Steve Jobs gave a commencement speech at Stanford University. I thought his wisdom applied very well to the struggle with the Disquiet.

“Stay hungry, stay foolish”

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Have you had that experience of waking in the middle of the night worrying about your life and how it’s not going right? Isn’t it amazing how you can almost feel the acceleration of the thoughts and then the panic deep in your gut flash-ignites as more and more things swoosh through your brain like a locomotive picking up speed?

That’s the Disquiet talking.

And ever catch yourself the next day as you try to delete that horrible feeling by getting busier in the day. I know I have jumped into work and activities like a madman after a night of suffering from the whirlwind of worry and fear. Like getting busier is the antidote. I think deep down I clutch at the idea that if I am busy and productive, those fears won’t come back.

But something else happened – I’d hit a wall of Disquiet. I became very dissatisfied with what I was doing. I’d often feel like a fraud. Sometimes I got angry and impatient as I ran around going through the motions of accomplishment.

That’s the Disquiet hitting back.

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If you haven’t been to LifeTwo.com for while, I recommend a visit. Wesley and Greg have done an amazing job of building a information-packed community center dealing with midlife issues in all its forms. The subject of changing careers recently came up. Wesley writes:

“Changing careers in middle age is very different than in the life periods before or after. Middle age is traditionally the peak earning period in most people’s careers. It is the time when workers achieve their highest rank, their fattest salaries, and their most prestigious achievements. But it’s also the time that we have perspective on what makes us happy and if our current career path doesn’t entail sufficient satisfaction (or future promise), then for many of us it’s time to make a change.

This is the dilemma I hear from many of my clients. I experienced it myself: A deep itch to change directions but the prospect is terrifying. Some ultimately jump, some don’t. The ones that follow their calling (myself included) don’t have an easy time of it. But most of us experience feeling more aligned and more alive than before.

Those that don’t change, well, some have to deaden their pain to be able to keep plodding. The golden handcuffs of nearing retirement or just needing to feel safe keep their hearts in check.

Wesley has a call out for stories of real experiences. Check them out - reports from the trenches of changing careers. It’s aptly titled, ” The good, bad and ugly“. Add your own .

And let us know what you think! What is going on for you?

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Do you feel like you have to leave the best part of you at home while you slug it out in a job that leaves you feeling lifeless?  You are not alone.

Many of my clients report this particular form of hell.   Many feel that they are trapped having to work in an environment that does not bring out their best but they can’t afford to leave.  Others seem to hit a beyond-tolerance point and do leave but find themselves back in the same situation in the next job.

What is going on?  Why do some feel like they are cursed, experiencing the same deadening inside regardless of the job they are on?  It sounds like something out of the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray.  In that movie he wakes up each day to realize it is the same day.  Despite all kinds of crazy attempts to change the day so that his life can go on, he is stuck in this weird time trap.

It may not be the job.

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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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Engaging the Disquiet (ETD) Podcast Episode #19. Length: 36.18 minutes

You can listen to this episode by clicking on the prompt above. To learn how you can automatically get new episodes for free to download to your MP3 player or computer, check out the sidebar to the right. Hint: Many of my listeners enjoy burning several on a CD and listening to them in their car.

I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Stuart Baker of Conscious Cooperation. We discussed his experiences with Disquiet in his life. This is a powerful and inspiring story of a man who started asking the big questions on life at a very early age. As a result of learning to work with his Disquiet whenever it appeared in his life, he charted a life long adventure of learning more about himself and helping others grow.

Stuart’s experiences with his Disquiet ultimately led him to blending a fascination with the construction business and a deep calling to bring more harmony and cooperation into the world. His current business, Conscious Cooperation is the result of that blending. He is doing amazing work in a field that needs his gifts. His services extend to the homeowner as well!

You can read more about Stuart’s bio here. And be sure to check out his blog!

From listening to Stuart’s story, what are you learning about your own Disquiet? What has he inspired you to do?

Please share your observations and comments. If you have questions for Stuart, you can post them here or contact him directly by clicking here.

 Podcast [36:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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