Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Ikigai explores the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which translates roughly to “a reason for being” or “the joy of always being busy.” The authors, drawing on research and interviews with centenarians from the island of Okinawa (a global longevity hotspot), present a compelling blend of philosophy, cultural ethnography, and practical self-help.
The book’s central, and most pedagogically useful, element is the Ikigai framework, often illustrated as a Venn diagram. This visual tool is exceptionally effective for self-reflection and professional development, making it a powerful resource in an educational context.
The four overlapping elements are:
* What you love (Your Passion)
* What you are good at (Your Profession/Skills)
* What the world needs (Your Mission/Contribution)
* What you can be paid for (Your Vocation/Livelihood)
Ikigai is the harmonious intersection of all four. The areas of partial overlap lead to feelings that, while positive, are incomplete:
* Passion + Mission = Delight and Fullness, but no Wealth.
* Mission + Vocation = Excitement and Complacency, but no Joy.
* Vocation + Profession = Comfortable, but a Feeling of Emptiness.
* Profession + Passion = Satisfaction, but a Sense of Uselessness
Ikigai explores the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which translates roughly to “a reason for being” or “the joy of always being busy.” The authors, drawing on research and interviews with centenarians from the island of Okinawa (a global longevity hotspot), present a compelling blend of philosophy, cultural ethnography, and practical self-help.
The book’s central, and most pedagogically useful, element is the Ikigai framework, often illustrated as a Venn diagram. This visual tool is exceptionally effective for self-reflection and professional development, making it a powerful resource in an educational context.
The four overlapping elements are:
* What you love (Your Passion)
* What you are good at (Your Profession/Skills)
* What the world needs (Your Mission/Contribution)
* What you can be paid for (Your Vocation/Livelihood)
Ikigai is the harmonious intersection of all four. The areas of partial overlap lead to feelings that, while positive, are incomplete:
* Passion + Mission = Delight and Fullness, but no Wealth.
* Mission + Vocation = Excitement and Complacency, but no Joy.
* Vocation + Profession = Comfortable, but a Feeling of Emptiness.
* Profession + Passion = Satisfaction, but a Sense of Uselessness