How to Make Your Move When Change Calls

This morning, the café buzzed with energy, starkly contrasting how Lisa felt as she sat alone, waiting for her friend, Karen. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow on the rustic wooden tables. The aroma of freshly brewed espresso and warm pastries filled the air, mingling with the cheerful hum of conversations and occasional bursts of laughter. However, at her small table, the liveliness and delightful scents of her surroundings went unnoticed as she sat tensely, stirring her untouched coffee.

Lisa felt the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. She was torn between a successful career that no longer satisfied her and the uncertainty of what lay ahead if she decided to walk away. Coming in and immediately sensing something was wrong, Karen's smile quickly faded as she slid into the seat next to her friend.

“How long have you been staring into space and stirring, I might add, what seems to be cold and untouched coffee?”

Managing a half-hearted smile, Lisa replies,?“Only a few minutes, I think, and yes, the coffee probably is cold, much like how I am feeling about work.”

Signaling the waiter for two hot coffees, Karen asks:?“What’s going on? You’ve been successfully climbing the corporate ladder for years.”?

“I don’t know, Karen. Lately, I’ve been feeling… restless. I’ve spent years climbing this ladder, and now I realize it’s not leaning against the right wall.”

Karen (nods knowingly):?“You’re thinking about leaving?

“Maybe. I mean, I’ve built my whole career in this industry. I’ve worked so hard to get where I am. But I keep asking myself—is this really it??Do I?really?want to spend the next ten years doing the same thing?”

“That’s a big question. And I can see why it’s eating at you. But, Lisa, what do you?want?to do?”

Lisa (shaking her head) replies:?“That’s the problem—I don’t know. I just know that I’m not happy anymore. But when I think about walking away, it scares the hell out of me. What if I regret it? What if I fail at whatever comes next? What if I don’t even figure out what comes next?”

“I hear a lot of ‘what-ifs,’ but let me ask you this—what if you stay?”

Lisa (pauses, then softly replies):?“That’s what scares me the most.”

“Then maybe that’s your answer.”

Lisa hesitates.?“But I don’t even know where to start.”

“Start small. What excites you??What have you always wanted to do but never had the time for?”

Lisa thinks for a moment.?“I used to love writing. I even once thought about writing about my travel adventures. But what if it doesn’t work out?”

Karen grins.?“Then start there. There is no pressure; just explore different ideas. You don’t need to have everything figured out today. Think of it this way: at least you’ve spent time doing something you love. Just take the first step and see what happens.”

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The Desire for Change

Lisa is not alone in her feelings. Many successful women over fifty question whether to remain in unfulfilling careers or seek new paths. I understand this struggle firsthand because I once felt the same way. Contrary to what I was told, it wasn't about feeling?burned out. Initially, my desire for change led me to apply for different positions at work. However, with each new role, I eventually experienced a return of feelings like dread, boredom, and being stuck.

Fear did not prevent me from making a change. Instead, I kept telling myself to persevere—there were just seven more years until I could retire at 62. I convinced myself to stay despite how I was truly feeling. Downsizing turned out to be a blessing in disguise and became the catalyst for the change I needed.?

Two days after I learned I was being downsized, I turned to my husband and asked,?"Is it bad to say that I’m glad it’s finally over?"?That moment gave me the courage to pursue what I had longed for.

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Where to begin

Step 1: Give Yourself Time:?It's essential to take a step back and gain perspective on your life as a whole. Be realistic about the actions you want to take. Start by asking yourself questions like:

• Can I afford to make the change financially? If not, how can I continue working and exploring ideas?
• What are some ideas for what I want to do?
• Are there people that I can talk to that are already doing it?
• Do I have the skills to do what I want to do next??
• What new skills do I need to learn to be successful?

This is where the reflection process allows you to examine your life and choices to help you move forward. If you find yourself struggling to figure out your next step, that is okay, too. Trust the process because more questions and answers will come.

Step 2: List Enjoyable Skills/Talents:?Don’t just limit these skills and talents to your profession. You want to identify your?transferable skills. However, just as important, these should be the ones that you?enjoy?using. You may be good at something but don't include it on the list if it is not something you enjoy doing.?

At the beginning of my journey, I focused on using the skills I enjoyed. I was good at developing and implementing strategies and talking to people, which enabled me to work as an Independent Business Consultant. I also loved interior design, so I took courses and worked at my friend’s design firm. Eventually, I co-hosted a local cable show. The latter two positions had nothing to do with my previous career, but they allowed me to use skills I enjoyed.

Step 3: Identify Learning Needs:?Depending upon what you did in your career, there may be skills that you have to learn or improve. What do you need to learn regarding what you want to do next?

I knew nothing about Social media, but because it is necessary today, I took a course to get certified in social media. Writing blogs made me realize I needed to improve my writing, so I enrolled in writing courses.

Step 4: Be Open.?Explore your interests, especially those from childhood and the dreams you put on the back shelf. Talk to people who are doing what you are interested in. Get involved in organizations related to your interests. Offer to volunteer to learn more about what you are thinking about doing.

Remain flexible. As you pursue this change, don’t be surprised by what pops up. What you thought you wanted to do may change or take a different course. Make sure whatever it is, it is something that you enjoy. Do not put pressure on yourself for answers; remember, explore!

Step 5: Create a Support Group. These people serve two important roles. First, they will help keep you accountable and ensure you stay on track. Second, they are your cheerleaders. They will uplift and motivate you when you feel like giving up.?

A word of caution: be very selective when choosing these people. Those who lack a vision for their own lives can make believing in you and your aspirations difficult. Also, you don't need a large group; a few trusted individuals will work just fine.?

Lessons Learned

After 17 years of being downsized, I can look back on my journey with a smile and pride. I have come a long way since those first days of sitting in my chair, feeling lost and questioning whether I had done the right thing. The most important thing I did was step out in faith and my comfort zone. I took the first step using what I knew and loved doing.

But here is the best part of the journey: I discovered parts of myself that I did not know existed. I also learned to do things in fear, realizing that, in most cases, what I feared never materialized and that what did not work out became a valuable lesson.

I also learned not to rush into making everything happen immediately. There is truth in the saying that "there’s a time and place for everything". I remained open to life, which taught me what I needed and brought people into my life to guide me.

Finally, I was open to learning. Taking that social media class was a game changer because it introduced me to a new way of designing and creating. It connected to my passion for interior design, helping me realize that the ability to be creative was at the core of what I wanted to pursue next.

I realize that my journey wasn't just about stepping away from my career; it became a quest to discover what genuinely makes me happy. The five key steps I took helped me navigate this transition.

Then came the exciting part: exploring new possibilities and determining what I wanted to do next. I focused on taking small steps and making choices that aligned with the life I envisioned for myself. Gradually, I uncovered what truly brings me fulfillment. It's been quite an adventure, and it still is!

(Join our empowering community for women over 50 and beyond who confidently create their second act. Subscribe to my?free weekly newsletter?for essential tips, resources, and inspiring stories to help you thrive in this exciting new chapter.)