Finding Meaning in Life

 Highlights from Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

Raj Sisodia recommended Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl at a talk that he gave. The way Raj spoke of the impact it made on his life, I decided right then and there that I was going to read it. This book is a deep thinker. It took me over a year to get through it although its less than 200 pages.  I will never forget the lessons held within it. It is the most impactful book I've ever read. 

Frankl was a neurologist and therapist who had lived in Nazi camps for nearly 3 years. In a majority of the book, he details his experiences in the internment camps. He paints a detailed picture of what it felt like to be separated from his family, lose his freedom and prized possessions, witness heartbreaking cruelty, and to lose hope for the future. He explored how different people reacted to being tortured and losing everything. It was eye opening and caused me to be grateful for my daily experience.  

Frankl highlighted a close correlation between a man's level of hope and the level of immunity of his body.  Prisoners who lost hope quickly declined with significant mental and physical decay.  

Even in these extremely negative conditions, Frankl found purpose in his life. He was able to help others find their purpose too. He would help the prisoner find a future goal that was personally meaningful for them. Once they had hope, it would fundamentally change their attitude toward life.  Frankl shared the ultimate meaning of life is to identify a goal that’s meaningful for yourself in your life at a given moment.  It is in the striving for that freely chosen task that one finds great purpose and motivation.

After being liberated by American soldiers, Frankl taught others how he was able to heal.  He shared that people are primarily driven by striving to find meaning in their life.  When people find this sense of meaning, it enables them to overcome painful experiences.  

In his later years, Frankl went on to earn a Ph.D. in philosophy, became a professor at Harvard, and developed logotherapy. Logotherapy is a highly regarded form of existential analysis which expands on finding meaning.  It indicates one should not ask what the meaning of their life is but determine that answer for themselves. What a person needs is not a tensionless state, but rather the striving for a worthwhile goal.  The call of personally motivating potential reorients a person toward the meaning in their life.  

College Graduation

Today I completed my last courses for my Bachelor of Arts in Business Management!  I have gone to school on and off for 25 years.  It took a back seat to my career, and then my kids when they came along.  In 2020, I made the commitment to myself to wrap it up, and to graduate before my eldest son Ayin.  

I spent the last 3 years focused on this goal, pushing through with a young child at home, a child becoming an adult and entering college, and a very full work life.  It got harder and harder as time went by, the lack of rest built up and my family became impatient for quality time.  Seeing the number of weeks whittling down was what helped me keep going, as well as the incredible support of my husband, family, and friends.  

I am SOOO GRATEFUL to have this personal  milestone behind me and for the incredible lessons I've learned along the way.  One benefit of finishing the advanced courses more recently is that they make a lot of sense based on my business experience and I can apply them immediately.  I'm very proud to close this chapter and to be the first college graduate in my immediate family.  As Luke would say, let's go! :)

Kotter's 8-Step Change Model

 I'm finishing a course on Organizational Behavior this week and I've loved it. My favorite takeaway is the change model created by John Kotter, a professor at Harvard Business School and world-renowned change expert. It's simple, yet powerful.

1. Establish a sense of urgency by creating a compelling reason for why change is needed.
2. Form a coalition with enough power to lead the change.
3. Create a new vision to direct the change and strategies for achieving the vision.
4. Communicate the vision throughout the organization.
5. Empower others to act on the vision by removing barriers to change and encouraging risk taking and creative problem solving.
6. Plan for, create, and reward short-term "wins" that move the organization toward the new vision.
7. Consolidate improvements, reassess changes, and make necessary adjustments in the new programs.
8. Reinforce the changes by demonstrating the relationship between new behaviors and organizational success.
   

Creating a Weekly Habits Template

Consistency builds momentum.  Small consistent steps are much more powerful than large sporadic ones; they lead to great achivements.  Weekly habits are the best path toward being consistent.  Think about the habits you have each week.  With a little conscious shaping, you can free up great amounts of time and energy, and thrust your goals forward.  

Creating a weekly habits template is a fun brainstorm session that bring clarity and inspires growth.  It provides a structure for the "to do's" to go around and helps prioritize goals.  These are the steps to creating one:

1. Open up a blank weekly calendar.  You can use this blank weekly calendar template or open up your google calendar and set the view to: week.  If using the electronic calendar, set it up so the appointments are recurring with reminders.  
2. Design your time in a way that works best for you.  
1. Think about the typical things that you need to take care of each week and place them where they work best.  Consider:  grocery shopping, work out, personal renewal time (ex: writing), organization session, family time, date night, etc.  
2. Consider processes that you have recurring tasks in.  Set aside time blocks on days that will help make those most successful.  
3. Place a couple of goal time blocks where they fit best.  These are creative sessions where you dig in and drive progress on your most important goals (ex: Wednesday afternoon - 2 hours for goal #1).
3. Optimize and refine.  Step back and review your time.  Are there changes you can make to create an ideal flow?  Group like tasks together, take care to not overload a particular day, and leave extra flexibility on days you want it most.  

One of the most important things in planning is to remain flexible.  Remember that moving planned items around when needed is not only okay, it's encouraged.  Reviewing this template every quarter or so is a great way to reflect on your accomplishments and inspire further growth. 

Personal Habits for Daily Fulfillment

Daily practices to facilitate adding the most value each day.

 
Every day we have many opportunities, decisions,  and actions that lie ahead of us.  The way we react to life is completely within our control and can have a great affect on many people. These are methods to make the most out of each day.

Get Ready

• Check in:  Start your day by checking in with how you're feeling.  Be compassionate with yourself.  Clear out any negativity so that you come to the table ready to go. 
• Give thanks:  The best way to raise your vibe is to think about what you are grateful for and to focus on it for a few minutes.  Expressing gratitude is scientifically proven to make you feel happier and increase progress toward your goals.  
• Fill your cups:  Set yourself up well.  Have your coffee and/or fuel yourself in whatever way makes you feel best.  Do what it takes to have a good attitude as you step into your day.

Show Up

• Have an intentional presence:  Be open, present, and ready to engage with others.   Think about what you can do to add the most value today and focus on that first.
• Sharpen your tools:  Do your homework and research multiple angles about whatever topic you're working on or thinking about.  Make sure you set yourself up with all the tools needed to perform your best, that they're polished up, and that they are within reach.
• Fully participate:  With each interaction, do your best to completely focus on the current topic and figure out how you can improve the outcome.  Ask yourself the question, "What can I do to positively impact the current situation as much as possible right now?"  Speak up and share ideas.  Be open to learn and be inspired.

Follow Up

• Collaborate and elevate:  There are many people invested in the same things as you.  Connect with them, align efforts, and collaborate together to elevate your plans and achieve the optimal outcome together.
• Monitor progress:  Visibility into key metrics is critical to ensure you take the optimal approach.  Awareness of progress is a huge motivator for continued growth.  Set up systems so that key information is captured, developed, and well organized.  Everyone needs to easily see that progress is being made consistently and give feedback on how to improve the approach.   
• Keep it moving forward:  Have a weekly habit of reviewing progress on your priorities and planning actions to keep them advancing.  Block out regular time to dedicate toward taking steps forward each week for your top priorities.  

What works best for you?

My Favorite Daily Mindset Practice: Giving Thanks in the Morning

This practice has the most profound impact on my well being.  

It’s simple. As I start my day, I take a few moments to check in and pay attention to what I’m feeling thankful about – and then magnify my focus on it. Sometimes I have to search deeply and may come up with things like “I am thankful for being in this nourishing space with my loving family." At other times simple things will pop up quickly, like “I am thankful for a new pen that is fun to write with." I do it in a quiet space that easily fits into my routine such as when I first wake up in bed or when I'm driving in the car.  I write down the thing I'm most grateful for in my planner.

By focusing on what I'm thankful for, my attitude shifts into a more positive state.  I stop thinking about the things I want to change and pour my energy into what I love.  In doing  so, I feel joyous, aware, and present. My perspective becomes more open and receptive. I feel more playful. 

I notice that I start my day from a place of inspired action rather than dragging myself through it.  It's fun! 

Other Favorites:

• My Favorite Life Hack
• My Favorite Time Management Trick
• My Favorite Trick for Feeling Truly Fulfilled
• My Favorite Organization Trick 

Filling Your Cup

There are things you experience that make you feel excited and full of life.  Notice what they are and prioritize them regularly.  Fill your cup enough to share.