![]() Let’s start with the most basic definition for now. After all, “meaning” can have a different meaning for everyone! There are so many ways to define meaning that it’s impossible to narrow it down to just one or two “best” definitions of meaning. These creative, science-based exercises will help you learn more about your values, motivations, and goals and will give you the tools to inspire a sense of meaning in the lives of your clients, students, or employees.įirst off, let’s make sure we are on the same page when we talk about meaning. If you have ever asked these questions yourself, you are in the right place! In this piece, we’ll go over what meaning is, where it may come from, how it can be found, and other important topics related to meaning in life.īefore you read on, we thought you might like to download our 3 Meaning and Valued Living Exercises for free. “Why do we need meaning? How does meaning affect us? What even IS meaning?” We intuitively know that we want meaning in our lives, and that meaning helps us thrive, but we rarely stop to ask: We can find meaning in the sublime, in the absurd, in the dull and dreary, and in the perfectly wretched in life. We can find meaning in every scenario, every event, every occurrence, every context. Luckily, humans are resourceful – we have infinite ways of finding meaning, and infinite potential sources of meaning. We are all hungry for meaning, for purpose, for the feeling that our life is worth more than the sum of its parts. In a word, each man is questioned by life and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life to life he can only respond by being responsible.” “Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. And we can do this as individuals and communities.Throughout modern history, one of the questions that humans have asked the most is But as the future dawns and the birds begin to sing again, it’s the perfect time to thrive. We may not have been at our best for obvious reasons. The pandemic may have set us back and everyone gets an asterisk-a pass-for 2020. The classic exchange between the student and the master is instructive: Student: “How long will it take me to master this?” Master: “How long will you live?” Thriving is an ongoing opportunity to seek growth and fulfillment. Again, if thriving is fundamentally about development and performance, it must include a focus on mastery. When you create the conditions to thrive, you keep moving-continually looking for ways to improve. Thriving is also about an ongoing journey. These conditions will give you the greatest experience of thriving.Ī journey. Appreciate the things that cause you to wonder, exert yourself and sweat (literally and figuratively). Embrace hard work and the trials and tribulations of your job. Humans have a need to reach, grow and stretch, and these are good things. Rejuvenation is certainly important in the ebb and flow of life-and binging may give you that-but it can’t be all you have. Thriving doesn’t occur when you’re sitting on the couch binge-watching your favorite show. Thriving is a result of facing difficulty and responding to it. As the saying goes, “The plan never survives the experience in the field.” Planning is still important because it helps you think through intentions and contingencies-and that gets you ready to react, respond and act effectively.Ĭhallenge. To thrive, you must be able to flex and adapt. It is the ability to see what’s going on and improvise, respond and solve problems. Sometimes resilience is equated with thriving, but it is actually an ingredient for thriving. So it makes sense that an ability to connect and bond is critical to an experience of thriving. Great relationships with colleagues, friends and family provide encouragement, support and trust. This is no surprise, because belonging is a fundamental need and community is where we get a sense of purpose and connectedness. Another aspect of thriving is social competence and the ability to build rapport and connect effectively with others-at work, in social or family situations. Having a belief in what’s important and being clear about your contribution to it are ways to feel a sense of fulfillment. To thrive, find what matters to you and remind yourself of the ways you have a role to play. But ultimately, it’s about a belief in something broader than themselves. This is typically manifested in their commitment to a religion, faith or spiritual practice. According to research, people who thrive also feel connected to something bigger than themselves. Find what motivates you and keep the focus on learning, progressing and advancing your skills and abilities.Ī bigger picture. Know your talents, develop them and grow in new directions as well. Thriving is also based on development, so embrace your passions and interests.
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