Sisu - The mythical finnish mentality
Sisu. A word that contains a world of information, and yet is almost impossible to translate. Something that has been noted all around the world, so much so that New York Times has written an article about it. The word that describes a finnish person better than any other. But what is Sisu?
The art of not letting difficulties break you
Wikipedia describes Sisu like this:
"Sisu is a grim, gritty, white-knuckle form of courage that is typically presented in situations where success is against the odds."
I really like this explanation, especially the word "white-knuckle". This describes the nearly brutal state of mind you fall into when Sisu really kicks in. No matter how rocky or tough the way to the finish line is, there is only one possible outcome: Success. Need to get a fridge up to the 7th floor but the elevator is broken? Sure, first few floors can be done with just strength and stamina. After that it's just Sisu. This is an everyday example of Sisu, but it has also been present in bigger events in history. It has even helped Finns achieve victory in the war zone against a seemingly unbeatable enemy.
If I had to condense Sisu into just a few sentences, it would be something like:
The ability to completely forget the improbability of your success, to have the courage to do what it takes to make it happen and to keep believing in yourself blindly. Sisu gives one the energy to keep going beyond the point where others give up.
Boiling inside, cool on the outside
A very important element in the concept of Sisu is self-control. No matter how bad or hard it feels inside, one should always remain neutral on the outside. Once you let the aggression out, it will discourage you and at that point you've already lost the game.
This is what you aim for, a complete calmness on the outside.
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Sibelius
I think it could be seen as a "pressure-chamber" phenomenon, where the stress and aggression keep building the pressure. This pressure can be released in two ways: Releasing it at once(getting mad) or little by little(staying cool and utilizing it). If you have some Sisu in you, you'll get a lot more done.
Of course, every pressure chamber needs a valve to keep the pressure from rising too much. For Finns, this valve is swearing. But not the kind where you yell insults and scare the neighbours. The swearing is done with a completely neutral face and tone. I guess you could say it's sort of a mantra that's used to channel your aggression into something useful.
Finding your own Sisu
Now some of you might be thinking "I wish I was finnish so I could use this superpower myself...". But don't worry, everyone can learn to use Sisu regardless of where you are from. All it takes is learning the right mindset, a few tips and some practise. Here are a few things I consider important:
Find your mantra
When facing a challenge, the first thing to do is take a deep breath. The next thing you need is your own personal choice of words. In Finland a lot of people use "Perkele" when they mumble to themselves. The word is untranslatable, but it's considered a swear word that has roots in old northern mythology. What's important is, the words should feel like saying them gives you more power. Mumbling these words will also make you more focused and help you forget how tough your challenge is.
So, find the words that work. They don't have to mean anything, they're there just to help you. And remember, do not let the aggression out along with the words. Say the words like you're reading a shopping list. I know how ridiculous this sounds, but it really does work.
Forget the odds
This one is even more important. As long as you're thinking "Damn, I'm not sure if I can pull this off...", you won't succeed. So forget about it, there's only one possible outcome anyway, right? No matter what or how long it takes, you will make it. Doesn't matter if it feels impossible for most.
Keep your cool at all times
As I said before, letting yourself get hesitant or panicky will make you lose the fight before you even start. Recognize the negative feelings and stress you're feeling, but don't let them overwhelm you. Once you find the right mixture of aggression and calmness, you have understood a crucial part of Sisu. If it feels like you're getting a bit too angry, use a few Perkele's or whatever works for you. Once you manage to control yourself and stay calm in a situation that normally makes you mad, you'll feel proud of yourself.
If you made it this far, you might have some *Sisu* in you already. I really hope you liked reading about it and hopefully even got some useful tips for handling those tough situations. Let me know what you think. Peace. -R
Peace ~sisu