Activity: Create your ikigai map
(24-hour)
Activity:
Create your ikigai map
“Ikigai” is a Japanese concept that represents finding your purpose
and fulfilment in life. Discover your ikigai through this
activity.
The centre where all four circles meet is your
ikigai, showing what gives your life meaning. Each circle represents
an area in life: “What you love”, “What you are good at”, “What the
world needs”, and “What you can be rewarded for.”
Passion
This is what makes you lose track of time. You are talented at it and you enjoy it.
Mission
This is what makes you feel like you are making a difference in something you care about.
Profession
This is what you are competent in and it pays you.
Vocation
This is often something that society values and is willing to pay for.
Example of a completed ikigai map
Passion
This is what makes you lose track of time. You are talented at it and you enjoy it.
Mission
This is what makes you feel like you are making a difference in something you care about.
Profession
This is what you are competent in and it pays you.
Vocation
This is often something that society values and is willing to pay for.
Step 1: Think about 1-3 items for each of the questions below
What you love:
- What do you love doing in your free time?
- What makes you smile?
- For example: helping others, exercising, animals.
What you’re good at:
- What are your strengths?
- What do people always ask you to help with?
- For example: listening to others, art, cooking.
What the world needs:
- Look around you, what is missing in our society today?
- What do you think your community needs?
- For example: more kindness, more empathy, more care for the environment.
What you can be rewarded for
- What is a skill or job you can do that people will pay for?
- Do you have any hobbies or interests that could pay you?
- For example: being a teacher, providing customer service, working in healthcare.
Review Your Activity
Check your responses and make any edits before saving your final copy.
Activity: Create your ikigai map
Step 2: Look at the four circles that you have filled up. Are there any common activities or roles that appear in all of them? Underline them.
1. What you love:
2. What you’re good at:
3. What the world needs:
4. What you can be rewarded for:
The centre where all four circles meet is your ikigai, showing what gives your life meaning.
It is important to note that your ikigai can change and evolve, and that is completely normal. You might also find it difficult to complete all four circles and that’s alright. Finding your purpose in life is a long process of discovering yourself.
Passion
This is what makes you lose track of time. You are talented at it and you enjoy it.
Mission
This is what makes you feel like you are making a difference in something you care about.
Profession
This is what you are competent in and it pays you.
Vocation
This is often something that society values and is willing to pay for.
“Your purpose is to live the life that is right
for you,
not the life that others expect of you.”
