Key Themes:
Mindset, Motivation, Psychology, Overcoming Challenges
Summary:
Man’s Search for Meaning by Frankl is a about man’s deepest desire – the search for meaning and purpose. Frankly was a prominent Viennese psychiatrist who was sent to Auschwitz during World War 2. Whilst in the concentration camp, Frankl was able to observe how he and other inmates coped with the experience. He noted that the men who supported others and who gave away their last piece of bread survived the longest – proving that everything can be taken from us except the ability to choose how we respond to any given set of circumstances. This inspiring work shows how anyone can rise above their challenges and find significance in the art of living
Content Overview:
Frankl’s memoir has captivated readers with his descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Based on his own experience and the stories of his patients, he argues that suffering can’t be avoided, but we can choose how we respond to it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. His theory – logotherapy, is a conviction that our primary motivator is the pursuit of meaning, not pleasure.
The top 5 learnings from this book are as follows:
It’s not what we are facing but our attitude towards it
Whenever faced with a challenge, we don’t need to respond negatively. We have the power to choose our response, but few people choose to make this choice.
Suffering affects us all and is part of life
Suffering in life is inevitable, but we are ill-prepared in dealing with it. Once we accept suffering, it might not disappear, but we can find the strength from within to bear it more comfortably.
We all need to have a purpose in life
If you lose your purpose in life, then you are truly lost. Your sense of purpose is what keeps you going in tough times.
How you react to a specific challenge or problem tells a lot about your character
The way you deal with a particular situation says a lot about the type of person you are. He recommends shifting our focus and approach to life, from asking questions towards answering them.
Kindness can be found everywhere
Frankl believes that most people are kinder than we presume, and we can be pleasantly surprised by the acts of kindness we receive from the most unexpected of places.
Rating: 10/10
Awe inspiring that one man could respond so positively and find meaning during one of the greatest ever atrocities. You will be shocked, moved but more importantly challenged about how you choose to act in the face of adversity
Readability: 8/10
Frankl’s story and inclusion of examples of the horrors he and his compatriots faced in Auschwitz is a hard read and not for the faint-hearted. However, you cannot help but be moved by his response and learnings from such unimaginable suffering.
Does what it says on the tin: 10/10
Yes – this is a book that will make you evaluate how you respond to any challenge you face and will help you truly find meaning in your life. Warning: you may need tissues!