Soon after I landed my first big corporate job, I began to have some business success. It didn't come easily. With little formal education, I felt I needed to work extra hours to get onto an even playing field with my peers. I did like the challenge of corporate life. I also loved the men, the parties, the cocktail hour, and the two-martini lunches. I had stepped to the edge of the abyss and I didn't even know it yet. Business success was like an exotic hallucinogenic drug, but it was never enough for me. It never lasted long enough. My soul was deteriorating under the relentless pursuit of improved financial performance.

A dark, secret feeling of inadequacy haunted me. As I tumbled over the edge, I struggled to fight the downward spiral into an emotional abyss.

As long as I could get up in the morning, put on that conservative business suit, and get to the office with briefcase in hand, I was able to keep up a respectable and competent facade. I kept everyone believing that I was all right. Even as the powerful spiral of the abyss sucked me more swiftly down toward ultimate emotional destruction, I was able, day after day, to put on the corporate costume. I reassured everyone that I was doing just fine. After all, I was one of the young shining stars in the company.

Out of the office, my life was a shameful and devastating mess. After each episode of desperate emotional struggle, I would "get myself together," put on the corporate costume, put my business cards in my wallet (so I could remember who I was), and return to my desk.

I continued to show up with the corporate smile and continued to do the work better than many in my office. My co-workers continued to close their eyes to my dreadful emotional condition.

My soul, the core of my being, was fighting for survival.

If you are free-falling into an abyss, let go. Move into Soul Survival mode. Struggling is useless. Let go of all of the old ideas that are strangling you. If you are facing a corporate layoff or if you are miserably unhappy and unfulfilled in your corporate position, this can be your greatest moment. Corporate life is what we make it, but often our attitudes are full of fear and fear blocks the light of reason and hope.

Everyone I know who has been downsized out or bludgeoned to insanity by corporate life and has had the courage to remain vigilant and open has, without exception, been brought to a new and more meaningful place in his or her career.

Practicing the Soul Survival spiritual principles(Honesty, Gratitude, Courage, Perseverance and Trust) will help you manifest the changes you wish to see in the corporate world, and then your daily work life will take on rich and enduring purpose.

Soul Survival in Corporate America will shock you, entertain you, encourage you, and inspire you so that you never again have to hide anything about yourself anywhere; at work, at home, with friends, and with strangers.