Searching for Meaning

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” — Viktor Frankl

Dear Ones,

It’s a hard thing to admit, but as I look back on my life sometimes I struggle to find meaning. This doesn’t mean that I think I’ve wasted my life away, nor does it mean that I don’t see the value in the experiences I’ve participated in, but I find that I have a really hard time saying that my life has meaning. I know I’m not alone in this challenge. In fact, last year Harvard conducted a study that found that 58% of young adults surveyed found little to no meaning in their life over the past month.

This is a deeply troubling stat. Meaning is one of the key contributors to well-being (according to Martin Seligman’s PERMA theory ) and as Frankl writes in the opening quote, a lack of meaning can make life unbearable. We all deserve to find meaning in our lives, but perhaps we need a little help remembering how to find it.

Psychologist Frank Martela has a few ideas on how we might accomplish that. According to Martela, meaning is actually measurable and can be broken down into three key elements: coherence, purpose, and significance. When individuals get mindful to each of these three elements, their sense of meaning increases.?

Let’s Get Definitional?

Coherence is the thread that weaves together the tapestry of our lives, offering a sense of order and understanding amid life's unpredictability. It's the ability to connect the dots between our past experiences and our present circumstances, creating a narrative that provides stability and direction. When we achieve coherence, we feel grounded and better equipped to navigate the complexities of our personal and professional lives.

Coherence invites us to ask “does it all make sense?” Can I tell the story of how my diverse and divergent experiences all make me the person I am today?

Purpose is the guiding force that propels us forward with passion and conviction. It gives our actions meaning and aligns them with something greater than ourselves. Whether in our careers, relationships, or personal pursuits, purpose provides a sense of direction and fulfillment. It's what motivates us to strive for our goals and fuels our resilience in the face of adversity.

Purpose wonders “does it all add up to something bigger?” Am I working towards a big, audacious goal that leaves this world (or at least the people in it) better than I found it?

Significance is the deep-seated need to feel valued and connected, knowing that our contributions matter. It emanates from meaningful relationships and the impact we have on others. Recognizing our significance fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, affirming that our presence makes a difference in the world.

Significance wants to know “did I make a difference?” What have I enabled and empowered in my engagement with others? Where has my presence shifted things for the better?

Starting Your Search

In coaching, we often ask the question “what’s here now?”. And this is a great place to start your search for meaning. Simply reflecting on the existing presence of coherence, purpose, and significance in your life can increase your own felt-sense of meaning.?

Full stop. Your life already has meaning - spend time nurturing what’s here now and get into conversation with the ways coherence, purpose, and significance are already present for you.

You don’t need any life hacks or Instagram trends or TikTok tropes guaranteed to increase meaning in your life overnight. But if you are looking for evidence-informed practices that might help you connect more deeply to the meaning in your life, here are a few ideas to support your quest:

In our personal lives, we can commit to more reflection and connection.?

• Tell Stories: Take moments to journal or engage in meaningful conversations that explore your life’s narrative. Recognize patterns and insights that contribute to your sense of coherence, helping you understand how past experiences shape your present.
• Write a Vision Statement: Set meaningful personal goals that align with your values and aspirations. Whether it’s learning a new skill, nurturing relationships, or embarking on a passion project, clarity of purpose guides your actions toward fulfillment. Each step taken resonates with a deeper sense of meaning and contributes to your personal growth.
• Build Social Connectedness: Cultivating meaningful relationships enriches our lives and enhances our sense of significance. Invest time and effort in building connections that matter. Show appreciation, offer support, and engage in activities that strengthen bonds. Recognizing the impact you have on others deepens your sense of belonging and reinforces the importance of human connection.

In our professional lives, we can find ways to align with organizational values and goals.?

• Goal Mapping: Understand how your daily tasks contribute to the broader mission of your workplace. This can be a literal process of? mapping your tasks to organizational goals or OKRs. This can help foster a sense of coherence in your professional journey.
• Stretch Yourself: Seek growth opportunities that align with your professional aspirations. Engaging in work that challenges and inspires you not only enhances your skills but also fuels your sense of purpose and contribution within your organization.
• Give Positive Feedback Too: Celebrate achievements and milestones, both personal and professional - yours and others. Acknowledge the impact of your efforts and those of your colleagues. By celebrating successes, you reinforce a collective sense of purpose and significance within your team and organization.

There are certainly factors outside of our control that impact the meaning we find in our lives - the world is complicated and chaotic these days. But I truly believe there are steps we can take to make meaning out of what is here now.?

What steps will you take today to nurture the meaning in your life?