Listen to the Voices

I started reading Covey’s The 8th Habit this evening. Chapter 1, The Pain:

Listen to the voices:

“I’m stuck, in a rut.”
“I have no life. I’m burned out — exhausted.”
“No one really values or appreciates me. My boss doesn’t have a clue of all I’m capable of.”
“I don’t feel especially needed — not at work, not by my teenage and grown children, not by my neighbors or community, not by my spouse — except to pay the bills.”
“I’m frustrated and discouraged.”
“I’m just not making enough to make ends meet. I never seem to get ahead.”
“Maybe I just don’t have what it takes.”
“I’m not making a difference.”
“I feel empty inside. My life lacks meaning; something’s missing.”
“I’m angry. I’m scared. I can’t afford to lose my job.”
“I’m lonely.”
“I’m stressed out; everything’s urgent.”
“I’m micromanaged and suffocating.”
“I’m sick of all the backstabbing politics and kissing up.”
“I’m bored — just putting in my time. Most of my satisfactions come off the job.”
“I can’t change things.”

Perhaps that is what happens when you reach a certain stage in life. Young enough to still make a difference and yet old enough to think about the journey. After I read the first chapter, I thought long and hard about passion, talent, need and conscience. How often do we engage in work that taps our talent and fuels our passion?

I’m not sure that I am enjoying this book.