Happiness and the Search for Meaning
Are you happy?
Only 33% of Americans surveyed answered yes to that question in 2017, according to The Harris Poll. John Gerzema, CEO of the polling company, suspects distraction and lack of control are a couple of the main contributing factors to the lack of happiness in the United States.
“We are so caught up in our texting, multitasking, jobs and commutes that we seem to have less and less free time, Gerzema said.
Throw in a contentious political environment along with a constant stream of sensational headlines and it is easy to see why many Americans struggle with happiness.
A Search for Meaning
Victor Frankl (1905-1997), an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, argued men and women can rise above tensions and chaos if they have a strong sense of “meaning” in their lives.
“What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him,” Frankl argued.
Perhaps Frankl’s most popular published work was his 1946 book, Man’s Search for Meaning. In the book, Frankl concluded: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”
Life coaches are trained to help people with the why.
Whether it is getting out of a rut, making a crucial life transition or identifying core values, life coaching can help you live a meaningful life.
Frankl acknowledged that meaning as a broad concept cannot be applied to all men and women in the same manner. He explained: “For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person’s life at a given moment.”
Where to Begin
If you find yourself in good company with the two thirds of Americans that find happiness to be elusive, perhaps it is time to rethink happiness and fulfillment as concepts.
HuffPost contributor Ramon B. Nuez Jr. suggests a simple, two-step approach to rethinking the meaning of life:
Stop searching for abstract answers.
Start looking for specific missions.
Life coaches are experts at helping clients determine their specific missions. Whether it be a new career, financial security or personal relationships, a life coach can help you set goals and think bigger.
The Benefits are Numerous
Rather than ruminating on the reasons you aren’t happy, perhaps it is time to begin working with a life coach to create the life you want to live.
A study conducted by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) uncovered 4 benefits from life coaching clients:
80% of clients improved their self-confidence
73% of clients improved their relationships
72% of clients improved their communication skills
67% of clients improved their work-life balance
Many life coaches, including Life Coaching Sedona, offer an initial “meet and greet” session at no cost that is designed to provide a sample coaching experience. You will meet your coach and establish a plan.
If you have the opportunity to attend a life coaching workshop, make sure you take advantage of it. Life coaching workshops offer great opportunities to put together strategies that will help you live a more meaningful life.
Qualified Life Coaches in Sedona
Carol Pinciaro of Life Coaching Sedona is passionate about coaching and are committed to helping clients ask bold questions in a safe and confidential environment. Carol can help you transition to the life you want to live and encourage you to schedule an appointment today to get started.
References
Sifferlin, A. (2017, July 26) Here’s How Happy Americans Are Right Now. Retrieved from http://time.com/4871720/how-happy-are-americans/
Frankl, V. (1959) Man’s Search for Meaning. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.
Nuez Jr., R. (2016, December 13) What Is the Meaning of Life: Victor Frankl Explains Be Specific In Your Mission. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-is-the-meaning-of-life-victor-frankl-explains_us_585009fee4b0151082221ec4
Does Coaching Really Work? The Benefits of Coaching Your Clients Should Know! (2016, June 22) Retrieved from: https://www.thecoachingtoolscompany.com/infographic-does-coaching-really-work-the-benefits-of-coaching-your-clients-should-know/