This came up in the Tim Ferris interview with Jim Collins [0].

Collins has a notion called the "Hedgehog Concept". Which is the same as you're noting, but a bit more concise.

- What you love to do

- What you are encoded for (not just good at)

- What you can be paid to do

I think the reframing of the 2nd bullet is important. There's a difference being good at something and being encoded for something. You can be good at math, but relative to someone encoded for math, you're going to face significantly more friction.

This is a hard question and requires a high degree of self-honesty, but I believe it is the crucial differentiator in identifying your "purpose".

0. https://tim.blog/2019/02/20/the-tim-ferriss-show-transcripts...

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

#112

Post by greymalik »

another_story wrote: post #83
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.

See: hedonic adaptation [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedonic_treadmill]

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

#115

Post by sbf501 »

Start one level up: why do you want or need a "purpose"?

Purpose/calling is meaningless IMHO. I opted for "pushing my comfort zone". Something I learned from a woman I was dating when I was 20 (she was 9 years older and entering the Peace Corp). Now rapidly reaching the other side of 50, I seek to be content and without dissonance in my day-to-day life. I have routines I enjoy, no bucket list, and time to let my mind wander to whatever tickles my fancy.

Instead, expand your horizons as much as possible. Read. Study. Try new things. They don't have to be expensive things, this isn't about privilege. Anyone can try drawing, or writing music, or reading philosphy, or long distance running, or volunteering, or sexual experimentation, ... things that push your comfort zone and force you to see the world a new way. If you have the means, travel to foreign countries and get lost, skydive, surf, scuba dive, play in a band, take a dance class, take any class at a college that seems interesting, take a Toastmasters class and give speeches, change jobs.

The more you bend yourself (without breaking) the more you will learn about what gives your life contour.

You might never find purpose, but hopefully you will find peace and delivery from the restlessness you have expressed.

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

#116

Post by textide »

makeworld wrote: post #82
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...

That’s what the pay is indicative of. If people want it, they will pay for it, and your employer will pay you to deliver it. Unless you’re talking about being driven by a goal outside of any business (i.e. market) needs.

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

#117

Post by barrucadu »

My "purpose", though it feels rather grand to call it that, is simply to have a good time.

Do I derive some sort of great spiritual meaning from working on side-projects, reading lots of books, playing tabletop RPGs, and planning to get a dog some day? No. But those things bring me satisfaction and happiness, and that's all that is necessary.

Purpose, meaning, and cosmic significance is overrated. This life is all we have: there's nothing after it. Just do what makes you happy.

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

#118

Post by hindsightbias »

gw98 wrote: post #89
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.

Do what lets you afford your hobbies.

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

#120

Post by Nathanba »

No offense, but how many years have you lived in this world? Have you seen it? Have you never cared yet? If not, what is your problem? How about you actually go and when you read a piece of news or see a problem out in this world, you CARE. For one second in your life, you actually dont just look at yourself and do everything for your own higher happiness and well being and you actually try to help somebody else or fix a serious problem or stop some evil that is going on out there. We live in a messed up world of wars and pain and suffering of immense proportions. And yet you come here and ask like a child: "ohh gee, I wanna have a purpose because I'll be even more happy than I already am, I heard it gives me an even bigger high!" I'm paraphrasing. It's almost offensive honestly. Not almost, it is offensive.
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