WHAT
The defining feature of a meaningful life is feeling connected to something bigger than oneself, whether it’s family, work, God, nature, etc. When people say their lives are meaningful, it’s because they believe their lives matter; they’re driven by a sense of purpose; and the world makes sense to them. Everyone can experience meaning. In fact, according to the Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, human beings have a need for meaning that is as important to their psychological health as food, water, and shelter are to their physical health.
WHY
Having a sense of meaning in life helps people cope with and withstand adversity with more resilience—and when people grow after a crisis, which is a phenomenon known as post-traumatic growth, it’s because they were able to find meaning in what happened to them. Beyond those benefits, having meaning is associated with greater life satisfaction, better mental and physical health, enhanced positive emotions and fulfillment, greater productivity at work and/or grades at school, and higher self-regulation. People with more meaning in life are more likely to use preventative health services, less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug use, and experience greater longevity—that is, they live longer. And as they approach the end of their lives, they are more likely to feel at peace when confronting death.
HOW
According to the science journalist Emily Esfahani Smith, there are four pillars of a meaningful life.
1. Belonging
Human beings are inherently social creatures and have a powerful need to belong—to feel like they matter to others. Belonging is defined by being in a relationship where you are valued for who you are intrinsically, and where you value others for who they are intrinsically.
Given the constantly evolving global landscape and its influence on our social connections, this vital aspect of meaning may seem particularly at risk . But there are ways to cultivate it, like by FaceTime calls with friends, or spending more time with your children or spouse since you are all at home.
In the work setting, consider starting your next team meeting by asking your team members to each share a meaningful experience they had during quarantine. Ask them to present their experience in a creative and memorable way such as a photo, an object, a song, or in writing. This will allow them to re-experience the meaningful moment and enhance their pleasant emotions and sense of significance as well as to deepen their connection as a team.
2. Purpose
Psychologists define purpose as a long-term goal or principle that organizes your life and involves making a contribution to the world. It comes in all shapes and sizes. In one study, for example, a hospital janitor said her purpose is healing sick people.
Another way to think about purpose is using your talents, the best in you, to serve others. One of the main ways to enhance our sense of meaning is by helping others. For this, you do not need a graduate degree or a strong financial back. All you need is to utilize your character strengths and talents that reside within you. For example, you can express gratitude towards your loved ones and/or service providers using text, video, a note etc. You can cook for those in need, record your music and post it online to comfort people, share useful/ funny/ inspiring resources with others, lead by organizing an online group, teach via online tutorials and so on.
During challenging times, you can cultivate purpose by asking yourself: how can I help? What need can I fill? It doesn’t have to be something huge. Making a difference in your small corner of the world is meaningful, no matter what you do or how many people you help.
3. Storytelling
Storytelling refers to the ability to create a coherent narrative about your life and the things that happen to you. Who are you? How did you become the person you are today? Where is your life going? How did the major events of your life shape you? These questions all deal with storytelling.
Amidst adversity, what narrative are you crafting about the situation and the type of person you are within it? Are you telling a story that’s moving you forward (like: this is a really hard time but I am doing my best to get through it and I love this extra time with my family) or holding you back (like: this is a really hard time and I feel helpless and unproductive)? According to the research, people who tell stories about their lives defined by redemption, growth, and love experience more meaning in life. Those who tell more negative stories tend to be more anxious and depressed.
If you’re telling a story that’s holding you back, the good news is that you can change it. A tried and true method is journaling. Research shows that writing your deepest thoughts and emotions about an upsetting experience of your life can help you change your story by, in part, finding positive meaning.
Another way to change an overly negative story is to ask yourself what evidence do you have for that particular story. Because human beings have a strong negativity bias, we tend to focus more on the negative and discount the positive—and this applies to the stories we tell about ourselves. If you want to tell a more accurate and hopeful story about your life, try to think about all the good things you may be omitting, and weave those into your narrative.
4. Transcendence
Transcendent experiences are those rare moments when you are lifted above the hustle and bustle of daily life and feel connected to something big, beautiful, and awe-inspiring. They can occur in nature, through religion, by listening to music, synchronous movement, etc. These experiences help people feel more at peace and they put us in touch with true values. Try to incorporate transcendence into your life by spending some time each day that brings you into contact with awe, beauty, or stillness—whether it’s listening to music, meditating, or going on a walk. This pillar requires taking a break from the news and our digital devices, which tether us to the here and now, so that we can connect with something bigger.
Author
Eudaimonic by Design is a global network of consultants, facilitators and systems thinkers who share a passion for the science of well-being and believe that organizations must be designed to enable it. We harness the best of scholarly thought and years of practical experience to help people be truly engaged, act ethically and pursue excellence.
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