One of the questions people ask the most is: “How do I find my purpose?”
It’s usually asked with a mix of curiosity, pressure, and sometimes frustration. Many people feel like they should already know. As if purpose is something everyone else figured out earlier in life and they somehow missed the moment when that happened.
That purpose rarely shows up as one big moment of clarity. Most of the time, it reveals itself slowly through reflection, experiences, and trying different things.
Photo by Ali Ahmed
We have many different purposes in life, but career purpose is the one that we focus on the majority of our lives, as we all need a reason for being and living.
Recently, I decided to share one of the exercises I have used with clients when exploring this topic. It’s based on the concept of Ikigai, a Japanese idea often translated as “reason for being.”
You may have seen the famous Ikigai diagram online with the four circles. While it’s a simple visual, what I find powerful about it is the reflection it encourages.
The framework invites us to look at four areas of our lives: what we love, what we are good at, what the world needs, and what we can be paid for.
When people first see this model, they often think the goal is to immediately find the perfect answer where all four circles meet. But in reality, that’s not really how the process works.
What usually happens instead is that people start to notice patterns.
You might realise there are topics or activities that genuinely energise you. You might recognise strengths you’ve been overlooking because they come naturally to you. You might reconnect with problems in the world that you actually care about solving.
And slowly, you start seeing how some of these things could translate into work, businesses or projects that feel more meaningful.
The exercise is less about finding a final answer and more about becoming aware of yourself.
It also opens an important conversation about something else: the idea that some purposes are seen as more valuable than others.
In many cultures, certain careers are often placed on a pedestal while others are seen as less important. But when we look at the world around us, we realise how much we rely on a wide range of talents, professions, and creative paths.
Purpose doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful.
A life dedicated to art, teaching, building houses, having a small business, helping others, creating ideas, or solving everyday problems can be just as valuable as any traditionally celebrated career.
What matters is the alignment between who you are, what you enjoy, and how you contribute.
Another important thing to remember is that purpose is not fixed forever. It evolves as we grow. Different stages of life often bring different interests, priorities, and ways of contributing.
That’s why I like to look at purpose in a more holistic way. Yes, career is part of it. Work is often one of the ways we express our strengths and create impact. But purpose is also connected to how we live, how we relate to others, and what kind of life feels meaningful to us.
The Ikigai exercise is simply a starting point. A moment to pause and ask yourself honest questions.
In the video, I walk through the same template I’ve used with clients and explain how you can start exploring your own reflections.
If you decide to try it, take your time with it. Don’t rush to find the “perfect answer.” Instead, pay attention to what stands out to you.
Sometimes purpose doesn’t appear as a clear destination.
Sometimes it shows up as a direction.
And often, that direction is exactly what we need to take the next step.
Main – Photo by Katya Wolf
About the Author: Estefanía Sánchez
