A Reader Writes
For more than 20 years my primary focus was working my way up the corporate ladder in the marketing department of a large pharmeceutical company. Every day I work hard, but lately I have this sinking feeling in my stomach that just will not go away. I finally realized that it’s my career. I don’t enjoy my work anymore. I look back now after spending nearly half of my life working in an unsatisfying job, with few genuine accomplishments. I’m sad that the goals and dreams I set so long ago are just memories. I feel like I need to make a change. What can I do? Should I make a career change that could make the second half of my life more meaningful and fulfilling?
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If you can dream it, you can do it! – Walt Disney
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This is not an uncommon scenario. A growing number of adults are looking at their 40s, 50s, and 60s as the right time to start fresh in an entirely new field. What drives adults to change their careers? The answer, in a word, is midlife. Craving a more fulfilling and meaningful career is just one area of focus during midlife adjustment. As we reach midlife, we realize how short time really is. Suddenly the importance of achieving goals and doing what makes us happy becomes much more important. This is the time closet authors, entrepreneurs, musicians or artists will begin thinking about careers to match their energy, vitality, and passion for life. So you are in very good company.
From adolescence to age 30, most of us are consumed with learning how to become who we think we want to be. We go from our 30s to our 40s working and living that role. But at age 40, midlife, after having reached and maybe surpassing these goals, many discover it wasn’t what we wanted to do after all.
Longer life expectancy plays a part, too. At midlife, we realize we still have nearly half a lifetime yet to live and wonder how we will spend those years. We know we’re going to have a lot of healthy years, so I think it’s a period of making choices to live out dreams that were shelved so long ago.
The lesson we can take is that midlife should not be feared, and that the sinking feeling in your stomach should not be ignored. Changing your job, career, or lifestyle may take some work. But if you truly follow your passion, the effort will provide infinitely positive results.
Are you ready to make a change? Here are a few tips for getting started on a successful second career.