Career Direction & Planning · 02 of 10
Ikigai Diagram
Source: Japanese concept of a life worth living; the four-circle diagram is a Western adaptation, usually credited to Marc Winn (2014)
A Venn diagram combining what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs and what you can be paid for.
When to use it
Use it as a reflection tool to spot overlaps between your interests, skills and the market.
How to apply it
- List activities you love doing.
- List what you are good at, using evidence or others' feedback.
- List problems or needs you care about.
- List what people or organisations will pay for.
- Look for items that appear in three or four lists and pick one to explore.
Tip: The diagram is a simplification of the Japanese idea, which is more about everyday purpose than career choice.