Listen to Reem Al Najjar, young LearningPlanet scholarship holder and participant in the first iteration of the Ikigai+ from LearningPlanet. It's a brand-new goal development program for gamechangers, enabling them to discover their goals, align them with their passions and skills, and implement them in their respective communities.
Why did you take part in the Ikigai+ program?
I decided to take part in the program because I was curious to discover a better understanding of myself and my life's purpose. I was intrigued by the concept of Ikigai, which emphasizes the alignment of passion, mission, vocation and profession. I wanted to explore the intersection between what I love, what I'm good at, what the world needs and what I can be rewarded for.
What was your experience like?
Participate in Ikigai+ program has been a transformative journey. The structured approach provided me with a clear roadmap to explore and align my passions and strengths. The meetings deepened my understanding of the links between what I love, what I excel at, what the world needs and what I can be rewarded for. The result? I felt stronger, with a deeper sense of direction and purpose.
The emphasis on sharing experiences resonated with me. In this way, I was not only learning more about myself, but also gaining a better understanding of other people's backgrounds and perspectives. This collective understanding strengthened my own self-awareness and also created a sense of unity and common purpose with others. The whole experience thus became more meaningful and satisfying. We were not just individuals following a program, but a community sharing and learning from each other.
What have you learned about yourself or others?
Thanks to Ikigai+, I discovered the beauty of accepting constant change within myself. I realized that personal development is a dynamic and continuous process. What's more, I realized that I must continually seek to discover and understand myself, recognizing that I'm evolving daily.
Discovering myself was only part of the journey. The second part was the deep connection I felt with the people who took part in the program. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we found fundamental similarities. We opened up to each other, sharing deeply personal stories that have shaped the individuals we are today.
I heard many inspiring stories from these young agents of change in their communities, which resonated deeply with what it means to be human. It was a powerful reminder that every action, no matter how small, can make a difference, and that deep down, we all share commonalities that bind us together in our individual journeys of self-discovery. The program has become a source of inspiration, with the meetings stimulating my creativity and enriching my personal and professional life through shared experiences.
How do you see your future?
More than anything else, when I think about my future, I think first of all about a feeling. That feeling is one of peace and calm. Right now, at my age, I still feel rushed, busy and disconnected. I feel like the world is moving much faster than I am, and that if I don't keep running, I'm going to miss out on a lot.
When I think about what I want for my future, I imagine a much more peaceful, calm and relaxed version of myself. I envision a future that involves a continuous pursuit of my personal and professional development, looking for opportunities that will allow me to be creative and make a significant impact. I want to continue to embrace change and remain open to new experiences.
Meet Reem Al Najjar
Hello everyone! My name is Reem, which means gazelle in Arabic and embodies grace and curiosity. I find joy in life's simple pleasures and cherish meaningful connections with friends and family. Empathy is my compass, prompting me to prioritize the well-being of others. I feel most alive in creative spaces where I can push boundaries and think beyond the ordinary. My aim is to explore new horizons, free myself from constraints and make a positive impact.
Discover Reem's project here, and learn more about the Ikigai+ program here.
MORE ABOUT IKIGAI+
- Discover Ikigai+
- Download the brochure Ikigai+ (in English)
- Request a demonstration
Article originally published on Alliance website
