Hey friends, welcome back.
Growing up in Tokyo, Japan, the term “Ikigai” was omnipresent in my life — heard at home, in school, and at work. Yet, defining it precisely remains a challenge. It’s not that we lack understanding; rather, Ikigai’s essence is so deeply ingrained in Japanese culture that articulating it feels unnecessary.
Ikigai is often described as one’s “reason for being,” or the pursuit that brings happiness and meaning. However, its universal adoption has made it both renowned and enigmatic, leaving many puzzled by its elusive definition.
In this article, we embark on a journey to decode Ikigai’s mysteries. Accompany me as we delve into its core and unveil methods for discovering your personal Ikigai, enhancing both your career and life journey.
1. The Rise of Ikigai
Discussions and debates about “Ikigai” began to attract attention in the late 1960s (Umehara, 1981; Kumakura, 1972).
One reason cited for this is that in the aftermath of World War II, citizens of many countries were primarily focused on maintaining their livelihoods, making it difficult for them to contemplate the concept of “Ikigai.”
However, as the tide turned towards rapid economic growth, people found themselves able to reflect on their own lives.
Simultaneously, technological advancements led to concerns about the erosion of individual humanity, creating a sense of alienation and prompting questions about the meaning of life (Shiozumi, 1969).
2. The Four Pillars of Ikigai
There are various interpretations of the concept of “Ikigai.”
But in this article, we will look at the Venn diagram of “ikigai,” which was first introduced in the global bestseller “IKIGAI,” published in 2016. This diagram gained popularity for succinctly dealing with “ikigai.”
Based on this, the elements that comprise “ikigai” are as follows:
- What you love
- What you are good at
- What you can be paid for
- What the world needs
Regarding the overlapping areas of these two elements, they are defined as follows:
- What you love × What you are good at = Passion
- What you are good at × What you can be paid for = Profession
- What you can be paid for × What the world needs = Vocation
- What the world needs × What you love = Mission
When all four elements overlap, it becomes “ikigai.”
What you love × What you are good at × What you can be paid for × What the world needs = Ikigai
3. How to Find Your Ikigai
In reality, “ikigai” is highly personal, so you must experiment and explore on your own.
However, this diagram can provide many hints to help you aim for that goal.
For instance, while many messages encourage you to “do what you love,” in reality, that alone may not feel sufficient. Similarly, aiming to “help others” or “earn a living” may also not be enough on their own.
Seeking only one thing often leads to feelings of something missing or unfulfilled, even if that one thing is achieved. The reason for this is evident from this diagram.
However, when multiple elements overlap, you get an inch closer to “ikigai.”
For example, where “what you love” overlaps with “what the world needs,” there lies a “mission.” While it may not fully encapsulate “ikigai,” it can be considered a “mission.”
Following this approach, by finding two overlapping elements among the four components of “ikigai,” and then finding overlap between those two and the remaining two, you can step closer to finding your “ikigai.”
Discovering your “ikigai” is a deeply personal journey, unique to each individual. Your sense of purpose may not align with others’, and there’s no universal formula for uncovering it.
However, if you’re looking to improve the quality of your work and life by finding your own sense of purpose, I suggest using this diagram as a helpful framework.
Let it serve as a guiding framework as you navigate your path towards discovering your “ikigai.”
If you’re interested in the book “Ikigai” I introduced in this article, you can find my book review here.
If you’d like to receive notifications whenever I publish a new article, you can follow me on Medium. See you in my next piece!