To many...thoughts of a midlife career change begin to loom constantly in their mind when they're at or around the age of forty. 'Something' happens when they are at this half-way point in their life.
What about you? Have you arrived at this stage in your life when you 'feel' a midlife career change is due. You’re on a mental and emotional transition not experienced since adolescence. Your career ambitions, attitudes and interests change. The way you look at life and at people change. Your values change. The strong fires of ambition that you had when you were in your twenties and thirties are now cooled. You now think more about the purpose of life, your health and other mortality issues.
How Do You Want to Spend the Rest of Your Working Life?
If you’ve never thought about this question…it’s time you do because your answer may be the most important one for the rest of your life.
Do not wait for the following to happen before starting a parallel career:
·You are in a job that is so routine that your work days are simply boring.
·You are not utilizing your talents often in your job.
·You’re not fully satisfied after completing a project or task.
·You feel drained and exhausted by the time you reach home.
·You have lost interest in your job.
·You may lose your job soon.
Your decision to have a midlife career change and the right choice of parallel career can make the rest of your working life a happy, fulfilling and enjoyable one.
Midlife Career Change…Often a Difficult Decision
The decision to change career at midlife is often a difficult one. Often any or some of the following can stop you from making this decision:
*Unwillingness to break-free from your comfort zone. (Afterall you have a ‘steady’ job paying you a decent income month after month; why bother with a midlife career change?)
*Don’t have a clue of what to do? (If only you start taking stock of your Assets and Skillset, Passion, Talent and Mission)
* Don’t know how to go about it. (You’ll find answers here at ParallelCareer.com)
*Unsupportive spouse (Have a heart-to-heart talk with your spouse on your cares, concerns and aspirations. Emphasize that your future is his/her future. Your success is his/her success)
*Family commitments that drain every ounce of energy and time you have left to start a parallel career (Re-prioritize your life and discuss with your family on your midlife career change plans)
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been” – George Eliot
More Options Than You Think
If you've reached midlife, it's NOT unusual that you would have changed at least two to six jobs. You would have accumulated a wealth of experience, acquired many skills and made quite a lot of contacts. Your age gives you a degree of credibility especially when you speak on a topic you're good at.
All these mean that you've more options than you think...if you decide to consider a midlife career change. With the Parallel Career Way, this career change is less stressful and less risky because you still have a job. Do not wait until it's too late...until you've lost or quit your job. Decide to start a parallel career.
The Parallel Career Way to Lifestyle Alternatives
Many people change careers because they are seeking lifestyle alternatives. We're NOT referring to the lifestyles of a hippie group, a religious cult or other fringe communities. We're referring to lifestyle choices as a result of building successful and fulfilling careers. These lifestyle alternatives are the dreams of every person but are enjoyed by only some. In which group do you want to be?
Turn Freelancing Into Your Parallel Career
While you still have a job, why not start a parallel career by freelancing and aim towards the end goal of being your own boss (which is what changing career the Parallel Career Way is all about)? Don't wait until you face a midlife crisis or after you lost or quit your job.
Six Fatal Mistakes to Avoid While You Still Have a Job
Good for you if you currently have a job. But NEVER take it for granted that you’ll have a job forever! You could lose this job because you have lost favour with your boss or your boss’ boss. You could lose your job because the company you work for is filing for bankcruptcy. You could lose it because the company has been bought over by a competitor and your position has been taken over by someone else from the acquiring company. Fire, flood, changes in government regulations and many other reasons and circumstances could cost you your job.
