Have you ever met someone who seems to radiate joy and fulfillment—someone who moves through life with a deep sense of purpose? Chances are, they’ve found their ikigai.

Ikigai (pronounced ee-kee-guy) is a Japanese concept that means “reason for being.” It’s the sweet spot where four key elements of life intersect:

Another Monday morning. My alarm blared, and my chest tightened. I stared at the ceiling, dreading another day full of meetings, emails while I tried to ignore the giant pit in my stomach. Was this really what I worked so hard for?

Do you ever feel like work is draining your energy instead of fueling your purpose? You’re not alone. Many of us spend a significant portion of our lives working, yet we rarely stop to ask: Does this bring me joy?