Doing the Things

A Simple Way to Start Uncovering Your Ikigai

Thirteen years ago, I had some changes and events in my life, including losing a friend to suicide, which prompted me to start doing the things I used to talk about doing but never did.

I didn't realize it then, but that was an Ikigai approach to life, if ever there was one.

The first-time involved ice fishing…

My good friend Aaron loves ice fishing. I remember asking him…

"So you go out on lakes and cut holes in the ice you are standing on...you mean like on purpose?"

I had never been and thought I should try a quintessential Wisconsin experience. We had talked about going for several years and never actually scheduled the time.

I declared, "This is the year I'm going to start 'doing the things', and ice fishing is the first. Let's pick a date."

Because the lakes don't always freeze early in winter, we picked a date when we knew the ice would certainly be ready.

A few days out the weather turned bitter cold. Single digits with extreme wind. Aaron asked if I wanted to reschedule. "Nope. We are doing it."

And we did and it was a blast. One of the best times I've ever had, mostly because I followed through.

Since then, I've added a number of those things and every time I say, I/we should do x, it gets planned.

My wife and I were watching ''Blown Away'' awhile back. It's a group of artists in competitive glass blowing, similar to the cooking contest shows.

I commented that I had always thought that would be a cool thing to learn.

Blown Away courtesy of Netflix

"Yes, you have said that many times over the years," she said.

That's when it hit me; this is ''one of the things!''

Looking online, there are indeed local glass-blowing classes available.

This was a powerful Ikigai insight and one I'm going to follow. This isn't to suggest I'm going to start making art with glass.

In fact, I almost certainly won't, though that does sound cool, doesn't it?

There is something in this for me to uncover about myself and my Ikigai.

Following through, doing what I talk about has greatly enhanced my life and given me some of my best experiences.

It has also helped me uncover aspects of my Ikigai I would never have realized otherwise.

Maybe this is the year you start doing the things you've always talked about doing.

🌀Ikigai Idea: Do the things

If you are looking to go deeper, you can learn more about Ikiquest here.

For those on the quest, you can access your Ikiquest resources here.