Starting a New Career at 50

The older I get the more life changes I seem to encounter.

Of course you expect major changes to take place when you’re younger. You start your career. You get married. You have kids. Of course those things change your life in a big way. And they did mine. But I pretty much thought that would be the end of the major upheavals until, well you know… I finish my days on this earth.

Nope, not the case.

I began a series of major changes about 8 years ago when I found myself wanting more than just the status quo. As a result, I sought out more, and change after change ensued.

Five years ago when my daughter left for college it prompted more changes. Since then, I’ve found myself constantly re-evaluating my life, my business, and my purpose.

But the biggest change occurred last year when I turned 50.

Perhaps there’s something about getting to the halfway point in life that prompts you to step back and re-evaluate. Maybe it’s a desire to create a second half with greater purpose and meaning. After all, I’ve done the business thing, I’ve done the marriage thing, I’ve done the mom thing. And I’ve succeeded in all three.

So now what?

I never expected that at 50 I’d be trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, but I am.

I never expected to be starting over in my career at this stage of life. But I’m not ready to retire and I’m clear I don’t want to keep doing what I’ve been doing. My heart is calling me in a new direction, one that centers on being a messenger through writing and speaking.

This life change is actually the first to be heart-driven.

I’ve pretty much run my life with my head and logic for the past 50 years. And there are so many things about this current transition that defy logic. Yet it feels so right.

It’s been challenging resigning as the general manager of my life and letting my heart take over. It requires considerable trust. It doesn’t allow for much planning, something I’m very good at. Rather, it requires following what shows up, and trusting it will lead me exactly where I’m supposed to be.

And I’d have to say that so far I have not been disappointed. I’ve written a book I’m extremely proud of and launched a new blog that’s starting to attract a lot of positive attention. Both of these things feel great.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not scary.

So as I continue to navigate this latest life change I’m relying on my trust that the universe, God, spirit (or whatever you choose to call it) has my back, sees the bigger picture and is guiding me into the mission I’m meant to fulfill at this point in my life. And I’m hanging onto my hat!