[Freebie Alert] Purpose Framework worksheet
Have you ever wake up and just stare at the ceiling, and think to yourself: “Is this it? Just work, eat, sleep, repeat?”
You’re not alone. A lot of us; especially in modern societies, get caught up in the grind. We’re told to study hard, get a stable job, and settle down. Don’t stray, just follow the prescribed path. But somewhere along the way, many of us realise… we’re just going through the motions.
That’s where the Japanese term, Ikigai, comes in.
What is Ikigai?
According to the bestseller book “Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life“, Ikigai (生き甲斐) combines 2 Japanese words; 生き which means “life“, and 甲斐 meaning “to be worthwhile“.
Ikigai has also been translated loosely to “reason for being”, and for ease of use and articulation in modern societies, it’s associated with “having a purpose“. It’s that magical thing that gives you a sense of purpose, excitement, and fulfillment in life.
For some of us, Ikigai is found in our work. For others, it’s in family, hobbies, or contributing to a cause. In the book, the authors observed that in Okinawa, many of the long-living elderlies were still working their craft despite their age. It’s never about retirement. Totally different concepts.
I think it’s erroneous to assume that having a long life naturally means you are happy, there are people who just have sad long lives – and that can be torturous! But rather the concept of being happy first, and longevity as a by-product, a bonus, that resonates with me better.
Yet for many of us, it feels like we’re just working to survive. (How sad if you think about it.)
How do we shift from just earning a living to actually feeling alive? That’s where discovering our Ikigai can help us.
Ikigai is that famous Venn diagram that I see online right? The mainstream understanding of Ikigai comes from something known as a purpose diagram attributed to Andres Zuzunaga. The diagram suggests one to find the balance between four key aspects:
- What You Love: The things that bring you joy and energy.
- What You’re Good At: Your strengths and skills.
- What the World Needs: Ways to make a positive impact.
- What You Can Be Paid For: The practical side of making a living.
The sweet spot where these four overlap is thus often taken at full value as ikigai itself but we need to recognise that the Japanese understanding of Ikigai is more than that. Nonetheless, I find that the four questions provides a good framework for introspection and serves as a good foundation to map one’s purpose.
How to Start Finding Your Ikigai (Please don’t rage quit yet.)
Finding your Ikigai doesn’t mean making a drastic career switch overnight, or experiencing a change of life immediately.
It starts with small, intentional steps:
1. Identify What Already Sparks Joy
Think about the last time you felt truly engaged and excited. What were you doing? Who were you with?
- Maybe you enjoy teaching others at work (coaching, mentoring).
- Maybe you love organising things (event planning, operations).
- Maybe you’re drawn to helping others plan their careers (HR, career coaching).
Often, the things we naturally enjoy are clues to what we should be doing more of.
2. Stop Overthinking & Just Try
Some of us love to plan everything (myself included). It’s safer that way, but sometimes, just doing is better than thinking.
Ikigai is discovered through action, not just thinking.
3. Use Play as a Tool for Discovery
Some answers can’t be found through logic alone. That’s why I use Play in my coaching.
When my clients build their ideas instead of just talking about them, they often uncover unexpected insights about what they truly want.
Sometimes, your hands know the answer before your mind does.
4. Make Small Shifts in Your Current Life
Ikigai doesn’t have to be a big dramatic change. Small tweaks can make a difference.
Small steps compound over time and the effects are rewarding.
Final Thoughts
I hope the article provided a greater understanding of ikigai, and I wanted to leave you with a free Purpose Framework worksheet so you can have a go at mapping yours.
You can absolutely work on this worksheet on your own or if you’re feeling stuck and want to talk it out with someone, book a KoPlay Discovery Play Session with me at david@saltnpepper.sg.