Tools For Self-Discovery

7.5 Mapping Your Life Purpose

A career is more than a job title. It is part of your larger story. Tools for mapping life purpose help you step back and ask: What do I want my life to mean?

Ikigai: The Japanese Framework

Ikigai means “reason for being.” It sits at the intersection of four questions:

What do I love?
What am I good at?
What does the world need?
What will pay?

Where those circles overlap lies a powerful clue to meaningful work.

Why it matters: It integrates passion, skill, service, and livelihood.
Best for: Anyone who feels torn between “what I want” and “what the world demands.”

Designing Your Life (Stanford Method)

Created by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, this framework applies design thinking to life decisions. One key tool is the “Odyssey Plan”: sketch three different 5-year versions of your life (realistic, ambitious, wild-card). Then prototype them with small experiments.

Why it matters: It replaces paralyzing “What should I do with my life?” with playful exploration.
Best for: Young people overwhelmed by too many options.

Vision Journals and Life Maps

Sometimes the simplest tools are the most powerful. Writing, drawing, or mapping your values, dreams, and goals can reveal patterns that formal tests miss.

Why it matters: It personalizes the process. No one knows your inner world better than you.
Best for: Anyone willing to reflect deeply on purpose, not just paycheques.

The Lesson