In positive psychology, meaning is one of the core elements that promote happiness.
A lot of research looks at meaning as a coping strategy, especially for people recovering from trauma, illness, or burnout.
Meaning doesn't always have to be fun or exciting. A meaningful life isn't necessarily an easy one. It's about striving to develop the best in yourself rather than chasing constant pleasure.
All approaches to meaning agree on one thing: it gives life a final positive value. It's the sense that your existence contributed something good to the world. Meaning is the feeling that your life matters in a bigger sense, that you're connected to something larger than yourself.
Peter Drucker, in Managing Oneself, asks a powerful question:
"How will you measure your life?"
He suggests imagining yourself at the end of your life and asking what would make you feel fulfilled, like you truly lived a full, meaningful life.
Research backs this up. People with a greater sense of meaning and purpose tend to have better health, stronger relationships, and lower stress levels. One study even found they have a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality.
In short, meaning keeps us alive not just physically, but emotionally.
On average, people tend to find meaning in one or more of three areas:
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Working toward making the world a better place.
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Service to something divine or spiritual.
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Emotionally intimate connections with others.
But when it comes to personal well-being, there's no right or wrong source of meaning. What matters is whatever gives you the sense that your life has a positive impact.
Meaning is also the light at the end of the tunnel during difficult times, something that gives you hope and motivation to keep going when everything feels heavy.
So, when you find yourself burned out, lost, or disconnected, don't look for what is missing. Look for meaning.