IKIGAI Japanese process

Ikigai can be helpful in really identifying what is important to you. Your answers can change over time so it is recommended to occasionally repeat the process.

Ask yourself these four questions and write down the first words that come to mind – however many you think of, there is no right or wrong:

1. What do you love – personal, professional, family, hobbies?

2. What are you are good at?

3. What can you be paid for?

4. What can you offer that the world needs?

Then look at the words you have written and answer these questions:

1. How does what you love and what you are good at intersect/overlap – what are the common words? e.g. tennis, cooking etc

2. How does what you are good at and what you can be paid for intersect/overlap – what are the common words? e.g. tennis, cooking etc

3. How does what you can be paid for and what the world needs intersect/overlap – what are the common words? e.g. tennis, cooking etc

4. How does what you love and what the world needs intersect/overlap – what are the common words? e.g. tennis, cooking etc

These last four questions correspond to the following areas in your life:

• Passion

• Profession

• Vocation

• Mission

See what comes through for you. Whatever words spring to mind first first tend to be the truth – so do the exercise freely without thinking it through too much.

Whatever your four words are – print them out and put them where you can see them.

Enjoy!