Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor.
While living in the concentration camps, he discovered a pattern.
Those prisoners who lost their sense of meaning were more likely to die.
This was because those who found no purpose or meaning in their suffering often exhibited signs of psychological decline, physical deterioration, and a diminished will to live.
The flip side of this is nicely summarised by Friedrich Nietzsche:
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
So it is of extreme importance to understand what gives you meaning / what is your why.
In life and business, it will help you remain resilient and motivated.
Frankl identified 3 areas that provided meaning:
1. The importance of their work
Frankl and other professionals found purpose in staying alive so they could share their findings with others.
2. Experiencing something or encountering someone
For many people, this was staying alive so they might see their loved ones again.
3. Victories over challenges
For many business owners we are constantly chasing that goal on the ever moving horizon, however you can find motivation in looking backwards on how much you have achieved.
Frankl’s book, “Man’s Search for Meaning” blew my mind, here were my key takeaways:
1. Life’s Purpose
Life demands you find meaning, even in the deepest suffering.
Frankl saw the worst of humanity yet argued our primary drive is not pleasure or power but purpose.
In the camps, those with a reason to live, survived.
2. Choice of Attitude
You can’t choose your circumstances, but you can choose your response.
The last of human freedoms is to select one’s attitude in any given set of conditions.
This choice is the bedrock of survival and dignity.
3. Love’s Power
Love transcends the physical world.
For Frankl, the thought of his loved ones gave him the strength to endure.
4. Finding Meaning
There are three ways to find meaning in life: creating work or doing a deed, experiencing something or encountering someone, and the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering.
5. The Defiant Human Spirit
No matter the situation, the human spirit can adapt, find meaning, and keep moving forward.
This resilience is a testament to our capacity for hope and renewal.
Talk soon,
Lloyd
PS – Do you want more time to focus on what gives you meaning? Let’s chat.
