Listen to your Inner Economy

In a groundbreaking book, Rethinking Work, Boston career counselor Cliff Hakim noted that success comes from defining the inner economy— discovering what makes you happy, lights your fire, gives you juice—then learning how to align your passion with the marketplace.

You might wonder, “Can I afford to pursue my dreams in such uncertain times? Isn’t is best to place it safe?” Hakim counters that there is no job security anymore—so why not bet on yourself and pursue the work you love?  If you’re ready to take that leap, here are  five things you’ll need to do.  

1) Make time to reflect

Take a few minutes each day to explore your relationship to work and consider what tasks give you the greatest joy. To jumpstart this process, try the Core Values Test developed by Peter Senge at MIT.  There’s an online version here. The test will reveal whether you’re on a quest for leadership, wisdom, or self-knowledge, whether what really motivates you is family, friendship, adventure, the adrenal rush of problem-solving or a gentle and predictable routine.

2) Put together your creative committee

Find a few trusted friends and colleagues to brainstorm about how you might incorporate these values into your everyday life. “Choose people who will listen, non-judgmentally, and support your desire to grow, then start swapping stories about activities that make you feel excited and engaged,” says Hakim, “Listen to the little sparks that emerge from this creative conversation and give yourself permission to explore them in greater depth.”

3) Start to flex and learn new skills

A willingness to explore new talents is key to staying fresh and feeling more alive. TJ Maxx, a multibillion-dollar purveyor of discount clothing, routinely shuffles workers into different jobs.  A logistics manager may be asked to head up information services, or a client representative may be reassigned to marketing. “Many companies are now encouraging people to stretch,” says Hakim.  “They’re developing a new kind of yoga, helping people try out different roles and routines.”

 Whether you work for an organization, or for yourself, don’t be afraid to change your resume.  If you feel stifled, experiment.  Consider doing something different.  Don’t be afraid to make an unexpected move as long as you're following your core values.

4) Learn to dance with the marketplace

Successful entrepreneurs don’t take failure or rejection personally; they allow for a few missteps and keep on moving toward their goals.  It usually takes five years to move a new venture into the black or forge a new career— and that’s with constant practice. "After a while you learn how to adjust the steps to stay in rhythm with the marketplace," Hakim says. "It's not a perfect waltz, but you get better at it, as time goes along."

5) Follow your creative voice

  

In 2010, Cliff Hakim took the advice he’d been giving clients—follow the work you love. He’d been outlining some new lectures and making notes for another book but nothing seemed to spark. Around this time, he took on a home improvement project: building a stone wall around his property. An architect praised the beauty and ingenuity of his design, and when it was complete, Hakim’s wife delivered one of those life-changing lines, “I’ve never seen you look so happy.”

 

“This project grounded me in the earth,” he recalls, “and working with stone gave me a sense of permanence. I wanted other people to have this feeling, too.”  

Hakim gave himself permission to explore his natural sculptures with what he calls “a truthful arrogance.” This meant following a creative impulse with no idea where it might lead.  

Hakim started building garden monuments and special seating areas until a friend said, “I have the perfect piece of land where you can start your business.” Another said, “I know a quarry you should visit.” Then quarry master said, “You’re always in such a rush when you come up here… Leave three hours next time, so we can walk the land and talk.” Their relationship evolved, and Hakim discovered he liked hanging out with stonecutters and foundry workers, men who made things with their hands. 

 And that was the birth of his new company, Inspired Stones.  

  

Hakim is still listening to people’s stories, as he did for many years in his coaching practice. Only this time the conversation is about their desire to connect with nature, construct a memorial honoring a loved one, or create a meditation garden. At 64, Hakim enjoys working outdoors and often has to leverage large stones into place before he can start carving and refinishing.“I can still do physical labor,” he says, “because I feel young inside. To keep your spirit alive—that’s the greatest gift you can give yourself and others.”