Do you know about the concept of Ikigai?
At Sladen Consulting, you will often hear us talking about being and acting in your ‘sweet spot’ – in work and in life. The place where your strengths, passions and contribution come together in a way that feels energising and meaningful.
One framework that helps us explore this idea is Ikigai.
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that is often translated as ‘reason for being’. ‘Iki’ means life, and ‘gai’ refers to value or worth. Put simply, your Ikigai is what gives your life meaning – the thing that inspires you to get out of bed in the morning.
In the West, Ikigai has become associated with a simple but powerful visual model. The familiar Venn diagram explores the overlap between four key questions:
The centre point, where all four circles overlap, is often described as your Ikigai.
Take a moment to sketch your own diagram.
As you do, consider the relationships between each of the four areas.
Which qualities overlap naturally for you?
What sits in the centre where all four meet?
Are there areas that feel disconnected from the others?
What might that be telling you?
You may find that your diagram looks very different from someone else's. In fact, you may discover that some areas barely overlap at all. That is perfectly normal.
The value of the exercise is not necessarily in finding a perfect answer. Instead, it offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and become more conscious of what energises you, what matters to you and where there may be opportunities for change.
If you are exploring this with colleagues, friends or family, the conversation can be just as valuable as the diagram itself. Hearing how others think about purpose, contribution and fulfilment often reveals new perspectives on our own lives and work.
Of course, life is rarely as neat as a Venn diagram. Few of us experience complete alignment all of the time, and our priorities, responsibilities and aspirations naturally evolve over time.
Perhaps that is why we find the concept so useful.
Rather than viewing purpose as something we either have or do not have, Ikigai encourages us to think of it as an ongoing exploration. A process of noticing where we feel most alive, most useful and most connected to something bigger than ourselves.
At Sladen, we believe sustainable performance starts with people. When individuals understand what gives them energy and meaning, they are often better able to contribute, collaborate and thrive.
So rather than asking whether you have found your Ikigai, perhaps a more helpful question is:
What is one small step you could take to move closer to it?
A new conversation.
A fresh challenge.
A different use of your strengths.
A moment to reflect on what matters most.
Sometimes the journey towards greater fulfilment begins with simply paying attention.
