My Mid-Life Crisis Taught Me How To Pivot!
What can a mid-life crisis teach you about pivoting? Lots!
What can a mid-life crisis teach you about pivoting?
Lots, mine certainly did not kill me it built me to be more resilient, focused and go after what I want in life.
Whether you’re leaving:
1. A secure job and an MBA with many years of learning and experience under your belt
Or
2. A teaching role for a career as a personal trainer.
Don’t be afraid to pivot later in life. After all, your 40's are a chance to redefine and rediscover yourself. You are young enough still to take chances and old enough to make them more wisely. You can still move in different directions. That may work for some, but for others, it can mean starting back at the bottom of each new industry.
That is the risk you have to be sure you are willing to take.
Do you want to find an industry you love or the freedom that comes with being your own boss?
For me, my pivots now make sense as mad as they seemed at the time!
When I look back, I see the story of my life and career. It’s not random it is exciting. It made me more interesting and relatable. Believe me, if I can do it so can you!
Here’s an idea of how I pulled it off.
1. What does your gut tell you?
One useful piece advice I can give you is to stick with your gut. Assess what you’re really good at to help direct your move, even if it doesn’t feel “strategic.”
It’s not that you shouldn’t be rational about your pivot, but honing in on your strengths and what gets you fired up is the first step to figure out what to do next.
2. Leverage your skills.
If you’re looking to pivot into a new industry or business ownership make sure to highlight your “transferable skills.” There is a lot that can count as transferable.
Yes, of course, you will need to develop other skill sets, but what do you have now in your success bank to withdraw?
Finally, a word of comfort...
Having a mid 40's career crisis is nothing new, but the rates at which people are doing something about it are increasing. Look for inspiration and expand your network with people who have pivoted and overcome challenges in the process.
Staying current and doing work that gives us purpose and fulfillment in align with our values is why so many of us take the risk. You are not too old, and it is never too late to redefine yourself.
Don’t let fear hold you back. You’ll wind up someplace better, even if it takes you awhile to get there.
Be patient.
For more details on career or pivot coaching and consulting contact me at pauline@paulineharley.com. You can join my waitlist for a complimentary consultation here.
When The Dark Clouds Of Doubt Disappear.
Do you ever feel like you are under a dark cloud that shadows your every move?
Do you ever feel like you are under a dark cloud that shadows your every move?
I took this great image over the weekend. I am so stimulated by my environment now I embrace it. It brings me never-ending inspiration to fill my head with words and write them. When dark clouds obscured my view in my past I saw nothing. I felt nothing. I had no words.
I never would allow the sun in to lift the dark clouds and ease my gloom. I always had a feeling of impending doom for 12 years in my life. I was stuck in my head and my heart was breaking. I had no direction in my life or career. I didn't know me.
I couldn't hear me, nobody could see me. I was invisible. I had no voice.
What silver lining? It was all bullshit! It did not exist in my world. This is what the image would have looked like before.
Do you ever feel like that? That you are under a dark cloud that shadows your every move?
Are you encouraging it to follow you around though? Sometimes we can carry invisible dark clouds with us in life. The ones that cloud our vision with lies and distortions of our truth. Distracting us from who we are and what we want in life. My dark cloud was self-doubt which in turn led to a lack of self-compassion.
It was all made up though. I created it. And so I brought those dark clouds around to rain on my parade and that of others I will admit every day.
It eroded my confidence for years.
What happened when I let the sun into my head and my heart?
I began to start loving myself and others. I started living. I changed my life, my outlook, my work, and brought who I am and what I stand for to the surface.
When there’s a dark cloud chasing you, sometimes all you need is love.
The kind that understands and sees you for who you are, what you stand for and who you will be when you let go of the shadows. This week let the dark clouds part and the reality of your human existence shines through.
Give me one good reason why it is not worth letting the light in.
For more details on consulting packages see here . To book a ten minute complimentary call email me at pauline@paulineharley.com
4 Tips To Prepare For A Successful Career Pivot.
People can hit crossroads in their careers where they may need to pivot, and it can be a challenging time if you haven’t planned for it. Here are 4 tips to prepare for a successful career pivot.
People can hit crossroads in their careers where they may need to pivot.
It can be a challenging time if you haven’t planned for it. The choice is staying the course and hoping you can hang on for a while. But that can be a risky way to go that may cause internal conflict and extra anxiety and stress in the process.
So, if you know when it’s the right time for you to pivot then how do you actually take small steps in the lead up to doing it?
Use these 4 strategies to plan and prepare in advance.
1. Embrace new learning.
Look beyond your current role and assess how the market is moving in your industry. See where you should strengthen your skills or fill any gaps. Be sure to continue developing the soft skills that will help you stand out.
2. Keep your professional profiles updated.
Employers want to hire lifelong learners and creative thinkers. Be sure to self-promote on all your profiles. Ditch the impostor syndrome and shout out your success.
It shows you embrace change and adopt a growth mindset.
3. Stay connected.
It’s great to have lots of LinkedIn connections, but when was the last time you had meaningful conversations with them? Grab a coffee or drop a message to your most valuable contacts every so often.
Be curious! Ask what they’re up to and if you can help them with anything.
4. Have a side hustle.
Even if you don’t earn any money. It makes you more interesting. You might even be able to use it if you do find yourself made redundant and want employers to see you’re not sitting idle.
For more details on consulting packages see here . To book a ten minute complimentary call email me at pauline@paulineharley.com