mindset.

Credit: The Finnish

Summary:

Sisu is a Finnish term that it rarely defined and does not have direct translatable term in the English language. It is an ‘invisible and omnipresent force’ or ‘ethos’ that reflects a mix of traits that we would recognise as stoic determination, bravery, willpower, courage, resilience, tenacity, or perseverance. It is a quality that is lived, rather than spoken about. It is not bravado. It is a prized characteristic of the unassuming Finnish people. Dating back around 500 years, the concept of sisu, is in its most literal sense a reference to one’s “guts”, and is understood to reference traditional thinking that strength was found in the belly.

Real world application:

It is reported that, on the eve of a competitive event or educational exam, Finnish parents encourage their children to look inside themselves for sisu. To credit someone with having demonstrated sisu is a boost to one’s self esteem in Finland.

Sisu is for those moments in life when it feels the odds are staked against you, or when there is a challenge with no end in sight. Sisu is the capacity to face the challenge, to lean in, to take one step forward, and then another.

William R Trotter’s expose, A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-40, details how the Finnish army and reserves applied the idea of sisu to overcome the invading Russian forces in World War II. Outnumbered and outgunned, it was the Finns who endured in exceptionally cold and trying conditions to succeed.