Why I Studied Ikigai Coaching: A Purpose-Driven Approach for Educators

This past year, I felt a growing pull to better understand purpose — my own, and the purpose that keeps educators and administrators moving forward even when the work feels heavy. I’ve always cared about helping people grow, but I wanted a more straightforward way to support that growth. That curiosity led me to pursue the Ikigai Life Coach Certification, and the experience reshaped how I think about my work.

Most people encounter Ikigai as a simple four-circle diagram, but the real philosophy is so much deeper. It’s rooted in presence, meaning, contribution, and the small but important moments that make a day feel worthwhile. As I moved through the course, I realized how perfectly Ikigai fits the world of education — a profession built on service, connection, and the desire to make a difference.

Unlike many Western approaches to success, Ikigai isn’t about climbing ladders or reinventing yourself. It’s about understanding what brings energy and purpose to the life and work you already care about. Japanese philosophy encourages slowing down, noticing what matters, and honoring the parts of your day that quietly spark joy or engagement. Western coaching, on the other hand, emphasizes goals, systems, and measurable progress.

What struck me is how naturally these two ideas support each other.

Ikigai gives you the why.
Western structure gives you the how.

Together, they offer a coaching approach that’s both meaningful and practical.

Concepts like Keiko (intentional practice) and Kaizen (continuous improvement) blend beautifully with what we know about habit-building in schools. They make growth feel steady and manageable, not overwhelming. At the same time, ideas like flow, purpose, and presence give educators something they rarely receive in professional development — time to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with what drew them into the work in the first place.

I found myself seeing familiar challenges in a new light: burnout, shifting expectations, decision fatigue, and the quiet loss of meaning that so many educators feel but rarely talk about. Ikigai provides a framework that helps people notice their strengths, clarify their values, and understand what keeps them rooted in their roles. It’s not about leaving the profession; it’s about feeling more alive and grounded within it.

This certification helped me become a better listener — someone who asks meaningful questions and makes space for reflection instead of rushing in with answers. It also showed me how purpose and well-being are connected, especially in demanding roles like teaching and school leadership.

In many ways, the training strengthened the foundation of the work I already do through Why Edify and The STRONG Teacher’s Lounge.

And that’s an important part of this story.

The more I learned about Ikigai, the more I saw how these ideas could come to life inside the Lounge — not as theory, but as simple practices teachers can use to stay grounded and strong. The Lounge is becoming a space where educators can reflect, share their wins, build healthier habits, and support one another through the ups and downs of the school year. Ikigai adds a deeper layer to that community — a shared commitment to purpose, clarity, and continuous improvement.

So this post marks the beginning of a new series. I’ll be sharing what I learned from each Ikigai Coaching Module, how it connects to the realities of schools, and how it’s shaping my coaching practice. If you want to follow along, I’ll keep everything organized here: Why Edify Coaching Journey

My hope is simple: that by sharing this journey, I can help educators become happier, healthier, and stronger — right where they are, in the work they care deeply about — and that some of this work will continue inside The STRONG Teacher’s Lounge, where we grow better together.