Where does the Purpose Diagram come from?
In 2012 I published a simple Euler diagram on my former blog (which was a desolate place at that time; I think the only person who read every post was my mom). Fast forward to September 2014 and the diagram was going viral. People began using it as a post card motive, having discussions, creating videos, printing t-shirts and talking about it on their TED talks.
I thought that was pretty impressive, but then the diagram popped up with “ikigai” in the centre (a Japanese term that describes your “reason for being”) and the diagram became so popular that when people saw mine, they’d say “ah, yes! ikigai”. That was a really good exercise on taming my ego. Wonder why I continue to call it the purpose diagram, rather than ikigai? Read this.
Today, there are workshops being led, books and magazines published on the matter, it was spoken about at the World Economic Forum and I could hire a full-time employee to do a happy dance every time these simple four overlapping circles are a starting point of an interesting conversation about purpose-driven business.
What’s the origin of the diagram?
I can only tell you where it came from through me. My chart was a modified version of a kindergarten teacher’s diagram. Her name is Ms Dorothy and she wrote a post titled “Reflecting on What I Do” on her blogspot blog where she (used to?) give out educational advice. Her diagram placed “bliss” in the centre and the in between fields were vocation, passion, career, charity, satisfaction, comfort, contentment and fulfilment.
She was inspired by Aristotle Bancale who published his graph on G+ and seems to have been inspired by Simon Kemp‘s version of Bud Caddell‘s 3-circle Venn diagram…
I had it on my old website, then prettified it and put in on Facebook in April 2014. Someone slapped it on Instagram in black and white, where Tiffany Chan found it and re-posted via Shanti Ughanda in September. The transition to ikigai happened through Marc Winn, who writes about it here.
In other words, this information is nothing new. Countless people all over the globe are finding ways of understanding and illustrating work that is not just based on an exchange of payment and life energy.
Based on countless comments, conversations and feedback and work with hundreds of entrepreneurs, I created an extended version of the chart, naming all the in between fields and identifying the patterns of where we get stuck, depending on where we see ourselves on the diagram. I regularly use the chart as a self-check and diagnostic tool for leaders and entrepreneurs.
My specialty? Helping large organisations to understand the connection between individual purpose, team purpose and corporate purpose and how to build bridges between those.
The Purpose Test is a playful and free way for you to check where you might be on the diagram. It’s a snapshot of your current state rather than a personality assessment, so take it playfully.
My research did suggest a correlation between where people were on the diagram and the self-limiting beliefs they currently have. Taking the test will show you where you might be and what “bullsh*t monsters” you may encounter there.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use your version of the diagram/ quote you in my book/ at my event?
Yes. Go ahead and grab it. I have published my version of the diagram under the creative commons attribution license and I’d be delighted if you spread the word and link my website.
What’s the difference between ikigai and purpose?
Ikigai is a beautiful Japanese concept that has nothing to do with the diagram and was popularised in the Western world depicted in the centre of the purpose diagram. Read more on that here.
Do you offer workshops on how to work with purpose in the corporate context?
Yes, I run a train the trainer workshop approximately once a year. If you’ve taken the test you’re on my list and will be notified. Want to make sure I get in touch personally? Contact me.
Updates: I added Marc’s article on the merging of the purpose diagram and ikigaiI found Ms Dorothy’s old blog spot and added the linkI updated the FAQ
