09/30/2021
The US Bureau of Labor reports a record breaking number of Americans quitting their jobs in 2021, a movement now termed ‘The Great Resignation’. Spearheaded by mid-career employees ages 30-45 years old and highest numbers leaving the tech and healthcare industries, both fields experiencing high demand and extreme increases in workload and leading to burnout. (What industries aren’t at the moment?!)
Many of my clients are experiencing this phenomenon, struggling with motivation, satisfaction and considering significant career changes.
I came across this perspective recently and thought it might help those of you facing this particular struggle articulate all that is entailed when facing such unprecedented burnout. Ikig*i is a Japanese concept that means your 'reason for being. ' 'Iki' in Japanese means 'life,' and 'g*i' describes value or worth. Your ikig*i is your life purpose or your bliss. It's what brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed every day.
It may not provide any quick or easy answers but may help to think things through from a new perspective, leading to alternate solutions and creative steps to work your way out of such a dilemma.
We are all in this together…for the first time on a local, national and global scale and we MUST find our resilience (meaning to spring back into shape), not only as individuals but also as a nation! 🙏