In Finland, everyone knows and refers to sisu frequently. However, it’s a concept with no direct translation into English. The term embodies extreme perseverance, resilience, and grit in the face of adversity. More than just determination, it’s the ability to push yourself beyond what seems possible. It’s finding the strength to keep going when you feel you’ve reached your limit.
Historically speaking, sisu is how the Finnish identify themselves. It’s a large part of their national character, and it’s growing increasing popular.
Growing Popularity
Interestingly, sisu has been growing in popularity inside and outside of Finland. There’s no doubt that our world has become increasingly fascinated by mental toughness, resilience, and self-improvement. As it has, sisu has become a trending concept among athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to push their personal limits. This Nordic take on perseverance has found an international audience!
Embracing Sisu
Finnish mountaineer Veikka Gustafsson, who climbed all 14 of the world’s highest peaks without supplemental oxygen, is an international athlete revered for his sisu. For anyone looking to embrace sisu in their own daily lives, Veikka offers this advice:
- Get used to discomfort. Challenge yourself with small, difficult tasks (e.g., cold showers or endurance exercises) to build mental toughness.
- Commit fully to decisions. When you decide on a goal, stick with it no matter what.
- Draw inspiration from the past. When facing obstacles, remember how you and those before you endured similar struggles.
- Reframe adversity as experience. Instead of resisting discomfort, view it as an opportunity for growth.
Beyond mentally embracing sisu, take the necessary steps to develop it. Start by pushing yourself beyond your limits. When you think you’re done, take just one more step.
Find strength in your purpose by connecting it to a greater goal, whether that’s health, family, career, friendships, whatever.
Surround yourself with like-minded people. Resilient people teach and inspire. Watch and learn.
Lastly, celebrate each win, no matter how small. If you don’t take a moment to acknowledge your achievements, you’ll be making it harder to build the mental muscle necessary to take on bigger challenges in the future.
Daily Sisu
Let’s be clear, sisu isn’t just about dramatic moments of life or death. It’s found in everyday occurrences requiring perseverance. Whether it’s standing up for yourself, completing a difficult project, or maintaining discipline in your health and wellness, sisu is within all of us. By embracing this Finnish philosophy, we can tap into reserves of strength we never knew we had and push beyond what we once believed possible. That’s truly living at 100%!
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