Considering a career change at 40? Here’s what I wish I’d known

It’s been four months since I left my corporate digital content job to fully commit to my coaching business. And while that sentence might sound clear and confident, to be honest its been anything but neat and tidy.

Its been full-on, vulnerable, messy. It’s taking a lot of self belief and some days that’s hard to find.

But it also just feels right.

I’m one real-life example of how making a career change in your 40s is about so much more than just changing jobs.

It’s about shifting your identity.

You’re not the person you were in your 20s or 30s.

Your values have changed. What energises you has changed. And I bet your priorities have changed too.

When you put it like that, of course 40 is a natural sweet spot to refresh your career.

Here’s what I’ve learned in the last few months that I wish I'd known before:

• You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. 

  Don’t wait for clarity - that will come after you start, not before.

  
  

• It’s hard and brilliant all at once.

  Some days I feel confident and purposeful. Other days I question everything. I’m learning that’s normal and being kind to myself helps.

  
  

• Building an intentional career changes everything.

  I’ve never worked harder or had to dig deeper but it finally feels like it’s mine. That matters more than I thought it would.

  
  

• You'll never be starting again from scratch.

  By 40 we all have so many transferable skills. I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by how many of my content skills I’m using in my coaching business, while on paper they’re totally different jobs.

If you’re reading this feeling stuck in something that feels off, I see you. I’ve been there.

And I’m here to tell you from the other side that you don’t have to stay there.

If you're after a manageable first step, try my free Career Clarity Quiz.

It'll tell you your top 1-3 must-haves for a fulfilling career now, in your 40s, and takes 10 minutes.

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