Sisu is a unique Finnish concept. It is a Finnish term that can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage.
Sisu, like Kaizen, is a unique word that you may have never heard of before. It is written on the wall along with our other core values. You can find it painted on the floor, and you can find it tattooed on Jim’s arm. This is the main mantra of Finland. Roughly there is no English equivalent to encompass all that this word means. When you are at the absolute lowest point in your life, thing are going terribly. You’re thinking about quitting. You’re thinking about giving in, giving up.
At that point SISU means do NOT give up. Dig deep and dig in. No matter how much you want to, no matter how much you are suffering you cannot give in. You must endure.
How can we translate that into our time at Unbreakable? Don’t give up on your training. Don’t ever give up on your teammate. Don’t give up on the set that you’re working on. See everything all the way through to the end. When you are at your worst, and at the end of your rope you will find your character, and you won’t quit. At this moment you will find out more about yourself in that moment, than anything else we do here.
