Tag Archive for: Work-Life Balance

Why It’s Never Too Late to Embark on a Career Change

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why-its-never-too-late-to-embark-on-a-career-change-alexandra-humbel-origetAlexandra Humbel

Aging, a topic often shrouded in taboo, gives rise to intriguing misconceptions. This becomes particularly relevant when you find yourself officially part of the “senior” or “older” workforce, where retirement seems to be the only visible perspective for your future. But what if retirement isn’t what you desire? What if you’re considering a career change instead? You may be asking yourself, “How old is too old to succeed in a new job?” The truth is, the same age as if you were to remain in the status quo. Aging is an inevitable part of life. However, you have choices, and starting a new career that brings you daily joy is absolutely within your reach.

Embracing a career change that sets your heart ablaze each morning may come with a different lifestyle—a life where you can find a harmonious balance between work and leisure. According to the latest Aegon research on retirement, older professionals no longer seek the traditional “cliff edge” retirement. Instead, they yearn for a smoother transition toward a work-life balance that caters to their evolving needs.

Here are a few essential truths to dispel the misconceptions surrounding age and career change:

Age is Not a Barrier to Success

Success knows no age limit. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, pursuing a new career path is entirely feasible. Your experience, wisdom, and unique perspective can be invaluable assets that set you apart from your younger counterparts. Embrace the belief that your skills and talents are timeless and that the right opportunity will welcome you with open arms.

Choices and Possibilities Abound

You have the power to create your narrative. Career transitions offer a chance for reinvention and the pursuit of passion. Embrace the freedom to explore new industries, acquire new skills, and tap into hidden talents. Consider seeking guidance from career coaches, mentors, or support groups to help navigate your journey. Embrace the opportunities that arise and trust in your ability to adapt and thrive.

Work-Life Balance Takes Center Stage

The desire for a fulfilling work-life balance transcends age. As an experienced professional, you may be seeking a career that aligns more harmoniously with your priorities. You have the autonomy to craft a life where work and leisure coexist in a way that nourishes your overall well-being. Embrace the notion that age is not a limitation but a catalyst for embracing a fulfilling life on your terms.

Redefining Retirement

Retirement is no longer limited to a binary concept of working or not working. It has evolved into a flexible and personalized concept tailored to individual needs. Many older professionals are embracing “phased retirement” or “encore careers” that allow them to gradually transition into new roles or pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The key is to envision retirement as a period of continued growth and exploration rather than a sudden endpoint.

 

Age should never be an obstacle when considering a career transition. It is one of the most common misconceptions about career transitions, as you can read here. Embrace the truth that age brings wisdom, resilience, and a wealth of experience that can enhance your journey. Break free from the misconceptions surrounding age and embrace the choices and possibilities that lie ahead. Let go of societal expectations and redefine retirement on your terms. Remember, it’s never too late to embark on a new adventure and create a career that brings you joy, purpose, and a fulfilling work-life balance.

So, dare to step into the realm of career transitions and prove that age is but a number on the path to success and personal fulfillment. The road ahead is yours to explore, regardless of the years that have passed. Embrace the opportunities and embrace the beauty of reinvention.

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Working Longer Years vs. Marketplace Reality – Are You Ready?

While debates over extending the retirement age continue worldwide, the stark reality remains: Only one-third of individuals aged 60-64 are still active in the French workforce. This issue is not unique to any particular country but represents a global challenge that demands attention.

Senior unemployment has long plagued societies, with previous attempts to address it falling short. In the words of a former French president, spoken three decades ago: “We have tried everything.” This admission highlights the ongoing struggle to combat unemployment among individuals over 55.

Recognising the Gap

It is encouraging though to witness a shift in focus, as governments recognise the gap between the demand for experienced professionals and the limited opportunities available to them. The French government’s consideration of an index on age equality reflects an evolving understanding of the issue. Now, it is crucial for governments worldwide to take action by evaluating, incentivising, and providing necessary resources to effect meaningful change.

Finding Your Path

While governments and companies play their part, it is essential for experienced professionals to take charge of their own career perspectives for the next decade. Relying solely on job security may not be feasible or even desirable in an evolving marketplace. Instead of waiting for circumstances to dictate your future, consider taking proactive steps to navigate career transitions. Embrace change as an inevitable force that will shape the professional landscape, whether we like it or not.

You Are Not Alone

Recognise that you are not the only one facing this dilemma. An entire generation finds itself caught between the necessity of working longer and a lack of promising prospects. However, you hold the power to determine the right time to assess and plan for the next stage of your career.

Where do you stand?

Engage in reflective self-assessment during moments of relative calm. Approach this journey not from a place of fear, but from a mindset of anticipation. Embrace this moment to proactively explore the next stage of our careers, not driven by fear or scarcity but driven by anticipation and abundance.

The challenge of retirement age and the evolving marketplace realities transcends borders. It affects an entire generation caught between the need to work longer and the lack of viable perspectives. As individuals, we hold the power to shape our own destiny. Let us embrace this moment to proactively explore the next stage of our careers, not driven by fear or scarcity but driven by anticipation and abundance.

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7 Tell-Tale Signs You Need a Career Transition

7 Tell-Tale Signs You Need a Career Transition - By Alexandra HumbelAlexandra Humbel Coaching

You may be surprised to hear that most of my clients do not feel an urge to change careers because they hate what they are doing. Like them, you may feel it deep down, even though things are going smoothly. Work is good, pay is good, and the position is generally satisfying. Everyone else thinks you are in an enviable place and have no reason to change the status quo.

Here are some signals that should get you curious:

1. When asked about who you are and what you do, you deliver a conversational version of your CV, which starts to sound like a well-rehearsed loop. You actively mask your boredom behind a cheering tone, but something is just … off.

2. You avidly read articles and stories about people succeeding in another area, living a different life, or both. Your rational self tells you it is too late anyway and that this would require a massive set of skills you don’t have. But you persist in documenting the topic. Avidly.

3. You go through the moves at work because you have mastered what you do. But you are not completely at it. You are on auto-pilot more than you want to admit.

4. You wonder, so often this thought has become a part of the furniture in your mental space, whether you will do the same thing until retirement. The question remains open and makes you slightly anxious.

5. You are getting intrigued when you hear people talking passionately about the job you are doing right now. You used to be that passionate person. In the past.

6. You are experiencing more and more internal conversations starting with “What if… I was doing this different thing, living this different life, woke up every morning with this different agenda”. These internal conversations both scare you and make you feel incredibly alive.

7. You focus on small increments in your life, your health, your home, and your work. Without a sense of purpose, your energy focuses on fixing stuff while avoiding the fundamental question:

Why are you doing what you are doing?

If you experience some of these feelings, it may be time to ask yourself this question. There is no wrong answer. Money, status, convenience, and safety are valuable reasons to continue doing what you do. What else needs to be heard? Who is the person you would like to be? How far are you from becoming this person? Where would you be in a year if everything went as you wished? What are you ready to say “yes” to and say “no” to? How would it feel to remain in the same place for one year? Five years?

Every life-changing decision starts by being the best listener of your true feelings. Accepting the confusion and antagonist demands that will inevitably come out. It requires some guts to question the status quo of your life and work. If you do, you may be in transition already.

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