~Align With Your Ikigai For a More Fulfilling Career ~

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Renu Sachdeva, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

What is Ikigai
The Japanese concept of Ikigai (pronounced ee-kee-guy) refers to your “reason for being” – the sweet spot where passion, talent, contribution, and livelihood meet. It’s the deeper sense of purpose that makes life feel more meaningful and fulfilling.
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Why Ikigai Matters
In the last decade, I’ve seen more and more people—young professionals, mid-career leaders, and those nearing retirement—seeking greater purpose. They may have stability, success, even comfort, yet feel something is missing….and this comes in the way of their happiness and contentment at work and at home!
 
Does any of this sound familiar…..?
~“I’m just going through the motions at work. By the time I get home, I feel totally drained.”
~“On paper, my life looks great, but I still feel unfulfilled and don’t know why.”
~“I enjoy my career, but I can’t stop thinking about the artwork waiting for me at home – it excites me more than anything else.”
 
If you can relate to the above quotes, exploring your Ikigai may help bring clarity.
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The 4 Elements of Ikigai
Ikigai is found at the intersection of four key questions:
~What do you love?
~What are you good at?
~What does the world need?
~What can you be paid for?

When all four align, you’ve found your Ikigai. But often, people live in the overlap of only two or three elements. For example:
~You may be highly skilled and paid well for it, yet feel unfulfilled because you’re not doing what you love.
~You may be following your passion, but if the world doesn’t need it or isn’t willing to pay for it, you may feel financially stuck.
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Two Steps to Discovering Your Ikigai

#1: Big-Picture Reflection

~Where am I in my life journey right now?
~What transitions (career, family, health) am I experiencing or anticipating?
~What feels most important at this stage of life?

 
#2: The Four Ikigai Questions
 
Answer “Yes” or “No” to the following:
1. What do I love?

• Do I feel absorbed and excited by my work?
• Do I have an emotional connection to the results?

2. What am I good at?

• Do people come to me for advice in my area?
• Do certain tasks feel effortless to me?
   
  3. What does the world need?
• Is my work in demand today—and in the future?
• Does it solve a social, economic, or environmental problem?
   
  4. What can I be paid well for?
• Am I earning a sustainable living?
• Is there healthy competition in my field?
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Making Sense of Your Answers
~If you have more YES answers, you’re on the right track …Look at the NOs for areas to grow or adjust.
~If you have more NO answers, your current path may not align with your Ikigai…Explore which areas (love, skill, need, money) you can strengthen or shift.
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Final Thoughts
In theory, perfect Ikigai exists when all four areas align. In reality, life stage, resources, and circumstances mean we can’t always balance them equally.
 
What matters most is awareness and choice: deciding which areas to focus on now, and which ones can be nourished through hobbies or side projects until you can fully integrate them.
 
Remember: Ikigai is not a destination, but a journey of alignment. Even small steps toward joy and purpose can create a big shift in how you live and work
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