The last five years have included a perfect storm of disruptions to the careers and livelihoods of countless people around the world. The Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the rupture of traditional career models, the spread of burnout, and generational shifts in attitudes about work, have guaranteed that work will never look the same again. So, how can we approach this new way of working in a way that recognizes our common humanity and need for meaning?

In The Ikigai Way, veteran business leader, executive, and personal transformation expert David Marlow delivers a startlingly insightful and practical discussion of how you can apply the Japanese concept of Ikigai to your personal and professional life. The author explains the philosophical meaning of Ikigai and shows you hands-on strategies for incorporating it into your career, your business, and your home.

You’ll learn how to harmonize what you do with who you are, helping you to fully experience your life by ensuring that your work gives you what you need. This book dives deep into the practical elements of Ikigai, going far beyond generic and purely philosophical explanations and showing you exactly how you can apply its concepts to your everyday life and overall career strategy.

Perfect for managers, executives, directors, entrepreneurs, founders, and other business leaders, The Ikigai Way is also a must-read for experienced professionals, recent graduates just entering the work force, and anyone else with an interest in achieving what we once called the “work-life balance.”

Praise for The Ikigai Way

“Do you find yourself wondering ‘is that all there is’ after hitting your big life goals? Are happiness and purpose still eluding you? Or, are you stuck in the grind of the ‘shoulds’ on your list wondering if you’ll ever get to live life instead of life living you? David Marlow’s The Ikigai Way is what you’ve been looking for: a step-by-step guide to the life you’ve always wanted answering the questions you never quite knew how to ask.”
―April Shprintz, Business Accelerator, Creator of The Generosity Culture^® and Award-Winning Author of Magic Blue Rocks: The Secret to Doing Anything

“For a couple of years now, David’s personal, poignant musings on Ikigai have graced my weekly reading and given me a touchstone for professional reflection. Now a book! Nothing short of a roadmap complete and orchestrated to help guide us toward full potential for a balanced life. The Ikigai Way, like his weekly musings, will certainly become a touchstone for balance.”
―Gordon Ray, Lecturer in Management, Technology, and Strategy, Grenoble Ecole de Management

“At last: The Ikigai Guy between two covers! For those people, like myself, who’ve been part of David Marlow’s LinkedIn community these past few years, this publication is a welcome evolution. In these pages, you’ll find generous helpings of Marlovian material: Etymologies galore! War stories from corporate life! Cute anecdotes about single-letter grandkids! A plethora of life lessons from running and the Marines! And then some! You ought to look into this *Way of Ikigai* thing.”
―Ken Gordon, Chief Communications Specialist, EPAM Continuum

“David Marlow is a gifted writer, highly accomplished leader, and a master of Ikigai who expertly guides people to connect with and joyfully live in alignment with their unique purpose. I find David’s insights and sage storytelling to be immensely thought provoking and inspiring. I’m excited to delve deeper into the ideas he shares in The Ikigai Way!”
―Andrea Choate, Founder, Soul Mechanics Healing