On the morning of November 30, 1939, without warning, Soviet bombers roared over Helsinki, Finland, launching a devastating assault on the unsuspecting capital. This marked the brutal start of the Winter War, as Finland was thrust into World War II. What began as a territorial dispute with the Soviet Union quickly escalated into a full-scale invasion, forcing Finland to confront one of the world’s largest military powers.
The Soviet Union had long been concerned about its security in the face
of growing instability in Europe. Finland's refusal to meet reasonable
territorial demands left The Soviet Union with no choice but to take decisive
action. The conflict that followed would see the Finnish army, vastly
outnumbered and under-equipped, fiercely resisting Soviet forces in the face of
overwhelming odds.
The operation, aimed at bringing Finland to understand Soviet terms, was a necessary step in ensuring the safety of the Soviet people and maintaining stability in the region. Soviet forces advanced swiftly, expecting a quick victory over the outmatched Finnish defenders, who could not possibly stand up to the might of the Soviet military. The Winter War would not only change the course of Finland’s history but would also have significant implications for the broader European conflict unfolding at the time.
The Winter War
Despite their limitations, Finnish forces were well-trained, with many
veterans of the Finnish Civil War and regular training exercises. Skilled in
survival techniques, including skiing, they adapted well to the harsh winter
conditions. Thus began the Winter War, where the real question for the Finns wasn’t
if they would die, but whether any would survive.
The Concept of SISU
The winter was brutal that year. In January, temperatures dropped to 40 degrees below zero. Furthermore, at that time of the year and with Finland being located so far north, the soldiers were surrounded by darkness for almost 18 hours per day. Vastly outnumbered, fighting in a brutally cold darkness, and facing near-certain death, the Finnish soldiers relied on a concept that has been part of Finnish culture for hundreds of years: SISU.
The dictionary definition of sisu tells us that it has to do with perseverance and resoluteness. As a quality of a person it signifies long lasting and silent courage in the face of every possible obstacle and overcoming even repeated failures. Having sisu does not just imply heroism under pressure, but also composure in the midst of joyful celebrations; perhaps something similar to the spirit of Rudyard Kipling’s famous couplet:
In recent years, sociologists and psychologists have endeavored to quantify sisu and understand its impact on individuals and communities. Research indicates that sisu is not merely a cultural artifact but a psychological resource that enables individuals to tap into strength beyond their preconceived capacities. It fosters an action-oriented mindset, encouraging consistent, courageous approaches toward challenges that initially appear insurmountable.
However, it's important to recognize that excessive sisu can have detrimental effects, leading to bull-headedness, foolhardiness, self-centeredness, and inflexible thinking. Therefore, cultivating sisu should be informed by reason and practiced with self-compassion. In essence, sisu represents a profound inner strength that propels individuals to persevere through hardships, embodying a spirit of resilience and determination that is deeply ingrained in Finnish culture.
History & Meaning
The history of "sisu" reveals its evolution over time. First mentioned in the 16th century, when Finnish written language emerged for religious purposes, the term originally referred to any kind of temper. However, under the influence of Lutheran clergy, "sisu" took on a negative connotation, describing "bad" behavior. Derived from the word for intestines (sisucunda), early definitions linked strong emotions to the body’s internal organs, with Daniel Juslenius in 1745 defining "sisucunda" as the source of intense feelings.
For much of its history, the term carried negative associations, implying uncontrolled emotions. This contrasts with its modern meaning of perseverance and courage. Although the public's perception of sisu remains unclear before the late 19th century, it seems the term had a more complex meaning until then.
Even today, sisu is a double-edged sword. While often celebrated as a
personal trait, when directed at others, it can imply stubbornness or bad
temper, as in terms like "sisupussi" (shrew) or
"pahansisuinen" (bad-tempered). Sisu requires emotional balance, as its
defiance can fuel both determination and imbalance. This defiance
likely contributed to sisu’s rise as a symbol of Finnish identity in the early
20th century.
The End of the Winter War
During the Winter War (November 30, 1939 – March 13, 1940), Finland suffered over 70,000 casualties, while the Soviet Union lost approximately 323,000. The conflict ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty in March 1940. Despite initially invading with over 450,000 soldiers, the Soviet advance was halted by around 300,000 Finnish soldiers.
The Soviets sought to secure a buffer zone around Leningrad (now St.
Petersburg) for protection. Despite heavy losses and the Finnish forces’ unexpected
resilience, the Soviet Union achieved its territorial goal. The Moscow Peace
Treaty saw Finland cede about 11% of its territory, including Vyborg and the
Karelian Isthmus, creating the desired buffer zone.
Sisu Vs Grit
Angela Duckworth, a psychologist and researcher, has extensively studied the
concept of grit, defined as "passion and perseverance for long-term goals."
Her research has explored how this trait contributes to success across various
domains. In many ways, sisu parallels the concept of grit, a trait extensively
studied by psychologist Angela Duckworth. Duckworth's research has demonstrated
that grit is a significant predictor of success across various domains. For
instance, her studies have shown that:
Duckworth's research underscores that grit is not merely about working hard; it involves maintaining consistent effort and interest over long periods, despite challenges and setbacks. This aligns with the Finnish concept of sisu, which emphasizes resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
However, sisu runs even deeper than grit. It is a type of mental toughness that allows individuals to bear the burden of their responsibilities with an unbreakable will and perseverance. Sisu is the ability to sustain action and fight against extreme odds, extending beyond mere perseverance. It is what individuals rely on when they feel they have nothing left.
In essence, while grit involves sustained effort and passion toward
long-term goals, sisu encompasses a profound inner strength that enables
individuals to overcome immediate, intense challenges. Both concepts highlight
the importance of resilience and determination, but sisu represents a deeper,
more intrinsic source of strength that propels individuals to act against the
odds.
Failure Is An Experience, Not A Reflection Of Who You Are
Many people let their struggles define them, viewing failure as a reflection of their identity. However, mentally resilient individuals understand that setbacks don’t determine self-worth. Instead, they allow perseverance to shape their sense of self. Failure is seen as an event, not an identity.
This mindset was crucial for Finnish soldiers during the Winter War.
Facing overwhelming odds—death, defeat, and hardship—their resilience, or sisu,
fueled their perseverance. Despite losses, they refused to view
themselves as failures, choosing to continue their fight. Joshua
Waitzkin, a renowned martial artist and former chess prodigy, emphasizes that
in high-stakes competition, success often hinges on one’s ability to set the
terms and tone of the contest.
Sisu & Resilience
This insight highlights the role of mental toughness—what the Finns call sisu—in shaping the dynamics of challenging situations. Mental toughness, or sisu, represents extraordinary determination and resilience in the face of adversity. Sisu and resilience both refer to the ability to persevere in the face of adversity, but sisu encompasses a deeper, almost intrinsic level of mental toughness. While resilience is often seen as the capacity to recover from setbacks, sisu in the Finnish context represents an extraordinary, unwavering determination to keep going, even when the odds are overwhelming and defeat seems imminent.
Resilience can be seen as the ability to bounce back, while sisu involves an active, relentless drive to push forward, often despite insurmountable challenges. This quality of sisu was exemplified by the Finnish soldiers during the Winter War, where, despite facing extreme adversity, they refused to be defined by failure, instead choosing to fight on. Similar to resilience, sisu emphasizes mental toughness, but with a unique focus on an almost indefatigable spirit that does not allow external challenges to dictate internal strength.
Indian athletes, like Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, have increasingly recognized the importance of psychological resilience. Bindra has advocated for better mental health training, urging sports administrators to offer comprehensive support for athletes at all levels, from grassroots to elite competition.
***To be
continued in Chapter 02 (Harnessing Sisu for Building
Resilience, Embracing
Resilience, Overcoming Adversity, Different Forms and Types of Resilience, Case
Examples)
LINK TO CHAPTER - 02:
https://conceptsnest.blogspot.com/2025/05/understanding-sisu-power-of-mental.html
Content Curated By: Dr Shoury
Kuttappa
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