How to Find Your Ikigai in 8 steps

 

Finding your Ikigai, a Japanese concept that means “reason for being,” is a profound journey toward discovering purpose, fulfillment, and balance in life. It lies at the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Many people live without fully identifying their Ikigai, but taking the time to find it can transform your personal and professional life. Here’s how to find your Ikigai in 8 meaningful steps, all in a continuous journey of self-discovery and reflection. (Read more - how to find your ikigai)

The first step in finding your Ikigai is self-reflection. This means taking the time to look inward and ask yourself honest questions about your life, values, dreams, and desires. It’s about identifying what truly brings you joy—not what others expect of you, but what you feel passionate about when no one is watching. Think about the moments when you feel most alive, the activities you do that make you lose track of time, and the causes that stir your heart. Write down your answers. Journaling can be a powerful way to uncover patterns in your thoughts and emotions that point you toward your true purpose.

The second step is to identify what you love—your passions. These are things that excite and energize you. Whether it’s painting, writing, teaching, designing, cooking, problem-solving, or helping others, this step focuses on what makes your soul feel fulfilled. Think back to your childhood dreams, the hobbies you naturally gravitate toward, and the tasks you enjoy doing even when they aren’t rewarded. Ask yourself, “What could I do for hours without getting bored?” This exploration will help you form the first circle of Ikigai: what you love.

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Next, move to the third step: recognize what you’re good at—your strengths and talents. This might overlap with your passions but isn’t always the same. For example, you might love singing but be more naturally skilled at storytelling. Consider what skills come easily to you, what others appreciate or compliment you for, and where you have achieved success. You can also take skills assessments or ask friends and colleagues to give honest feedback. Recognizing your strengths is essential because your Ikigai is not just about doing what you love—it’s also about doing it well.

The fourth step is to determine what the world needs. This expands your perspective beyond personal gain to include contribution and impact. Consider the problems you see in society, your community, or the industry you work in. What issues do you feel drawn to solve? What groups of people would you like to help or serve? Finding this alignment between personal purpose and external need is crucial for sustainable meaning. Your Ikigai becomes much stronger when it connects to something larger than yourself.

 

The fifth step is to understand what you can be paid for. Even the most meaningful path must be sustainable in the long run. This involves exploring how your passions and strengths can align with a profession, service, or business. Consider whether there are people already earning a living doing what you’re passionate about. Are there ways to monetize your skills—through freelancing, teaching, coaching, creating content, selling products, or offering services? While money should not be the only driver, financial viability is part of the Ikigai equation.

The sixth step is to create the intersection map. This is where you visually connect the four key elements: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Draw a Venn diagram or list these elements side-by-side, then look for commonalities. Where they overlap is where your Ikigai begins to emerge. You may find that some activities fall into three categories but not all four—this can still be helpful. For example, if you love something and are good at it, but it doesn’t pay well, it might be a passion or hobby. But if something checks all four boxes, it’s likely a strong contender for your Ikigai.

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Step seven involves experimenting and taking action. Discovering your Ikigai isn’t just a mental exercise—it’s something you uncover through doing. Start small and explore your areas of intersection in real life. Volunteer, start a side project, take a new course, or try freelance work in your area of interest. Action leads to clarity. You may find that something you thought was your calling doesn’t feel right once you do it—or you may stumble upon an unexpected passion. Be open to refining your path based on experience.

Finally, the eighth step is to commit and integrate Ikigai into your lifestyle. Once you've identified your Ikigai, the key is to align your daily routines, career choices, and personal goals with it. Living your Ikigai doesn’t mean making drastic changes overnight—it means gradually building a life that revolves around meaning, balance, and joy. It could be as simple as spending more time on fulfilling activities or as significant as switching careers. Surround yourself with supportive people who understand your journey, and continue revisiting your Ikigai as you grow and evolve. Life circumstances change, and so can your Ikigai—it’s a living concept, not a static one.

In conclusion, finding your Ikigai is a deeply personal journey that unfolds through intentional exploration, courage, and mindfulness. It helps you reconnect with your inner truth and live in alignment with your values. By following these 8 steps—reflecting on yourself, identifying what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for, then mapping the overlaps, experimenting, and finally integrating—it is possible to uncover a meaningful and balanced path in life. Ikigai is not just about career choices; it’s about creating a reason to wake up every morning with joy, purpose, and gratitude. When you live with Ikigai, every day becomes a journey toward something that truly matters.