There is a common misconception in the world; that once you reach a certain age in life, your life is set in stone. That is entirely untrue; it is never too late to make the change that could end up changing your life completely. Starting new chapters and ending old ones are just processes of life – particularly if you also get rid of toxic habits while you’re at it.
Fear and doubt are natural feelings to experience at this time, but you should let them motivate you rather than intimidate you. Here are five helpful tips to guide you on your new and exciting journey.
Find Your Motivation
Before making a midlife career change, consider the reasons behind wanting to make that change. If you have been working happily in your position for so long, ask yourself why you suddenly need a change? If it is because you have just been too scared to make the change, then you should take that as a sign that you should change as soon as possible.
Find Your Inspiration
Hopefully, if you have reached this point in your career, you will have a good idea of what you would like to do instead of your current job, like starting your own business. Do some research online and find out what you are passionate about. Once you find what inspires you, the rest will follow.
Focus On Your Skills
Make sure you focus on your skills if you need to replace your income. If you are good with finance jobs, then remember that there are a lot of senior finance jobs available. If you are hesitant to move into a completely new industry at first, you could choose to pivot within your existing industry. You could be craving a job change rather than a complete industry change.
Be Confident
When trying to change careers, particularly in your mid-forties, there are going to be difficult moments. You’re going to meet judgmental people and people who don’t believe in you. You shouldn’t let that affect you; the only one who needs to believe in you is you. Be confident in your endeavors; you would be surprised how far a little bit of conviction can carry you. Confidence is vital in any industry that deals with people, which is practically all of them.
Branch Out
Before revamping your career and your brand, consider branching out first. Expand your knowledge of your current industry because, more often than not, a change is as good as a holiday. No career or industry in the world wouldn’t benefit from lifelong learning. If you want to empower yourself, read a book or listen to a podcast about your job. Hearing people talk about your industry with passion and potency is the most powerful career aphrodisiac. Perhaps all you need is a renewed faith in your chosen career path, there is no shame in admitting that.
The most important thing you can do is have faith in yourself. At the end of the day, you are the only one who knows what is best for you, and only you know what sets your soul on fire. Figure that out and then do that – you won’t go wrong.
