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.

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.

According to psychiatrist Mieko Kamiya, the concept of Ikigai is similar to happiness, but with a difference.

Ikigai looks at the larger picture of life, allowing you to be ok with a miserable situation, as the grand vision of life, and the future is still positive.

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.