Finding Meaning Even When it’s Hard

Some people seem to ooze gratitude and satisfaction.  Others seem to struggle to find their purpose.  In his 2017 book Finding Meaning in an Imperfect World, philosopher Iddo Landau says “people are mistaken when they feel their lives are meaningless. The error is based on their failure to recognize what does matter, instead of becoming overly focused on what they believe is missing from their existence.” As I talk about in my bestselling book, Heart and Sell, genuinely caring about improving the lives (and businesses) of your customers and understanding human needs and behavior to form an authentic connection, rather than trying to finesse a quick sale, are simple ways to find more meaning in your life. Leaving space to truly listen rather than bulldozing your way through a conversation and listening for the emotion behind the words while caring about what you hear not only creates happiness and meaning, it will move you one step closer to a sale.

There is no question that 2020 has been a year unlike any other. In addition to the push and pull of everyday life, we are also navigating our way through a global pandemic.  We have so much on our plates and it’s harder than ever to find time for the things that bring us joy.  The result? Many of us are left feeling lost and frustrated.  With so much to do, how can we accomplish it all?  And how can we feel hopeful when everyday life feels so isolating right now?

A few years back, I forced myself to sit still and think about what I was most grateful for.  This, in turn, lead me to think about the things I could do to feel like I was living a life with meaning, even when it felt like I was stuck in the monotony of go, go, go and do, do, do.  It was in the stillness that I came up with ten secrets to cultivating a more meaningful life.  I invite you to ponder my list  and then come up with your own list of “secrets”, and I’d love to hear some of the ways you build meaning into your life.

As we kick off this Thanksgiving week, I plan on taking time to give thanks for the little ways I’m able to carve out meaning in my life.  My wish for you is that you are able to do the same.