The problem with Ikigai

If you're into personal development, you've probably seen the ikigai venn diagram. Ikigai is the Japanese word for 'life purpose,' or 'a reason for being,' but dig a little deeper and the ever-popular venn diagram starts to look a little suspicious...

We explore the origins of this diagram, what I dislike about it, and how we can gain a better understanding of Ikigai.

LINKS

GEAR

MUSIC

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:52 Where does the ikigai venn diagram come from?
03:37 Is the ikigai diagram useful?
05:57 How do the Japanese think about ikigai?
08:25 Living with ikigai, right now

REFERENCES

[crystalos]

The original philosophy of ikigai is not about being paid financially. It speaks of reward, which can be financial (I think it's a consequence), but it can be any retribution for your gift. Money matters, but feeling useful, capable, fulfilled, seeing what you can bring to someone are also sources of intimate satisfaction and allow for a more fulfilled life. Once again westernizing a concept that is not of our culture!

[kaztech]

I found my Ikigai when I lost everything

When you have nothing, you’ll think clearer and will be purpose driven

All of the distractions fade away and you’ll have a tunnel vision on what your ikigai could be

That was my experience and everytime I take steps in achieving my Ikigai, my heart burns with passion and can’t help but get all teary eyed because I know that I’m finally on the right track for once

[colourmequaint]

This video should be called " the problem with the Venn Diagram" . I feel the title is misleading.

[stanleymcvay]

Don't let people talk you out of money. It's abundant if managed correctly. Sorry, I'm pushing 60 and all anyone wants to do is keep money from you. I'd rather be in charge of finances myself, because people use it to control you. So yes I believe I can't be happy till I'm more in control. Sorry, but this diagram makes sense. If you aren't making a significant difference, you are being used.

[BrazilianTalk]

The best video ever about the subject is the one which has the least amount of views. That’s the reason why people are always depressed.

[Tandeep]

Finally someone talking about the fallacy of the ven diagram, been wondering about this for quite sometime, so informative, thank you.

[Anlonn]

The idea of ikygai is to find the sweet spot in one's life. you overthinking it.

[connorstar]

Well the diagram itself is just a pictured frame of each philosophical teachings of most chinese, japanese and buddhist means, its actually encompasses a much faster and fine tune way of living, since majority of stoics from western world, do not encompass money into their philosophies, almost no where you can find quotes from Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus aurelius and other men of their genre and philosophers that deals with money, the fundamentals of money, management of money or even embracing it to a degree, but mere virtues.

But these core principles shown in ikigai is a big part of it, right off the back we can turn to Confucius who says "he who does not economize, must agonize". So money is a must be apart of the ikigai, this is why atleast the diagram is in a large centrical part of it, this is also gives us a insight that also can be based on experience, especially men like us who have worked a broad amount of work, i worked construction and the pay was good, along with the work was very gratifying, i worked over 16 jobs and have decent to high paying jobs which was in reverse, some jobs paid really well, but the amount of distress and shame you get from it was so bad that you didnt want the money for doing it, and some the jobs were so good, even if i was paid very little i loved what i was doing and would rather ride it out with little money and more gratification than be a little higher in the bank account for it.

So the diagram is not for a novice or unbeknownst person to grasp, this is more of a senior way of thinking of the concepts, practices, principles and fundamentals, it is easy to understand, but difficult to get every section done. But it can be done. to live in true harmony with things, both teachings of ikigai a blend with being contempt yet making progress. To me, the best religious practices and philosophies come from the bible, and Buddhist, you have dualities between Christianity and Islam which is worth the looking into and mixing and matching what works and what doesn't, the same way you have parallel yet same teachings of Hindu and Buddhism, both follow the same flow and rhythm, some are merely simplified, others in a different turn, and yet to me, the bible on its own is a powerhouse book of wealth, knowledge and wisdom, but like Jim rhon states, no one man has all the answers. But good consensus, doesnt reject it but doesnt give a better formality or explanation.

[curtisgrogan]

I think this guy analyzed this concept from all the wrong angles. It never said that youl be suffering if you can’t find your ikigai. I think his choice of words in this video may be sending the wrong message. And it’s not that difficult to find your ikigai. Plus finding your ikigai doesn’t magically makes your life transform.
It’s a concept that is designed to create a mental map that will guide people to a more satisfying life. The whole idea is for you to sit and think about what you love doing and pick out which one your good at, then figure out how the world can benefit from it, Then find a way to get paid or rewarded. (It doesn’t mean that it HAVE TO BE monetary rewards) And in doing so. It helps people to be more motivated. So the end goal of this concept is finding motivation. And last time I check if your unmotivated it doesn’t mean that your automatically under stress. And on the flip side finding your ikigai doesn’t just solve all of your life problems. But it can guide you to a more satisfying life. Just like how being unmotivated can lead to being in a state of misery. And the diagram can’t make you sad or feel bad about anything. The diagram doesn’t control how you receive the information it presents. So if your feeling bad after analyzing the diagram that’s on you.

[Akta]

I absolutely love this James. I've always struggled with the concept of Ikigai, and stared at my diagram confused about how to put it together. I resonate so much more with how you see ikigai

[cosmichoney]

Thanks for this. Someone said try an Ikigai diagram and I immediately was called to say there is no way a Japanese person teaching ikigai said use this diagram. I’m glad I found your video that shows that it was an attempt by an American creator to explain their rationalization of the practice of engaging in the Japanese art of ikigai and not a cultural diagram phenomena that helps you live 100 years happily cuddling your great great great grandchildren. It’s nice to see there is a foundation or returning to the present and enduring the process of life through small, mindful, and joyful in playing in the practice of ikigai. But I’m grateful that I was able to see the source of the diagram is holistically a flaw to the path of discovering the ikigai and look forward to sharing this with others who may be confused or frustrated with the process.

[junfrias]

It serves more of a guide, since the application is relative to any different person.Its not absolute.

[magicalpandorapot]

I agree with you on the chicken nugget of self-help. I've always been skeptical about the ikigai concept, like it's a blanket "feel good" / positive psychology that isn't helpful at all

[flyaway]

The Ikigai we've come to know is more for finding your perfect job than your life purpose, hence the need to be paid for it.
It's still flawed for that as not everyone will find their passion or be able to be good at it, or be able to break into that industry for whatever reason.
It's best to just pick the best option and improve your situation over time as best as possible. Not everyone will achieve their ideal/perfection.

[lurlinemorrow]

Thank you for stating the obvious, something I can never articulate, but sense. I am intrigued with the concept, have been studying for about a year, and will be presenting programs on Ikigai in the near future. I particularly enjoyed the "history" of the Venn diagram re Ikigai. If only life really worked that way for everyone who is not Bruce Springsteen.

[MariaClaudiaMontes]

OMG I love "your life can be like a fabulous burrito!" YES. Brilliant. thank you for sharing this truth.

[dariazhempalukh]

The title should be “a guy taking words on a diagram too specifically”

[nakapaa]

You are an insightful man, You get my love. That is ikigai in my book.

[tommycoleman]

You're getting really good at the editing! Great video.

[harisankar]

I just finished reading that book and you too the exact words out of my mouth. Great video!