The boom economy of the past few years brought me many clients who were doing well financially–in some cases, very well–but felt a longing for more satisfaction in their work. They had good salaries and job security, but didn’t feel fulfilled by what they were doing. They took the MBTI and other career assessments to try to find what was missing, and often our work together helped them understand why a “good job” wasn’t making them happy. They realized that some of their dreams had been pushed aside as they saw the opportunity for financial gain in a strong labor market.

In some ways, a strong economy allows us to dream. When companies are growing and jobs are being created, there are more opportunities for us to make a move. But how many of us actually do? A booming economy can limit our choices as much as it creates them, because when we are doing well financially, it takes a tremendous of fortitude to contemplate giving that up for a career with a lower salary or less stability, even if it promises to be more satisfying.

In many ways, today’s current economy presents many of us with a great opportunity to pursue our career dreams. The instability we’re experiencing is uncomfortable, but it can also serve as a catalyst to create a career that will ultimately be more inspiring. This is especially true for those who have been forced into a career change by layoffs or downsizing. These workers no longer have to take the plunge into uncertainty–it’s been thrust upon them. Others are not out of a job, but are beginning to see that their careers are not as stable as they once thought. Without the promise of stability, an uninspiring job is just that.

If you’re experiencing stress and worry about your career in this economy, it’s time to start thinking about how you can use this period of change to work to your advantage. If you come to terms with the idea that you may not be able to achieve the same level of financial success that you once had, what dreams does that open up for you?

I had a client who was a mortgage broker throughout the housing boom. He’d always had a dream of teaching high school, but just couldn’t imagine giving up the financial rewards of selling mortgages to take a job teaching. He was in for quite a shock when the mortgage market collapsed, but it turned out to be an incredible blessing. He no longer had an excuse to keep at a job that he didn’t love, and finally took the plunge to follow his passion. It was a happy coincidence that his dream job was also one that is relatively recession-proof.

You may realize that it hasn’t been finances keeping you from your dreams, but simply inertia. For many of us, the lure of stability is so great that we overlook our dreams for years. If we have a good, stable job, we reason, why risk that to pursue something we can’t be sure will work out? Well, if your stable job is not looking so stable, it’s time to revisit those dreams you put on the back burner. If your goals involve going back to school, so much the better; low interest rates mean affordable student loans, and with any luck, by the time you’ve graduated the labor market will be on the upswing again.

Of course, many of us who’ve been uprooted by economic turmoil were relatively satisfied with our careers. If you basically enjoyed your job but can’t continue on the same path, you can still use this time to refine your goals. Whether you need to change careers or just make a move from one industry to another, you can make this a positive move by increasing your awareness of your work preferences. Take an objective look at the pros and cons of your previous career, and list these in generalities (for example “enjoyed helping others” or “disliked dealing with bureaucracy”). When you’re evaluating possible next moves, refer to this list. Try to focus your search on new careers that will maximize your time spent with your preferred tasks and work environment while minimizing your exposure to your dislikes.

It can be difficult to contemplate making a positive move if you’ve been through a traumatic layoff or downsizing. Particularly if you didn’t love your job, you might feel that you’ve sacrificed time and effort just to have the rug pulled from under you. But often, we need to be shaken up a bit in order to reevaluate what we really want. If you’re feeling unsteady, now is the time to get back in touch with your true goals. In the end, discovering a job that you love will bring you more happiness than you’d find from any amount of financial gain.

Okay, analyzing presidential candidates’ personality types is interesting and instructive, but perhaps it’s time for something a little more lighthearted? After sifting through the superhero movie deluge this summer, I started thinking about our iconic heroes and their personality styles. Some are more apparent than others, but here are my guesses.

Ironman/Tony Stark: ISTP. This character is often found tinkering with metal, circuits, and mechanical devices, engaging in wildly adventurous behavior, and playing the field romantically—all characteristics of the typical ISTP. ISTPs love to be in the action, and more than any other type they have a skill in manipulating mechanical objects. Unlike many superheroes, his exploits result from his desires for action, revenge, and his own survival, rather than from a larger sense of morality or ideals. He’s not an enforcer, but the action and the gear of the superhero business excites him.

Batman/Bruce Wayne: ENTP. More typical of superheroes in the sense that he is idealistic, Batman still lives on the fringes of society. He’s often content with being portrayed as a vigilante or even a villain if it furthers his cause. Like many ENTPs, he doesn’t feel an intrinsic need to belong, as long as he is living by his own personal code. Technologically savvy and inventive, Batman relies on his ability to create superior weapons for his personal crusade–however, unlike Ironman, Batman creates the design and leaves the building up to someone else.

Superman/Clark Kent: ESFJ. Sometimes called the Big Blue Boy Scout, Superman follows the rules and takes care of the weak. Like many ESFJs, he sees his role as a protector, and makes sure that the gears of society hum along smoothly and that people have what they need. He’s the least rogueish of the superheroes, and despite the fact that he’s a member of a supercharged alien race, you get the sense that he really just wants to fit in. He’s responsible, he’s traditional, and he’s always there when you need him.

Spider-Man/Peter Parker: INTJ. Gifted in science, Spider-Man became so when accidentally bitten by a spider, and took on his superhero status reluctantly when he realized his responsiblity to use his powers for good. Most INTJs enjoy science and technology, and Spider-Man is no different; he’s fascinated by his own powers and devises gadgets to assist him. But his responsibility overwhelms him, and he often takes on too much. He has the INTJ’s longing for stability, and this results in much of his stress as a superhero—unfortunately, it’s not a job you can schedule.

In today’s labor market, maximizing your productivity is more important than ever. Whether you’re trying to survive a round of layoffs or just working with fewer support staff than usual, making the most of your time is essential. However, maximizing productivity is something we all do in different ways. Some of us are inclined to micromanage our time, scheduling every minute of the day and adhering closely to lists and schedules. If you’re familiar with Myers Briggs personality type concepts, you probably recognize these people as Judging types.

The rest of us, the Perceivers, don’t do so well with lists and schedules. In fact, trying to implement these traditional time management strategies can actually undermine a Perceiver’s productivity. So what’s a Perceiver to do when time is short and stress is high? If you’re a Perceiving type, you’ll benefit more from remembering your own work style preferences, rather than trying to conform to a Judging style of working. Here are a few tips:

1. Rethink lists. You’ve probably been taught that a to-do list is a good way to structure your tasks and make sure everything gets done. If you’re like most Perceivers, this little sales pitch makes you want to run far, far away! Nothing undermines a Perceiver’s motivation more than the concept of having to do tasks methodically, in a pre-planned order. However, lists can still be of tremendous help if you rethink their purpose.

Perceiving types should have a long list of tasks, large and small, long and short-term. This is not a to-do list; think of it more as a may-do list. Although everything on the list has to get done, you’re not required to proceed through it in any particular order. Rather, when it’s time to get to work, you’ll choose the task from the list that you feel most motivated and inspired to work on. In the absence of a strict schedule, Perceivers too often find themselves wasting time deciding what to attack next. Having a “may-do” list helps you to be productive on your own terms.

2. Keep it interesting. Many Perceivers hate to do something the same way twice; standard operating procedures are the bane of their existence. If this is the case, don’t force yourself to drudge through a task the same old way. If finding another path to the end result makes you more excited to do something, then do it!

Recognize, however, that many people will tell you that you’re wasting time “reinventing the wheel.” These people are probably Judgers. Don’t invite criticism by spending more time on tasks than you should, but also remember that for many Perceivers, tasks are more easily and quickly accomplished when you’re allowed to do them your own way. Following an established method often takes longer because you’re not motivated to do it.

3. Act like a Judger, but only when you have to. There are some areas where the typical workplace is biased to a Judging point of view, and there’s not much you can do about it. If you’re going to be a highly valued employee, you must be on time for meetings, turn in projects by the deadline, and adhere to standards set up by the organization. Know that you’ll chafe against some of this—for instance, Perceivers often have trouble following rules that seem arbitrary—and cut yourself some slack. Follow the Judgers when you need to, but when you have control over the way you work, make sure you’re allowing yourself the flexibility and spontaneity that you crave. When you don’t have to plan ahead, don’t. And if all else fails, just make sure that your time away from work is as loose and free-wheeling as you can make it!