Re-defining Success: The Collective Shift Away from Materialism. Mid-life Career Professionals no longer 'Live-to-Work' in the Post-Pandemic Era

If you're one of the many people who have reassessed their relationship with work since the pandemic, rest assured, you are not alone.

With a background in recruitment, certified career coach, experienced mentor and author of 'Get Your Career Unstuck', I am seeing a shift amongst clients. People are yearning for more time and space to follow their dreams.

The world of work has undergone a significant change, with a collective move away from materialism towards a new 'work-to-live' mindset. I see just how many professionals are wanting to prioritise time with loved ones and personal well-being over pursuing material possessions.? However, Gen Xers specifically, are torn between caring for their children, elderly parents, financing a mortgage and being true to their values.? With rising inflation is it any wonder mid lifers are feeling guilt ridden.

What Caused This Shift?

There was a time when success was often equated with having a big house, a fast car, influencer-style holidays, and designer clothes.? However, the myth that working harder inevitably translates to success has been debunked.? With the rise of digital tools and entrepreneurship, people are gravitating towards working less and enjoying more freedom. In the current economic downturn, this trend creates a tug of war scenario, leaving people conflicted as they strive to align their actions with their values.

The pandemic brought about significant changes in the way we choose to work, socialise, and think about our lives in the big picture. Time at home forced people to reflect on what truly matters. As a career coach and recruiter, I have witnessed first-hand individual-level discussions about this shift with my clients. Moreover, I have seen a significant shift in sentimentality surrounding the ‘purpose of work’ across the board since 2020.?

Professionals who once prided themselves on status and working long hours, have now been through a collective revaluation. Forbes states that 77% of employees prioritised a balanced life over career advancement with factors such as family time serving as the top motivation.

This revaluation could be seen as a shift in values – one that has given rise to a new trend where professionals are no longer willing to merely "live to work." Many are feeling exhausted, burnt-out, and questioning the rat race. Instead, they are finding ways to "work to live” embracing a lifestyle that prioritises ‘life’ outside of the office, above the pressure of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’.?

Should I Change My Career?

The thought of quitting and pursuing something less demanding has likely crossed your mind many times.

No longer does it feel right to be stuck in yet another tiresome meeting, whilst your kids are growing up without you, or to be downing that third coffee of the day, struggling to stay awake because you worked late into the night.

My advice? Take a step back. It's easy to fantasise about quitting your stressful job but real change requires planning and reflection to avoid the wrong kind of stress. You might dream of quitting without another job lined up, but the reality of career change can be more complicated than that.

How to Transition to a 'Work-to-Live' Lifestyle

If you're ready to embrace a 'work-to-live' mindset, it starts with setting boundaries. Begin by finding out what truly brings you joy. Is it spending time with family, pursuing hobbies, or travelling? Whatever it is, prioritise it.

I acknowledge that it’s natural to feel guilty for wanting balance. After all, society has conditioned us to believe that material success equals happiness.

A shift from "live-to-work" to "work-to-live" mentality will bring up unexpected emotions. For instance, I see the prospect of leaving a high-paying job often triggers feelings of guilt amongst my clients, many of whom have caregiving responsibilities whether for family or ageing parents. In my book, ‘Get Your Career Unstuck’ I explain how mid-career professionals grapple with this dilemma – stuck between the baby boomer generation’s belief in a ‘job for life’, and the millennial generation's emphasis on freedom and have challenged this status quo entirely.

When financial pressures such as childcare, mortgages and school fees are added into the mix, job security may seem like the safer choice. So, if you are exploring a change of pace, and feeling guilty, be reassured that these feelings are natural, and change won’t happen overnight. You're saying goodbye to a part of your identity. You need to grieve the old you to make space for the new you.

Interestingly, companies like Microsoft Japan have implemented a ‘work life choice Challenge’ that included a three-day weekend for employees.? The results were a 40% increase in productivity, demonstrating that a reduction in working hours can lead to greater efficiency and innovation.

Often, we equate the ability to have more time and space with having to work longer hours to earn more to pay for childcare and holidays.? However, that isn’t the case.? Sometimes downsizing means up sizing the quality of your life.

It's not?just?about quitting a job; it's about letting go of the societal expectations that have shaped your life for years.

The main advice is to reshape your career to align with these values which will vary for different people. I see some clients pursuing more flexible hours, an increase inside hustles, career transitions or a shift to self-employment being the answer for many. To make this transition more feasible, I predict that in an economy with mortgage interest rates averaging 6% that many households will downsize and options such as tiny homes, multiple generations under one roof, gravitating back to renting and digital nomadism become more acceptable lifestyle choices.

Tips for Navigating the Shift

1.????? Follow your Heart: Before making any major decisions, find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted, and ask yourself, ‘What is no longer bringing me joy?’, ‘What one action can I take to change tomorrow?’, ‘If I did nothing, where will I be in 12 months from now?’. Think of these emotions as that inner voice knocking on the door of your conscious mind, with a message you need to hear.

2.????? Use the Wheel of Life: If you’re feeling out of sync with your values, try the Wheel of Life exercise. This is a simple but effective coaching tool that helps you to identify exactly which area of your life dissatisfaction lies. For example, health, romance, friendship, hobbies, family. You’ll spot the areas in your career/life overall that require the biggest shift. Visualise the future that you want. A vision board can be a helpful tool to map out what’s important to you.

3.????? Plan for Change: If you're considering a new career path or wanting to start your own business, research thoroughly. What skills do you need? What kind of work-life balance can you expect? What resources do you have? Plan to bridge any gaps and devise an exit plan from your current situation.?

4.????? Be Resourceful: Review your finances to see where you can cut back.? This doesn’t have to be overwhelming.? Finding where you can make savings can be motivating.? By reducing your out-goings you might find you don’t need to work full-time or perhaps pursue a change of career.? Consider renting a spare room out, or selling unwanted items around the home.

Embrace the New You.

We have all seen how life is too short to be stuck in a job that doesn't align with our values. If that feels truer for you each day, act by embracing this new perspective – not feeling guilty about it. Surround yourself with likeminded people who will support your journey and cheer you on. You are not alone in looking for balance in your life.?

You can find more tips, strategies and inspirational stories of people who have made the leap from career stuck to career success, in my book ‘Get Your Career Unstuck’, Rethink Press, on sale 12 June 2024, both in paperback and kindle.

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