Help, I'm in a mid-career crisis!
23 July 2011
Read by 1731 persons
You may have achieved professional success, but you feel something is missing... You don't know if you see yourself in this position in five years. And this doubt grows day by day. Do you know these feelings? Then you may be in the middle of a mid-career crisis. The term 'mid-career crisis' describes the phenomenon whereby a growing number of workers are starting a new career in mid-course. In this article, we present the three scenarios of the 'mid-career crisis' and help you see the possibilities available to you.
"I'm quite satisfied with my job, but I know I can do more."
Perhaps you just don't have enough challenges that test your skills. You would like to take on more responsibilities, but this is not possible in your job? In this case, training can help. Determine the subjects you would like to know better and the areas in which you would like to specialize. Or maybe you're thinking about studies you've always wanted to pursue but never dared to? If you don't want to completely lose your monthly income or your job, you can always consider distance learning. Working and studying at the same time can be exhausting, but it can be useful for your career. Maybe your employer will even support you by giving you more flexible hours or financial assistance. After all, newly acquired knowledge, if successful, represents added value for the company.
"I want to do something else, but I don't know what yet."
Think carefully about what you like and dislike about your current position. What else would you like to do? Find out what is really important to you: status, money, influence, self-fulfillment? Try to determine your strengths and interests and the direction you want to give your career. What have you always dreamed of doing without daring to pursue that dream? Writing has always been your passion, but there were few opportunities as a journalist at the time? Take a look at current job offers, requirements and profiles. Maybe you will find a job today that you hadn't considered before but that suits your tastes and ideas.
Learn as much as possible about the jobs that interest you, this will allow you to know if they are good alternatives to your current career. Imagine what it would be like to do something completely different. Ask for the opinion of your family, friends and acquaintances.
"I know exactly what I want to do, but I don't dare take the risk."
When you give your career a new start, you always run the risk of failure. This often also implies a step backwards financially. Since many salary models are based on experience, you may start at a lower salary level if you completely change careers rather than simply changing employers. But if this new job is more rewarding and makes you happy, then you will certainly be ready to make this sacrifice. In order to minimize the risk of failure, you must carefully prepare your new career. Are you really sure of your project and are you 100% behind it? Are you convinced that this change will enrich your life? If you are creating a business, you must be sure that you have the time, capital and especially the energy necessary to overcome this sometimes turbulent step towards your new future. Ask for advice from someone who has also given a new turn to their career or from someone who does the job you dream of.
For even more security, you can launch your project in your free time, alongside your current career.
Posted on July 23, 2011.
www.stepstone.be
"I'm quite satisfied with my job, but I know I can do more."
Perhaps you just don't have enough challenges that test your skills. You would like to take on more responsibilities, but this is not possible in your job? In this case, training can help. Determine the subjects you would like to know better and the areas in which you would like to specialize. Or maybe you're thinking about studies you've always wanted to pursue but never dared to? If you don't want to completely lose your monthly income or your job, you can always consider distance learning. Working and studying at the same time can be exhausting, but it can be useful for your career. Maybe your employer will even support you by giving you more flexible hours or financial assistance. After all, newly acquired knowledge, if successful, represents added value for the company.
"I want to do something else, but I don't know what yet."
Think carefully about what you like and dislike about your current position. What else would you like to do? Find out what is really important to you: status, money, influence, self-fulfillment? Try to determine your strengths and interests and the direction you want to give your career. What have you always dreamed of doing without daring to pursue that dream? Writing has always been your passion, but there were few opportunities as a journalist at the time? Take a look at current job offers, requirements and profiles. Maybe you will find a job today that you hadn't considered before but that suits your tastes and ideas.
Learn as much as possible about the jobs that interest you, this will allow you to know if they are good alternatives to your current career. Imagine what it would be like to do something completely different. Ask for the opinion of your family, friends and acquaintances.
"I know exactly what I want to do, but I don't dare take the risk."
When you give your career a new start, you always run the risk of failure. This often also implies a step backwards financially. Since many salary models are based on experience, you may start at a lower salary level if you completely change careers rather than simply changing employers. But if this new job is more rewarding and makes you happy, then you will certainly be ready to make this sacrifice. In order to minimize the risk of failure, you must carefully prepare your new career. Are you really sure of your project and are you 100% behind it? Are you convinced that this change will enrich your life? If you are creating a business, you must be sure that you have the time, capital and especially the energy necessary to overcome this sometimes turbulent step towards your new future. Ask for advice from someone who has also given a new turn to their career or from someone who does the job you dream of.
For even more security, you can launch your project in your free time, alongside your current career.
Posted on July 23, 2011.
www.stepstone.be
