A Reader Asks…..

A reader responds (the bold-ing is mine) and poses the following question:

While Ms. Shellenbarger addressed a very important topic, her article barely scratched the surface. Stephen Covey’s 8th Habit presents a compelling methodology for incorporating your "passion" (i.e. doing what you love) into your profession. Covey’s message centers on finding one’s voice and inspiring others to find their voices.

Our voice, according to Covey, "lies at the nexus of talent (your natural gifts and strengths), passion (those things that naturally energize, excite, motivate, and inspire you), need (including what the world needs enough to pay you), and conscience (that still, small voice within that assures you of what is right and that prompts you to actually do it)." p5

Stated somewhat differently, “[w]hen you engage in work that taps your talent and fuels your passion – that rises out of a great need in the world that you feel drawn by conscience to meet – therein lies your voice, your calling, your soul’s code.” 85.

Covey asserts that finding your voice enables you to live a more fulfilling, rewarding, and enjoyable life — which is something I want for my 16 and 13 year-old daughters.

I find, however, that the spate of today’s sophisticated and compelling entertainment/advertising media poses a significant threat to our childrens’ ability to find their authentic voices. It seems there is a battle being waged over our childrens’ minds and habits. Indeed, neuroscience and economics have been united into a new discipline — neuroeconomics — that focuses on understanding (and often manipulating) our economic decision making. While not as obviously included in this concept of our economic decision making as our buying habits, our childrens’ career choices fall squarely within this circle.

As neuroeconomics advances, it may yield stronger tools for influencing our children’s economic decisions. The potential ramifications scare me, as I could foresee a generation of extremely efficient media consumers (our children) whose consumption needs may significantly alter their career choices and their diligence.

Does anyone have any answers? Can anyone offer me hope? Can anyone offer suggestions about sources other than Covey who can help?

I am composing my answer. More tomorrow.