Start from the Inside: Self-Inquiry and Personal Development

Many with an evolutionary bent focus on changing the economic and social systems that dominate today's world, but the system we are all closest to is our own self. As Gandhi famously said, we must “be the change we wish to see in the world.” The inner growth spurred in this zone will pay dividends in the clarity and integration of the decisions you make across the RIM, especially (but not only) in the richness of your personal and professional life.

But where to start? Here's an idea: take a walk and ask yourself some probing questions. One we like comes from William McDonough, which he uses to help corporate leaders focus on the central questions of our times: “How can we love all of the children, of all species, for all time?”

Both within and outside established traditions, many are exploring what an “evolutionary spirituality” might look like. As one example, in Integral Life Practice Ken Wilber and colleagues describe a fourfold practice that includes body, mind, spirit, and self-reflection. A framework like this can help you identify which areas need the most attention while ensuring that you are touching all the bases. Perhaps this seems out of place in a book about investing, but what we are suggesting is that it's possible to deepen your capacities for clarity and balance and that putting some of your time and even money into these pursuits is both wise and prudent.

Finally, don’t forget that we need each other. Doing this kind of inner work can bring up all sorts of questions and challenges, so it is best to have a strong support network, which may include professional counselors or trusted spiritual advisors. The work you do in this zone goes deeper and works faster when shared with others.