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Do you feel unhappy in your current job? Are you daydreaming about a career you’d rather be doing? The honest answer to these questions might very well lead you to the conclusion that you are, indeed, in the midst of a mid-career crisis and it may be time for a change.
Many people believe that youth is a ‘heavenly’ time of optimism and energy before the ‘hellish’ decline into old age and death. That’s only true if you make it so, and you really do have the power to choose such a perceptual path at any time along your career.
This pernicious retirement myth has little to do with the reality of life and human potential. I know many people in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s who are still doing what they love and loving what they do and still going strong. Chronological age is certainly not the only determining factor.
6 steps to make the most of your mid-career crisis:
1. Know when you are ready for change. While it sometimes takes a crisis for the most stubborn of us to make a change in our lives, a good indication that you are no longer fulfilled in your job is a lack of energy and enthusiasm on a daily basis. When the pain of desperation overrides the pain of action, you’ll move into your new career.
2. Interview yourself. The quality of your life is based on the quality of the questions you ask yourself. Think about what you would truly love to do as a career and ask yourself what your most inspiring job would ultimately look like.
3. Expand your mind. Take the time to read, research and study this area or areas of interest. Look for mentors and people in your desired profession or skill area to speak with.
4. Make a plan. Once you have evaluated your options, take the time to set out a plan and give yourself permission to create your own business if that is what you wish. Some entrepreneurs began their inspiring careers in their 60's or even later.
5. Reinvent the role you have. As an alternative to a completely new career path, it may pay to simply make a few changes to the role you currently have and/or look within the organisation you are currently in to see where you feel you are able to serve the most and what serves you the most – at least temporarily.
6. Appreciate what your current job offers. While you are envisioning, planning and gradually initiating and executing your new career path, it is wise to link how your current job is actually helping you step into your new career and how it is offering you the necessary skills, contacts, insights, leads and opportunities along the way.
7. See the solution. You are never too old or too entrenched in any given profession to make a change. Focus on the experience that you've gained and the skills you have acquired rather than possible excuses for not moving forward.
Dr. John Demartini is a human behaviour specialist, educator, international best-selling author and the founder of the Demartini Institute.
