In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of responsibilities, distractions, and external expectations. Amidst this chaos, one of the most vital aspects of human existence can often be overlooked: understanding what truly matters to us and living in alignment with these values. Recognising our personal meaning and purpose is not merely an abstract or philosophical endeavour; it is a fundamental component of leading a fulfilled and satisfying life. Renowned thinkers like Viktor Frankl, along with modern scholars such as Martin Seligman and Carol Ryff, have significantly contributed to our understanding of meaning and purpose.
The Essence of Meaning and Purpose
Meaning and purpose are the cornerstones of our psychological well-being. Meaning refers to the significance we attach to various aspects of our lives—our relationships, careers, passions, and even our challenges. Purpose, on the other hand, is about having a sense of direction and intention, a reason to get up in the morning. It is the driving force that propels us forward, gives us motivation, and fuels our resilience in the face of adversity.
Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, emphasised the vital role of meaning in human life through his seminal work, “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Frankl’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps led him to conclude that finding meaning in suffering is crucial for survival and psychological health. He argued that individuals can endure immense hardships if they perceive a sense of purpose in their lives.
Similarly, Martin Seligman, the father of Positive Psychology, highlights the importance of meaning as one of the five elements of well-being in his PERMA model (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment). Seligman asserts that a life imbued with purpose contributes significantly to our overall happiness and resilience.
Carol Ryff, a prominent psychologist, has also contributed extensively to this field with her model of psychological well-being. Ryff identifies purpose in life as one of the six critical dimensions of well-being, underscoring its importance in achieving a balanced and fulfilling existence.
Why Meaning and Purpose Matter
- Enhanced Well-being: Numerous studies have shown that individuals who have a strong sense of purpose experience higher levels of well-being. They report greater life satisfaction, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and improved mental health. Purpose provides a buffer against life’s inevitable setbacks, helping individuals to navigate challenges with a positive outlook.
- Increased Motivation and Productivity: When we have a clear understanding of what matters most to us, we are more motivated to pursue our goals. Purpose-driven individuals are more likely to set meaningful goals and work diligently towards achieving them. This intrinsic motivation leads to higher productivity and a greater sense of accomplishment.
- Better Relationships: Understanding our values and purpose helps us to build and maintain healthier relationships. When we know what we stand for, we are more likely to seek out and foster connections with people who share similar values. This alignment creates deeper, more fulfilling relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
- Resilience in Adversity: Life is fraught with challenges and setbacks. Having a strong sense of purpose provides a stable foundation that helps us to remain resilient in the face of difficulties. Purpose gives us a reason to persevere, to keep pushing forward even when the going gets tough.
Meaning-Centered Coaching (MCC)
The Meaning-Centered Coaching (MCC) model was developed to address the need for more effective and innovative coaching methods in the context of behavioral healthcare recovery. Initially focused on addiction recovery, the model expanded in 2010 to include substance and behavior misuse. By 2012, it was recognized that MCC’s principles could benefit individuals facing various behavior-driven health challenges, such as diabetes, obesity, mental health issues, cancer, and PTSD in veterans. The model emphasizes the importance of meaningful, lasting behavior change for recovery.
Today, MCC is applicable to anyone seeking life change and fulfilment. The model is universal and adaptable, applicable to any human context, such as health recovery, leadership, or relationships. The four core principles of MCC are aligned with specific contexts as needed.
Underlying Premise
The MCC model is based on the premise that all humans have the capacity to change, build resilience, overcome obstacles, and transform suffering by finding and integrating personal meaning into their lives. MCC is a trans-theoretical coaching practice aimed at creating a positive, functional, empowering, and transformational relationship between the coach and the client. This relationship centers on the client’s search for, development of, and fulfillment of life meaning, explored through the present moment, imagined future, and perceived past. This meaning is actualized through the fields of Meaning, Movement, Knowing, and Integration.
The MCC Model Structure
The MCC model includes four fields, four principles, four foundational tasks/skills for coaches, and a supporting set of skills.
Four Fields
1. Meaning
2. Movement
3. Knowing
4. Integration
Principles
1. Meaning, movement, knowledge, and integration always come from the client.
2. The MCC coaching process increases a person’s self-knowledge and ability to make choices.
3. Meaning develops through relationships with self, others, systems, and communities.
4. People are complete in the present moment yet continually changing.
Foundational Tasks/Skills
1. Collaboration: Working with others to achieve goals.
– Design (e.g., confidentiality)
– Listening
– Powerful Questions
– Curiosity
– Action
– Accountability
– Efficacy
– Environment
2. Self-Management: Managing oneself effectively.
– Non-Directive
– Non-Coercive
– Priming
– Language Use
– Transparency
– Ethics
– Coaches’ Inner Responses
– Triggering
– Compassion
3. Transparency: Maintaining openness.
– Humanness
– Peerness
– Courage
4. Ethics: Upholding ethical standards.
– Responsibility
– Best Practices
– Supervision
MCC and Goals
While MCC includes goal-setting, these goals are seen as means to facilitate movement towards meaning. Goals can be meaning-neutral or meaning-containing. A meaning-neutral goal might be a necessary but un-enjoyable task, such as washing a loved one’s bedclothes, which gains meaning through its context. Conversely, an intrinsic goal holds meaning within the act itself, such as creative endeavors. Goals are integrated into a broader context of meaning, distinguishing MCC from models that focus primarily on goal achievement.
MCC and Obstacles
Identifying obstacles is a secondary outcome of goal-setting. Obstacles are viewed as neutral, and overcoming them depends on the individual’s connection to meaning. The commitment to overcome resistance is driven by the individual’s sense of purpose.
MCC and Values
In MCC, values, while important, are secondary to meaning. A core value may be sacrificed if it serves a higher meaning. For example, a person valuing honesty might lie if it better serves a meaningful purpose. Meaning always takes precedence over values in the pursuit of human fulfillment.
MCC and Polarity
MCC addresses the polarity of “What do I want?” and “What does life want from me?” This balanced approach allows for unlimited exploration of these questions, enabling clients to be both the questioner and the questioned.
More details on the 4 Fields
1. Meaning: Individual meaning is explored through current experiences and envisioned future states. Values are examined in both internal and external contexts, leading to the emergence of purpose.
2. Movement: Actions and accountability are established to achieve chosen purposes. Obstacles, if they appear, are integrated into the action plan.
3. Knowing: Focus is on self-awareness and understanding of relationships, feelings, and choices. Obstacles are identified and positioned within the person’s inner field.
4. Integration: Choices are made about what to adopt or reject. Obstacles are reexamined and re-positioned to facilitate movement.
Meaning-Centered Coaching provides a comprehensive framework for fostering meaningful, lasting change in individuals, emphasizing the importance of integrating personal meaning into every aspect of life. By focusing on meaning, movement, knowing, and integration, MCC helps clients achieve a deeper sense of fulfillment and resilience.
The MCC model and approach is transformational when used as a basis for the coaching process. If you would like to learn more about how you can learn and use the model please go HERE.