Sisu: The Art of Courage

This time, the word I have chosen is "sisu." We are in Finland. Obviously, it is a term that has no equivalent in any other language, and therefore, it guides us in understanding the culture that coined that word. I love this fact: the uniqueness of certain terms, just like with people, is indicative of an entire world, of a history that is hidden in that word or in that person.

The root of sisu is sisus, which means intimate, interior: therefore, it is something that has to do with a personal ability, an inner strength that is capable, even when everything seems lost, of not giving up and transforming itself. In the 16th century, it was coined to describe the determination of Finnish sailors in navigating difficult waters.

Finnish writer Joanna Nylund has written an entire book on this way of being: "Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage." According to the writer, sisu represents a fundamental concept in Finnish culture: it is the inner strength that enables people to overcome difficulties and to face obstacles with firmness and tenacity.

It is "an action-oriented attitude." One does not boast of having sisu; one simply lets "one's actions speak for themselves."

Finland is a country characterized by long and harsh winters, which require strong determination and resilience to overcome difficulties and face daily challenges. This skill has often been used in the training of the Finnish armed forces, who have gained fame for their ability to withstand the most difficult conditions. However, sisu is not just about survival in extreme situations. It is a concept that has a wide range of applications in everyday life. In Finland, sisu is considered a highly valued quality: Finnish culture is strongly centered on discipline, self-control, and determination. Sisu is considered a key element for personal and professional success. Oh my, another people obsessed with the concept of success! And what if I told you that on October 13, in Finland, they celebrate the day of failure? (I talked about it in episode 24). Failure is necessary for learning, without which we could not improve or simply find new strategies to deal with everyday life and the problems that arise.

In summary, Finnish sisu represents the art of resilience: the ability to overcome difficulties, to face challenges, and to persevere in the face of obstacles.

Sisu is a quality that can be cultivated and developed through 5 characteristics: courage, perseverance, action, discipline, and self-control.

The author provides some advice for training one's sisu: disconnection (which we also found in deep work), silence, solitude, thinking simply, thinking about knowledge, preparing.

While writing the article for the blog, I came across the trailer of a film, which is coming out these days, called Sisu. It is the type of film that I simply cannot watch: too much raw violence. Just by watching the advertisement, I got a shock, I think I won't sleep tonight. In short, if you are weak-hearted, it is not the right film for you. The story takes place in Finland, during the German invasion of 1944. It is about revenge and strength and courage.

The sisu within you: The Finnish key to life, love and success - thisisFINLAND