There were hints that new possibilities awaited me.
- I didn’t stay in a job for long anymore.
- I was getting job interviews always, but job offers never.
- I had to answer yes when my husband asked, “Do you think that maybe it’s because you really don’t want the job?”
- I felt called to pursue my desire to write
I spent the next ten years overwhelmed by the possibilities of what I could do next. While I was grateful to see them, I’d have preferred focus and forward movement much sooner. I let all of the coulds and shoulds get in my way.
Here are some valuable tips that I learned along the way.
- Just because you are good at something, it doesn’t mean you should be doing it.
- Be open to the unexpected and consider the uncommon.
- Let other people serve as door openers, but don’t expect them to make things happen for you.
- Trust your “knowing” when it comes to you. It’s your greatest gift.
Once I began to listen to my heart and pay attention to what came my way, things became clearer. It took awareness and practice, but I finally had the direction I wanted to commit to.
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Share your experience and tips in the comments below. Where are you on the path to your next thing?
This is great! Too bad we mid-life women wait until now to realize what we really want sometimes. It is important to be open to the possibilities. #MidlifeLuv
Thanks Terri. And absolutely, it’s all about being open.
I agree with you about #1…There are a lot of things I’m good at but it doesn’t mean they a) bring me joy or b) make money.
Yes, Beth, a and b both! More than once I went back to a previous career to pay the bills, but there was no longer any joy in it. Now I know that I want that joy!
The issue for me regarding mid-life was that there was no preparation for it. No inkling at ALL of what was coming. I only knew I had arrived in a mid-life wasteland because people started treating me differently. At first, I really thought I must be imagining it. The thing about seeming to become invisible is very real and it hurts. It does take a period of adjustment to work out what to do next, especially if redundancy is involved. For me, starting my blog was the answer. It gives me the chance to keep on doing all the enjoyable things I did in my career but without a manager or editor to answer to. It also gives me a reason to go on learning about technology. Thank you for sharing this. #MidLifeLuv
Gilly, I absolutely never gave any thought to having no preparation for mid-life. That’s agreat concept and could be a mid-life work in and of itself.
I’m just starting a new job – less hours, less stress and less drama – I love the idea of moving forward and using midlife as a catalyst for positive change because we know who we are and what we want! visiting from #MidLifeLuv
Beautifully stated, thanks Leanne.
Jane, you pose some good subjects for thought. I do think that this generation of midlife women are carving a new path. We’re more active, involved, dynamic and assertive than ever. Perhaps, as Gilly noted, things will be different for our daughters in midlife.
Thank you for joining us at #MidLifeLuv, we’re very glad to get to know you and your blog!
Kimberly
http://FiftyJewels.com
Thanks for the opportunity. I’ve discovered some great blogs!
I agree, present-day midlife women are doing some exciting and important things. It’s a tremendous legacy.