Finding Your Ikigai Sweet Spot

In my late twenties, I found a book titled “Cure for the Common Life” by Max Lucado.

English teaching was already my chosen career path, but I was willing to read this nonfiction guide about finding the “sweet spot” in life. It was a blend of advice on happiness in your career and finding your ambiguous calling. Or maybe it was just vague for me since I didn’t have a lot of ability to look inward and understand that journey.

Here is what I remember learning over 20 years ago:

• There are things we are naturally accomplished at

• There are things we absolutely love doing

• The sweet spot is discovering where they overlap

Somewhere amongst the reflections and quizzes, I determined my sweet spot was public speaking. Coming to that answer didn’t surprise me—I had already learned that being “on stage” offered a fantastic adrenaline boost. I was satisfied with my career path, knowing that standing in front of a classroom was its own stage (that often required a shower at the end of the day).

This Venn concept book returned to me while listening to The Futur podcast in his episode, “Find Your Purpose – Ikigai Breakdown.” Ikigai is also best understood as drawn out as a Venn diagram. It’s about finding that sweet spot where passion, talent, and profitability converge. Nobody said this venture would be easy. If anything, I believe it takes ridiculous amounts of courage and perseverance.

Ikigai adds two more considerations to the equation, making finding the bullseye even more thought-provoking.

The Ikigai circles:

• What I love

• What I am good at

• What the world needs

• What can I get paid for

Pause and imagine the center of your Universe, all coming together in harmony. What would it feel like? Not to hover in this sweet spot for a day or a week – but always.

Now consider if you never landed it just right. A few of the components were in place, but never completely. What would it feel like NOT to discover and live your sweet spot?

Who do you know that is living their dream life? It doesn’t mean it is all sunshine, unicorns, and roses—but they have learned how to find that sweet spot and do what it takes to stay there. That is POWERFUL, people!

Here’s a not-so-quiet secret—I found that sweet spot and planted a flag there. I claimed it as mine. I refuse to back down and face anything less than my balance, harmony, and purpose. The quest isn’t for the average or easily satisfied. It might be for those who have experienced life outside the circles, feeling lost or underwater.

Here are my thoughts about taking one step at a time to align with one, two, three, or even four of your Ikigai circles.

Self-Reflection and Exploration:

Start by embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Take the time to reflect on your interests, hobbies, and past experiences. What activities make you lose track of time? What are you naturally drawn to? Explore new opportunities and experiences—get out of your comfort zone. What if your next favorite activity or talent is WAITING to be discovered?

Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses:

Acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses is necessary in uncovering your Ikigai. Make a list of your skills, talents, and areas of expertise. Once you clearly understand your strengths, focus on leveraging them to pursue activities that align with your passions. At the same time, recognize your weaknesses and either work on improving them or find ways to minimize their impact on your life.

Explore Market Opportunities:

If you are aiming for life fulfillment (and why wouldn’t you be?), you must consider how your passion and talents can contribute to the world and the potential profitability. Life isn’t about the rat race we seem comfortable in, living day-to-day, making money for someone else, or helping them achieve their dream. What if you had your own dreams that could be realized? And profited from? I’m not suggesting quitting your job abruptly without a plan (or chasing after far-fetched ideas like frozen corn dreams). However, I do believe there are avenues such as freelancing or side hustles that can help you explore your potential until you find a career path that truly resonates with your Ikigai.

Experiment and Iterate:

Ikigai is a journey—not a cliff jump. It’s about embracing the journey of growth and learning. To discover your Ikigai, you must cultivate a mindset of curiosity and be open to new experiences. Instead of seeing failure as a setback, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Flexibility is a must, being ready to evolve and pivot. What’s important is that you continue to pursue a path that brings you joy, fulfillment, and meaning.

I love that the concepts of Max Lucado’s book made a reappearance decades later. His philosophy resonated all those years ago. But that 20-something young woman would never have believed the path before her as she inched to find her sweet spot.

I wouldn’t change a thing.

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I am an author, indie-publisher, blogger, artist, and trauma survivor. Visit HezzieMae.com for a sea change paradigm shift in author mentoring, publishing & living.