MyIkigai
Live and Lead from the place of YOU
What is Ikigai — 生き甲斐
Ikigai refers to those moments when you feel
“life is worth living” or “I’m truly glad to be alive.”
It is about living each day while noticing and appreciating those small yet meaningful moments within everyday life.
However, in our modern society, value is often placed on outcomes—such as success, titles, and status.
As a result, our sensitivity to the joy of being alive, the small moments of happiness in daily life, and the beauty right in front of us seems to be gradually fading.
The pressure created by this modern way of living is affecting not only adults, but also the well-being of young children.
It has become a challenge that now extends beyond individuals to society, and even to the world on a global scale.
So the question becomes:
How can we continue to feel Ikigai while living in a rapidly changing and uncertain modern society?
The key lies inKokoro — 心.
What is Kokoro
Kokoro is a word that has long been cherished in Japan and deeply woven into daily life.
If expressed in English, it represents the harmony of heart, mind, and spirit.
In Japanese culture, we do not rely solely on logic or intellect.
We honor emotions, life energy, and the unique spirituality that each person carries within.
By continuing to cultivate these qualities, we seek to live in harmony with others and nature, while growing as human beings throughout our lives.
My Work — Inner Strategy
Through my work, Inner Strategy, which focuses on Kokoro,
I have been walking alongside individuals who are committed to:
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developing sustainable inner stability
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living while experiencing and embracing their sense of mission
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building the capacity to manage and regulate emotions throughout the process
and becoming people who continue to create a positive impact on those around them.
Your Unique Gift
Each of us carries something unique something that only we can share with the world.
Yet at times, that precious part of ourselves may become wrapped inself-doubt or fear.
Even so, by courageously continuing to take the next step forward, you will discover a deeper sense of fulfillment,
a connection with others, and a renewed appreciation for the value of living.
I truly believe that your presence when lived with awareness and intention has the power to create a positive ripple effect, not only in your own life,but also in the lives of future generations and in society as a whole.
My name is Minako Horaguchi, founder of MyIkigai.
I was born and raised in Takayama, Japan — a place where simplicity, nature, and deep human connection shaped everyday life. Those values continue to inform how I hold space for others: quietly, carefully, and with deep respect for the beauty of human growth.
My professional path began in education. As a teacher and later a school founder, I was committed to helping others grow — not only in knowledge and achievement, but in character, maturity, and a sense of who they truly are.
Then midlife brought its own internal shift.
After moving to the United States and balancing work, motherhood, and identity, I encountered a quieter tension. Externally, life was stable. Inwardly, something no longer quite fit.
Returning to Ikigai in its deeper sense — alongside Zen, Eastern philosophy, psychology, and reflective practice — reshaped how I understood myself, adulthood, and what it means to truly grow.
That journey became "Inner Strategy".
Today I work with women who are ready to move beyond the roles they have mastered — and explore a way of living and leading that integrates who they are with everything they do, because the most beautiful journey is the return to yourself and the growth that follows.
The Five Pillars of Inner Strategy
1.
明確 Clarity
The capacity to see yourself honestly and kindly — your core values, beliefs, drives, capabilities, and vision. That clarity becomes your own power.
2.
和 Harmony
Honouring all parts of yourself — your role and your authentic self so that the way you lead becomes uniquely yours. When you lead from that wholeness, relationship with others and with the world around you flows naturally.
3.
素 Simplicity
Refining complexity into what truly matters to free your self from the clutter.
4.
心 Heart
Recognising the integrated wisdom of mind, heart, and spirit and learning to trust your inner compass again.
5.
今 Mindful living
Living mindfully and making every decision consciously helps you become the author of your own life. In that connection to each moment, meaning, joy, and fulfillment are already there.
Does this sound like you?
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Are experiencing burnout or feeling overwhelmed
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Want to make a meaningful impact while living with a sense of Ikigai
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Want to unlock their inner creativity and contribute to society in a more authentic way
1:1 Inner Strategy
A personal partnership to help you live and lead from a place of you
This is a warm, confidential space for reflection, reconnection, and growth designed for you.
If you are curious, book a free consultation call.