First of all, I’m sorry that the newsletter didn’t come on Tuesday 🥺 

… I was focusing on recovering by having enough rest after falling ill. (read the previous newsletter)

But anyway,

Are you also figuring out your career path - like me?

I realised my recent conversations revolved around work & career paths.

And that is something that I’ve been thinking about since my education days.

ikigai - the Japanese secret to a long and happy life

I was introduced to ikigai 4 years ago.

A simple self-discovery activity you should try, filling up these

• What you love: ______________

• What you are good at: ______________

• What you can get paid for: ______________

• What the world needs: ______________

And perhaps you could find your ikigai.

But it’s not easy - it might even take years to figure that out.

Or never even figuring out your ikigai and that’s okay.

I’ve been trying to pursue ikigai and it’s so frustrating as I still can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet.

And wow this video by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) was so eye-opening:

Hobby, Job, Career & Vocation

I realised that I confused these four words, and you might be doing so too.

1. Hobby - something you do for pleasure, with ZERO stakes e.g. muay thai

2. Job - MUST have to provide for yourself, does not have to fulfil you, just have to pay

3. Career - a job that you’re passionate about and willing to make sacrifices for because you love it

4. Vocation - your calling which nobody can give you or take away from you

Elizabeth Gilbert’s vocation was writing (not her hobby e.g. cooking) + having jobs (e.g. bartender, cook).

She chose not to have a career as she wouldn’t have time for her vocation.

Writing became a job as she had journalism work.

Which then became her career (she had to take note of the audience etc).

Her career as a writer might end someday BUT her vocation will not.

If her career as a writer ends, she will get a job and she will continue writing.

Start by deciding where you stand for all of them:

• Hobby: ______________ e.g. muay thai

• Job: ______________ e.g. digital banking growth & engagement

• Career: ______________ e.g. I’m still figuring

• Vocation: ______________ e.g. perhaps writing

A tip from a mentor: You never know your final destination. You might want to head towards a certain direction NOW. But it can always change along the way - and that’s okay. We can always continue journeying.

See you again in two weeks (I’m travelling)! 💙

Cheers,

P.S. Currently I’m writing based on my recent discoveries for the week instead of preparing my content way in advance sooooooo I figured I don’t have time to write for next Tues ><

🎧 I’ve been loving The LITO Podcast, currently at #12 - Passion