No, this Venn diagram does not represent Ikigai
I know what you're thinking - it's the Ikigai Venn diagram. Actually, it's not factually and culturally true. There is a fascinating story behind it.
I was teaching students entrepreneurship back in 2018 using the Ikigai Venn diagram to help students come up with a business idea to align these powerful elements. At the same time, I was launching Xstatic Sunsets, and I thought I had found my Ikigai! Which I assumed was like finding your purpose.
Connecting to my purpose at 40 years old and experiencing the transformative benefits, I questioned why it had to take so long. Leading me down the rabbit hole of studying how we discover our purpose and my new mission of how I can fast-track this journey for others.
I created a 'Discover your Ikigai' workshop, which I ran over a half day from my home with great reviews. But I realised this journey requires much deeper work.
I then came across the Ikigai Tribe, founded by Nicholas Kemp, which debunks the Venn diagram as being a true reflection of what Ikigai means for the Japanese. And who interviews Marc Winn, who was the man who serendipitously put Ikigai in this Venn diagram and wrote a blog post on it in 2014, which went viral. Which was inspired by a TEDx talk, he saw on longevity and spoke to parts of Japan being a 'Blue Zone' and the concept of Ikigai.
As Nicholas uncovers, it was actually a Spanish Philosopher, Andrés Zuzunaga, who created the Venn Diagram with 'purpose' at its centre. There is another great podcast interviewing Andre on Ikigai Tribe.
Through all my research on purpose, I find this Venn diagram to be the most simple and effective framework to help people reflect on themselves to assist them on the path of self-discovery and purpose. Kudos to Andre!
This led to me creating a 'Discover Your Purpose course' through Covid, using this Venn diagram as a framework, conscious of not wanting to appropriate what Ikigai means to the Japanese culturally. I ran several groups through this 6-week course with some great results.
This has since been adapted into my coaching offering to help corporate escapees and retirees achieve their potential of impact and life fulfilment through doing what they love.
I am relaunching my more cost-effective 'discover your purpose' course for younger people as the Venn diagram is a powerful framework to ideate a social enterprise or make smarter job choices to enable a purpose-led career. I wish I had this sort of guidance when I was younger.
Finally, I just want to credit Marc Winn for putting Ikigai in the Venn diagram and writing the blog post, which has led to a viral sharing of this powerful framework that anyone can relate to. This very act has had an immeasurable impact on people's lives.
Everything is culturally appropriated somehow - I say 'inspired by'.
At the same time, I greatly respect Nicholas for shining the light on what Ikigai really means to the Japanese and educating us in the West. Check out Ikigai Tribe to learn more.
