The Quest for Your Inner Octopod

(It’s Like an Octopus, But With More You)

Life, my friends, is a lot like a Discworld novel. It’s full of absurdity, unexpected turns, and the occasional troll under a bridge demanding happiness in the form of very specific cheeses. And just like in those beloved tomes, we find ourselves asking the age-old question: “What in the name of the Librarian’s stamp collection is the point of it all?”

Fear not, dear reader, for the ancient and noble art of Ikigai holds the answer. This Japanese concept, whispered among the cherry blossoms and the soothing steam of a thousand tea ceremonies, translates loosely to “the reason for getting out of bed in the morning… even if that reason is a particularly delicious breakfast.”

You see, finding your Ikigai is like assembling a particularly complex jigsaw puzzle, one where the pieces are shaped like your deepest passions, your hidden talents, the world’s desperate need for someone to alphabetize all the cheese in existence (ahem, hypothetical example), and, of course, the minor detail of getting paid for it.

Let us embark on this grand adventure, shall we?

Chapter 1: Delving into the Dusty Attics of Our Souls

The first step, my friends, requires introspection, a journey inwards that makes spelunking through a goblin hoard’s treasury seem like a leisurely stroll through a well-lit bookshop. We must delve into the dusty attics of our own minds and ask the hard questions:

1. The “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” Method:

Grab your most honest journal (the one hidden under the bed, filled with half-finished haiku and doodles of your nemesis as a particularly unfortunate-looking fruit bat) and begin scribbling. What makes your heart sing like a choir of drunken dwarves? When do you lose yourself in a task, emerging hours later, blinking, covered in metaphorical flour (or real flour, depending on the task)? These, my friend, are the clues to your strengths, the whispers of your inner badass.

2. The “Ask Your Mates” Gambit:

Sometimes, the answer lies not in the depths of our own minds but in the surprisingly perceptive observations of those who have to put up with us on a regular basis. Ask your friends, family, colleagues — heck, even your local barkeep might have insightful opinions on your hidden talents (especially if those talents involve holding your liquor). Remember, flattery will get you everywhere. Just be prepared for brutal honesty, sugar-coated with a healthy dose of “Well, you’re good at… um… breathing?”

3. The “There’s an Assessment for That” Maneuver:

Thankfully, the modern age has provided us with a plethora of online assessments, each promising to unlock the secrets of our souls faster than you can say “existential crisis.” Steer clear of the personality tests that sort you into Hogwarts houses or breakfast cereals, and seek out those designed to identify your unique skillset. (Pro-tip: The “HIGH5” assessment is a good starting point, and free — always a bonus in this economy.)

Chapter 2: Time Traveling for Fun and Profit (Mostly Fun)

Now that we have a vague idea of what we’re good at, it’s time to sprinkle in a bit of passion, the ingredient that separates the mundane from the magnificent. This requires a touch of time travel, a dash of imagination, and a pinch of existential pondering:

4. The “Back to the Future, But Mostly the Past” Technique:

Fasten your metaphorical seatbelts, for we’re about to embark on a whirlwind tour of your life. Relive the highs and the lows, the triumphs and the face-plants. What lessons did you learn? What brought you joy, and what made you want to crawl into a hole and subsist on moss and self-pity? These experiences, both good and bad, have shaped you into the magnificent weirdo you are today, and within them lie the seeds of your passions.

5. The “Future You is So Awesome” Exercise:

Close your eyes (after you finish reading this sentence, obviously) and imagine yourself at the ripe old age of 80, surrounded by loved ones (or adoring fans, depending on how well this whole Ikigai thing pans out). What stories are they telling about you? What legacy have you left behind? This exercise isn’t about predicting the future, but about identifying the values and aspirations that truly matter to you.

6. The “Values Auction” Showdown:

Imagine you’re at a cosmic auction, bidding on intangible qualities with the currency of your very soul. What values would you fight tooth and nail for? Honesty? Creativity? The right to a perfectly brewed cup of tea at any given moment? These non-negotiables are the guiding stars of your Ikigai, the things you refuse to compromise on, even if it means facing down a dragon (or, you know, a particularly terrifying performance review).

Chapter 3: Saving the World, One Cheese Wheel at a Time

Now, for the slightly trickier bit. It’s all well and good to know what you’re good at and what gets your metaphorical gears turning, but to truly live a life of purpose, we need to consider the needs of the world. (Don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as it sounds.)

7. The “World’s Biggest Problems” Brainstorm:

Who are you passionate about helping? What issues make you want to grab your metaphorical sword and charge into the fray (or at least start a strongly worded petition)? Remember, not all heroes wear capes. Some wield spreadsheets, others wield paintbrushes, and some… well, some might just alphabetize cheese with an efficiency that would make even the most organized librarian weep with envy.

8. The “Expanding Your Horizons” Expedition:

Sometimes, finding your purpose requires looking beyond your own backyard (metaphorical or otherwise). Travel, if you can, even if it’s just to the next town over. Watch documentaries, read books outside your usual genre, strike up conversations with people you wouldn’t normally talk to. You never know where inspiration might strike.

9. The “Research Rabbit Hole” Deep Dive:

The internet, that vast and often terrifying digital landscape, can actually be a force for good (occasionally). Dive into the world of organizations dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing problems. The Millenium Project, 80,000 Hours, the World Economic Forum… these are just a few starting points on your journey to becoming a card-carrying member of the “Making a Difference” club.

Chapter 4: The Art of Getting Paid to Be Awesome

Now for the million-dollar question (sometimes literally, depending on your chosen field): how do you actually get paid for all this soul-searching and world-saving?

10. The “Looking Under Your Nose” Strategy:

You know that saying, “The grass is always greener…” Well, sometimes the greener grass is right there, in your own metaphorical backyard. Take a good look around your current workplace. Are there people doing things that make you drool with envy (professionally speaking, of course)? Could you see yourself doing their job, but with your own unique spin?

11. The “Casting a Wider Net” Approach:

If your current workplace feels more like a soul-crushing dungeon than a garden of opportunity, fear not! The world is your oyster, or at least your metaphorical job board. Start brainstorming companies and positions that align with your newfound sense of purpose.

12. The “Informational Interview” Power Move:

Informational interviews are like first dates, but without the pressure of pretending to like someone’s taste in music (unless their taste in music is awesome, in which case, bonus points). Reach out to people whose careers you admire and pick their brains. How did they get to where they are? What do they wish they knew when they were starting out? Buy them a cup of coffee (or a particularly delicious cheese plate, if they’re that kind of person) and soak up their wisdom.

The Call to Awesomeness

Finding your Ikigai isn’t a one-time event; it’s a journey, a constant evolution of self-discovery and world-engagement. It’s about embracing the absurdity of it all, finding joy in the unexpected, and striving to leave the world a slightly better, or at least slightly more organized, place than you found it.

What will your thread reveal? What symphony will your life conduct amidst the cosmic orchestra? Embrace the unknown, dare to dream with a ferocity that shakes the stars, and become the masterpiece you were always meant to be.