Photo by Miguel Orós on Unsplash
There is no way to be satisfied when you only want one thing, and that one thing is more.
David Marlow
Chisoku is a Japanese word translated to mean 'Be satisfied.' In the context of Ikigai, it expresses being content with having enough.
How Much Is Enough?
We often want more than we have now. It is normal to desire more money, new gadgets, a better car, a bigger house, clothes, shoes, and success.
That often becomes our default setting…more.
And what happens when we get more?
We aren't satisfied because our friends have gotten new things. Our neighbor has more rooms in their house. Our coworker a bigger raise.
Our culture pushes wanting more. It's consumerism, an integral part of the industrialized world.
There's nothing wrong with wanting things.
We should ask, how much do we need to be satisfied?
In many cases, the answer is that we already have more than enough.
What do I mean when I say enough?
Food, water, shelter, and clothing are not enough.
Embracing Chisoku means having more than only the bare necessities of life.
Enough, in this case, means ample resources to live, be happy, and thrive.
I love my running. You could argue that running shoes are not necessary for my survival. My wife might argue that they are essential for her survival to get me out of the house. 😉
They are also necessary to thrive because running is that important to me.
I love sharing Ikigai like this, which means I need a computer.
For some, the definition of enough might mean tools—anything from hand tools to a notebook and pen, musical instruments, and technology.
Enough would also mean food beyond just survival food — food that makes us happy, but not so much food that we are excessive and gorging ourselves.
I have an excellent coffee machine because part of living my Ikigai is enjoying freshly ground espresso in the morning. You get the idea.
How to define what is enough for us.
Here are seven things to consider when thinking about Chisoku, being content with enough.
1. What are the main things that make you happy?
Are they material things, or are they people or activities?
Knowing the answer to this question can give you insight into what material things you need beyond the bare necessities to be happy.
2. What do you need to thrive?
You don't want just to survive; you want to prosper. You want to be good at what you do and do what you love.
You want to be passionate about the things you do and be successful at them.
What tools or material possessions do you need to do those things?
3. What do you need to survive at a comfortable level?
There is no need to be miserable as you live your life. Sleep is essential to a healthy and happy life.
A comfortable bed then is probably a good idea.
Examine your notions of comfort and then see what's necessary for that comfort.
How luxurious do the sheets need to be, that kind of thing?
Reflecting on this, you may realize that only a few things are necessary for genuine comfort.
4. Examine your possessions.
How many things do you own over and above the minimum for survival, comfort, happiness, and thriving?
Think about everything in your home. How much of it would pass the Chisoku test?
5. What do you desire that goes beyond Chisoku, beyond enough?
We all want things we don't have. I have 10-year-old and 21-year-old cars. I want a McLaren Mercedes SLR 450.
I would have to go back to work full time and then some to afford one.
It would take accepting a long commute again.
I'd be giving up time with my grandkids which is part of my Ikigai.
Can I be happy, comfortable, and thriving without a McLaren?
Not only yes but I wouldn't be happy, comfortable, and thriving if I DID have one.
I'd be giving up too much of my life for a thing.
I mean they are amazing cars. Did I mention the gull-wing doors? If I bought one, it would be red and…
Nope, I don't need one.
6. If you lived in Chisoku, could you work less?
One reason I was able to take early retirement and focus on my writing was I had reduced expenses in my budget. Because of that, I didn't need as much income.
Again, we aren't talking about doing without what you need.
Even though my car is older it has heated seats.
If you live in Wisconsin as I do, you NEED heated seats in the winter.
7. If you worked less, could you embrace Chisoku, and be happier doing other things?
If you didn't have to work, you might be happy with just enough. And you might enjoy working less.
It's something to think about, anyway.
Also, think about what you would do if you didn't have to work.
That may or may not be a reality today but what if you would like for it to be reality five years from now?
What could you do today to support that in your future?
🌀Reflection:
What does it mean to embrace Chisoku?
What small thing could you do today to embrace it?
In the context of Ikigai, what does being content with having enough mean to you?