Sisu is a Finnish word that means extraordinary determination in the face of extreme adversity, as well as courage in situations where success is unlikely. Those with sisu take action against the odds, as well as displaying courage and relentlessness. There is an element of the english word “gutsy” in sisu since it is derived from the Finnish word sisus which is translated as "interior,” "entrails," or "guts." The english concept of “grit” or the will to persevere to achieve long-term goals is also closely associated with the sisu concept.

The concept of sisu was introduced to America on January 8, 1940, as Time Magazine reported on the resistance of the Finnish defenders against the Soviet invaders. Seemed worthwhile to highlight the quote after Ukrainians have displayed their version of sisu against the Russian invaders. Time Magazine said:

The Finns have something they call sisu. It is a compound of bravado and bravery, of ferocity and tenacity, of the ability to keep fighting after most people would have quit, and to fight with the will to win. The Finns translate sisu as "the Finnish spirit" but it is a much more gutful word than that. Last week the Finns gave the world a good example of sisu by carrying the war into Russian territory on one front while on another they withstood merciless attacks by a reinforced Russian Army. In the wilderness that forms most of the Russo-Finnish frontier between Lake Laatokka and the Arctic Ocean, the Finns definitely gained the upper hand.

10 Hacks to Build Your Sisu:

There are a million hacks, or ideas, out there that supposedly will change your life overnight. From drinking ketones to listening to whales at night to putting butter in your coffee — each one is supposed to revolutionize your life. But most of these hacks focus on trying to improve small things by 1%. Most of us need to focus on the 99% rather than the 1%. Here are 10 hacks, based on science, that will actually work to build your sisu.

When you read these 10 hacks, you are going to realize that most of these are boring. There is no “silver bullet.” But they work. If I had to boil the hacks down to a bumper sticker, I would say “Sleep. Move. Eat Real Food. Be Part of a Group. Repeat.”

Sleep — Get 8 hours of sleep a night.

Commit to a Purpose Greater than Yourself — Understanding and committing to your why is powerful. Try this personal purpose exercise

Workout, Daily — Walk 10 minutes, do 10 minutes of body weight exercise, or walk up and down the stairs 10 times.

Read a Book — Leaders are readers. Learn from others.

Find a Mentor — Learn from others. If you can’t find a mentor, hire a coach.

Be a Mentor to Someone Else — Coach and teach your kids or a colleague at work. Pass on your skills, knowledge, expertise, and passion.

Show Up Every Day, No Matter What — Putting in the work every day is a powerful tool. 1% better.

Do Hard Things — Getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to grow and develop

Form Lasting Relationships — As we all found during COVID, personal relationships and social interaction are important for our long-term health. Find friends that like what you do. Stay connected with your friends.

Get Outside — Sunlight and nature build your persistence and ability to overcome obstacles.

Conclusion

Do you need help building your sisu and accomplishing your goals? Let's work together to make sure your personal purpose, goals, and perseverance are aligned and you are using the sisu hacks. Contact me here for a free consultation.

I was quoted in an article in the Atlantic Magazine about the power of generalists — Think Like a CEO.

I published a book last summer on how to develop your perseverance and accomplish your goals — Grow Your Grit, available for sale at Amazon. Or checkout the keynote presentation for your group.

Go on the offensive and use these 10 hacks — “Sleep. Move. Eat Real Food. Be Part of a Group. Repeat.” to improve your sisu or grit.