Become an actor in your own personal development

Understanding the Meaning of Life According to Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychotherapist and Holocaust survivor, developed an approach called “logotherapy,” which emphasizes the search for meaning in life as a fundamental pillar of psychological well-being. For Frankl, the meaning of life is unique to each individual and changes over time, but it is by finding this meaning that we can overcome difficulties and challenges.

Practical exercise :

• Meaning Journal: Grab a notebook and each day, write down three moments in your day when you felt a special sense of meaning or significance. Reflect on these moments and try to understand why they were meaningful to you. This exercise will help you clarify what is important to you and identify personal values.

Self-knowledge: the first step towards personal development

Philosophers from Socrates to the present day have emphasized the importance of self-knowledge in order to achieve a fulfilling life. Self-knowledge means understanding one's values, beliefs, strengths, and weaknesses.

Practical exercise :

• Self-reflection: Set aside a time each week for a self-reflection session. Ask yourself deep questions like:
  • What are my core values?
  • What truly motivates me?
  • What are my fears and insecurities?
• Feedback from others: Ask people you trust to give you honest feedback on what they perceive to be your strengths and areas for improvement. This can offer you a valuable outside perspective.

Developing your spiritual intelligence

Spiritual intelligence (SI) is defined as the ability to connect with deep values and inner wisdom, and to live in harmony with this transcendental dimension. It is not limited to religion or traditional spirituality but also encompasses the search for meaning, compassion, and deep intuition.

How to develop your Spiritual Intelligence?

• Meditation : Practice meditation regularly to calm your mind and access deeper inner wisdom. Meditation helps you connect with yourself and understand your thoughts and emotions without judgment.
• Mindfulness practices: Live in the present moment by being fully aware of your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. Mindfulness strengthens intuition and alignment with your core values.
• Reading and reflection: Read inspiring books about philosophy, spirituality, or transpersonal psychology. Reflect on what you read and how it resonates with your own search for meaning.

Practical exercise :

• Guided meditation on meaning: Take 10-15 minutes a day for a guided meditation focused on finding meaning. Focus on a central question like “What is my purpose in this phase of my life?” and allow intuitive answers to emerge without forcing them.

Finding one's place in society

Finding your place in society requires integrating your discoveries about yourself and your sense of purpose into society. This requires concrete actions that align your personal aspirations with your social interactions.

Practical exercise :

• Aligned action : Identify one or two concrete actions you can take this week that reflect your values and your search for meaning. This could be getting involved in a cause you care about, developing a personal project, or improving your interpersonal relationships.
• Support network : Surround yourself with people who share your values or support your personal development. Create a circle of people with whom you can share your progress, challenges, and receive advice or support.
• Coaching or hypnosis sessions: A coach can help you clarify your goals, overcome internal and external obstacles, and structure a concrete action plan to achieve your goals. Coaching offers you a space to explore your aspirations, identify your talents, and develop strategies to integrate harmoniously into your social and professional environment. Hypnosis, particularly therapeutic hypnosis, can be a powerful tool for accessing your subconscious, where limiting beliefs or emotional blocks are often buried. By working with a hypnotherapist, you can reprogram these beliefs, strengthen your self-confidence, and accelerate the process of connecting with your core values.

Conclusion

Becoming an actor in your own personal development is a lifelong journey that begins with self-knowledge and the search for meaning, supported by the development of your spiritual intelligence. By integrating these practices into your daily life, you will not only move closer to your true self, but also to the place you wish to occupy in society.