With plenty of knowledge and experience behind you, now is the time to work smarter, not harder, and leverage your expertise to find fulfilment at work.
Many executives lead lives of quiet desperation. They carry the burden of endless pressure, but feel it's their job to keep quiet about it — even when they're struggling to keep their head above water. They live as an island, unable to open up about the way they really feel about work. But in reality, they yearn for more connection, meaning, and a well-earned break. It's lonely at the top, and few know who to turn to when their working life is making them miserable.
If you're in your late career, but your working life is unenjoyable, and loaded with pressure, the default mode is to just keep doing what you're doing. You're in a position of responsibility, other people are reliant on you. You've worked 30+ years to get where you are, it's too late to make a radical change to your career now, right? Wrong. Despite the many ways you can rationalise yourself into staying put, it's never the right choice to accept a life of quiet desperation.
Too many executives' personal lives are a mess. The tough, constant demands of work leave little time and energy to engage with life outside of it. They feel distant, and disconnected from their friends and family. Many sacrificed these relationships to pursue their professional goals, but in the future they feel a deep sense of regret. Loneliness silently weighs them down, eats away at their spirit, and makes it hard to stay positive. To numb the pain, they fill the void with material goods, and short-term gratification.
This approach only leads to more stress, anxiety, and disconnection. The truth is, you can't afford to let your job dominate your life, no matter your position at work. Don't let your personal life dwindle. If it already has, understand that you have the power to rekindle it. Take back control of your life, and make it what you want it to be.
Take some time to self-reflect. Remember who you were when you first started out in life. The hobbies and interests that captured your imagination. The books, music, and stories you loved. The heroes you admired. Recover the parts of you that were sacrificed over the years; the passions that were put aside. Take off the mask and reconnect with the authentic you.
If you're feeling worn out, invest time and care into your health. Exercise, get back into the body and out of your head. Break up the tension, still the mind. Bring a sense of adventure back into your life. If you can afford it, take time away from work and visit a new culture — after years of hard work, you've earned a break. You've followed your head for years, now is the time to follow your heart, and do what's meaningful to you!
Understand that if you want to breathe new life into your career, you don't have to start from scratch. You can pivot on your skills and experience, transferring your credibility into a wide range of new areas. This means you can take your greatest strengths and apply them to something that genuinely interests you. You're not limited to the same types of companies you've always worked for — you have options. You can also gain choice over the way you work, and the level of autonomy you have. It's all about knowing your strengths, and telling a compelling career story as you market yourself to new employers.
When you know how to pivot, you need to discover the ideal job for you — the position that will bring you lasting fulfilment at work. This is a role that incorporates 3 key elements; flow, freedom, and purpose. Flow involves using your natural talents and interests in your daily tasks. Freedom is about having control over the way you work, and enough time for your personal life. Purpose is about having a meaningful reason between the work you do, so you can feel like you're making a real difference in the world.
When you have these 3 key ingredients in the job you do, you will have found fulfilment at work.
Our executive online programme was designed to support you as you transition into a more meaningful career & regain control of your life. In 90 days, we'll help you reconnect with yourself and craft a powerful career strategy to find fulfilment at work.
