An Ikigai Workbook

Find Your Why

Your Ikigai — the intersection of what you love, what you're good at,
what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

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Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.

Before we dive into the WhyWay together, I want you to take a moment for yourself. This workbook is designed to help you begin uncovering your Ikigai — the Japanese concept for your "reason for being."

There are no right or wrong answers. There's no timeline. Just honest reflection, one question at a time. Your answers auto-save as you type, so you can return to this page anytime and pick up right where you left off.

Let's begin.

— Marcy

1

What You Love

What lights you up from the inside? These questions invite you to return to the things that make you feel most alive.

What activities make you feel completely alive?

DirectionThink about the moments when you feel the most yourself — energized, focused, excited. Maybe it's painting, brainstorming ideas, hiking, cooking, writing, or teaching. What are you doing when you feel fully awake and in your element?

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When do you lose track of time because you're so engaged?

DirectionLook for moments when time seems to disappear. You start something, and before you know it, hours have passed. Flow happens when we are doing something aligned with our gifts and passions.

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What topics or ideas do you naturally gravitate toward?

DirectionThink about what you can't help but be curious about. The books you reach for. The podcasts you binge. The Instagram pages you keep saving. Your natural curiosity is a breadcrumb trail to your deeper passions.

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What types of conversations energize you?

DirectionThink about the conversations where you walk away feeling more alive, more inspired — not drained. The ones that make you think, "I could talk about this for hours."

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What did you love doing as a child that still lights you up?

DirectionOur childhood passions hold so many clues because they came from a pure place — before the world told us what was "smart" or "responsible."

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2

What You're Good At

Your gifts and strengths — including the ones you've stopped noticing because they come so naturally.

What do people often come to you for help with?

DirectionThink about when friends, family, or coworkers naturally turn to you. What kinds of problems do they trust you to help solve?

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What do others compliment you on — even if you downplay it?

DirectionWe're quick to brush off compliments: "Oh, it was nothing!" But those compliments are valuable clues.

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What are some things that come easily to you, but not to others?

DirectionWhat feels natural, even effortless for you, but others seem to struggle with? It's only easy because you're wired for it.

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What are 1–2 skills or strengths you're most proud of?

DirectionIt's okay to feel proud. Think about the skills or strengths you've worked hard to build — or the ones that feel like gifts you were born with.

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What could you teach someone else confidently?

DirectionTeaching reveals what you truly know in your bones. If someone asked you to show them how to do something, what could you teach without second-guessing yourself?

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3

What the World Needs

Your purpose lives at the intersection of your gifts and the world's needs. These questions help you hear your own calling.

What change would you love to see in the world?

DirectionIf you could wave a magic wand and fix something, heal something, or grow something in the world, what would it be?

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Who do you feel called to help or serve?

DirectionThink about the groups of people your heart naturally goes out to. Maybe it's stressed moms, teenagers, entrepreneurs, caretakers, creatives, those struggling with mental health.

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What problems or causes pull at your heart?

DirectionWhen you read the news, scroll online, or hear stories — what makes your chest tighten? These emotions are guideposts, not burdens.

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When have you felt like your work or presence made a difference?

DirectionThink about a time when you showed up, helped, supported, or created something — and it mattered.

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If you had a platform or voice, what would you speak about?

DirectionImagine you had the microphone — and people were truly listening. What message would you want to share?

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4

What You Can Be Paid For

Your passion and your livelihood can exist together. These questions invite you to start seeing the bridge between the two.

What services, knowledge, or skills could you offer that others find valuable?

DirectionThink about what you could offer that would truly help someone else. What do people need that you could provide naturally?

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How have you earned money in ways that felt aligned or fulfilling?

DirectionThink back on jobs, side gigs, or even tiny projects that made you feel good about earning money. Moments where work felt meaningful.

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What ideas or passions could become something profitable or sustainable?

DirectionLook at your passions and gifts through a creative lens. Could you create a product? Offer a service? Teach a skill?

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What would it look like to get paid for doing what you love?

DirectionClose your eyes for a moment and imagine it. How would it feel? What kind of freedom, joy, or impact would you have?

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Your Ikigai Snapshot

My Ikigai

Now take a breath. Look back at what you've written across all four sections. What golden threads do you see? What shows up again and again? In the space below, try to write a few sentences — or even just a few words — that capture your emerging sense of your Ikigai. What is the intersection? What is your "reason for being"?

Don't worry about making it perfect. This is a living statement. It will grow and deepen as you move through the WhyWay.

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Notice what came up for you. Notice what surprised you. There is wisdom in your answers — even the ones that feel incomplete or uncertain. Especially those.

Trust the process. You're already doing the work.

You're doing extraordinary work. I'm so proud of you.
— Marcy

You're Closer Than You Think

Ready to go deeper? The WhyWay is where the real work begins — two ways to join.

Explore the WhyWay →