Inside the Coaching Room: How IKIGAI Transforms Careers
Throughout my coaching journey, I have worked with countless clients who feel lost when it comes to their careers. Many of them have collected degrees, pursued multiple master’s programs, and gained diverse work experiences, yet they still struggle to define a clear professional path. They often come to me feeling overwhelmed, questioning whether their studies were worthwhile, and wondering why they feel disconnected from what they actually want to do.
One of the most common patterns I see? Many professionals follow a socially accepted formula for success—pursuing degrees and jobs that promise stability and financial security. But in doing so, they never stop to ask themselves if it actually fits. They push forward, ticking off external milestones while ignoring the internal ones. Over time, this leads to frustration, dissatisfaction, and a sense of being stuck in a life that doesn’t quite feel like their own.
A client recently told me, "I am such a mess. I don’t think you can help me. I’m not sure I can be helped."
I hear this more often than you’d think. But here’s what I know: No one is beyond help. There’s always a way forward. Sometimes, it’s not about finding something new—it’s about connecting the dots that were always there.
This is where IKIGAI comes in.
What Is IKIGAI?
IKIGAI is a Japanese concept that translates roughly to “reason for being.” It’s the sweet spot where passion, mission, vocation, and profession overlap. A framework that helps bring clarity by focusing on four key elements:
What you love (your passion)
What you are good at (your skills and talents)
What the world needs (a sense of purpose or contribution)
What you can be paid for (financial sustainability)
When these four areas align, you find yourself in a career that not only fulfills you but also supports you. A career that isn’t just a paycheck, but something you genuinely want to wake up for.
Why IKIGAI Works for Career Clarity
For clients who feel lost, IKIGAI provides a structured yet intuitive way to make sense of their experiences, skills, and aspirations. Instead of viewing their career choices as a messy, disjointed puzzle, they begin to see patterns and connections they hadn’t noticed before.
The shift is powerful. Instead of thinking, “I have all these degrees and jobs that don’t connect,” they start seeing, “I have all these skills and experiences that I can use in a way that makes sense for me.”
No education or experience is ever wasted. The problem isn’t what they’ve done—it’s how they’ve been looking at it. IKIGAI helps them move from regret and confusion to recognition and direction.
How I Use IKIGAI with My Clients
When I introduce IKIGAI to my clients, I guide them through reflective exercises to explore each element. I don’t just ask, “What’s your passion?” (because let’s be real, that’s not always an easy question to answer). Instead, we break it down:
What do you enjoy doing so much that time flies by?
What skills do people naturally come to you for?
What problems in the world frustrate you or make you want to take action?
How can these strengths and interests be turned into something valuable?
We map out their answers, and suddenly, things start making sense. They see possibilities they hadn’t considered before. They gain clarity, confidence, and—most importantly—a sense of control over their own careers.
Taking the Next Step
If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore your own IKIGAI and take the first step toward a career that actually feels like yours. No forced paths, no borrowed expectations—just you, getting clear on what truly fits.
Start small. Take a moment to reflect. If you're unsure where to begin, start with these questions:
When was the last time you felt fully engaged in what you were doing?
What kind of work comes naturally to you—the kind that people notice and appreciate?
What do you catch yourself daydreaming about when no one’s watching?
What are the patterns in the things that interest you? Are they pointing you toward something bigger?
Clarity isn’t about having all the answers at once. It’s about paying attention—to yourself, to what sparks something real, to the patterns that have been there all along.
Final Word
You Are Not Alone
If you feel lost in your career, you’re not alone. You’re not a mess. And no, you’re not beyond help. The key is to step back and look at the bigger picture. IKIGAI is a tool, but more importantly, it’s a mindset shift. It allows you to see your experiences and skills in a way that makes sense for you—not just what’s expected of you.
This isn’t about following a set path—it’s about creating your own blueprint.
Where to Go From Here
If you’d like to learn more about career coaching and job coaching, this article is a great place to start.
Still figuring out your next move? 11 Ways Career Coaching Can Help You Land Your Next Job might give you some clarity. And if you’re considering a career change, this article lays out exactly how coaching can support that process.
If you're ready to stop circling the same questions and start getting real answers, book a free call with me today—let’s create a blueprint that actually works for you.
Not ready to book yet but have questions? Reach out via email or WhatsApp—I’d be happy to help.
Until our next breakthrough,
Let me know in the comments below if this article was helpful for you and what other topics you'd like me to cover next. Your feedback helps me create more content to support you on your journey.
