Hello and welcome to the show and to episode 101. If you're a new listener, I'm delighted to have you here. I'm your host and a career coach specialising in mid-career transitions. Before becoming a coach, I spent years in the public sector, civil engineering. In 2019, I made my own mid-career leap, transitioning to career coaching. Since then, I've helped hundreds of professionals navigate their own career changes.

I've just recently celebrated 100 episodes of the podcast. You've probably guessed that since it's called Show 101. This is a special today. I'm deep diving into what career change means, why it matters, and how you can make it happen successfully for you. Focusing specifically on mid-career change, my specialist area, let's kick things off with a hard truth.

The Hard Truth

Many of us are aiming too low in our careers. Yes, I know that can be hard to hear, but we're putting up with the mundane, the unfulfilling, and the not quite right. Like me, before I changed my career, you might even have a good job, but one that isn't a good job for you. Does any of that sound familiar?

But here's the good news. It doesn't have to be this way. Your career can be a source of growth, enjoyment, and yes, even happiness. Shocking, I know. Now, you might be thinking, easy for you to say Mark, my job is a soul-sucking vortex of despair. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but I get it. Being stuck in the wrong role can feel paralysing.

Why This Happens

It happens because of our education system. We're educated but not well prepared on how to manage our careers. We follow what we're good at at school and in college without knowing that it will lead to something we enjoy. Also, we don't like change. So we often stick with the same early choices we made at the start of our careers, well into our mid-careers.

In the beginning of our careers, we often focus on extrinsic rewards rather than our intrinsic needs, leading to a mismatch between our values, skills, and interests, and what our jobs demand. Added to which, organisations typically don't manage our careers, do they? That's up to us. We haven't been shown how to do this effectively. Finally, society often views work as something to be endured rather than something to be enjoyed.

Given all these factors, it's no wonder that we end up getting stuck in our careers, is it? By the time you get to your mid-career, you've been working for 10, 20, 30 years, you've gained experience, but you might be questioning if this is all there is, even though, and this is important, you've developed valuable skills and experience by this stage. You still have many productive years ahead of you, of course. And you're more aware than ever of what truly matters to you. In many ways, your mid-career is the ideal time to look at alternative paths.

The Second Half of Your Life

Remember this quote: "The second half of your life can be the best half." It's up to you to make it so. Your mid-career is your opportunity to ensure the rest of your professional life aligns with your values and aspirations. As we progress in our Career Change 101, let's address some of the myths that might be holding you back.

Myths of Mid-Career Change

One of the myths is that it's too late to change careers when you get to your mid-career. The truth is, your career path is always open to new directions. Many successful people have changed careers in their 40s, 50s, or even later.

Another myth is that changing careers means starting all over again. In reality, your skills and experiences are transferable. You're not starting from scratch but leveraging your existing strengths in a new context.

Finally, the third myth: you need to have everything figured out before you make a change. The truth here is that career change is a journey of discovery. It's okay to start without having all the answers. Ultimately, your career is in your hands, and you have the power to shape your future. This involves taking ownership of your career decisions, being proactive in seeking opportunities, and committing to ongoing learning and growth.

Self-Discovery in Career Change

Self-discovery is crucial in career change. So let's break that down. What does that mean? It means looking at your interests. What truly inspires you? What topics or activities make you lose track of time?

Your skills, particularly your motivated skills. These are the skills you're not only good at but also enjoy using. They're your sweet spot for career satisfaction.

Your values. What's truly important to you? Is it creativity, helping others, financial security, or even work-life balance?

Finally, your ideal working environment. Consider your preferred work culture, relationships with colleagues, and even geographical location. All these things are important when you consider what's next in your career.

Taking Action

Once you have all that down, you can then move into the action stage because you can't think your way into a new career. You have to take action. You have to take the time to explore what's out there. You have to research roles, companies, and industries that align with your interests and values. Use online resources, informational interviews, and networking to gather information and keep an open mind. You might discover exciting opportunities you hadn't considered before.

Remember, at this stage, you're just exploring. Don't limit yourself; let your curiosity guide you. Taking action also means creating career experiments. These are small, low-risk ways to try out new ideas. Think of it as dipping your toe in the water before diving in.

For example, if you're interested in a different industry, you could take on a side project that allows you to gain experience and insights. This way, you can test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you without leaving your current job. Volunteering is another practical step you can take to learn more about potential options. Also, talk and connect with people in fields you're curious about. You've got to talk to people. It's the best way to learn about what's out there. Often these people can help you to take the steps you need to make as well.

The key is to take small, consistent steps, bringing you closer to a career that's a better fit for you. Remember, progress is progress, no matter how small.

Challenges Along the Way

Might there be challenges along the way? Yes. Career change isn't all smooth sailing. You might face self-doubt and fear of the unknown. This is a big one. Financial concerns. Transitioning into a new career can have financial implications. You might get resistance from family or friends. Not everyone in your life may understand or support your decision to change careers.

To overcome these, cultivate a growth mindset. See challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as setbacks. Embrace the idea that failure is part of the learning process. Create a financial plan for your transition. Outline your financial situation, including savings, expenses, and potential income streams. Determine how long you can sustain yourself at a steady income and make adjustments as needed. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in your vision. Build a network of like-minded individuals who understand your goals and can offer support and encouragement.

Remember why you started this journey in the first place. Keep your motivations and career aspirations at the forefront of your mind. Write them down and revisit them when you feel discouraged. This reminder can keep you moving forward when challenges show up.

Making the Leap

When you're ready to make the change, you'll need to take a career leap. This is when you get ready to start something new or make that step to start something new. So prepare to shine. Update your CV, practise interviewing, and focus on how your past experiences make you a perfect fit for this new chapter. Think of this preparation as building the foundation of your future success.

Be patient. Finding the right opportunity might take time. Job searches, especially in new fields, can be lengthy. Stay persistent and keep refining your approach. Use this time to continue learning and growing. Remember, stay true to your values, what you've learned about yourself, and know that growth often happens outside your comfort zone. Be prepared to feel uncertain and challenged. Embracing discomfort is a sign that you're moving forward and making progress.

Trust in the preparations you've made and the skills you've acquired. Embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead with determination and confidence. Remember, while it may look like a big leap from the outside, you'll know it's a step onto a better path. Your career matters. Changing paths in mid-career change is possible. It takes self-reflection, exploration, and action, but the rewards are worth it. You have the power to shape a career that truly resonates with who you are.

Closing Thoughts

Okay, so I hope you enjoyed Career Change 101 today. I'd love to hear your thoughts on mid-career change. Have you gone through one yourself? Are you considering it? Share your experiences by reaching out to me at mark@bravocoaching.co.uk

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a review. Until next time, here's to your career success. Thanks for joining me, and I'll see you in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for listening today. I hope you've gained insights to help you enjoy what you're doing each day at