More and more women I meet in their 40’s and 50’s are at a crossroads in their career. Some want freedom from the politics, games and exhaustion that have been our steady companions as we’ve climbed our ladders of success. Others have had life interrupted moments, and forced to consider what might be next on our journey.
Nearly all of us are in a season of wanting increased levels of fulfillment and freedom to choose our clients, projects, and priorities based on our values, rather than someone else’s agenda. We may not know what we want to do, but we’re very sure it’s time for something different.
Having sat at this very spot myself multiple times, I understand the anxiety and excitement.
At 22 I entered corporate America. By 26, I had finished my master’s and took the leap into marketing, and then a year later started my first consulting company. I did that for about 15 months before I went back to an agency, and then just a few months later made another career leap to my first non-profit.
I fell in love and stayed there six years. Then one day as I was gallivanting across the country trying to save lives, it hit me that someone else was raising my child.
Anybody else have one of those moments where you realize the life you’re living is not aligning with your values?
It’s a punch to the gut, and one that requires quick action for your own peace of mind.
For me that meant quitting my job and starting my second consulting company, along with an online retail business. I was 34 years old and having the time of my life, right up until I got married, had to take time off to care for my sick husband, and business waned. It was time for another change.
So, I began a new job search, eventually securing a leadership position in another non-profit. Six years later, another life interrupted moment caused me to go through the same cycle again. By my count, I’m currently thriving through my ninth career transition, and expect to continue evolving well into my retirement.
I tell you all this so you can see first and foremost that you are not alone. I have been there, and I understand. Second, I’m sharing all of this so you can know with certainty that you can survive and thrive on the other side of change, no matter how you got to this moment.
Below are five tips for making a powerful career pivot in this rapidly changing work environment.
- Set your foundation with a strong financial plan. This has been the single greatest lesson I’ve learned through all my transitions and has been the most difficult to achieve and sustain. Financial planning is a lifelong journey that should be audited annually. If you’re planning to make a leap, now’s a great time to meet with a professional to get a perspective based on your age, circumstances, and career stage.
- Cast a new vision based on your current season. In my book, Be Bold. Be Brilliant. Be You. I talk about finding your space for greatness – the alignment of your strengths, skills, and desires with what you are willing to do, today. Our desires are ever evolving, and yet so often we don’t give our fresh perspectives enough time and consideration. Instead, we stay locked in spaces that are too small for our spirit. This is often the source of our discontent, as we convince ourselves that what we’ve always done is all there is. Be bold enough to cast a vision for who you are becoming, rather than the 20-something who started your career journey. Share it with your trusted circle of support so they can be on the lookout for opportunities that align.
- Identify your unique value, based on your expertise and experience. A recent graduate struggling to find a job came to me for career advice. I had never heard of her area of study, so I asked her what she was qualified to do. She said, well really anything. Umm…no baby you aren’t. No area of study qualifies you for everything, and being a generalist makes you a jack of all trades, master of none. Unfortunately, that’s tough to market, so we’re going to need to get specific. I chuckle when I think of our exchange, but I cringe a little when I hear people who’ve had 20-year careers tell me much the same thing. Because the reality is you need to know what sets you apart, and what you’re better at than anybody else – based on your experience, education, and special mojo – when changing careers, or striking out on your own. This is the calling card that sets you apart.
- Explore as many paths as possible to your destination. The workplace is in a dynamic season of change. Most of the roles we grew up with are being reimagined, and those of us with 15+ years of experience are struggling the most. We have so much to offer because we have both expertise and context. However, some of our legacy thinking – in terms of how things should be done, the order in which to do them, and where we should place our energy – is holding us back. We need a beginner’s mindset that encourages curiosity, flexibility, and agility. I highly recommend getting a coach, or using a tool like my “Find Your Next Career Move” coaching app. This will give you a framework that allows you to hear your own thoughts, then challenge your thinking about the possibilities for what’s next.
- Give away your expertise in a way that benefits others. We’re now in a creators’ economy, and the surest way to attract support for your vision, is to be active in sharing your expertise where people are consuming information. I have done this over the course of my career by speaking at conferences, writing blogs, and mentoring. This has given me an established brand from which I can share both perspective and expertise. It has also helped secure speaking engagements and consulting clients. The key is to find a way that is authentic to you to be of value, in areas that align with your vision.
Making a career leap doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. With a little courage, perseverance and preparation you can successfully transition into your next life adventure. If you’re already in a career change, it’s important that you connect with others on the journey. This can often take longer than we’d like, and we need support, encouragement, and connections to create momentum.
As you begin exploring, the most important thing to remember is that there is always more than what we’ve known before. Even if you’re seeking a role that is like the ones you’ve had in the past, expect the work to be approached differently. Be open to learning new ways of working and get excited about the unexpected possibilities that open for you.
If you’re considering your own next chapter, I hope these ideas encourage you to take the first step. I’d love to hear your story in the comments. And if you’d like additional tools for navigating career change, be sure to explore the resources here on the website, including my books, coaching app, and newsletter. Let’s keep learning and growing, together.
