In my previous post
on mid-career crisis, I dove into the complexities that one may come across during the mid-career phase and some pointers on how to possibly navigate its challenges. Thanks to those followers, who reached out to me individually asking me to share some light on the signs and triggers of a mid-career crisis. So, here are a few thoughts that I'd like to share from my own experiences and also some derived from my conversations with peers, founders and business leaders.
- Feeling Stagnant: As crude it may sound, have you ever found yourself in a rut at work? A situation where every day feels like a repeat of the last? While repetitions are inherent in everyone's role, there is sometimes this strong sense of stagnation, where you're just going through the motions without any real excitement or growth, can be a clear sign of a mid-career crisis creeping in.
- Lack of Fulfillment: "Success = Fulfillment" : Have you read / heard / seen such a message anywhere? A most common misconception amidst working professionals is that success equates to fulfillment, and there comes a point in our career, when we realize that the paycheck alone isn't enough to sustain their sense of satisfaction. A common byproduct here is when one starts to feel disconnected with the purpose or impact of your work. It's mostly life around getting to office, performing tasks and heading back home. Such situations indicate the flux of a mid-career crisis!
- Questioning Your Career Path: Most often, a mid-career crises triggers a phase that involves deep introspection, where you frequently question the career path you've been on. For some this phase is a little early in their professional phase, and quite late for a few others. This phase is prominently seen amidst professionals who are in the 15 - 18 years of professional experience. A common symptom is when you start wondering, if this is truly what you want to be doing with your life; most importantly - if your current role aligns with your values and passions. A big question that you keep pondering - if there's something more meaningful out there waiting for you!
- Seeking Meaning and Purpose: As pointed out earlier, the pursuit of success can sometimes shadow our pursuit of fulfillment. While It's not about hitting a wall, a mid-career crisis is when we stop and ask ourselves "What truly matters to me?", and this search for meaning and purpose becomes extremely important. The end result in most cases here is, we seek roles that not just offer financial rewards, but also a strong sense of contribution. A few years ago, during a conversation with one of my leaders, he said "Do work that really impacts, so that work will take care of you in the long run".
- External Triggers: Life has a funny way of throwing surprises - especially, when we least expect them; and sometimes those curveballs can trigger an acute mid-career crisis. Some of these can be personal life events like marriage, parenthood, those which tangent our professional lives; or it could be work-life events such as change in workplace, relocation to another city, restructuring within the organization or in the some cases - layoffs! These are some of the important factors force us to reassess our priorities and values, amplifying feelings of uncertainty and instability.
Navigating the Journey: Ignorance is bliss? But, not when it comes to ones professional career. Identifying these symptoms and recognizing the signs of a mid-career crisis is the first step to reclaim control of one's professional path. While it isn't easy, it's more about acknowledging those feelings of discontentment and most often one may need ample support from mentors, peers, career-coaches or sometimes even a psychologist. What's important is to have the courage to explore new opportunities, or new avenues of growth, or sometimes, having to reset it all. It's very important to remember, that a mid-career crisis is never the "end of the road", but rather a crossroads where new paths and possibilities await.
I'd love to keep the conversation going, and would love to hear from you in the comments or direct messages:
- Have you ever experienced a mid-career crisis?
- What signs or triggers resonated with you, and how did you navigate through it?
Share your stories and insights below. After all, we're all in this journey together!
#CareerDevelopment #MidCareerCrisis #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerTransitions #PersonalDevelopment #WorkplaceWellness
