To all you life coaches, business coaches, HR managers, wantrepreneurs, and bloggers sharing the framework of doing something that you love, that you are good at, that the world needs, and that you can be paid or rewarded for as ikigai, STOP IT! It is not the Japanese concept of ikigai.
THERE IS NO IKIGAI FRAMEWORK!
If you were to show the “Ikigai Venn Diagram” to a Japanese person it would be met with bewilderment. In fact, this is what I suggest you do. If you have a Japanese friend or acquaintance show it to them and see how they respond. One thing I am certain that they will point out quickly is that for the Japanese, ikigai does not involve doing something for money or reward.
The Zuzunaga Venn Diagram of Purpose
The framework of doing something that you love, that you are good at, that the world needs, and that you can be paid for is the Purpose Venn diagram, and full credit should go to Andrés Zuzunaga, a Spanish astrologer and entrepreneur.
Andrés’ interpretation of purpose was inspired by natal charts, and he first shared his framework with the world on June 4th in 2012 on Facebook with the two words “El propósito”. Later that year it was published in Borja Vilaseca’s book ¿Qué harías si no tuvieras miedo? (What would you do if you weren’t afraid?).
Andrés Zuzunaga’s propósito facebook post from 2012.
It’s Time To Pay Credit To The Correct Source
If you have already written a blog post or posted an image of the “Ikigai Venn diagram” on your website then here is what you need to:
- Edit your Venn diagram. In the center of the Venn diagram replace the word “ikigai” with “purpose” or “propósito”.
- Rename the Venn diagram to “The Zuzunaga Venn Diagram of Purpose”.
- Link to Andrés Zuzunaga’s webpage https://www.cosmograma.com/proposito.php
- And remove any reference on your blog post that the Venn diagram is a framework that Japanese use to find purpose or meaning in their lives.
Feel free to use my image below.
