How to Find Meaning in Your Life and Career
The basic idea: The Afterword of Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning, closes with a description of the time Frankl was asked to write one sentence that captured the meaning of his own life. He wrote:
The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs.
I've been thinking about this sentence for quite a while, and have recognized that it holds the solution to many questions such as:
1. How can you find meaning in your career?
2. How can you find meaning in your life?
3. How can companies achieve enduring success in a sustainable manner?
4. How can we solve many of humanity's most intractable problems?
A bit more background: To prove my point, let's look at two extremes. On one end is the me-first mindset in which each person is out for him or herself. (Think: whoever dies with the most toys, wins.) On the other end is a paternalistic mindset that says certain segments of society have to take care of other segments. History suggests neither mindset works very well.
But if you find meaning by helping others find meaning, then the success of others is your success. Let's take another look at Frankl's words...
The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs.
This sentence unites us. It's non-judgmental, rather than divisive. It doesn't say whether wealth is good or bad; it doesn't comment on whether meaning can come from material possessions or hard work or love or status or anything else.
It simply suggests that meaning is what's most important to human beings and that the best path to finding meaning in your life is to help others do the same.
This perspective on meaning is different than what I've heard elsewhere. Companies sometimes debate whether they should embrace some sort of purpose, but too often this "purpose" is little more than a marketing tactic... for example, when a firm spends $2 million promoting the fact that they donated $250,000 to charity.
Now consider a radically different perspective. Imagine that an entrepreneur or executive recognizes that people don't just want to be given some sort of meaning, but rather that they want to help others find meaning. Such an understanding could lead to dramatically different kinds of initiatives.
But I'm getting ahead of myself, and of what you might want to do next. Before you consider what's best for your company or even your family, pause for a minute. Look inside yourself. Ask whether this sentence is one that you are ready to embrace:
The meaning of your life is to help others find the meaning of theirs.
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Bruce Kasanoff is a social media ghostwriter for entrepreneurs.
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5 年Thanks for sharing
Cost Update Assistant at Mouser Electronics
5 年Bruce Kasanoff?- I’m not familiar with Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, but it’s now on my reading list. “The meaning of your life...” is a thought-provoking way to approach one’s life. I have more to ponder and learn. This is the first article of yours that I have read. I’ll be reading more. I noticed that you’ve written 700+ articles. You’ve inspired me to write more.
MK
5 年This really touched my inner child...... I highly have hope to change even few of them in my lives and I don't require something lather then a "thanks"?? that is always I use to tell my school mate a "thanks" it's enough for me and blessing will be a bonus.....we will remain us one team
Elevator Mechanic
5 年I have meaning in my life and work. It makes ALL the difference and I fervently hope others find as much or more in theirs. Something about Victor Frankel"s mandate seems a little off. Perhaps dictatorial. After all who is he to even begin to suggest that he could even possibly hope to know how to find meaning in MY life. The best he could do would be to live it and show me that he has found meaning in his.
Planning Director - Retired, Corporate Business Operations & Supply Chain at Cargill
5 年This "Meaning of Life" quote is brilliant!? It puts it into full circle where one is both serving another (in a way meaningful to that person) and willing to be receiver of service from another.