Just read an article in the paper that talked about reinventing yourself in your career. It was one of those employment advice columns, and the person asking the question basically stated that it’s not only difficult to start over when you are over forty, but it’s ridiculous.
I know what you’re thinking; someone actually reads a real newspaper? Now that’s ridiculous.
Seriously, as someone who has reinvented herself several times during the course of my career, I think statements like this are ridiculous. In my opinion, the person writing the question seems to be enjoying a pity-party. Hope they are having fun.
Let me share some of the different points brought up in the question:
– Motivational speakers talk as if it’s “nothing” to follow your passion
– Workers who were raised to follow the career paths they were told to follow or do what their parents did with jobs that offered security above everything else now find their long-term security threatened
– When you’ve got umpteen years in the same field, no matter what kind, it’s not easy to reinvent yourself
– How does one even find their passion to begin with
As a motivational speaker myself, not only am I offended but I would never say it’s “nothing” to follow your dreams. After all, this is my passion, and I figured out how to do it.
Anything worth having takes energy, time and determination. For me, even college took everything I had to make it to graduation. But if you’re not willing to put in the effort, you’re going to be stuck in the same place.
Career reinvention at any age can be difficult, yet it’s definitely possible. When it comes down to it, there are three basic steps:
- Figure out what it is you want to do.
- Figure out how to do it
- Just do it
Sounds too simple, right?
You’re thinking, “I just wasted time to read a bunch of crazy talk”. Let me assure you that I have not lost my mind and I’m not just making this stuff up. I’ve reinvented myself at least three times during my career; here are the biggies:
– Engineering to retail buying
– Retail buying to marketing
– Marketing to public relations
– Public relations to author and speaker
And this doesn’t count all the minor reinventions within each of those careers.
I get it. Really, I do. It’s hard. I can hear you saying, “But you don’t understand; you’re not in my shoes”. I agree – I’m not in your shoes.
Here’s a look at my shoes: Hubby and I were both laid-off within one year. Both of us are considered to be “older” workers – you know, in a “protected class” in HR terms. We have a mortgage and other expenses, and neither of us comes from a wealthy family who could possibly lend a financial hand.
Guess what? Both of us found ways to make money at jobs we enjoyed. I discovered a new passion and found employment that leveraged not only this passion but my career experience.
So how is it possible to successfully reinvent yourself in your career? It’s a bit different for everyone but here are some key points that I’ve learned about this process.
- You have to be open to new opportunities as they present themselves. Don’t “pooh-pooh” something without hearing more about it.
- You have to be willing to be uncomfortable. Trying something new brings a certain level of discomfort. Embrace it.
- You may have to be willing to accept a lower title and/or less money. We all have to start somewhere.
- You may have to work at something that’s not your dream job while you figure out how to pursue your passion.
- Don’t have a passion yet? Take up a hobby, enroll in a class, do volunteer work or take a part-time job in a field of interest to see if anything clicks.
- Listen to yourself and try not to be influenced by well-meaning friends and family. This is your career; not theirs.
Again, I’m not saying that it’s easy to reinvent yourself. If finding a new career opportunity or discovering your passion was as simple as donning ruby red slippers, clicking your heels and stating, “Find my passion; find my passion”, don’t you think everyone would be doing it?
But I can say with absolute certainty that it’s possible. And the rewards are great.
I’m sure I’ll be revisiting this topic again here on my blog. Stay tuned. As usual, I’ve got lots to say.
Like Tami, I was terminated once (By my best friend, BTW – he is now on the board of the agency I lead, so I got him back – ha!), but you don’t have to be unemployed to learn something from this book. 
