Ikigai definitely appeals to me, and has been a principle I've been aware of for longer (and want to explore). However, there is definitely a factual, painful truthfulness in the pareto principle. Its so simple that its hard. Succes can be so easy, but we make it hard, because we dont believe it can be easy. It sounds a lot nicer saying you had 5 ups and downs before finding your passion (the plot thickens). Yet, finding that one thing that matters by analysing the things you already do is probably the single most exponential move you can make.
The choice therefore is (and most choose a mix of both, few hardliners I'd argue, except maybe David Goggins)
Ikigai - Choose your own path by walking a bit on every path
Pareto - look back at your GPS at the most meaningful path, set course and then throw away the map
This contrast really made me pause. I’m not sure it’s a question of Ikigai or The One Thing, but when each applies. There are seasons where exploration is necessary to understand what matters, and seasons where focus is what turns that understanding into something real. The nuance here feels more important than the conclusion.
I try to vote before I read what you think- which I did this time, but after reading your thoughts I wanted to change my vote!
Nah Colleen, that’s the right approach. All these votes are personal, and should be.
Ikigai definitely appeals to me, and has been a principle I've been aware of for longer (and want to explore). However, there is definitely a factual, painful truthfulness in the pareto principle. Its so simple that its hard. Succes can be so easy, but we make it hard, because we dont believe it can be easy. It sounds a lot nicer saying you had 5 ups and downs before finding your passion (the plot thickens). Yet, finding that one thing that matters by analysing the things you already do is probably the single most exponential move you can make.
The choice therefore is (and most choose a mix of both, few hardliners I'd argue, except maybe David Goggins)
Ikigai - Choose your own path by walking a bit on every path
Pareto - look back at your GPS at the most meaningful path, set course and then throw away the map
I vote for One Thing as well. I've done the world travel and the philosophising. But nothing gets shit done more than focusing on just one thing.
This contrast really made me pause. I’m not sure it’s a question of Ikigai or The One Thing, but when each applies. There are seasons where exploration is necessary to understand what matters, and seasons where focus is what turns that understanding into something real. The nuance here feels more important than the conclusion.