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.
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
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Ikigai?â–¾
Use Ikigai when you want to: Career coaching; Personal development workshops; Team purpose exploration; Life design programmes.
How long does Ikigai take?â–¾
Ikigai typically takes 45–90 minutes.
How many participants does Ikigai work for?â–¾
Ikigai works best for groups of 1–20 participants.
What materials do I need for Ikigai?â–¾
To run Ikigai you will need: Ikigai template (four overlapping circles), pens.
How difficult is Ikigai to facilitate?â–¾
Ikigai is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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