The cultural appropriation of ikigai

How purpose became a Venn diagram

You have probably seen some version of this colorful graphic that shows purpose – labeled as ikigai – existing at the intersection of these four things:

1. What you’re good at

2. What you love to do

3. What the world needs

4. What you get paid for

How did ikigai get confused and conflated with these four elements?

It makes a cute meme – a simple framework, one that is ea…