Find meaning, seek clarity.

For years, I struggled with uncertainty about my work-life, which impacted how I lived. Financially, I managed to cover my bills and expenses, but it never felt sufficient. I found myself locked in a state of autopilot, and it wasn't serving me anymore, especially after I became aware of it.

I often took holidays and gifted my family to make up for my absence while working hard. It was challenging to put in extra effort in a job I wasn't passionate about, especially because I couldn't let down the people depending on me, both in business and at home.

You keep telling yourself it's something you need to do.

Looking back, I realize this mindset was deeply ingrained in my own purpose, helping others, which I would only discover later.

While I was caring for others, I wasn't taking care of myself. It was tough living like that, to the point where I hoped for someone to offer me a new job opportunity or a fresh endeavor to break free from the it.

What really changed my life was giving myself permission to be me, working on my purpose, and finding clarity about the direction I wanted to take. I wanted something sustainable, something that energized me every morning, even if it wasn't a full-day commitment. It was about developing something that would serve both me and others.

It was simple yet difficult. I had to ask myself questions I'd never considered before, and most importantly, I needed to be ready for the answers. The key was not to deflect my inner thoughts but to handle them in a way that would serve me.

Ikigai has been a transformative exercise. It has helped me guide others who have faced similar struggles in taking action when they didn’t know where to go.

When you don't know where to go, you feel stressed. While stress is a big part of life, the key is to use it for growth. Find the sources of stress you can control and work on those.

If you continue to develop yourself, doors will open. This is what I've experienced and seen in those around me.

That's why I am sharing this exercise to help others build their own Ikigai.

If you don't figure it out in a couple of hours, don’t stress. My Ikigai keeps evolving; it takes time and consistency.

How you can start:

Fill in the Ikigai chart by answering these questions:

• What do you love?

• What are you good at?

• What can you be paid for?

• What does the world need?

The intersections of these questions reveal:

• Passion: What you love and are good at.

• Mission: What the world needs and you love.

• Vocation: What you can be paid for and the world needs.

• Profession: What you’re good at and can be paid for.

While few might find a need to repivot their life to find real purpose, there is value in taking what is already there to create a path of authenticity and joy.

Consider that your life may already contain activities that can be seen from a different perspective to answer all four answers of the Ikigai, making them your purpose.

If you want more information and resources to navigate your career and life, you can check my website.

And if you’re ready to dive deeper and make lasting, effective changes, let’s start with an informal chat. You can reach out to me here.