Ikigai as a Pathway to Purpose

Purpose is one of the Four Ps of positive shift that contribute to happiness. The Ikigai diagram illustrates finding the intersection between what you are good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This can be challenging to discover, but a good starting point is identifying your strengths.

Ikigai is a Japanese word that roughly translates to “the reason you get up in the morning.” The following questions can help you navigate the process of discovery.

1. List your strengths. Strengths are developed abilities that may be learned skills or innate talents.
What abilities do you have that are easy for you to do?
What do people ask you to help them with?
What do people say you are good at doing?
What do you love to learn about?

2. Which of these do you love doing the most?
What did you enjoy doing as a child or in your early adult years?
What do you do now in your spare time that makes you happy?
What are you doing when you completely lose track of time?
What would you do if money didn’t matter?

3. Of these, what does the world need most?
What can you offer the world? What problems in the world do you most want to solve?
What would you be willing to sacrifice for?
Who inspires you? Why do you admire them and what do they do?
Who do you want to be and what actions will lead you to be your best self?

4. Of these, which would earn money? What could you be paid for?
Do your abilities provide a financial opportunity? What job would best use your abilities?
Could you teach a class or create a product that people would pay you for?
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

5. Finally, finish the following sentences:
If I only had six months to live, I would spend my time…
If I were to die tomorrow, I would regret that I did not…

• Passion: what you’re good at + what you love
• Mission: what you love + what the world needs
• Profession: what you’re good at + what you can be paid for
• Vocation: what the world needs + what you can be paid for

Download the Ikigai Pathway to Purpose Worksheet pdf

More Resources

“How to Ikigai” by Tim Tamashiro, TED Talk How to Ikigai. (Amazon link to the book provides a small commission that helps support the Daily PlanIt)

• How to Use the Ikigai Diagram to Find Fulfillment at Becoming Better
• Rethinking Ikigai
• Finding Your Ikigai
• Ikigai at the Calm blog
• Discover U

About dailyplanit

I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.