Finding Your 'Why': A Logotherapy Guide for Clients to Maximize Their Goals
Posted on August 20, 2025 by Michael Zone, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Go beyond typical goal-setting. Learn how to use Logotherapy's core principles to infuse your goals with deeper purpose and drive lasting success.
How to Use Logotherapy to Maximize Your Goals
You’ve set your goals—lose 20 pounds, get a promotion, or start a new business. But what happens when the initial motivation fades? You’re not alone. The challenge isn’t always the “how,” but the “why.” Logotherapy, a therapeutic approach focused on finding meaning, can help you connect your goals to a deeper purpose, making them feel less like a chore and more like a calling.
As a Logotherapy client, you know that our work focuses on the six basic human needs, including the Meaning and Purpose Need. This guide will show you how to apply three of Logotherapy’s core tenets to your daily life and maximize your goals.
1. Own Your Free Will
Logotherapy teaches that you have the freedom to choose your attitude and response, regardless of your circumstances. This is the foundation of your power.
Elevate the Problem: Instead of seeing a setback as a failure, see it as a choice point. Your promotion fell through? You have the free will to choose how you react. Do you let it derail you, or do you see it as a chance to learn, re-strategize, or even pursue a different, more meaningful path?
Action Step: For one week, try this homework assignment: whenever you face a frustrating obstacle related to a goal, pause and ask, “What is my choice here?” Write down your immediate feeling and then write down three alternative, values-driven responses you could choose instead.
2. Connect Your Goals to Your ‘Why’
The desire to find meaning is what truly drives people. When your goals are just tasks on a to-do list, they’re easy to abandon. When they are connected to a higher purpose, they become non-negotiable.
Ask the Right Questions: Don’t just ask “What do I want to achieve?” but “Why does this goal matter to me?” and “What value does achieving this goal serve?” For instance, your goal might be to run a marathon. The underlying meaning could be to prove your resilience, to honor your body’s strength, or to raise money for a cause you care about.
Action Step: Take a moment to write down your top three goals. Next to each one, write a detailed answer to the question: “How does achieving this goal fulfill a deeper value or serve a higher purpose in my life?” Use this as your personal mantra to stay motivated.
3. Find Meaning in Life, No Matter What
The final tenet is that life, in and of itself, has meaning. This isn’t just about big achievements; it’s about finding purpose in the everyday. Meaning can be found through:
Creation: The work you do, whether at your job or in a creative hobby.
Experience: The beauty you experience, whether in nature, art, or a simple conversation.
Attitude: The courage you show in the face of suffering or difficulty.
Inject Personality and Vulnerability: Be honest with yourself. Not every day will be easy.
Logotherapy isn’t about forcing optimism; it’s about finding meaning even when things are hard. If your goal is to write a book, some days the words will flow, and others will feel like a struggle. The purpose isn’t just in the finished product, but in the discipline, the self-discovery, and the effort itself.
By linking your goals to a powerful “why,” you transform them from simple tasks into meaningful pursuits. This approach not only helps you achieve more but also brings a greater sense of fulfillment to your entire life.
