Changing career in my 40s - was it worth the pain? (Plus Work-life-satisfaction Diagnostic)
In this article, I compare 7 important areas of my life before, during, and after my career change. The Good, the Bad, the Ugly.
I explain how my simple method is used to assess the impact your current career is having on your wider life. And show you an even easier way to assess your current work-life-satisfaction.
Normally, I do a little work each day on holiday - this year not.
But, I did reflect on whether my career change was worth it. These beach huts were beside a 50 metre sea pool on the Atlantic Coast of France where we all swam.
I don’t usually switch off from work on holiday, but this year I did.
After the first week, the laptop remained shut and my brain melted into slower, clearer thinking. I even commented to my husband “my brain feels empty for the first time in years!”
(Aside) His eyebrows reached his hairline in disbelief, suggesting that there was ample evidence that my brain had experienced many moments of “emptiness” over the 15 years since we met.
I countered his suggestion, informing him that losing my passport before a family trip to Australia, arriving three weeks early for the West End show Matilda, and ordering 22 cucumbers instead of 2, are signs of a very full brain - not an empty one...right…?
Anyway, after some clear-brained reflection, I took some time to assess the impact changing career has had on myself and those around me.
What emerged was my manual Career Change Balance Sheet.
This evaluated the important areas in my life, before, during, and after changing careers. The good, the bad and the ugly. You should give it a go.
What is A Career Change Balance Sheet?
It’s built upon the premise that the only way to avoid bumbling along until we arrive in a career cul-de-sac in our 50s (or earlier...if you are an advanced human), is to assess our current situation clearly and decide which changes are needed.
So many of my early conversations with professionals who want to change career in their 40s, 50s or 60s, are shrouded in strong emotions.
This worksheet offers a way to do the necessary thinking that precedes career change…in a clear and analytical way.
A few surprises - after reviewing my balance sheet:
The impact of being a full-time mum and a full-time student meant that my social life was decimated for 18 months.
I also said “yes” to co-chairing a small charity before I understood what was required in my MSc. Saying “no” is a lesson I’ve learned in my 40s, but only after being on the brink of failure. It’s something I’ve become very good now. Better late than never.
I’m surprised at how much I prioritised sleep all the way throughout the change process. I credit this as one of the smartest things I did - and will ever do. I know myself…if you ever want to torture me - use sleep deprivation, I’ll blab on the day two!
I’m surprised by how my priorities have changed in terms of finances. When I look back, so much of my former salary was being spent on our full-time nanny, on big nights out, on gorgeous things, and expensive holidays - all of which masked the problem…for a while.
The BIGGEST Surprise: The change that I’m most proud of (remember Irish Catholic upbring means pride doesn’t come easily), is my daughters’ attitudes to the idea of work.
I feel like I have given them something that money can’t buy.
I talk the impact my career unhappiness had on my family in my Tedx Talk.
The biggest unexpected surprise was the impact that changing careers has had on my daughters. Their view of the idea of “work” has been transformed. I think this will vastly improve their future relationship with work. Fingers crossed.
Are you ready to make an honest evaluation of your current career and its impact on the wider areas of your life?
If so, invest (£29) in my mini-programme. It’s a 30-minute work-life-satisfaction diagnostic that evaluates ten areas of life. And suggests ways forward.
Click the image to check Derailed! out.
Then, if you conclude that your work needs an overhaul and you’re not sure where to begin, why not book in for one of my free 30 minute calls.
I promise to give you at least two personalised recommendations to get your unsticking process on the move.
