Think, write, act · A practical reflection
The ikigai diagram.
Make it yours.
The ikigai diagram brings your interests, skills, contribution and income into one picture.
Use it to notice possibilities. You do not have to fit your whole life into the middle.
01 / Understand the diagram
Begin with ordinary, specific things.
“Helping a colleague understand a spreadsheet” gives you more to work with than “helping people.” A short list is enough to start.
What you love
Which activities do you want to return to? Recall a specific moment.
Write a few thoughtsWhat you are good at
What do people ask you for help with? Include evidence, or a skill you are learning.
Write a few thoughtsWhat the world needs
Whose life or work would you like to make a little better? Name a real need.
Write a few thoughtsWhat you can be paid for
What could support you financially? Separate evidence from ideas you still need to check.
Write a few thoughts02 / Look for connections
What do the overlaps mean?
These are the labels used in the popular framework. Treat them as ways of naming a connection, rather than requirements you must fulfil.
- Passion
- Love + skills. Something you enjoy and can do, or want to get better at.
- Mission
- Love + needs. Something you care about that could help someone else.
- Profession
- Skills + income. Abilities you could use in work that supports you.
- Vocation
- Needs + income. Useful work for which someone may pay.
You may need to try something, ask for feedback or research practical requirements. Meaningful interests can also stay outside paid work.
A note about the diagram’s origin
The familiar four circles are a modern Western framework. Marc Winn describes combining Andrés Zuzunaga’s purpose diagram with the word ikigai in 2014. Read the source
The Japanese concept is broader: people, hobbies and everyday activities can all make life feel worth living. Read our guide to ikigai meaning.
03 / See one possibility
A completed ikigai diagram example
This illustrative example starts with an ordinary experience. It leads to a small experiment before any bigger decision.
“I like making things easier to understand.”
- What you love
- I enjoy making confusing things easier to understand, especially in a one-to-one conversation.
- What you are good at
- Two colleagues have asked me for spreadsheet help. I can break a task into simple steps.
- What the world needs
- New people on our team struggle with the monthly report and need a patient walkthrough.
- What you can be paid for
- Training or operations work might fit. I have not checked openings, qualifications or pay yet.
- A pattern worth exploring
- Helping people feel capable by making information clear. This could be part of my current role.
- One small next action
- On Thursday, offer one 20-minute walkthrough within my working hours. Afterwards, note whether I enjoyed teaching and whether it helped.
After the walkthrough, the next question is what felt rewarding: teaching, solving the problem, or connecting with a colleague. Each answer suggests something different to try.
04 / Make it yours
Fill in your own ikigai reflection.
Give yourself a quiet moment. Collect a few honest observations, then choose one thing you can try in the coming week.
Your space to think
Start with what you know.
Notes save in this browser and are not sent to Ikigain. On a shared device, clear them when you finish. You can leave any question blank.
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From our own practice
Reflection becomes useful when you try something.
Sindy created the original Ikigain cards to make self-discovery more hands-on. Their rhythm—think, write, act—also guides this worksheet. Meet Sindy and Karlis →
A little more clarity
Questions about the ikigai diagram
What are the four circles of ikigai?
The popular diagram asks what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs and what you can be paid for. Use the questions to explore possible connections between your interests, skills, contribution and income.
Do all four circles need to overlap?
No. A connection can be useful, especially when thinking about work, but you do not need one activity that satisfies every circle. Relationships, caring, hobbies and everyday practices can be meaningful without earning money.
Is the ikigai diagram originally Japanese?
The familiar four-circle diagram is a modern Western framework. Marc Winn describes combining Andrés Zuzunaga’s purpose diagram with the word ikigai in 2014. The Japanese concept of ikigai is broader than that diagram.
What if I cannot fill in a circle?
Leave it open or write a question to investigate. Try a specific memory for the love circle, feedback from someone you trust for skills, or one person you would like to help for needs. Income ideas can remain untested possibilities.
Can I save and print my answers?
Yes. The online reflection saves notes in this browser. Use Print / save my reflection as PDF to print your answers or choose Save as PDF in the print dialog. Browser storage can be cleared, so keep a printed or downloaded copy if you want to retain your notes.
Sources and context
- Marc Winn — Ikigai
His account of bringing the word ikigai and the purpose diagram together.
- Government of Japan — Ikigai and a joyful life
A broader introduction to meaning in everyday life, relationships, work and hobbies.
Keep exploring
Choose your next step.
One printable A4 page, with room for your answers and next action.
Get guided promptsThe free ikigai test →Explore your preferences through a separate set of questions. Your notes here are not imported.
Understand the ideaWhat ikigai means →Everyday examples and the context beyond the four circles.