What is Fruitful Tension? Why is that necessary?

Is tension always a bad thing? Is it necessary to have tension to strive towards or a vision that inspires or draws you and provokes you to action?

A fruitful tension is a healthy and necessary tension that exists in the spiritual dimension of human beings. This tension is the result of a discrepancy between where an individual currently is and where they ought to be in terms of their values and purpose. We should not try to eliminate this tension, but to harness it to promote an individual's growth and unlock our potential. This tension serves as a driving force for individuals to move towards their values and purpose, and ultimately leads to a sense of fulfillment and meaning in life.

A lack of meaning in life creates an existential vacuum which, if left unfilled, may lead to a neurosis. Viktor Frankl called this a Noogenic neurosis, referring to the spiritual dimension of man that is contingent on seeking meaning. In other words, the pursuit of meaning is essential for human well-being and fulfillment. We need to acknowledges the existence of healthy tension, especially in the spiritual dimension. As Frankl said,

This pursuit of finding and achieving something meaningful requires tension and challenge in order to promote the growth and development of the individual. When a person can freely choose a task that perfectly aligns with their values, they go all-in to achieve it, regardless of how difficult and challenging the task may be. This freely chosen task gives them meaning and a sense of purpose, and they relentlessly pursue it. Going through this journey offers sheer personal transformation and growth. As Frankl put it,

When dealing with a person, we should aim to harness the tension between where an individual is currently and where they ought to be. By doing so, we can help them unlock their potential and rise above their suffering. Friedrich Nietzsche, another philosopher, also emphasized the importance of living a purposeful life. He believed that;

In other words, having a sense of purpose gives individuals the strength to endure hardships and overcome adversity. Having a strong sense of purpose provides us with the motivation, resilience, and determination to navigate through difficult circumstances and face adversity head-on. It reminds us that when we are driven by a deep-rooted WHY, we can find the strength within ourselves to persevere, adapt, and find solutions to the obstacles we encounter. Without a compelling why, it becomes easier to lose motivation, feel overwhelmed, or succumb to discouragement in the face of challenges.

I would stress on the importance of seeking meaning and purpose in life, particularly in the face of adversity. Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose. If you find yourself experiencing demotivation, a sense of being lost, or indifference, I highly encourage you to reflect inward and question whether the task or activity you're engaged in aligns with your purpose. Do you truly value your current job or task? If not, it might be time to seek out a freely chosen task that resonates with your values. It's important to have a clear WHY. While I understand that immediate changes may not be possible due to responsibilities, gaining awareness of the misalignment can provide clarity. If you could figure out what you want and why, then you have the freedom to make an informed decision, even if it means staying in your current job for the time being. By consciously choosing to stay, you acknowledge the contradictions and consider the consequences, making it a freely chosen goal.

By harnessing healthy tension and striving for meaningful goals, individuals can find fulfillment and live a purposeful life. Fruitful tension is created when we have a clear direction or purpose that motivates us to strive towards a goal, but it is crucial that this direction is freely chosen, aligned with our values and purpose, and not influenced by external pressures.

For example, in one of my previous roles, I struggled to maintain a work-life balance due to excessively long working hours resulting from a structural dependency on stakeholders and frequent ad-hoc requests from leadership. I found myself consistently working 10+ hours per day, often including weekends. Consequently, I had little time to spend with my family or pursue personal hobbies, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction. However, as the sole breadwinner for my family, I felt obligated to remain in the job to provide for my family.

I was faced with a decision and took the time for deep reflection. Would leaving the job ensure my mental well-being? What about my responsibilities towards my family? I also considered the potential benefits of staying in the job. After careful consideration, I made the choice to continue with the job, seeking possible solutions through discussions with my manager and colleagues. I focused on learning and implementing automation to free up my time. I was also honing my tech skills that would enhance my prospects for future opportunities outside of that role/company.

So the decision was I will continue in that role, implement automation to free up my time, and focus on Tech skill development that will make me a better fit for the future opportunities. This decision was driven by my desire to ensure the financial security of my family and uphold my sense of responsibility. Simultaneously, it provided me with a clear direction for personal growth and transformation. Despite the workload not diminishing significantly, I found a renewed sense of purpose. I acquired new skills, developed the ability to work under immense pressure and tight deadlines, and witnessed improvements in my performance. Eventually, this path led me to an opportunity to find a job in global tech giant.

It all began with an unhealthy tension, which I redirected by introspection and the pursuit of a goal rooted in meaning and purpose. This freely chosen objective provided me with direction and the resilience to persevere. In transforming the unhealthy tension into fruitful tension, I experienced personal growth and transformation.

Most importantly, two key factors played a significant role in my journey: firstly, the presence of a freely chosen goal and decision, and secondly, the existence of a healthy tension fostered by a clear direction. The ability to make a decision based on my own values and desires allowed me to take ownership of my path.

Here are some examples of fruitful tension.

An entrepreneur starting a business: The goal of building a successful business provides a clear direction and purpose for the entrepreneur. The entrepreneur experiences tension as they navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business, such as securing funding, developing a business plan, and finding customers.

A writer working on a novel: The writer's goal of completing their novel provides a clear direction and purpose. The writer experiences tension as they work to create and refine their story, and to meet their self-imposed deadlines.

An athlete preparing for a competition: The athlete's goal of winning the competition provides a clear sense of direction and purpose. The athlete experiences tension as they push themselves to improve their skills and physical conditioning in preparation for the event.

A student working towards a degree: The goal of obtaining a degree provides the student with a clear direction and purpose. The student experiences tension as they work to balance their studies with other responsibilities, such as work and family obligations.

In each of these examples, the individual experiences tension as they work towards a clear goal or purpose. This tension can be stressful at times, but it is also what drives them forward and helps them to achieve their desired outcome as long as the goal is freely chosen.