{"id":2882,"date":"2020-05-11T10:34:25","date_gmt":"2020-05-11T08:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.haslermanagement.ch\/?p=2882"},"modified":"2020-05-13T21:17:09","modified_gmt":"2020-05-13T19:17:09","slug":"what-is-your-purpose-in-life-live-your-strengths-to-find-your-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.haslermanagement.ch\/en\/what-is-your-purpose-in-life-live-your-strengths-to-find-your-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWhat is Your Purpose in Life? Live Your Strengths to Find Your Meaning.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\u201cHe who has a WHY to live can bear almost any HOW (Nietzsche)<\/em>\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

I have asked my ten-year-old daughter recently: \u201cWhat is your purpose in life?\u201d She gave me such a prompt, clear, and meaningful answer, which amazed me. Even for adults, it is often not easy to answer this question spontaneously.<\/p>\n

However, why is this question important? The question is important because people who live a meaningful life benefit from it in different areas. They are not only happier (Debate et al., 1993) and more engaged at work (Bonebright et al., 2000), but also have overall greater well-being (Bonebright et al., 2000), life satisfaction (Chamberlain & Zika, 1988), and control over their lives (Ryff, 1989). Moreover, finding meaning at work reduces stress and depression, while also contributing to less staff turnover, more work satisfaction, and more experiences of fulfillment (Chen, 2007). Yet, how can we create meaning in life?<\/p>\n

Understanding our Perspectives<\/strong><\/p>\n

Firstly, it is crucial to understand and be aware of how we look at things and situations individually. The same situation can be fine for somebody, whereas it is an absolute disaster for somebody else. Meanwhile, meaning can be found anywhere, even if it seems mundane: It all depends on our perspectives. Similarly, the same work can be a Calling (i.e., finding meaning at work) for one person and a Job (i.e., working based on solely financial motivation) for another (Wrzesniewski et al., 1997). Therefore, after having understood our perspectives about things and situations, the second step to create meaning in our life is by understanding strengths.<\/p>\n

Understanding Strengths<\/strong><\/p>\n

While strengths in general<\/strong> are one\u2019s talents, abilities, and skills, character strengths<\/strong> are morally and universally valued capacities that produce positive effects when we express them (The Positivity Institute, 2020). Apart from strengths in general and character strengths, signature strengths<\/strong> exist, which are one of the great discoveries in Positive Psychology (an umbrella term for theories and research about what makes life most worth living) (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Signature strengths are the core of who we are as human beings and the strengths that energize us when we use them. They are the strengths that are very easy and natural to express. If people can identify and use them in a new way every day, it contributes to them being happier, less depressed, and having work satisfaction (Niemiec, VIA Institute on Character, 2013). However, how can you identify your strengths?<\/p>\n

How can you identify your strengths to find meaning in business and private life?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finding out your constellation of strengths in general, character strengths, and signature strengths is possible based on different approaches. I support my clients with various effective strategies, such as:<\/p>\n