Ikigai is illustrated in four overlapping circles, as in a Venn Diagram which talks about a synthesis of:

• What you love to do.
• What you are good at.
• What the world needs.
• What you can be paid for.

The concept of Ikigai aligns with everyday life, as opposed to a lifetime. It makes us appreciate our daily life, celebrating it, and experiencing the small joys of living.

Ikigai is the reason you wake up in the morning for, that thing you live for, daily.

Make three small lists:

• Your values
• Things you like to do
• Things you are good at

The cross-section or overlap of these three lists, is your Ikigai, something you should do for the rest of your life.

Ikigai is not a theoretical concept to be understood and left aside, and can only work in daily action and constant practice.

Your work should make a difference in people's lives, and not necessarily would be just working hard.

Japanese have a large number of senior citizens, including many centenarians, with the average lifetime being 87 years for women and 81 years for men.

Ikigai has been a major reason for the long life of the Japanese, along with special kinds of diets.