How to Figure Out What to Do With Your Life (Ikigai / Career Sweet Spot) + Free Worksheet

Stuck trying to figure out what career to go into? Need help deciding what to do with your life? Use this exercise on the Japanese concept of Ikigai (reason for living) to find that sweet spot where your gifts, skills, passions, and values align.

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// F O L L O W

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Filmed & Edited by Aileen Xu

// M A I L B O X

Aileen Xu
PO Box 296
Brea, CA 92822

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// A B O U T

I’m Aileen, a lifestyle blogger sharing knowledge and inspiration on creating your dream life.

Lavendaire is my blog about personal growth + lifestyle design. Follow along and learn how you can create a life you love.

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Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored video.

[laluna]

"people who are actively going for their dreams and giving their best to the world, instead of settling for what society told them to do" i love that line ❤

[bakEdskittLes]

I'm in my 3rd year college and I still don't even know where I'm going in life. Sometimes I think I don't have any talents or gifts, but I hope I'll be able to find my purpose soon.

[mon]

I caught myself shining when we were designing characters on our class. I'm studying product design right now, but on one of our classes we had to draw an animal with distinct character, gestures etc, I happily draw mine (turtle) in a record time, I couldn't even keep myself from doodling other animals. When I searched concept design further, I realised how it is a mix of things I love or interesting to me.
I'm still going to do this exercise. I need to see all those things on a paper and organise my life.

[laceywilliams]

I use the same pens! I'm also obsessed with them and notebooks. I recently found you on YouTube and at the age of 40 after a decade of heartache, divorce, toxic relationships and having kids I realized I didn't know who I was. For the the first time in my life had no one telling me who I was supposed to be or what to do and I had no idea where to start. Thank you you will continue to be a huge help in this for me!

[danielohana]

While I've been in the army I went into a severe depression, to the point that I was thinking about taking my own life. The only thing that could touch me or move me, and get me back to reality - was Music. I'm not a musican nor a singer but Mariah Carey and her self-help songs literally saved my life. Along side with other artists as well... I just can't imagine where I would be without Music. If at all.

You said that music is not the best way to touch or influence people... and for me, and I believe for many others as well - music is everything.

Ofcourse I respect your opinion! I just wanted to share my point of view about the topic.
Besides that, everything else that you said is completely resonating with me!
I've been watching you videos for quite a while now, and I have to say I really like most (if not all) of them. So please - keep it up! You are inspiring so many people, including my self. Thank you for that.

[lavendaire]

Chinese, Indonesian, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Spanish subtitles are available! Click "CC" and check the video settings. Thank you to the contributor listed in the description 💕

[jolynnrice]

Great exercise for ANY age. We may start in one direction then realize that we have not been using all of our gifts to the fullest extent. Love the IKIGAI model and wish this was used early on in high school and again in mid-twenties in college to see if those desires have changed. Thanks @Lavendaire !

[mcee]

Aileen you look so good in this video! It's not just your makeup/outfit/hair, it's a happy and healthy glow you've got on, like you have things in balance in your life :)

[jimeneil]

You are what we need in t his millenial generation. And it's so true, alot of self help or personal growth leaders are from different eras and can be hard to relate to. You understand what we need in a way that is relatable, fun, organized and constructive. Thank you for being an inspiration 👍

[cynarnia]

I remember watching your video 2 years back as I was so confused as to what I wanna do career wise and scared that I may not find a fulfilling career that I'll love. I feel restless with the idea that I need to do one thing for the rest of my life. I was glad I stumbled upon your video because it really inspired me and made me hopeful. I tried many things and learn what I like and what I don't like. Fast forward to now, I think I found my ikigai!!✨ Thank you Aileen 😌

[mllezarouuz]

I have just read the book itself, called Ikigai - the secret of the Japanese people for a long and happy life, by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. It has become one of my favorite books, definitely a must read! And it explains the Ikigai concept in more depth, and the funny stories of the most old people on earth who live in Japan, aged 100+!

[anuradha_sivaraman]

Here I was wondering what I should do with my life and career and there you put up a video on it. No wonder I call you my creative Muse. Thanks for all this wonderful content and keeping us inspired to keep pushing us to do better with our lives and dreams.

[gvd]

I really love this video and find it really inspiring. I'm a singer, a songwriter and a classically trained guitarist. Somehow I do feel that I can affect people's lives directly. I know that it's not the most practical approach, but I often find that people get in touch with their emotions during a concert. They cry, they let go and are inspired to do the things they love when me and my boyfriend perform. Maybe when it is one's purpose in life, we are able to touch someone's life directly through music, but it does take a lot of work to get to that point. Especially to earn a living with it as well. Wishing you all the best! So glad you found your purpose and through that are helping lots of people find their inner voice! 😘❤️

[life-of-chy]

I never comment on videos but this is so inspiring and i’ve felt so lost in what i want to do with my life lately. I plan on doing this on my wall mirror w dry erase when i get home just to have more room and add to it when I think of more things. You’re a wonderful speaker and i can tell you’re so, so passionate about what you do. LOVE it

[acrobaticanna]

Often hitting 40 is when you figure out your true groove - that's what Oprah once said! I struggled in my younger years. Now I am 41 I am doing my dream job after trying numerous jobs 25 years before that! !!

[pamconparta]

for some reason one of your videos just appeared in my feed and I'm so thankful! I'm 23, almost finishing my degree and I have no idea what to do with my life, but I already feel a little bit closer to finding answers by watching you. So, thank you!

[ianii]

My motivation has been shot since graduating college. Thank you so much for this video. I've finally been looking at youtubers that can help encourage me and help me better myself. It makes me feel like I can accomplish things.

My goals in life: I really want to become someone people can rely on, especially my partner and my family. I want to be happy and tell people what I do.

I don't want to keep feeling ashamed because I haven't moved forward to better myself because what forward might look like.

I've definitely been avoiding thinking about jobs, etc. I just make excuses and don't put myself out there enough. Waste my time on youtube channels that don't help encourage me. But I am doing it. I was able to graduate from a tough school with a Neuroscience Degree. I can do this.

[kadeemgittens]

You are so self actualized ! Thank you for being your total self ! It’s really a blessing to see someone find this in their life !

[icon]

I just found your channel! And girl, THANK YOU!! For making this. I was a little lost in my life too, and this is...this is PHENOMENAL. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! :) For helping me, and just...yeah. Inspiring us ALL to be our best selves, and live LIFE TO THE FULLEST! 😭👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼🙏🏼❤️👏🏼

[katiecunningham]

This has completely hit the nail on the head.. Ive been so confused about what path to take and have so many different passions and skills that I wanto explore in life. Ikigai is a brilliant concept and one that needs to be shared.. thankyou ☀