Hi everyone!

Welcome back to episode 111 of the podcast.

Today, I’m doing something a bit different on the show—something I think you’re going to find both interesting and inspiring.

I’m sharing a conversation about my new book, Mid Career Change: A Guide for Hope, Clarity, and Action.

This discussion was created using Google NotebookLM, an AI-powered research assistant that’s honestly a game changer.

It helps you explore ideas, summarise insights, and even create engaging audio overviews that sound just like professional podcasts.

In this episode, you’ll hear a unique, thought-provoking conversation that explores the heart of my book—covering real-life stories, practical advice, and the essential mindsets needed to take control of your career.

Whether you're curious about mid-career change or actively considering one, this discussion offers something valuable for everyone.

 So, please sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!

Hey, everyone. So if you're here with us today, chances are you're right in the thick of it, you know, that mid career stage and maybe feeling like, is this it? Is there something more?

You hit the nail on the head. And today's deep dive, we're really tackling that feeling head on.

Exactly. We're diving deep into Mark Crossfield's book, Mid Career Change.

It's a fantastic resource, really packed with practical advice. And you know what? Real life stories from people who've actually made the leap.

And that's what we're all about here, right? Getting inspired by real stories and then actually figuring out how to make a change ourselves if that's what we want.

Absolutely.

One of the things that struck me right away about Crossfield's approach is how he starts by acknowledging this kind of unspoken feeling so many of us have, like, shouldn't we still be excited about our careers even as we get more Well seasoned,

right? Like shouldn't that excitement keep going even as we get more experience?

Totally. And you know, Crossfield doesn't shy away from that. He actually addresses it head on by asking this big kind of thought provoking question.

What was it? Remind me.

He asks, how can I make the rest of my life the best years of my life? Like, whoa.

It really makes you stop and think, doesn't it?

For sure.

Suddenly you're not just thinking about a job, you're thinking about your whole future.

That's the power of framing it that way. It's not just about finding a new job. It's about creating a life you truly love.

And it's so reassuring to know that nearly half of professionals in their thirties and forties are actually already thinking about a career change.

It's like, phew, I'm not alone in this. You know what I mean?

Right. So it's not just a few of us having a midlife crisis or anything.

Not at all. It's a normal part of career development. And Crossfield himself is a perfect example. He actually made a big career shift going from a civil engineer to a career coach.

Talk

about walking the walk, right? It's encouraging to see someone who's been through it themselves.

Absolutely. And it gives you that hope that, hey, maybe I can do it too.

So let's get into the nuts and bolts of how Crossfield approaches this whole mid career change thing. He lays out what he calls a five phase model.

Oh yeah, I remember that. It starts with hope, then moves to clarity, then action, then taking the leap, and finally, clarity. Fresh start.

It's like he breaks down this massive, potentially overwhelming process into, well, smaller, more manageable steps.

Right. It's like having a roadmap, you know?

Exactly. And that roadmap starts with simply having hope that change is possible, which then leads to clarity about what you actually want.

Then you can start taking action and eventually you're ready to take that leap and embrace a fresh start.

I love how structured it is. It makes something that seems so daunting, feel  doable.

One of the things I found super helpful is how Crossfield talks about career assets.

Oh yeah, the treasure chest analogy.

I love that. Me

too. It's like he's saying, hey, you've got all these amazing skills, experiences, and relationships you've built up over the years. Don't discount those.

Instead of looking at your past work experience as, you know, baggage or something you have to get rid of, it's about seeing all those valuable resources you've already accumulated.

Totally.

He even tells this great story about Rojesh, who was an IT project manager.

And then he successfully moved into a health care role. I remember that one. It was so inspiring.

It really showed how transferable skills like project management can open doors to completely different fields.

You don't have to be limited to that specific industry you've been in.

That was a big aha moment for me, I have to admit.

And it's not just about skills, right? He also shares Melanie's story, a teacher who transitioned into editing and training.

Right, right. Her story highlights that whole thing about finding a career that really resonates with your values.

That's so important.

It's not just about finding another job, it's about finding something that feels meaningful and fulfilling on a deeper level.

Like for Melanie, it was about It's about finding a way to use her passion for language in education, even if it meant leaving the traditional classroom.

It's about that feeling of, yeah, this is who I am.

This is what I'm meant to be doing.

Absolutely. And that brings us to this really interesting part of the book where Crossfield talks about three essential mindsets for anyone going through a career change.

The responsibility mindset, the possibility mindset, and the growth mindset.

Oh, those are so powerful.

I remember struggling with the responsibility mindset at first. It was tough to shift from feeling like, well, a victor of my circumstances, to actually taking ownership of my career.

It's subtle, but it makes a huge difference. Like, okay, I'm in charge here.

Totally. And then the possibility mindset, oh man, that one's all about opening yourself up to new opportunities and challenging those self imposed limitations we all put on ourselves.

It's about asking what if, instead of just shutting down ideas before they even have a chance to breathe.

Exactly. What if I could use my love of art in a business setting? What if I could find a career that helps me make a real difference in the world? Those kinds of questions can be so powerful.

They really can.

And finally, there's the growth mindset, which is all about Well, embracing the challenges and setbacks that inevitably come with any big change

and viewing those challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than failures,

right? It's about having that resilience to bounce back to learn from your mistakes and to keep moving forward.

Even when things get tough,

you know, thinking back on my own career change. I realize how much I relied on those three mindsets without even realizing it.  They really are the foundation for making a successful transition.

They really are. Okay, so we've talked about the exciting possibilities and the importance of mindset.

But let's be real for a minute. There are challenges that can feel like, well, Roadblocks on this path, right? Like, lack of confidence, fear of the unknown, maybe financial concerns, juggling work life balance.

Oh yeah, those are real and valid concerns. Mm hmm. And Crossfield doesn't shy away from them, he addresses them head on.

But here's the thing, he doesn't just dwell on the negative. He immediately shifts the focus to how successful career changes have overcome those obstacles.

It's about finding solutions and strategies that actually work.

I love that. He even shares Mary Beth's story, a woman who used this mantra. Feel the fear and do it anyway to make some pretty big career leaps.

She opened a restaurant and started her own business.

That takes guts. Talk about inspiring. It's like she's saying, look, you don't have to wait until you feel a hundred percent ready. Sometimes you just have to take that leap of faith and trust that you'll figure it out as you go.

And sometimes taking action is the best way to build confidence, you know, it's like, okay, I did that scary thing and I survived, now what?

Exactly. Okay, so now we know that change is possible, we've got the right mindset, and we're ready to face those challenges head on. But there's still that big question of, well, what do I actually want to do?

That's often the most daunting part, right? Figuring out what you actually want to do with your life.

Crossfield has this fun concept called the Ideas Aquarium.

Oh yeah, I love that.

It's all about brainstorming and letting your ideas flow freely, without judgment. Like, what are you curious about? What excites you? What makes you feel alive? Just let those ideas swim around in your mind and see what bubbles up.

And don't worry if you don't have everything figured out right away. It's a process, right?

Totally.  And sometimes, the most amazing career paths are the ones we least expect.

Like Joe Brand, who went from nursing to comedy.

Or Annie Prulix, who found success as a novelist in her 50s.

It's never too late to pursue your passions, even if they seem totally unrelated to your previous work experience.

And that's such an important message. Sometimes we get so stuck in what we think we should be doing that we forget to tap into what we truly love.

And that's where the whole idea of aligning with your values comes in. It's not just about finding a job you enjoy. It's about finding work that feels meaningful on a deeper level that aligns with your core beliefs and makes you feel like, yeah, this is what I'm supposed to be doing.

Crossfield actually shares his own personal values. Honesty, integrity, growth, and connection. It's so powerful to see how those values have shaped his career choices.

So as we're exploring our options, it's really helpful to ask ourselves, what are my core values? What's most important to me?

And then how can I find work that reflects those values?

Exactly. And what about those times when our values seem to be in conflict, like wanting financial security but also craving more creative freedom? How do we navigate that?

That's a tough one, but Crossfield offers some really helpful examples. It might involve compromise or finding creative solutions, like pursuing a side hustle while maintaining a steady income.

It's about being honest with yourself about what's truly important, and then finding ways to align your work with those values, even if it takes some outside the box thinking.

Okay, so we've talked about exploring our passions, aligning with our values, and facing those challenges head on.  But how do we actually test the waters without making a drastic leap all at once?

That's where Crossfield's concept of career experiments comes in. It's all about gathering real world experience and testing your assumptions about different careers without making a huge commitment right away.

It's like dipping your toes in the water before jumping in headfirst.

He outlines five types of experiments.

Volunteering, taking on new projects at your current job, maybe doing a secondment in a different department, starting a side gig, or even prototyping a business idea.

Annie shares in this story. Remember her? She started volunteering at a local theatre and ended up discovering a passion for event management.

And that led to a complete career change.

It just goes to show that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones we least expect.

Yeah.

And that those seemingly small experiences can lead to big shifts.

So it's not about having a perfectly mapped out plan from the get go. It's about being open to those new possibilities and seeing where those experiences lead you.

Totally. And as you're exploring and experimenting, building a supportive network can make all the difference.

That's so true. Having a network of people who've been there, done that, can be so incredibly valuable.

It's like having a cheering squad for your journey. Mentors, peers, people who understand the ups and downs of career change and can offer encouragement and guidance.

Crossfield even tells a story about Richard who was mentored by a former colleague who'd made a successful career change.

That's what it's all about, right? Having someone who's been through it to guide you, offer advice, and maybe even open some doors.

And there's this fascinating thing called the Benjamin Franklin effect that Crossfield talks about.

It's the idea that asking someone for help Can actually increase their respect for you and strengthen that connection.

It sounds counterintuitive, but the research backs it up.

So asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. It's actually a smart strategy for building relationships and gaining valuable insights.

Outro

And that’s where we’ll leave the discussion about the book.

What did you think, pretty amazing AI tech isn’t it.

And the book?

I hope you found the discussion about the book inspiring, insightful, and full of practical advice.

Here are the key takeaways from this conversation about Mid Career Change:

• Mid-career change is possible: It’s not just about finding a new job; it’s about crafting a life that aligns with your values and passions.

• Your career assets are treasures: Your skills, experiences, and relationships are valuable tools to support your next steps.

• Mindsets matter: The responsibility, possibility, and growth mindsets are crucial for navigating change.

• Experimenting is key: Small steps like volunteering, side gigs, or new projects can lead to big breakthroughs.

• Support makes a difference: Building a network of mentors and peers can help you stay inspired and on track.

If this discussion has sparked your curiosity, you can learn more in Mid-Career Change: A Guide for Hope, Clarity, and Action, available on Amazon now.

And if you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share, or leave a review—it really helps others discover the podcast.

Thanks for listening, and as always, keep taking steps toward a career that brings you to life. See you next time!