What Makes Life Meaningful: Michael Steger at TEDxCSU

Michael F. Steger is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University. He has spent more than a decade researching people's ability to find meaning in their lives and the benefits of living a meaningful life. In his talk, he asks the question "What Makes Life Meaningful?" and will share what psychological science can tell us about the answer. He is the co-editor of 'Designing Positive Psychology' and the forthcoming 'Purpose and Meaning in the Workplace.'

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[michaelf.steger]

Frankl's the reason why I got into this field, and I mention his work in all my academic talks and articles. In a longer talk, for sure, I would talk about his work. For anyone else reading this, the first half of Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" is as inspiring and moving as human expression gets.

[jeffblanton]

Purpose = What we do, I agree - My definition: The unique thing you do for others. The key is others. Others is where the significance comes into play. The problem, that is not what we are taught. We are taught to get yours first and we usually never can quite scratch that itch so we never get to the significance part.

[elinroshenriksdotter]

That was seriously inspiring! Thank you Michael Steger, for putting words to what I've been trying to understand.

[heavenlylife]

I love it! give others meaning will not only give them meaning, but also yourself!
I love his humor, sharing laughter is enough of a reason to live

[QuestforaMeaningfulLife]

Good insights. It seems to be a balance between making the most of "the moment" while still building for the bigger picture. But if we can combine these both together in our actions, being alive in the moment doing them while also connecting to the larger meaning, that would seem to be as good as it can gets.

[judykrings]

Love the zest and humor! Whatt a great speaker! Many thanks, Mike. Yo are a great story-teller, REAL stories of life and love and character strenghts.

[GroovismOrg]

BE WITH THE ONE!! .... Love Being alive & creating music!!!

[patriciarussell]

Good job. IMO others who listen for a minute and make a judgement, really miss out on your message.

[arlinegeorge]

Interesting n informative talk. Persistence ! Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[scarletsummer]

I think what give way to meaning is stability, this would be housing, having money to survive and thrive, stable relationships, stable childhood relationships is helpful.

[albrezat]

Brilliant presentation and profound content!

[thekajalflaneur]

This was incredibly beautiful and inspiring. Thankyou sir

[simonattwood]

I feel like there is something so missing about this talk, what about the poor, disabled, diseased, depressed, orphan, refugee, unaided and un-helped? Why are we happy to render their lives meaningless. Making meaning for ourselves only works for the rich and comfortable. This seems, without remotely meaning to be, immensely patronising to people who are in suffering in circumstances beyond their control.

[jessical]

tenderness, humour & truth. thank you Michael Steger / TEDxCSU

[brookesmith]

Great video! Matthew Kelly talks about this as well. Would love to see you interview him.

[enzodavide]

why they keep using titles like that if they dont know the answers?.at the end of the speech they say the same thing. maybe the meaning of this or the meaning of that is....please dont do that!

[BitaAsakura]

Thank you Michael for presenting a topic very few people dare to talk about. I found my answers in the book You Were Born For a Reason by Kentetsu Takamori. I guess when the pain is too intense to go on living, people need to have someone hold their hands and walk together towards what never betrays at the end. Thank you.

[sr_skardyn]

We all just need to be as sure as Michael Steger and build our own clam thing.

[ZedGames]

Great talk! Lots to take away from this!

[tobywindgassen]

A lot of these questions could be improved by asking whether we could, rather than what he was doing which involved "trying" and so and so fourth.