The idea is to analyze yourself deeply to identify what you are passionate about, what you you might be good at or want to become good at, and if you can make a living off of it. If you can match this up with an unmet need in the world, then voilà! You have found an occupation or an enterprise that will give you tremendous fulfillment. Even if you can't fill all four of the criteria in your first go, do continue down the path and this is a good goal to aspire to.

 

In the popular Ikigai diagram, it is alluded that purpose can only be found when you are good at something, and you love it, and you can get paid for it, and the world needs it. We disagree with that in different levels. Firstly, we think this formula is best in identifying the most fulfilling occupation or career that one might chose. Secondly, we think purpose can be found in any task you chose to perform to improve the world around you, i.e: meeting an unmet need in the world. Thirdly, you don't need to love it, but you need to like it enough to find the motivation to do it and continue to do it. Seeing the impact of your work, can lead you to grow to love it. You don't have to be good at it, in fact, but you can aspire to be good at it as you practice along. For future entrepreneurs, you don't already have to be good at founding an enterprise to know how to get started. What matters more is that you are willing to work towards acquiring the necessary skills to perform the task at hand. Seeking happiness, one doesn't always find it, but meaning often leads to happiness.

 

Nelson and Manori started Neuma Being applying this approach. Here is how we have applied it:
 

1. We both have independently, since adolescence, felt the need to contribute to improving the world around us. When we came together, we looked at various ways we can do this and in the last few years we have worked out an unmet need in the world we want to address: empower other creative, professionals, entrepreneurs, and change-makers to improve their creative performance by tapping into their sub-conscious. Our solutions use technology and mindfulness / heightened states to help reduce stress, promote relaxation, super charge their mind, and improving cognitive skills. According to a recent Gallup poll, a staggering 77% of professionals in the US experience burnout. These are the people who are finding solutions to the world's most pressing problems i.e: Climate crisis, pandemics, social inequality, etc. Burnout negatively impacts overall wellbeing (health, happiness, fulfillment, etc.), performance, decision making, and creativity. If we can empower these people to perform better and live happier and more productive lives, then we can grow along with them and energize the next generation problem-solvers to make the world a better place.
    

2. We did this by combining what we are good at or what we want to be good at. Our expertise in design and technology, along with our 50+ years of combined experience in mindfulness and heightened states, got us looking for ways to innovate the ways to address the problem we chose to work on. What we didn't have expertise prior to 2014 was in entrepreneurship. Nelson is an engineer, educator, innovator, and author, and Manori is a designer with a background in architecture and business. Both of us had worked for non-profits, Fortune 500 companies and smaller companies. Manori had a few years at an e-commerce startup, but it was not nearly enough to call it expertise or good at being an entrepreneur. So, we decided the best way to get the experience is to do it and learn. Neuma Being is now the 4th company we have founded. Our previous experience gave us insights as to what to do and what not to do with a new venture. 
    

3. We actually love that we get to combine our passions into one venture. So, during the hard parts of running a business, we find motivation to get through it by leaning into the parts that we love and like about running Neuma Being.
    

4. Once we realized that there is an unmet need in the market, it was easy to see that there is a way we can empower others to achieve their potential and be fairly compensated for our efforts. We didn't set out with a goal of monetizing our project as the first priority, but we soon realized the potential it carries within itself to support us financially. We are determined to take it to where it deserves, as we grow alongside the project.

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We hope this helps you in creating the space for new ideas and your life's path to emerge. If you need a little boost, try one of our mind expanding journeys at The Mind Spa by Neuma Being. You can start with a 30 or 60 Minute Lounge Journey, where you will be transported into your subconscious and experience deep relaxation and a sense of connection with your inner-self aided by our proprietary micro-vibration technology, immersive soundscapes, and a guided altered state journey.​