How many times I have marveled at the multiplicity of tips offered (often in blocks of 7: at the limits of our human capacity for “chunking”, or holding ideas consistently in our heads) for emotional coping and personal success: and recognized that I knew so few that would guarantee a return.

But now, perhaps because it seems so necessary to begin laying out a mental map for the uncharted territories of widespread professional unemployment, I’ll try out my single tip: It is paying attention to the Effect of action. In business, we call it productivity. In philosophy and psychology, we understand the effect-of-action to imbue action with meaning.

Effect is at the heart of insourcing, which is itself— the act of generation. Effect refers to fruitfulness. Paired with the continuous action of curating (which is oversight and reshaping) those actions we recognize through their effect, we are able both to move forward and to observe our progress.

I was talking with Simon, an under-employed finance professional last week, who said that for him, the most difficult challenge of seeking work is the continuous frustration in not “finding an opening” —- in the lonely task of seeing an environmental entry-point for his talents, when those on-ramps seemed to have disappeared. For him, the cumulative effect of actions taken has been a dispiriting absence. And it is that absence that frustrates him: that sense of working towards no apparent end. What might he do?

Mark, one of his colleagues in our group had an idea. Because the actions of seeking work seemed, from time to time, unlinked to the getting of work, two outcomes appeared likely. The first was a deeper acquaintance with depression— and this was the track on which Simon seemed to be heading. The second was one with which Mark was beginning, himself, to have some success. He had recognized that, for him, there were a number of daily activities (including volunteering with several different community organizations) that consistently provided him with a positive sense of contribution: a positive effect.

His suggestion to Simon was to think deeply about activities that would guarantee their delivery: if not the “check”, that essential economic stimulus—- then, at least a consistent return on his sense of self-efficacy. For Mark, the meaningfulness of the activity was its return on investment. He could control this contingency in his life: guaranteeing either a response from others or an internal sense of worth, through personally meaningful actions.

Simon scoffed at the idea. It sounded like self-deception to him. But Mark was correct (and had been out of work longer). Only by maintaining a positive balance of effective to ineffective (meaningless) actions, are we able to persevere over the long haul.

What is the imperative for INSOURCING? From the mid-90’s, business has become leaner, flexible, and faster. With generational shifts in the workforce and the erosion of the corporation in offering expectancies of lifetime careers, individuals have begun to turn “inward” to consolidate their assets, capabilities, and skill-sets.

They have learned to maximize personal return and to determine how and where these marketable assets are to be used. The often faulted “attitude” of Gen Y reflects that generation’s competence as the early adapters to this sea change! As market forces have demanded shifts in relatedness to business, Gen Y has responded through its normal course of generational development. On the other hand, this generation’s resourcefulness, determination, and public mindedness was recently demonstrated in the 2008 elections!

INSOURCING recognizes the millennial paradigm shift. The change redefines the professional in relation to how work gets done. Unfortunately, this shift has had a severe impact on mature workers. High benefit payouts and the relative cost efficiency of younger workers with more technological know-how, has occasioned a huge write-down of knowledge capital as mature workers are downsized. And there are few onramps back.

The shock is twofold. Economic dislocation is hard enough. But what else gets dislocated? One’s sense of hope, purpose, and competence. Even one’s sense of will. These are the compass points of a lifetime; and after a shock, they require recalibration.

Learning to see oneself in the world another way- a more productive way, given changes in the external world- is a task most of us cannot accomplish alone. While not becoming “like” Gen Y, we must become more like ourselves. And to like ourselves in the bargain!

INSOURCING requires a different approach to skills building than most of us are used to. Because it directly flows from one’s own solid sense of identity, and is affected by shifting states of self-regard, Insourcing Development requires not simply action, but heightened personal self-awareness. It maximizes one’s competencies and facilitates the recognition of one’s less developed traits. Insourcing Development requires a coaching perspective that shifts from “how to” (which assumes the stability of a corporate base) to “how to know”— and cultivation of a continuous SWOT assessment of one’s personal life.

This reorientation is not only essential for economic survival under the changed paradigm, but also pragmatic for maintaining one’s knowledge competencies and assets in prime form. Competent and incremental consultation is the key: because the playing field is nothing less than a lifetime of professional experience!

The Accord Advisory Group offers consultation in Insourcing Development, customized to address its clients’ very specific life courses and goals.