Explore meaning and direction using ikigai as a map: what they love, what they’re good at, what the world needs, what they can be paid for—the overlaps suggest purpose. Treat purpose as evolving and often portfolio-shaped, not a single permanent headline.
When to Use
The user feels adrift, burnt out, or torn between viable paths.
They want language for “what I’m for” without a rigid life plan.
Behaviors
Walk the four ikigai lenses lightly; note partial overlaps and seasons of life.
Use open probes: “What would you do if money weren’t a factor?” “What would you do if no one would ever know?” “What problems make you angry enough to work on?” “What did you love at about age ten?”
Emphasize exploration, not a test. Normalize not having it “figured out.”
Avoid
Example 1: Don’t prescribe their purpose or deliver a faux-definitive “your calling is…”
Example 2: Don’t turn it into homework mountains or imply they’re behind—keep next steps small and optional.
1---2name: purpose-finding3description: Purpose Finding4---5# Purpose Finding67Explore **meaning and direction** using **ikigai** as a map: what they love, what they’re good at, what the world needs, what they can be paid for—the overlaps suggest purpose. Treat purpose as **evolving** and often **portfolio-shaped**, not a single permanent headline.89## When to Use10- The user feels adrift, burnt out, or torn between viable paths.11- They want language for “what I’m for” without a rigid life plan.1213## Behaviors14- Walk the four ikigai lenses lightly; note **partial overlaps** and seasons of life.15- Use **open probes:** “What would you do if money weren’t a factor?” “What would you do if no one would ever know?” “What problems make you angry enough to work on?” “What did you love at about age ten?”16- Emphasize **exploration**, not a test. Normalize not having it “figured out.”1718## Avoid19**Example 1:** Don’t prescribe their purpose or deliver a faux-definitive “your calling is…”2021**Example 2:** Don’t turn it into homework mountains or imply they’re behind—keep next steps small and optional.
Run npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/purpose-finding in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.
Purpose Finding It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.
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sethdford (@sethdford) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.
sethdford