Seeking Clarity on Your Purpose in Life and Business? Try the Ikigai Exercise!

It’s April of 2025 and I’m finally writing about a topic that has been on my heart since November of 2024, when I’d originally completed this exercise to attempt to gain clarity in direction. As a multi-passionate human owning two businesses and feeling a huge pivot coming in this business (photographer turned marketing junkie), I was looking to organize my thoughts and desires.

After a brutal season of overwhelming loss in my family, this exercise has fueled many of my decisions and actions since drawing up my own ikigai diagram (scroll down to read mine and ignore the random spelling error, haha!). I’ve learned first hand just how little time we are guaranteed on this planet and know that I want to make an impact, while living as full of a life as possible. Discovering my ikigai has helped me to really visualize what lights me up, and what projects make sense to pursue while living a life that’s aligned with my values and interests. Also, it’s not lost on me that I’m hitting publish on this blog post, on my late father’s birthday- the first since his heartbreaking passing last July. He was a perfect example of living authentically. He prioritized family, helping others through his career (in our local hospital’s heart center), traveling, playing the guitar, investing for the future and spending SO much time outdoors. I miss him beyond words.

This is a topic that is so important to me, and I hope that it inspires you. I’ve mapped out the steps below and can’t wait for you to give it a try. Make the most of this life we're lucky to live!

What is ikigai?

Dictionary.com defines ikigai [ee-kee-gahy] as a noun for “one’s reason for being, which in principle is the convergence of one’s personal passions, beliefs, values, and vocation: those who follow the concept of ikigai undertake the activities of their life with willingness and a satisfying sense of meaning”.

What is an ikigai exercise?

An ikigai exercise is essentially a Venn diagram of 4 overlapping circles as shown in the image above. One circle each for the categories of:

• What you love (your passion)

• What the world needs (your mission)

• What you are good at (your vocation)

• What you can get paid for (your profession)
  

How do I start?

1. Brain Dump for Each Circle- Take time to list out answers in each circle. No pressure to be perfect- just jot down anything that comes to mind.

   • What I Love 💖
     What brings you joy? Hobbies, passions, topics you could talk about for hours.

   • What I’m Good At ✨
     What skills or talents do you have? Things people often compliment you on?

   • What the World Needs 🌎
     What problems can you help solve? What do people often need help with?

   • What I Can Be Paid For 💵
     What are services, roles, or skills that people are willing to pay for?
     

2. Find the Overlaps Now- look for the connections where the circles intersect.

   • Passion = What you love + What you're good at

   • Mission = What you love + What the world needs

   • Vocation = What the world needs + What you can be paid for

   • Profession = What you’re good at + What you can be paid for
     

3. Find Your Ikigai In the center where all four circles overlap- you’ll find your ikigai, your sweet spot. Ask:

   • Where do these four elements converge?

   • Is there something that appears in 3 or 4 circles?

   • What stands out or gives you a "spark"?
     

4. Reflect and Refine.

   • Sit with what you’ve uncovered.

   • Journal or voice-note about what stood out.

   • It’s okay if your ikigai isn’t crystal clear right away- clarity often comes in layers.

   • Revisit your diagram every few months to check in as you grow and evolve.

Many of us wander through life seeking fulfillment, purpose and connection. It’s tough to center ourselves when we stress over how we spend our days or find ourselves at an age and panic with regrets. some of us have faith in a higher power, and that’s great! this exercise is just a fun way to see any areas of overlap and find inspiration in.

Try out an ikigai exercise for yourself and see how you feel after! Reach out via email or post your exercise and tag me on Instagram if you are willing to! I’d love to see what you came up with!

*Ignore my random spelling error. I dislike those. :P