3 Steps to Find Your IKIGAI

Many of my coaching clients reach out because:

...they are unhappy with their job...

...they are not using their full potential...

...they desperately lack meaning in their life...

They tell me:

"I want to have an impact on our society."

"I want to find a fulfilling role where I could get a decent salary."

"I want to clarify what I really love."

"I want to understand my strengths."

Sounds familiar? Well, like all of us, they are searching for their ikigai.

But what is behind this buzz word?

Ikigai is a Japanese word whose meaning translates roughly to "a reason for being, encompassing joy, a sense of purpose and meaning and a feeling of well-being."

The word derives from iki, meaning "life" and kai, meaning "the realisation of hopes and expectations."

To help my clients find their?Ikigai, I have developed an approach which requires a conscientious and diligent hunt to achieve a whole new level of awareness about appetences, competences, drivers, and purpose.?

Step 1 – Create Awareness

The first step involves creating awareness about the four circles, independently. You can start by asking yourself/discussing the following questions:

What You Love

• What could you talk about for hours?
• What are your three favourite books and movies?
• What could you spend hours on?
• What aspects of your life that bring you the most joy?
• What part of your current job do you love the most?
• If money were no object, what would you do for a career?
• Which activities do you get lost in? (when you are in the flow)

What You are Good at

• What do you get complimented on most?
• What do you like about yourself?
• Where do you bring value? Where do you have impact?
• What unique skills do you have that come most naturally to you?
• What comes easily to you?
• What talents have you cultivated and what do you excel at even when you aren’t trying?
• What parts of your current job do you find effortless?

What the World Needs

• What do you like to see different in the world?
• What problems would you like to help solve?
• What change would you most love to create in the world?
• What cause do you believe in?
• What breaks your heart or pulls at your gut?
• What are the trends in your industry? In other industries?

What You Can Get Paid For

• Which skills could you be paid for?
• Which passion could you get paid for?
• What do people value and pay you for?
• What is mainly valued in your experience?
• Why people would hire you today?
• Have you been hunted? What for?

Step 2 – Identify the Overlaps

The second step involves looking for areas of natural overlap in the circles, reflecting on the various elements and how they may relate to each other.?

Bring yourself quietly to the centre of the circles and leave space in your mind for whatever impulse or calling that may emerge naturally in the coming days… What is one simple thing you could do or be today that would be an expression of your?Ikigai?

Step 3 - Create Opportunities

The third step involves sharing with others what resonates with you, expressing your goals and desires, communicating your vision, connecting with like-minded individuals, exploring areas of interests, and experimenting new approach to create opportunities.

The objective is to fine tune your goals, learn (online, workshops, training), test (through professional or personal projects) and experiment new perspectives or behaviours that will lead you towards your?Ikigai.

Ready to Create the Life you Desire?

Let's discuss!

Geraldine Gauthier

www.gomastercoach.com

www.w2pconsulting.com