Man’s Search for Meaning

Instructions

Before You Begin

• This practice can be used on its own, but is meant to be the third in a series of practices that help students discover or begin their search for purpose.
• Students can also do the entire series of practices online for free at www.purposechallenge.org. Have them click on “Toolkit” and then register for an account. When they finish the practices, they will receive a digital record of their written answers for each exercise in addition to instructions on how to take these answers and turn them into a college entrance essay.

Watching the Video

• If using this practice on its own, review the definition of purpose with students using the instructions from the first four bullets under “Setting Up the Activity” in Discovering Your Strengths and Talents.
• Tell students:
  • Today you will be watching a celebrity you may know talking about what matters most to him.
• Have students watch the video of Jimmy Fallon (2:54-4:57).
• After the video, ask students for their reaction to Jimmy Fallon’s purpose in life.
• Say to students:
  • In the video, Jimmy Fallon mentioned the book “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. You may also remember Viktor Frankl from the introductory video about purpose [see Discovering Your Strengths and Talents].
  • In his book, Viktor Frankl describes the terrible experiences he faced and witnessed as a prisoner of a concentration camp during WWII.
  • I’m going to read a quote from his book. I invite you to close your eyes or look at a spot on the floor in front of you as I read this quote. Think about what the quote means and how it relates to your life.
  • “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how.’

Reflecting and Sharing

• Give students a moment to reflect on this quote. You might write it on the board, as well.
• Ask students to take a sheet of paper and write responses to the following questions:
  • What does this quote make you think of?
  • What does it mean to you?
  • Think about the things that matter most to you. How does this quote relate to those things?
• Have students share their writing with a partner or in a small group, and then share with the class.

Closure

• Ask students to reflect on whether this exercise confirmed their sense of purpose or, if they aren’t sure of their purpose, did it give them any clues or insight into what their purpose might be?

Source

The Purpose Challenge Toolkit was created by Dr. Kendall Cotton-Bronk in partnership with the Greater Good Science Center and Prosocial. For more information, visit www.purposechallenge.org

Evidence That It Works

A study of almost 2,000 Romanian adolescents found that having a sense of meaning in life both increases psychological well-being and protects teens from risky behavior, such as drug and alcohol use, sexual activity, and unhealthy exercise and eating habits.

Why Does It Matter?

Having meaning in life means that one’s life makes sense and matters — relationships, spirituality, attaining goals, and/or having a purpose (i.e., engaging in something larger than oneself) can all contribute to one’s sense of meaning. Like purpose, meaning in life is associated with a myriad of health and psychological benefits.

While meaning and purpose are separate constructs in research, scientists have found that they can inform one another. For example, knowing where one finds meaning in life can give clues as to how a person might use their gifts to make a positive contribution to the world (purpose). Giving students opportunities to reflect on both meaning and purpose sets them on the path to creating thriving and fulfilling lives.