“A recent STUDY by Roy Baumeister at Florida State University sought to investigate this and other differences between happiness and meaning. In a survey of over 300 participants, the researchers looked for traits and behaviors that were related to happiness (but not meaningfulness) and vice versa. The researchers found that having strong social connections was important for both happiness and meaningfulness. However, helping others in need and identifying oneself as a “giver” in relationships were related to meaning alone.”
The article goes on to support ways in which helping others is connected to our basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness.
What are the ways that being a coach has increased your sense of meaning?