Ikigai and Flow

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's idea of flow — complete absorption in a challenging activity — maps closely onto ikigai. The difference is that flow is a temporary state, while ikigai is a lifelong orientation.

This points to a practical tip. Instead of searching for your passion through introspection alone, track your flow. The activities that consistently absorb you are pointing toward your ikigai.