KEY POINTS:
Behavioural specialist Dr John Demartini gives tips on how to make the most of a mid-career crisis.
How can you tell if you are having a mid-career crisis?
Do you feel unfulfilled in your job? Are you daydreaming about a career you'd rather be doing? Do you dread Mondays more than usual? The honest answer to these questions might 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.
What if you are close to retirement anyway?
Staying in an unfulfilling job just so you can retire may not be the wisest path. The pernicious retirement myth has little to do with the reality of life and human potential. I know many people in their 70s, 80s and 90s that are still doing what they love and loving what they do and still going strong. Chronological age is certainly not the only determining factor for living your dreams.
What if what I love to do is not a safe career path?
The recent economic challenges and the uncertainties around job security serve as a reminder there is no such thing as a safe career path. When you spend your life doing what you love, you literally turn your vocation into a vacation. This is absolutely a possibility for anyone who chooses to make it so.
What if I cannot afford to make a change in my career?
Where there is a will there is a way. When it comes to finances, there are always institutions and investors looking for smart new business opportunities to invest in. Failing that, there are 24 hours in a day and if it is necessary to take a part-time job as a temporary means of making a transition it could be a worthwhile compromise to make, especially when you consider the pay-off could be a life filled with doing what you love to do.
How can I make the most of a mid-career crisis?
I suggest taking the following six steps: interview yourself, expand your mind, make a plan, know when you're ready for change, reinvent the role you have and look for solutions.
