Finding Your IKIGAI

生き甲斐 – ‘a reason for being’

In this post we will discover IKIGAI with instructions on how to discover your very own IKIGAI!

Note: This session is designed to be a fun exercise and to seed thought. It is based on the popular Venn diagram created by Marc Winn.

For something a little more authentic, try Ikigai & Other Japanese Words to Live By from Dr Mari Fujimoto, David Buchler & Michael Kenna.

What?

IKIGAI in Japanese 生き甲斐 translates as ‘a reason for being’. It’s about finding what makes you excited to wake up every day!

Feeling ikigai as described in Japanese usually means the feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment that follows when people pursue their passions.

The concept of ikigai as a purpose in life with both personal and social dimensions is captured by the well-known ikigai diagram. This diagram includes overlapping spheres covering:

What you LOVE
What you are GOOD at
What the world NEEDS
What you can get PAID FOR

As this diagram shows, ikigai holds the central position and involves four major spheres of interest and how they might overlap in one’s life. In trying to determine your own personal ikigai with the help of such a diagram, you would fill in each sphere with its appropriate content based on your own experiences, self-knowledge, and understanding of the world.

Who?

This session can be done by an individual or a team.

How?

Step	Action
1️⃣ What you LOVE	We are going to fill in the “What I Love“ circle on our ikigai Venn diagram. Think about something you absolutely love doing and then draw or write about it. If you feel comfortable, share with your group and talk about why you enjoy these activities Example: “I love drawing because it lets me express myself” or “I love playing soccer because it keeps me fit and I get to be with my friends.”
2️⃣ What are you GOOD at	We are going to fill in the “What you are GOOD at“ circle our ikigai Venn diagram (don’t be shy!) List their skills and strengths inside the circle (e.g., drawing, making people laugh, math, being a good listener). If you feel comfortable, share with a partner or in a small group.
3️⃣ What the world NEEDS	We are going to fill in the “What the World Needs.“ circle on our ikigai Venn diagram. Think about problems or challenges in your community or the world that you care about (e.g., helping animals, cleaning up the environment, helping people learn). List those needs inside the shape.
4️⃣ What you can get PAID for	We are going to fill in the “What I Can Be Paid For.“ circle on our ikigai Venn diagram Think about jobs or careers where you can use your skills and passions. Examples might be artist, teacher, athlete, or scientist. Brainstorm different careers and what you might need to study or learn to pursue them.
5️⃣ Putting it all together	Reflect on your work and share one thing they discovered about themselves with the group. What is your IKIGAI? 🙂

Real Life Examples

Michael Jordan, often regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, found his ikigai in the intersection of his love for the game, his remarkable athletic ability, the entertainment it brought to millions, and his rewarding career both on and off the court through endorsements and business ventures.

Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography – Isaacson, Walter | 9781408703748 | Amazon.com.au | Books

Steve Jobs‘ passion for perfection and beauty in technology led him to co-found Apple Inc., where he revolutionised the tech world for all with his innovations.

For Jobs, his ikigai was found at the intersection of his love for design, his technical prowess, the world’s need for user-friendly technology, and the immense success and fortune he garnered through his profession.