FacilitationBeginner

Ikigai

A Japanese concept meaning 'reason for being'. The Ikigai framework maps four overlapping dimensions: What you love, What you're good at, What the world needs, and What you can be paid for. The intersection of all four is your Ikigai — your purpose and source of sustainable motivation. Used in personal development, career coaching, and team purpose workshops.

Duration

45m–2h

Group size

1–20 people

Materials

Ikigai template (four overlapping circles), pens

Origin

Community

How to run it

1
Draw or distribute the Ikigai diagram: four overlapping circles.
2
Label each circle: What I Love / What I'm Good At / What the World Needs / What I Can Be Paid For.
3
Participants fill in each circle individually (10–15 minutes).
4
Explore the intersections: Passion (Love + Good At), Mission (Love + World Needs), Profession (Good At + Paid For), Vocation (World Needs + Paid For).
5
The centre — all four circles — is the Ikigai.
6
Participants share insights in pairs or small groups.
7
Debrief: what surprised you? Where are the tensions? What's one thing this reveals about your direction?

Tips

Ikigai is a reflection tool, not a prescription.
Not everyone will find a single clear intersection — and that's okay.
The tensions between circles are often as revealing as the overlaps.
Run in a psychologically safe, low-pressure context.

Variations

Adapt for teams: 'What does our team love doing / is good at / the organisation needs / funds?' Apply to product/business model design as a strategic filter.

Where it fits

Career coachingPersonal development workshopsTeam purpose explorationLife design programmes

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Method descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices.