Re-inventing your career or business, when you are over 40

Many people say that the 40s is the decade in which time starts being more valued than money. In my own case, the passing of my fortieth birthday certainly heralded a bungee jump: from a “safe career” in systems to an entirely new professional identity. 

In my experience, however, that time / money dilemma is a false choice. There is no intrinsic reason why a career-shift should incur a financial penalty. On the contrary, there is every reason why a new career (or business direction) can be lucrative as long as it meets two conditions: 

a) that it produces value for others, and

b) that you can do it sustainably, i.e. that you consistently love what you do.

Today I meet a lot of over 40s who are getting their heads around similar time / money conundrums. The pandemic has brought many questions to the fore, often questions that are particularly poignant for over 40s because:

1.     They usually have responsibilities, from which they cannot just walk away. 

2.     It’s a busy time of life: often with kids or family members needing care, in addition to the pressures of work.

3.     Having invested 10-20 years in a specific expertise or reputation, it can be hard to even think about giving that up.  (And often, giving up is not necessary… another false choice.)

4.     They are often torn between two camps of advice. On one side, the corporate dropouts sing the praises of “pack it all in”; while another group (e.g., anxious friends & family) urge not “risking everything you have worked for”.

5.     They fear they will wreck their credibility (and often their self-worth).

Much the same is true for business-owners. Indeed, for independent professionals, the lines between career and business are increasingly blurred, as people navigate a complex mix of both routes during a longer working lifetime. 

Time flies… but you are still the pilot. With self-worth, you are the best-qualified pilot to make the decisions that are right for you. You have the experience and the maturity. You are no longer changing validation: you know your own mind.

Nevertheless, there are several reasons why established professionals often resist reviewing their direction. First of all, they are busy so it’s hard to find the time to do quality thinking.  Second, it’s stressful: often provoking a fair share of anxiety. Third, they may feel that their entire identity is wrapped up in what they are doing, so they may not feel entitled to “reinvent”, or even to question. 

Sadly, that absence of questioning often has a cost. Year after year, a professional can persist in a career or business that, in their hearts, they have quit long ago. So, they face each Monday morning with increasing dread. Then one day, that fateful reorganisation happens… for which they are completely unprepared. Or the pipeline dwindles because customers have changed direction and moved elsewhere. 

In our next Zoom workshop, “The 3 Vital Faces of Career Reinvention”, we explore six tips, to bring some fresh creativity to your career-planning, from the standpoint of self-worth:

1)    How to start exploring early, before there is a crisis or crossroads

2)    Common pitfalls to avoid: e.g. a vortex of self-analysis, promotional campaigns

3)    The 3 vital faces of Career Reinvention (and the penalty of ignoring one of them!)

4)    How to involve others without losing credibility

5)    Re-inventing the profession you are already in

6)    Routines and tips to weave into your everyday life

Join us on March 24th at 12noon UK / 13h CET to take part in this discussion.  Please note: this session will NOT be recorded, for reasons of confidentiality. We encourage you to participate actively. (Please message me for registration details.)

At Self-Worth Academy, our invitation to professionals is to think of re-invention as a creative process and not just a crossroads. Approached in this way, your best years probably still lie ahead.