In a world that constantly throws challenges at us, it’s no wonder that mental toughness has become increasingly important. Life is full of ups and downs, and it’s how we handle these obstacles that ultimately determines our level of success. One concept that has gained significant recognition in recent years is Sisu, a Finnish concept (pronounced SEE’ su) that does not an English translation and is difficult to define. Sisu encapsulates the essence of grit, determination, and resilience with some stoicism added. In this blog post, we will explore how you can harness the power of Sisu to develop a Sisu mindset for success.
So, what exactly is Sisu? Originating from the Finnish culture, Sisu represents extraordinary inner strength and tenacity. It goes beyond mere perseverance and can be defined as the ability to keep pushing forward despite facing immense challenges or adversity. Sisu is not a talent or skill reserved for the chosen few but a mindset anyone can attempt to cultivate and develop.
I am a second-generation Finnish-American and am familiar with Sisu. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, I posted the news to family and friends on Facebook. A niece reminded me of my Finnish heritage by posting the following:
Embrace Discomfort
The first step towards developing mental toughness through Sisu is to embrace discomfort. Many of us shy away from discomfort, choosing the path of least resistance instead. However, Sisu teaches us that growth and personal development lie outside our comfort zones. (Similar to “no pain, no gain). By willingly stepping into the unknown and embracing discomfort, we challenge ourselves to become better versions of ourselves. It might involve taking risks, seeking new opportunities, or facing our fears head-on. Remember, true success often lies on the other side of fear.
Resilience
Another critical aspect of Sisu is resilience. Life can be challenging, and setbacks are inevitable. But it’s how we respond to these setbacks that genuinely matters. Cultivating resilience through Sisu involves bouncing back from failures, learning from our mistakes, and viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth. Instead of being discouraged by failures, use them as stepping stones towards success. Remember, setbacks are temporary, and your ability to keep moving forward will ultimately define your success.
Perseverance
Sisu also emphasizes the importance of perseverance. The road to success is rarely smooth, and there will undoubtedly be times when you feel like giving up. However, developing a mindset for success requires unwavering determination and persistence. When faced with adversity, tap into your Sisu and keep pushing forward. Break down your goals into manageable steps, and celebrate small victories. Each small step forward brings you closer to your ultimate goal.
Growth Mindset
In addition to perseverance, Sisu encourages a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that people may develop intelligence, abilities, and talents through dedication and hard work. Embracing a growth mindset means viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. Instead of being discouraged by difficulties, use them as catalysts for personal growth. When you encounter a setback, ask yourself what you can learn from it and how to approach the situation differently next time. With a growth mindset, the possibilities for success are endless.
It’s essential to cultivate self-belief and positive self-talk. Our thoughts shape our reality, and how we perceive ourselves greatly influences our success. Banish self-doubt and negative self-talk and replace them with empowering beliefs and positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths, talents, and past successes. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. By fostering a strong belief in yourself and your abilities, you lay the foundation for a mindset that thrives on Sisu and strives for success.
Finally, surround yourself with a support network that champions your success. Success rarely happens in isolation, and having a community of like-minded individuals can significantly enhance your journey. Seek out mentors, coaches, or friends who uplift and inspire you. Share your goals with them, and allow them to hold you accountable. They will remind you of your Sisu when times get tough and push you to keep going.
Sisu Mindset Conclusion
In conclusion, developing a mindset for success requires harnessing the power of Sisu – the Finnish concept of grit, determination, and resilience. You can propel yourself towards success by embracing discomfort, cultivating resilience, persevering in the face of challenges, nurturing a growth mindset, fostering self-belief, and building a support network. Remember, a select few do not have a monopoly on the Sisu mindset. It is a mindset that anyone can develop by anyone willing to tap into their inner strength. So, embrace Sisu and thrive in your pursuit of success.
Sisu is something I’ve never heard of before, so I appreciate this thorough article. Cultivating mental toughness and resilience has been one of my main goals in the past few years, so it’s reassuring to read about this! Personal growth I think is the most important investment, so this Finnish concept is very cool – something of which I didn’t know about.
What stands out to me, is the embracing of discomfort as a catalyst for growth. It’s very interesting how you go about reframing failures as opportunities for learning and growth – I’m sure it empowers one to navigate obstacles with resilience and determination, ultimately propelling them closer to success.
Have you ever encountered a situation where embracing discomfort or persevering through setbacks ultimately led to a significant personal or professional breakthrough? Curious about more real-life examples.
Sorry about the slow response. There was a problem with the WA Comment Section, which required tech support.
Here are a couple of good links for more info.
1. Emilia Lahti’s TED Talk. I have watched this video several times over the years.
2. Emilia mentions Angela Duckworth, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. I watched Dukworth’s TED Talk on grit several years ago.
Yes, I had such an encounter. Friends and I went to an Oregon beach one winter weekend to surf and hang out. It was a typical Oregon beach winter day with an overcast on the verge of rain, windy, and cool. The ocean was rough, and the tide was outgoing, which meant the breakers were further out.
Long story short, I caught a wave, fell, lost my board, and got caught in a rip current. I knew enough not to fight a rip current, so I ended out well beyond the breakers. It was difficult swimming in choppy water with the wind blowing. Also, the water temperature was around 50 degrees, and I was not wearing wetsuit booties or a hood.
I struggled to the beach, cold and tired. It took me more than 30 minutes to walk back to my friends and warm fire. About halfway back, I found my surfboard.
When I returned to my friends and fire, one guy asked where I had gone. I told them I had gone down the beach for a swim.
Lifelong lessons learned.
1. Don’t overestimate your skill levels or underestimate risks in a potentially unfriendly environment.
2. Have the necessary resources and know how to use them. Case in point. I played competitive golf in all kinds of weather. I practiced in the same conditions. I would put on my rain suit and hit balls if it rained. I would always be the only one in the rain while the other golfers hit from undercover. 3. I can do anything but putt.
Although I have never heard of the SIsu mindset, it does sound interesting. I do wonder what the final goal might be if I would push through challenges that I have feared all my life. And if pushing through to get to my goal might just take away all my strength and lead me to a burnout, but I guess it is just a matter of mindset and now I need to learn more about getting towards that mindset. I am intrigued and waiting to learn more into detail!
Sorry about the slow response due to technical problems with the Site Comments Section.
To learn more about sisu, I recommend the following:
1. https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/manly-lessons/sisu-finnish-winter-war/ Historical Article. “Got Sisu?” about the Winter War (1939-1940) where Finland with a population 3.7 million held off a Russian invasion force of 1 million troops.
2. https://www.kulkea.com/blog/what-is-sisu-the-finnish-concept-that-drives-kulkea/ Contemporary Article. “What Is Sisu? The Finnish Concept that Drives Kulkea” is about the Kulkea company (Massachusetts) brand of outdoor gear bags and accessories and the corporate adoption of sisu. The article includes a link to a TED Talk about sisu.
Hey Glen,
Your explanation of Sisu as a combination of determination, resilience, and perseverance resonated deeply with me. The idea of embracing challenges, pushing through adversity, and never giving up is empowering and essential for personal and professional growth.
I appreciate how you provide practical tips and strategies for cultivating the Sisu mindset. Your insights on setting clear goals, maintaining a positive mindset, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth were thought-provoking. Including real-life examples and success stories, added credibility to your message, illustrating the transformative power of Sisu in overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness.
Keep up the good work!
Marios
Hi Marios,
I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my post. Thanks.