How to Ikigai. Tim Tamashiro

       Introduction

      Dave Thorsell has the most wonderful Ikigai. He’s a pleaser of people.

      Dave is a friend that anyone would feel lucky to have. He’s loyal and generous. He’s my best friend from high school. Over the years, he’s become my chosen brother. He’s family. There’s something about Dave that is immediately obvious. He wakes up every day to please people.

      I met Dave within the first ten minutes during the first day of high school at Lacombe Composite High School in Lacombe, Alberta in Canada. Like most first days of high school, the morning reeked of excitement. I had a copy of my schedule in hand and went about trying to find my first class. It was 1981. There was no such thing as a school map. Each student had to use their deductive skills to find their way. My first class of the day was chemistry with Mr. Koole.

      I took a wild guess that the class might be on the second floor. I located the hallway that led me upstairs. I bolted up the stairs, two by two, and then flung open the steel door at the top. Right there on the other side of the door, just a few steps down the hallway, I saw a long-haired blonde dude with his back to me. He wore a faded and worn blue jean jacket with a large Honda patch sewn across the back. I thought to myself, “Honda? What a loser.” Then the young fella turned around and our eyes met. I asked, “Do you know where Chemistry is?”

      He said, “Nope, but I’m in that class too. Let’s find it. My name is Dave.”

      It was Dave Thorsell. It was immediately obvious that he was loyal and generous. The first thing he offered me was a chance to make my day a little brighter. We’ve been friends ever since.

      Dave’s himself when he pleases people. His Ikigai is to please people. It’s as easy for him to do as breathing.

      As with Dave, your Ikigai is the reason you get out of bed every day. It is your purpose. Ikigai is an attribute that every person has. Sometimes it’s obvious, as it is with Dave. Other times, it’s not so obvious.

      I am writing this book to help you understand what Ikigai is. More importantly, my intention is to help you figure out what your Ikigai is. To bring it to light, you must become an Ikigai researcher.

      My motivation for this book is rooted in my own Ikigai, which is to delight. I hope to delight you because it’s the reason I get out of bed every morning.

      Here’s another thing I’ve learned about Ikigai. I’ve learned that when I send delight out to the world, I get delight back in return. Whether I’m singing a song on a stage, hosting a podcast, or chatting with a clerk at the grocery store, my Ikigai is to delight. I have a clear understanding that each day is full of chances to make use of my Ikigai. Ikigai is easy to share, and it’s easy to feel the rewards of sharing it. Ikigai is a cycle of perpetual purpose.

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