What is your reason for waking up in the morning? For some, it’s work; for others, it’s family. But what if it’s still not enough?

Try a Japanese philosophy called ikigai. Actually, it’s translated as “the reason for being” or “the reason to wake up in the morning.” According to ikigai, true fulfillment comes from balancing what we’re good at, what we love, and what the world requires. Finding your ikigai means reaching a state where you are in harmony with your life, feel joyful, and know why exactly you are living.

As Ken Mogi, the author of *The Little Book of Ikigai*, says, *“We can find our happiness within the unique condition of each of us. The grass might look greener on the other side, but that is only an illusion.”* Ikigai brings a clear understanding of our lives, along with the motivation to keep pushing. The path of ikigai begins with aligning your passions, skills, and the world’s needs. Take it from Hiroshi Mikitani.

Hiroshi Mikitani’s journey to finding ikigai began with the realization that technology has the power to connect people. This insight was truly amazing at a time when online shopping was just developing. This idea of connecting buyers and sellers became Mikitani’s passion. So, he already had two components of ikigai: the world’s need and passion. It was enough for him to work around the clock, get new skills, and align them with his passion and the general people’s need to be connected.

Finally, Hiroshi Mikitani created Rakuten Group, Inc., a well-known Japanese technology conglomerate. Even today, this company proves that ikigai works, connecting and inspiring millions of people worldwide.