Find your Ikigai

The expectations of society means our careers often define us. This shapes not only our lifestyles but also our values and aspirations. Many people find themselves on a quest for professional success, chasing financial stability and some degree of work-life balance. However, as our understanding of fulfillment and happiness evolves over time, so does our perception of what a successful career entails.

The diagram above of IKIGAI is a Japanese concept meaning "A reason for being". It's thought provoking in that it highlights how balance across many different parts of life can bring about a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Try writing down a few bullet points in each category on how your career satisfies each segment. Does you career tick every box? If not, there might be a way to fill the gaps.

Explore a Hybrid Career

Enter the hybrid career, a life path that blends paid employment with volunteer work on the side for a charitable cause. You've probably seen it in later stage professionals, who may have satisfied their wants for earnings or promotions, and are now looking to give back.

But the benefits are many and can surface at any stage of a career:

• ‍New Skills: Helping a nonprofit you can enhance your skills a new environment. Or you can try something new where you don't have as much experience but are keen to learn.
• ‍Networking Opportunities: Engaging with nonprofits can lead to unexpected opportunities, both professionally and personally. Liaising with the Board of Directors of nonprofits is a good example of one opportunity.
• ‍Fulfillment Beyond the Paycheck: While financial security is crucial, it often leaves individuals feeling unfulfilled. A hybrid career allows individuals to pursue a passion or a cause they deeply care about without sacrificing their financial stability.
• ‍Enhancing Well-being: The feeling of being needed and adding value has a positive impact on one's mental and emotional well-being. It also provides a sense of purpose that transcends the often transactional nature of paid employment. You can also improve the well-being of others and have a direct impact on causes you support.
• ‍Innovation: A hybrid career encourages innovative thinking. Exposure to different environments and perspectives fosters creativity, as you can draw inspiration from both the corporate world and the nonprofit sector. This cross-pollination of ideas can lead to groundbreaking solutions and novel approaches to solving complex problems.
• ‍Resilience and Adaptability: In a rapidly evolving world, resilience and adaptability are invaluable. A hybrid career hones these qualities as you navigate two distinct realms. Balancing multiple roles and responsibilities builds your capacity to adapt to various challenges, making you more resilient in the face of adversity.

The pursuit of a hybrid career is a powerful shift in our understanding of personal success. It embraces the idea that financial stability and personal fulfillment are not mutually exclusive but can coexist harmoniously.

By dedicating time to both paid employment and charitable endeavors, individuals can lead more meaningful lives, enrich society, and inspire positive change.

As society continues to evolve, people should consider the open possibilities of a hybrid career, where success is defined not only by the size of our paychecks but also by the impact we make.