Episode 57

57 - Do What You and the World Wants

57 - Pick the Full or Half Ikigai

I'm excited to talk about a book that's all about finding your life's purpose and achieving happiness - How to Ikigai by Tim Tamashiro. In this book, Tamashiro takes us on a journey of self-discovery and helps us overcome our fears of failure, success, and judgment from others. He suggests experimenting with different things and interviewing people to help you discover your strengths and interests.

What I love about this book is that it's not just about finding what you love and what you're good at, but also finding what the world needs and how you can be rewarded for it. Tamashiro also talks about the benefits of having a growth mindset and taking a gap year to find your ikigai.

If you're feeling stuck in life or just want to find more purpose and happiness, I highly recommend checking out How to Ikigai. And to really put these concepts into action, Tamashiro even suggests doing a 30-day project to find your half Ikigai. So what are you waiting for?

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=2773

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42301139-how-to-ikigai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk-PcJS2QaU

 Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps

Twitter startwithsmallsteps

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for Start with Small Steps
Start with Small Steps
Thoughtful personal growth through small, realistic steps you can use in everyday life.

Listen for free

About your host

Profile picture for Jill McKinley

Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.