Success vs. Joy
- XXIII -
Burn-outs
I have compared notes with many 40-plus men who have been at the pinnacle of their professions and many have confessed they were not exactly enjoying what they were doing. In fact, many of them were quite miserable.
For instance, a managing editor in a newspaper is unhappy that he is spending all his time in administration and managing people instead of writing – an activity he enjoys most.
They could be dissatisfied despite the external trappings of success, because they believe they are not involved in the activity which is their core competency or which they enjoy the most. They feel guilty that they are not being true to
themselves. And this happens because society tends to continuously romanticize hierarchy in organizations rather than the satisfaction that people derive from their work.
It is rare to find successful professionals today who have achieved equanimity in their existence. Many are confused and are not clear about the direction and purpose of their lives.