You Already Know More Than You Think
Let me tell you something I wish someone had told me years ago.
You don't need to be a world-renowned expert to create a course. You just need to be a few steps ahead of the people you want to help. That's it.
But here's the thing. Not every topic you could teach is a topic you should teach. And that's where Ikigai comes in.
What Is Ikigai, Anyway?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept. It means "reason for being."
Picture four overlapping circles:
- What you love (your passion)
- What you're good at (your skills)
- What the world needs (your purpose)
- What you can be paid for (your profession)
The sweet spot in the middle? That's your Ikigai. And for course creators, it's pure gold.
Let's Find Your Course Creation Ikigai
Grab a notebook. We're going to work through this together.
Circle 1: What Do You Love?
Start here. What lights you up?
Ask yourself:
- What topics could you talk about for hours without getting bored?
- What do you do in your free time that doesn't feel like work?
- What problems do you actually enjoy solving?
- What would you teach for free, just because it matters to you?
Write down everything. Don't filter. Don't judge. Just list.
I know it feels vulnerable. Keep going anyway.
Circle 2: What Are You Good At?
This one trips people up. We're often blind to our own strengths.
Try these prompts:
- What do friends and colleagues ask you for help with?
- What skills have people complimented you on?
- What tasks do you complete faster than most people?
- What have you been doing for years that feels effortless now?
- What certifications or training have you completed?
Here's a secret. The things that feel "easy" to you? Those are your superpowers. They're only easy because you've mastered them.
Circle 3: What Does the World Need?
Now we get practical.
Your passion + your skills still need an audience. Look for:
- Problems people are actively searching to solve
- Skills that are in demand in the job market
- Knowledge gaps in your industry or community
- Frustrations people complain about in online forums
- Trends that are growing but underserved
Spend 30 minutes in Reddit, Facebook groups, or Quora. What questions keep coming up? What are people struggling with?
Those struggles are opportunities.
Circle 4: What Will People Pay For?
Here's where dreams meet reality.
Not everything that's valuable is monetizable. And that's okay. But for a successful course, you need proof people will open their wallets.
Check these:
- Are there existing courses on this topic? (Good sign—validates demand)
- Do books or coaching programs exist in this space?
- Are businesses hiring for this skill?
- Have you seen people pay for similar solutions?
If competitors exist, don't panic. Competition proves the market is real.
Finding Your Sweet Spot
Now comes the magic part.
Look at your four lists. Where do they overlap?
You're looking for topics that:
- Genuinely excite you (so you won't burn out creating content)
- Play to your strengths (so you'll deliver real value)
- Solve a real problem (so people will care)
- Have a market willing to pay (so you'll earn what you deserve)
It might not be obvious at first. That's normal.
Try combining elements. "I love photography AND I'm good at teaching beginners AND new moms want to capture their kids' milestones AND they're willing to pay for convenient video lessons."
See how that works?
What If Your Circles Don't Overlap?
Take a breath. This happens.
Here's what to do:
If you love it but aren't skilled yet: Build your skills first. Take courses. Practice publicly. Document your learning journey—that can become content too.
If you're skilled but don't love it: Keep it as a day job for now. Build your course around something that energizes you, even if you're less of an "expert."
If there's no market: Either find a different angle, or keep it as a hobby. Some passions don't need to be monetized. And that's perfectly fine.
If you can't find paying customers: Narrow your niche. "Photography" is too broad. "Smartphone food photography for restaurant owners" has a clear buyer.
Your One Small Win Today
You don't need to figure this all out right now.
Here's your assignment: Spend 15 minutes on just ONE circle today. Write down at least 10 items.
Tomorrow, do another circle.
By the end of the week, you'll have the raw material to find your Ikigai intersection.
The Truth About "Finding Your Thing"
I won't lie to you. This process takes time.
Some people find their sweet spot quickly. Others iterate for months. Both paths are valid.
What matters is that you start. Today.
Your course topic doesn't have to be perfect on day one. It just has to be good enough to begin. You'll refine it as you learn what resonates with your audience.
The world is waiting for what you know. Let's find the best way to share it.
Next Step: Once you've identified potential topics, read our guide on Validation 101 to confirm people will actually buy your course before you build it.