It's that T.I.M.E of the week again!

The newsletter that provides actionable life lessons to a wealthier, healthier, and happier future.

The Heart of Ikigai!

Ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) is a Japanese concept that translates to “reason for being.”

It’s about finding that intersection in life where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for all meet.

Think of it as a roadmap for a fulfilling life, where your passion, skills, and values come together.

Here’s how the four parts of Ikigai fit together:

1. What You Love: This is your passion.

   It’s what brings you joy and makes you lose track of time. Think of the activities or interests that you’d pursue no matter what. They bring energy to your life. (Cooking, creating, problem-solving, or learning something new.)

2. What You’re Good At: This is your expertise.

   Your strengths and the things you do well. Sometimes this overlaps with what you love, but it can also include skills you’ve honed over the years or natural talents others recognize in you.

   (Communication Skills, Creativity and Innovation, Emotional Intelligence.)

3. What the World Needs: This is your way to contribute.

   Consider the areas where you can make a difference, no matter how small. It could be something tangible, like helping others improve their health, or something abstract, like inspiring others through storytelling.

   (Digital Literacy, Mental Health Support, Community Building.)

4. What You Can Get Paid For: This is your livelihood.

   It’s practical but important. Think about which of your passions and skills could also support you financially. This doesn’t mean selling out but rather it’s about sustaining a balance between doing what you love and being compensated for it.

   (Freelance Writing, Graphic Design, Software Development, Coaching.)

When all four areas align, you have your IKIGAI , that sweet spot where purpose, passion, and practicality meet.

It’s less about finding one specific “purpose” for life and more about discovering how your passions, values, and abilities come together in a way that brings you satisfaction and meaning.

Ikigai is a journey, not a destination, and the reward is a life that feels truly meaningful and fulfilling.

Ikigai Challenge: Find Your “Why” in 4 Easy Steps!

Grab a piece of paper and divide it into four boxes. Label them:

1. What You Love

2. What You’re Good At

3. What the World Needs

4. What You Can Get Paid For

In each box, list a few things that fit the label and don’t overthink it! Just jot down whatever comes to mind.

When you’re done, look for any overlaps between the boxes. Do you see something that shows up more than once?

That’s your Ikigai starting point! 😌 

Jimmy car is a British comedian know for his short, sharp, witty sense of humor.

Little did I know he was extremally intellectual.

In this video, Jimmy Carr talks about how to handle your inner critic and use it to your advantage. He shares a story about Walt Disney, kept pushing forward, showing us that criticism is part of the journey, not a reason to quit.

Here is a brief summary of the video:

• Acknowledge your inner critic, but don’t let it control you.

• Use it as a tool for growth, not a source of self-doubt.

• Give yourself space to create freely, without fear of judgment.

• Mistakes are part of the process and help you grow.

• Keep the inner critic in check, using it to refine, not stifle, your creativity.

I recommend listening to the whole podcast here. It is a really insightful episode with a touch of Jimmy’s Humor.

Enjoy!

These 12 words humbled me this week.

I recently found myself so caught up in my own head about situations in my life that I am battling with so I picked up the phone to a good friend of mine to have a chat.

Whilst speaking with him and listening to what he currently has going on in his life, I quickly realized I needed to zoom out on my life because in the grand scheme of things my struggles felt relatively small.

His perspective made me realize how much of my energy was spent on things that were temporary or out of my control. It was a wake-up call to stop letting the little annoyances and challenges consume me.

Here are some key lessons I took away from that:

1. Nothing is as bad as it seems.

2. Everyone is dealing with something challenging in their lives.

3. If it’s not going to matter in one month, don’t waste anymore energy on it. (Easier said than done)

4. If in doubt, zoom out.

5. You are not alone in this. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

6. No matter how big a problem, never dismiss or minish it because it is all relative to each individuals perspective.

Lead with kindness, always.

I came across this awesome concept by Tim Urban called 100 Blocks A Day.

Every day, we have about 1,000 minutes, or 100 blocks of 10 minutes each.

The way we spend those blocks can shape our day, so it's worth considering how we're using them.

Let’s take a look at a practical example:

1. Sleep (7-8 hours): Let’s say you spend about 8 hours sleeping, which takes up 48 blocks. You’re already down to 52 blocks.

2. Work/Study (8 hours): You spend the next 8 hours working or studying, which takes up another 48 blocks. Now, you’re down to just 4 blocks for the rest of the day.

3. Meals (1.5 hours): Eating three meals a day could take up around 9 blocks. Now, you’re down to 3 blocks.

4. Commute (1 hour): If you commute for an hour, that’s another 6 blocks. You’re now down to 1 block.

5. Exercise/Personal Time (30 minutes): Let’s say you work out or take a walk for 3 blocks. Now, you have no blocks left for anything else.

As you can see, your blocks disappear quickly. Time is incredibly scarce, and once those blocks are gone, they’re gone for good.

It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind, but when you take a step back and think about it, it’s important to spend your blocks wisely.

I printed out some A3 version of this and am currently using it. It is eye opening to see visually how you spend your time.

The reality is, you only get 100 blocks a day, and if you don’t use them intentionally, they slip away before you realize it.

Ambitious Question

How does the way you spend your blocks reflect your values and priorities?

In case you missed last week's newsletter, I spoke about:

TEACH: The Power of an Ambigram – Words that can be read both ways, showcasing creativity and design.

INSIGHTS: 6 Years Until the World Changes – Raoul Pal on wealth-building, spotting trends, and AI’s transformative potential.

MOTIVATION: What You Love vs. What You Allow – Focus on what fulfills you, not what frustrates you.

EXPLORE: Cognitive Distortions – Identify and reframe negative thought patterns with simple techniques.

Ambitious Question: What’s stopping you from doing what you’ve always wanted?

Check it out over here!

Feel free to share this if you gained any value from it. Feedback is also welcome.

THANKS FOR READING LEGENDS!