Finding your ikigai

Jo Gobbo • November 28, 2017

You’ve probably seen a few posts lately about ikigai (pronounced ee-kee-guy) and wondered what it’s all about. Since I first started reading up on the concept, I’ve often found myself sharing it with others. Why? Because at some point in most peoples lives, and careers, we stop and question what we are doing and why. 


So what is ikigai?

Ikigai is a Japanese concept. There is no direct translation (and for any Japanese people reading this I apologise if I get this wrong), but it’s thought that ikigai is a combination of ikiru (‘to live’) and kai (‘the realisation of what one hopes for’). Or to put it more simply it’s about ‘a reason to live’. Think about the French phrase ‘Raison d'être’.


Finding your ikigai is all about a search of self or finding your purpose.


Which can take time.


Is this about work or life?

In the work I do (recruitment in the creative agency space), I find that as people become more senior in their careers, after years of blood, sweat, and tears, they find themselves having got to a certain level. They feel they should be proud, satisfied, happy even. But often they feel differently. They feel a sense that something is missing. They question what they do and why. They think a simple change of job or role will hold the answer.


But sometimes it goes deeper than this.


In the creative industry, and especially for those who work in creative agencies, there is still a perception (or in some cases an expectation) that long hours and being ‘always on’ will get you ahead. This can lead to a real lack of balance in life (yes I’ve been there too in my agency days). It’s so common for people to talk about ‘work/life balance’ or ‘work life integration’.


When people retire they often struggle if so much of their own ‘ikigai’ has been centered around their work.


This is where I love the concept of ikigai as I think it can really help guide all of us on finding our own balance, purpose, and meaning across the whole of our life.


Finding your ikigai



Start with asking yourself these 4 questions:

  • What do you love?
  • What are you good at?
  • What does the world need from you?
  • What can you get paid for?

When I went through this process myself a few months ago, I printed out the ikigai diagram and jotted down my thoughts on the diagram. This helped me to clearly see how I could move towards finding my own ikigai.


By going through this process for yourself you’ll start to see where the different parts of your life overlap.



For me, I’m currently a talent consultant. I’ve been told I’m good at it, and I get paid to do my role. I also really enjoy it. So that’s 3 circles that my role sits in. But does the world need someone doing a talent role for the creative industry? I’d say my job doesn’t fit in this circle. But luckily I have other things in my life that sit in the ‘what the world needs’ circle. For the last 6 years, I’ve been a volunteer crisis telephone counselor for Lifeline. Every other week, for 4 hours, I talk to people from all over Australia who are in crisis and need support. This is one of the best things I have ever done. I love that the simple act of listening and talking on the phone to someone in despair that I can help in some way to support them. So for me, my work with Lifeline sits in 3 of these circles; I just don’t get paid for it.

If you look at this version of the ikigai diagram, you’ll see that when you don’t have balance across these 4 areas, this can affect how you feel.



Finding your own ikigai can be seen as having balance across these 4 areas. Or finding your purpose. Whether that purpose is a single thing or the balance of a number of things, that’s up to you I think (but that’s just my opinion).

Not getting it? Think about your buckets


One of my former clients said something to me months ago which really struck a chord. She talked about having different buckets in her life that were all important. You could take the ikigai circles and think of them as buckets. You should have something in all of your buckets. If one is empty, you need to fill it with something. Perhaps one is full but leaking? How can you plug the leak?


I realised about 6 months ago that my ‘what I love’ circle, or bucket, had become pretty empty. I love painting yet hadn’t picked up a brush or been to a drawing class for ages. I used to play the Sax in about 5 different types of bands when I was younger, and I was good at it. Yet my Sax sat in a cupboard covered in dust. What was holding me back?


I realised I had to make time for my passions or I was losing a part of what made me, me. So I’ve got back to life drawing classes, booked in some intensive courses, had my Sax serviced and found some groups to join. Now I just need to go…



Last time I caught up with my client who talked about the ‘bucket’ concept, she exclaimed to me “all my buckets are full!” This was her form of ikigai.

By Kristina Gerdov November 26, 2025
The final months of the year can feel like a sprint for many marketing teams. Campaigns wrap up, planning cycles ramp up, and suddenly there’s more work than hands to deliver it. If you’re feeling the pinch, a short-term freelancer or contractor might be exactly what your team needs - fast, flexible support without the long-term commitment. How a short burst of talent can keep your projects moving: 1. They hit the ground running Freelancers and contractors are used to adapting quickly. They step into new environments often, so onboarding is light-touch and momentum stays high. Short term freelancers are available and can usually start within a week. They offer the flexibility and agility needed to meet rapidly changing workloads & high project timelines. 2. Perfect for “we just need this done” projects From content bursts to campaign delivery, CRM builds or social execution - project-based specialists can take something off your plate entirely. Their diverse experience working with different businesses and brands results in also bringing a new perspective & injecting fresh energy into the team. 3. Flexible, budget-friendly resourcing Short-term contracts give you the expertise you need only when you need it. No tied-up headcount, no long commitment and using our payroll services can help you get around head count issues too. 4. They help protect your team’s bandwidth Instead of stretching your people thin (or risking burnout), temporary support keeps things moving without compromising quality. Many agency suits and marketers build a career through freelancing. 5. Competitive Rates iknowho freelancers are paid a day rate which includes a loading for leave entitlements. There are no upfront fees, you only pay for the days they work. Download our salary guide for day rate equivalents, or use our day rate calculator here . Where we’re seeing the highest demand Campaign execution & go-to-market support Content, social & creative delivery Email, CRM & lifecycle marketing projects Generalist marketers to support BAU Project managers for short sprints Marketing operations support The real benefit? Momentum. Short-term freelancers keep work flowing during the busiest, most pressure-filled periods. They make sure nothing stalls and that your team stays focused on the high-value work only they can deliver. If you’re weighing up whether temporary support could help, the answer is usually yes. And we’re here to make it easy. Reach out to one of our experienced Talent Partners to discuss your needs today.
By Kristina Gerdov September 3, 2025
For many growing businesses, marketing is often something that gets added to the to-do list of already busy managers or existing teams. A social post here, an email there, and maybe a campaign when there’s time. But without dedicated expertise, marketing rarely delivers the consistency and commercial results your brand needs to grow. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to bring in a dedicated marketing resource, here are the key things to consider and how to ensure your first hire is set up for success. 1. The Telltale signs If your demand generation has stalled, you’re struggling to convert interest into sales, or your brand presence feels disjointed, it’s time to stop relying on ad-hoc efforts. A dedicated marketer can build and execute a strategic plan that drives consistent results and positions your brand for long-term growth. 2. What to avoid It can be tempting to look for a “jack-of-all-trades” who can do a little bit of everything. The reality? Even the most talented marketer will struggle without clear goals and defined outcomes on what the business is looking to achieve. Hiring without clarity can lead to underwhelming results and frustration on both sides. Be specific about the expertise you need and the outcomes you expect. 3. Why this hire is so important to get right Your first marketing hire is more than just another role, it often lays the foundation for your brands future growth engine. The right hire can build momentum and shape how your future team evolves. The wrong hire however, can stall progress, waste budget, and leave you back at square one. 4. Fractional vs full-time Not quite ready for a permanent commitment? Fractional marketers can be a great short-term solution to get things moving while you build the case for a full-time hire. Just be clear on their remit. Fractional marketers are ideal for campaigns, projects, or interim support, but they’re not typically suited to long-term brand building or team development. 5. What kind of marketer do you actually need? Marketing as a discipline is broad, as are the tools used to reach your desired target audience. Do you need someone to drive digital acquisition, manage partnerships, develop content, or build brand strategy? Start by clarifying your business’s biggest priorities and pain points, then match the skillset accordingly. The clearer you are upfront, the better the outcome. 6. How to set them up for success Hiring the right person is only half the job. To see results and maximum impact, you need to set your new hire up for success. This means: Clear KPIs so they know what good Vs great looks like The marketing tools and access to the resources they need to deliver  Integration into cross-functional conversations with key decision-makers from day one Bec Godkin, Senior Talent Partner says “Marketing can’t succeed in a silo. The deeper your marketer is connected across the business and understands the various levers that shape success, the greater their impact will be” Hiring your first marketer is an exciting step - it signals growth, ambition, and the desire to build something bigger. By being clear on what you need, avoiding common pitfalls, and setting your hire up for success, you’ll give your business the best chance to thrive. At iknowho , we specialise in helping brands make their first marketing hire. If you’d like to talk through what kind of marketer is right for your business, we’re here to help.
By Kristina Gerdov June 25, 2025
Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.
more posts