050 | 💡 Ikigai and finding fulfilment

Ahoy muchachos,

Spring is finally about to Spring and I cannot deny how good it makes me feel. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

But of course, what’s even better than Spring? This weekly email of course!

💭 Two things you need to know:

💡 Ikigai

After previously mentioning the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery (Kintsugi), here’s another cool Japanese concept: Ikigai 生き甲斐.

It means ‘a reason for being’ and refers to the sense of purpose that we are all looking for in life.

Ikigai describes when you combine:

• A personal passion (something you love doing)...

• ...that you are good at...

• ...which the world needs...

• ...(and as a result) you can be paid for it

Combining these elements brings deep fulfilment - satisfaction and meaning.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, as BBC Worklife puts it:

I enjoy reading and writing about ways to become happier and more fulfilled - this is certainly a good direction to follow.

Reaching ikigai - a combination of all four elements - is as unlikely as it is difficult.

But I think there’s a lot to be taken from the following intersections:

• What are you good at, and can be paid for? Profession

• What are you good at, and love? Passion

💰 Simple investment advice from Warren Buffett

I’m no personal finance whizz, as mentioned a few weeks ago.

But, I was very impressed by You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich (Emilie Bellet) which I finished over the weekend.

So here’s another tip from the book.

It’s a piece of advice that really struck me when it comes to investing - something a lot of us are often wary of.

Index funds give the investor exposure to a huge range of businesses (giving some diversification) which are likely to increase in value as a whole.

The reason for this - also pointed out by Warren Buffett - is that the stock market (e.g. S&P 500) is made up of the best and brightest companies in the country. It’s in their interest, and their nature to innovate and increase in value.

✅ Two Recommendations:

📽 Struthless (Youtube channel) - If self-improvement and life advice from a funny, interesting and unique man called Campbell Walker is your bag, then boy is this the channel for you.

What’s great about his channel is that his advice clearly comes from a lot of lived experience - it’s not an off-the-shelf book translated into a video with no personality or relevance.

When I write my emails, I am more of a synthesiser, in the sense that I consume and share things that I think are useful. Like anyone, I have a lot of my own opinions and life lessons - perhaps I should share them a bit more, as it’s what I think makes his channel great.

📚  You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich - Emilie Bellet

Given I’ve mentioned it twice in the past three weeks, it makes sense that I recommend this excellent book.

It’s a very important and brilliantly written, readable book and all things personal finance. Required reading for anyone below the age of 30 - though still with loads of useful information for anyone above.

💬 And finally, two quotes

— Steal Like An Artist! - Austin Kleon

And as always, feel free to reply to this email if you found this useful!

Thanks!

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And as always, feel free to reply to these email if you found this useful!

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In the meantime, you can find me on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, and have a look at what I’m reading on Goodreads.

📸 BONUS: Photo of the Week