Unlocking Your Mid-Life Career Transformation: Embracing your Authentic Self with Career Coaching
Hello, mid-life ladies! Navigating a mid-life career change can be both exhilarating and well, let’s be honest … a bit scary! Whether you're getting ready to make a big change or you've already taken the first steps, the rollercoaster of emotions you're experiencing is entirely normal.
If this is you, then just know you are walking in the same shoes (or heels) as many other brave women before you! With big changes, come big feels! There are some things that require the help of a career coach. There’s the fear of the unknown, the difficulty of leaving our comfort zones, and of course the extra effort we have to put in to make these big changes happen. But I know from personal experience that it’s all worth it to have a career that aligns with your truest self!
In this article, we are talking about values, specifically, the profound connection between personal values and career choices. We'll discuss the discomfort of inauthenticity and take a closer look at this discomfort, acknowledging it as a sign that change is not only an opportunity for growth and self-discovery but also necessary for your well-being. We’ll unravel the risks of staying out of alignment with your true nature and guide you through the transformative journey with the help of career coaching. Let’s get into it!
Your Non-negotiable Values
Knowing your personal values is crucial when it comes to changing careers. It's not just about getting a new job; it's about finding a career that allows you to stay true to yourself. When this connection between your work and your values is lost, it can leave you feeling , unsatisfied, unsettled and possibly even anxious or overwhelmed. When these feelings bubble up because you're moving away from your true self, it is a clear sign that the time for change is now.
Transitioning to a new career mid-life is a big deal that requires thinking deeply about what matters to you. By diving into the details of your personal values, you can navigate career changes with more confidence, knowing you are making a choice that is authentic to you. And the bonus to this is the process of growing in personal self-awareness as well. .In essence, connecting your personal values with your work becomes a powerful experience, turning the mid-life career shift into a meaningful journey of self-discovery.
Being someone you are NOT - Who am I anymore?
Do any of the following resonate with you, ladies?
Do you go into your workplace putting on the face that everyone is expecting (but it's not really you)? Do you toe the company line in order to keep your position? Are you constantly biting your tongue when your values are being challenged?
Do you feel like you NEED to stay in your same career, in this same organization? Do others tell you that you would be crazy to give up your career at this point in your life? Is your partner not supportive of a change in your career? Do you still hear your father telling you that this is the best career choice . . . for the money?
Whatever it may be for you, the pressure to make decisions that will please everyone else, but not ourselves, can be very real for us . . . even in mid-life.
AND, at the same time, ladies, I want to challenge us here . . . is it really worth giving up who we truly are just to please others or gain their approval? At our age, we have certainly earned the right to make these decisions for ourselves! Seems like it's about time, isn’t it?!
Trying to fit into what others expect from us can be tricky to navigate at times. It's like this invisible force that talks in our ear telling us what we deserve and don’t deserve, what we are good at and not good at. This pressure can take us down paths that just are not us . . . and then once we get there, it can be all too easy to stay stuck there.
Breaking free from the expectations of others doesn't mean we have to ignore what others think completely. It's more about understanding ourselves well enough to be able to withstand any pressures that do not align with what WE know about ourselves.
And as you consider all the factors of staying in your current career or moving into a new career, I hope you have your VALUES on the top of your list. There are other important factors as well, which we’ll delve into in the future, but values are key, ladies.
A little information about having a career clarity and mindset coach . . . A coach will be more than a friend who nods and supports us at every turn. (Gosh, I love it when my friends just agree with me. LOL) A really good coach will hold up a mirror and ask all the questions that will help you dig deeper into your own self-discovery including getting really clear on your non-negotiable values.
In the end, a powerful coach will take you on a journey of personal and professional growth that can be nearly impossible to do alone or even with a good friend.. A career clarity coach can be an important guide on this journey, empowering us to be ourselves and find what truly brings us joy.
The Risks of Staying Out of Alignment
Being out of sync with your personal values isn't just a work problem – it can have serious consequences for you outside of work as well. In Gallup’s publication, Women in America: Work and Life Well-Lived, they found it to be crucial for women to feel connected to their workplace purpose including the values of the organization. ( Well, yes, that does sound like us!) The effects of being out of alignment with our values can reach far beyond your job and can impact your mental health, relationships, and overall happiness. According to Gallup's 2022 report, the risks of beingout of alignment with your values are significant, leading to things like identity crises, job dissatisfaction, and a drop in motivation, all because your professional choices aren't in tune with what matters most to you.
When you are unable to stay in sync with your personal values in your day-to-day professional life, the repercussions are more than just a hiccup in your career. It starts to affect your sense of self – who you are at your core. This misalignment can create a real internal struggle, causing what's known as an identity crisis. And ladies, I’m not talking about a mid-life crisis here. I’m talking about when you find yourself questioning your own values, goals, and even overall purpose. Ladies, we deserve better than this!
Secondly, job dissatisfaction is another big red flag when your work doesn't match up with what you truly believe in . . . at your core. You might feel unfulfilled, frustrated, or just plain unhappy when you're spending a significant part of your life doing something that doesn't resonate with your values. This dissatisfaction can and will seep into other areas of your life, such as family, friends, hobbies, etc. affecting your mood and overall well-being.
And finally, your motivation can really take a hit when your professional choices don't align with your values. It's like trying to run a race with shoes that don't fit – you might be moving, but it's uncomfortable and not sustainable. This lack of motivation can make even simple tasks feel like a mountain to climb, impacting your productivity and overall quality of work.
So, it's not just about having a job that pays the bills; it's about having a job at an organization that aligns with who you are. The risks of staying out of alignment go beyond the workplace and can affect your mental and emotional well-being, your relationships, and your overall satisfaction with life. The key is to find that sweet spot where your personal values and professional choices harmonize, creating a fulfilling and meaningful balance in your life.
Personal Revelation - Finding your Way back to You
Making a mid-life career change frequently arises from a personal revelation – a moment of awakening that shines a light on the necessity for change. I like to say . . . once you see it, you cannot NOT see it. It's like a lightbulb going off, signaling that something needs to shift. To truly understand this, it's crucial to delve into your personal identity, the real you, by exploring your non-negotiables and core values, which are the aspects of your life that you simply won't compromise on (at least I hope you won’t). These could include principles, beliefs, or even personal passions that are integral to who you are and will often guide our behavior and decision-making. They serve as the compass directing you towards what truly matters to you.
And ladies, lest we not forget, who we are is exactly who we are meant to be. Let’s not undervalue our own unique values and non-negotiables as they are the power that we bring to the world.
And let’s enjoy the journey of self-discovery as it can be a powerful tool for gaining clarity on who you are and what you want in your next career chapter.
A mid-life career change is an opportunity to align your professional path with YOUR core values, creating a more fulfilling and authentic work life.
Here's where a career clarity and mindset coach steps in as a valuable ally! As a career clarity and mindset coach, I specialize in helping individuals refine and articulate their values. I provide a structured framework for self-discovery, guiding you through the process of understanding what truly drives you and also what does not. I also facilitate conversations and exercises that bring your core values to the forefront, ensuring they become the foundation for your career decisions.
Career Clarity and Mindset Stands as the Key to Mid-Life Transformation
Embrace your authentic self, break free from expectations of others, and align with your personal values for a fulfilling professional journey. A career clarity and mindset coach can provide valuable support throughout this transformative process. Ladies, are you ready to the leap towards a more meaningful career that resonates with your true self to pave the way towards a rewarding and meaningful career?
Mid-life career changes are not just about changing jobs; they're about rediscovering and embracing your authentic self. The guidance of a career clarity and mindset coach can be your compass in this transformative journey, ensuring your professional choices align with your true values.
I’m Dawn LaRae, and I help unfulfilled, mid-life professional women gain clarity and confidence in their next career chapter so they can experience passion and purpose in their work.
If you’re looking for some extra support, here are three ways I can help!
We have a great community space FULL of tips, resources, and conversation for all of us mid-life ladies to support each other on our journeys together! Join the Mid-Life Career Transformation Community for Professional Women Facebook Group!
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