Finding Your Ikigai
Finding Your Ikigai
A scoring system to choose your passion project
This post in combination with the earlier post on the RICE Prioritization method is part of a future post outlining a framework for finding a problem to solve.
The Japanese concept of ikigai, meaning "a reason for being," offers a framework to help you find the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. We will explore a practical scoring system based on ikigai to help you prioritize potential startup projects, ensuring that they align with your passions, skills, and market opportunities.
Ikigai Scoring System Framework
1. Passion (What You Love): How much do you love this problem or area?
2. Vocation (What You Are Good At) : How good are you at solving this problem? Do you have relevant experience in this area?
3. Mission (What the World Needs) : How important is this problem for the world? Is there a real need?
4. Profession (What You Can Be Paid For): How viable is this problem as a business? Can it generate revenue?
Each project will be scored on these four criteria. We can use a 0-10 scale for each criterion, with 0 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. Additionally, we can assign weights to each criterion based on your personal priorities.
An example of weights for each criteria:
- Passion: 25%
- Vocation: 25%
- Mission: 30%
- Profession: 20%
Calculate Total Score
Use the following formula to calculate the weighted score for each project:
For Project A:
Compare and Prioritize Projects
Repeat the scoring process for all potential projects and compare the total scores. Higher scores indicate better alignment with your ikigai.
Example Projects Comparison
In this example, Project B has the highest total score and might be the best fit for you to pursue.
This scoring system is flexible and can be tailored to match your specific goals and needs by adjusting the weights.
Conclusion
Choosing the right problem to solve can help you find the right passion project or startup idea and it is crucial for long-term success and personal fulfillment. By applying the ikigai-based scoring system, you can evaluate potential projects and ensure they align with your passions, skills, and business needs. This approach not only increases the likelihood of your startup's success but also ensures that your work is meaningful and rewarding and most importantly that it ultimately brings you joy.