This article was translated using AI technology from the Spanish edition. This process may cause errors.Entrepreneur contributors do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed.Okinawa, Japan is the best place to find success and entrepreneurship. According to Okinawa's inhabitants, there is a reason for everyone to wake up each morning and live a happy life.There is a lot of talk about the importance of a business that has a purpose other than money. Tony Robbins, best-selling author, coach, and speaker is convinced that success is not achieved by merely accumulating accomplishments. Robbins believes that adding value to others' lives is more important than making money. You will be successful financially if you add value to your customers.Japanese lessons for entrepreneurs who desire to succeedSimon Sinek, the author of "Start With Why," talks about how important it is for all people to understand why they exist. Sinek states that people don't buy what you do but the reason you do it. Companies that lack a clear purpose and motivation will become a weather vane full of unmotivated customers and employees.Recent Deloitte research shows that companies that are focused on creating a culture that is more than just making money are more likely to succeed in the long-term.90% of those who claim they work for an organization that is governed with a sense of purpose and integrity are financially successful. However, 58% of millennials would be willing to accept 15% less if their values align with the company's purpose.In other words, purposeful businesses have better talent retention and more motivated workers. They also have loyal, brand-committed customers.Companies that don't have a purpose lose market share to those that aren't only profitable but also contribute to the community.Toms casual shoes, for example, are eco-friendly products that encourage the donation of glasses to children and older adults. Whole Foods started community days where 5% of net sales goes to local non-profit foundations.What does this have to do Okinawa?These companies are all born because they have what Okinawa calls ikigai, which is the reason we exist and how it aligns with the motivation of our world. It's a philosophical concept about life giving meaning.According to the Japanese, we all have an "ikigai", but it takes deep self-reflection and self-knowledge to get there. It is the only way to find fulfillment and purpose in life.It's no accident that Okinawans live the longest on the planet.It is easy to transfer the ikigai idea into the world of entrepreneurship. It is composed of four areas, which we could represent as interconnected circles.1. What we enjoy doing: We do what we love and could do every day without feeling bored.2. Our strengths and abilities, as well as our talents, are what we are best at.3. We can be paid for what they are willing to pay us: how to monetize the market and position ourselves in it.4. The world needs the value that we bring to the community, and to each other.These areas become interconnected, and others will appear. However, if these four factions don't connect, the ikigai cannot be achieved. It is important to consider these aspects when starting a business. Otherwise, you won't be able guarantee your long-term success.You might be able to do what you love and are passionate about, but if it is not aligned with the market, it will end up being a hobby or business that is not profitable.You can be happy, but you'll still be poor, even if your business is valuable to the community.If you don't align your business with the market, and you have the ability and the financial means to make it profitable, but you don't add value to the community, or people, then you will have a hollow, purposeless business, which, as we have seen, will lose market share to other businesses. They do. Customers will lose interest, and collaborators won't be as engaged.If you have a business that adds value to the community and you don't have the talents or skills to run it, you will be stuck on a dull path as an employee, frustrated at your inability to succeed or dismotivated from a daily grind that drags on forever.This Japanese method can streamline your business, which may interest youIt is difficult to combine these four areas. The Japanese say that very few people reach their ikigai. If we can cement our vision in these areas at the time of undertaking - what we enjoy doing, what we can do well, and what they pay us for - we will ensure a future that is both fulfilling for our organization as well as financial and personal success.You can find out more about the Ikigai, and how you can get there. You can download my ebook, The Ikigai of Success, completely free. How to succeed in business, life, and helping the world. Or if you prefer, you can also buy it online and 100% of the proceeds will go to foundations and non-profit organizations and community support, which you can follow up on my blog www.lideremprendedor.com .
