At a certain point in life, people transition from “time to live” to “time left to live.” This shift creates a new sense of urgency about identifying the purpose of our existence, writes Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries.
Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.” – Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist
Source: Harvard Business Review, January 25, 2021. Link. Kets de Vries says people come up against a set of fundamental human needs that collectively define how we experience the meaning of our existence. Thinking about these five pillars of meaning can help you reinvent your life:
- Belonging
- Purpose
- Competence
- Control
- Transcendence
INSIGHTS: Overcoming challenges is also a way to make life more meaningful. There are always options to explore new things and gain a sense of meaningful direction. The choice is up to each individual.