I remember the early days of a major period of Disquiet in my life. I felt like a zombie in a job I had. I wanted to go in a new direction but I felt trapped. I had a young family and it felt risky.

I also felt pretty wrung out. I wasn’t getting to the gym, I never had time to be in the outdoors (which really recharges me) and I could not remember when I did something just to relax.
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Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you were working, you just weren’t showing up all that great? I have. I’ve worked on projects where I felt cursed. The best of me just couldn’t surface. It was like doing everything with one hand tied behind my back and my shoes on backwards.

Or where all of a sudden you felt like you were the only one left on the planet after some sci-fi disaster turned everyone else into zombies? I have. There are times when I feel like no one really understood me.  I felt small and ineffectual.

I believe this is what happens when we don’t have enough of the people and things in our lives that reflect back to us the best part of ourselves. There is nothing like engaging in great creative brainstorming sessions with colleagues who really value your talents. Or hanging with friends who just get you and you can feel that deep in your gut.
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It’s a rainy Saturday afternoon and in the east, we are hunkering down for a major storm. I love rainy Saturday afternoons. It reminds me of when I was a kid, I loved flopping on the couch and watching war movies. There was nothing better.

Somehow I feel like that should be a secret. It’s like that somehow detracts from my often-stated personal values and is not what I should be enjoying for entertainment.

Now, I look back on that great memory and I am a bit embarrassed. I have to admit I still love the idea of a war movie marathon. It doesn’t exactly fit with my commitments to ease suffering and interests in personal development and freedom, but it’s the truth.

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www.vonnegut.com

Kurt Vonnegut Jr
1922-2007

I loved Kurt Vonnegut. I found him in the darkest days of my adolescence. His books were a light in the darkness for me. Through the wild universes he created and his razor sharp wit, he expanded my horizons in powerful and lasting ways. I learned more about what it means to be human – both the horror and the majesty.

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The outcome of this effort is an easier way to find specific articles that you are looking for on the blog.

There is now what is called a “tag cloud” in the right sidebar under “topics”. These words will change in size as more articles related to that word are posted. So a large word like “resources” will have lots of articles that relate to resources for men. This should make it
easier for you to find helpful articles.

I am committed to bringing the best in resources, learning and support regarding the Disquiet. I welcome any and all feedback. You can post it here or contact me directly.

Thanks!

Dave

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Doing work that makes a difference is a strong driver for most of us. Yet, there is a mixed message out there that to do meaningful work means you have to sacrifice success or profit. It reminds me of the idea of the starving artist. Ever notice the reactions to either you or someone else who speaks about a desire to do work that makes a difference? Usually there is a comment or two about how wonderful and what a sacrifice it must be. I really want you to challenge that “either/or” notion.

Guy Kawasaki is a major marketing and entrepreneurial guru. He recently reinforced the importance of making meaning as a keystone for business success.

Guy’s perspective is that the core of a successful businesses is to make meaning. He says, “…those companies that are fundamentally founded to change the world, to make the world a better place, to make meaning are the companies that make a difference. They are the companies to succeed. My naive and romantic belief is that if you make meaning you will probably make money. But if you set out to make money you probably won’t make meaning and you won’t make money.”

He cites the three ways as to make meaning as:
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