It’s similar in spirit (multiple lenses), but this is more practical for real career decisions. Ikigai often turns into “find your calling.” Identity–Interest–Income is a shortlist tool: it helps you eliminate mismatches, then you test the best candidates with experiments. If you want the action-first method, go to Career Clarity.
What it is (and what it isn’t)
The Identity–Interest–Income framework is a shortlisting tool. It helps you avoid obvious mismatches: roles that pay well but drain you, roles you enjoy but can’t sustain financially, or roles that match your identity but don’t exist in your market.
Use this framework to reduce options.
Use the Career Clarity system to make a decision.
That system is explained in the hub: Career Clarity.
The 3 lenses
1) Identity
Who you are on your best days: values, temperament, strengths, and the kind of responsibility you like. This is also what you won’t tolerate anymore (especially mid-career).
Prompt: “In my best work stories, what role do I naturally play?”
2) Interest
Not “what sounds cool.” Actual weekly tasks you can do repeatedly: writing, analysis, coordination, teaching, designing, selling, troubleshooting.
Prompt: “If I had to do this work every week for a year, would I still respect myself?”
3) Income
Problems the market pays for in your location and industry. This changes with time. That’s why “passion” can mislead you.
Prompt: “Are people hiring for this, and are the skills clear in job descriptions?”
When a path hits all three, it’s a strong candidate. When it hits only one, it’s usually a hobby or a fantasy. When it hits two, it’s a bet you can test.
How to use this framework in 10 minutes
- Write 3 options you’re considering (don’t overthink titles — keep them broad).
- Score Identity: Does this match who I am and how I like to work?
- Score Interest: Would I enjoy the weekly tasks (not the title)?
- Score Income: Is the market paying for this in my target geography?
- Pick 1–2 candidates and move to action: run a small experiment.
If you want a structured next step, do: Career Clarity Quiz → then run experiments → then build proof.
Frameworks guide thinking — clarity guides action
Here’s the hard truth: many people use frameworks to avoid risk. They build beautiful maps, watch more videos, take more quizzes — and still feel stuck. Not because they’re lazy, but because they’re trying to make a decision without evidence.
WisGrowth treats frameworks as a supporting tool. The core is action: questions → experiments → proof. That loop shrinks uncertainty.
- Questions show patterns (strengths, energy, constraints).
- Experiments produce feedback (real tasks, real signals).
- Proof makes direction visible (to you and to employers).
If you’re choosing between options and feel stuck, this page helps: Career Dilemma. If you’re overthinking and anxious, start here: Career Anxiety.
Common ways people misread this framework
- Income-only decisions: “It pays well, so I’ll force myself.” That works short-term, then drains you.
- Interest-only decisions: “I like it, so it must be right.” Sometimes it’s a hobby. Sometimes it needs a different market container.
- Identity-only decisions: “This feels like me.” It might, but if the market doesn’t pay for it, you’ll live in stress.
- No testing: You keep scoring options but never run a real task. That’s when the mind loops forever.
Quick fix: pick one candidate and run a 7-day proof sprint.
If you don’t have a sprint page yet, just start with the quiz:
Career Clarity Quiz.
What to do next (don’t stop at a framework)
Use this page as a filter, then move to the clarity system:
- Career Clarity Hub — the full framework and next steps
- Career Clarity Quiz — direction baseline in minutes
- Which Career Is Right for Me? — why testing beats guessing
- Resume Scanner — translate proof into ATS-friendly outcomes
FAQs
That’s common. Don’t treat it as failure — treat it as design. You can often repackage the same interest into a paid container (teaching, enablement, consulting, product ops), or attach your identity strengths to a higher-value problem. The next step is not more thinking — it’s a small market test (experiment) to validate demand.
Keep it simple: shortlist two directions and run one tiny test. Anxiety usually comes from decisions without evidence. Evidence reduces anxiety. Start with Career Anxiety, then take the Career Clarity Quiz.
Yes — often more useful than in early career. You have evidence: past wins, patterns, what you won’t tolerate anymore. The key is building proof in the “new lane” so the market understands you. Use the framework to shortlist, then build one proof artifact and validate it with the Resume Scanner.
This page is a supporting model (a thinking filter). The Career Clarity hub is the full action system: questions → experiments → proof. If you want an answer you can act on, start with the hub and take the quiz.