In today’s fast-changing world, students often ask themselves, ‘What should I do with my life?’ They often lack clarity and purpose which can lead to confusion, stress or a lack of motivation. Ikigai provides a framework to overcome this.
The Japanese concept of Ikigai means ‘a reason for being’, the unique place where our passions, talents, values, and opportunities meet. For learners, it can be a compass that guides both academic choices and personal growth. For learning organizations and professionals, it can help define their visionary values, align their missions with their strengths and ensure that they serve a meaningful purpose in society.
Traditionally Ikigai is represented by four components. Let me explain the concept with the help of a Venn-diagram
- What we love + What we are good at = Passion
- What we love + What the world needs = Mission
- What we are good at + What we can be paid for = Profession
- What the world needs + What we can be paid for = Vocation
When all four circles overlap, we find our Ikigai: the area where our passion, mission, profession, and vocation align. For example, if someone loves technology, is good at problem-solving, the world needs innovative solutions, and can be paid as a software engineer or inventor, then that could be that individual’s Ikigai.
Ikigai isn’t something one can find overnight. It’s something we grow into by exploring, learning, and reflecting. We must start small, keep asking questions, and let our curiosity lead the way.
Ikigai is important for every individual, whether a student or a professional. It helps people identify their purpose, values, and passions in life. By finding their Ikigai, individuals can connect their skills, interests, and personal values with what the world needs.
A teacher who uses technology to make learning accessible
- Loves: Teaching and inspiring curiosity.
- Good at: Explaining complex ideas in a lucid manner, using digital tools.
- The world needs: Quality education and access to knowledge.
- Paid for: Teaching, tutoring, or developing educational content.
Ikigai: EdTech teaching career
A doctor who specializes in pediatric care –
- Loves: Helping children grow up healthy
- Good at: Medical knowledge, diagnosis, treatment, communication with kids and families.
- The world needs: Essential healthcare for children in every society.
- Can be paid for: Doctor’s professional expertise.
The intersection of these four is the doctor’s Ikigai, caring for children’s health with skill, purpose and compassion. For learners knowing their Ikigai helps them –
- Choose the right subjects and career paths.
- Boosting motivation since learning becomes meaningful.
- Build confidence and resilience to handle challenging situations.
- Enhance personal and societal growth.If we try to analyse further the intersections of three circles –
- Love + Good at + Paid for (but missing ‘World needs’) → Satisfaction, but feeling of uselessness
- Love + Good at + World needs (but missing ‘Paid for’) → Delight and fullness, but no wealth
- Good at + Paid for + World needs (but missing ‘Love’) → Comfortable, but sense of emptiness
- Love + Paid for + World needs (but missing ‘Good at’) → Excitement, but uncertainty & insecurity
Ikigai helps professionals balance passion, mission, vocation, and profession, leading to a more purposeful and satisfying life.
An institute (school, college, or university) can also discover its Ikigai by reflecting on the four circles:
- What it loves: Vision and values of the institute.
- What it is good at: Strengths
- What the world needs: Mission
- What it can be paid for: Sustainability
Let me provide an example: A technical university may love innovation, be good at engineering & research, the world needs skilled problem-solvers for technology and climate issues, and it can be paid for, through its courses, patents, and industry collaborations. Therefore, it’s Ikigai is ‘Developing future-ready innovators who solve global challenges.’
If we discover our Ikigai we benefit in multiple ways.
Clarity of Purpose: A strong sense of purpose makes it easier to face challenges.
Motivation & Energy: Reduces procrastination and burnout.
Balanced Life: Encourages harmony in relationships.
Career Satisfaction: Leads to choices that bring both personal fulfilment and professional success associated with lower stress, better health, and longer life.
Contribution to Society: Ikigai connects personal growth with community needs.
Discovering our Ikigai allows us not just to exist, but to live with purpose and shape a unique identity.
