In recent years, I’ve found myself navigating a new chapter in life, juggling the care of aging parents and children, adjusting to the impact of these changes on my marriage, and managing the demands of a high-level career. Though I’ve achieved what many would call success, the weight of it all can sometimes feel overwhelming. This has led me to reflect on approaching the next stage of my career and life.
Many of my clients face similar pressures, and through our work together, I’ve discovered strategies that have helped them and me. We’re not alone in balancing family, career, and personal well-being, and it’s possible to make intentional shifts that allow growth and fulfillment.
Unlike past generations, we’re redefining how we approach work and life. It’s not about stopping but staying engaged—on our terms. We seek purpose, balance, and fulfillment to build a future that allows for meaningful work while making time for what truly matters.
Now is the time to rethink your career, prioritize health, and consider bold changes. Focusing on intermittent breaks, pursuing passions, and enhancing well-being can help create a fulfilling second half of life and career. Here’s how you can get it right:
1. Feeling Stuck?—Drive Your Evolution
Concern: "I’ve achieved a lot, but what’s next?"
The more senior your role, the more difficult it can seem to explore new paths or embrace growth. You are staying stagnant, which risks your fulfillment and long-term satisfaction.
Mindy, a long-term client, spent years in asset management, climbing the ranks but feeling increasingly drained by the corporate grind. After reflecting on her interests, she realized her passion for health and wellness. Instead of starting from scratch, she combined her financial expertise with her love for health. She overcame her doubts to launch a consulting business that helped health professionals manage their finances.
Now that Mindy works for herself, she’s free from the rigid corporate structure and grind that used to drain her. She can set her schedule, allowing her to pursue her passions, take time for herself, and balance her personal life more effectively. Mindy’s business gives her fulfillment and control, proving that you don’t have to abandon your skills to make a change—you can pivot toward something you love by leveraging what you already know while gaining the flexibility you need.
2. Don't Wait for Retirement—Live Your Dreams Now
Concern: "What if I’m too worn out by the time I retire to enjoy the things I've always wanted to do?"
For many professionals, retirement has long been the time to pursue their dreams finally. But waiting until retirement could mean that their physical abilities no longer match their ambitions, leaving them unable to experience the adventures they’ve always dreamed of.
Sarah, a former client, had always dreamed of stepping away from her demanding career to pursue her passions but kept postponing it, thinking there would be time later. Like many, she got caught up in the grind, continually pushing aside what mattered to her.
During one of our sessions, we explored the idea of intermittent retirement, a concept Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., writes about in his book Age Wave. Instead of viewing retirement as a single, all-encompassing event where one stops working entirely, Dychtwald encourages taking intentional breaks or sabbaticals throughout your working life. This allows individuals to pursue passions, recharge, and explore new interests rather than waiting until later years.
Inspired by this approach, Sarah decided to take a three-month break. She spent part of that time in Costa Rica, where she finally learned to surf and took Spanish classes. The experience fulfilled a lifelong dream, refreshed her, and gave her a new perspective on life and work. When she returned, she felt rejuvenated, with a renewed sense of purpose.
Sarah’s story is a powerful example of how taking deliberate breaks during your career can enrich your life and reframe your approach to work. As Dychtwald suggests, you don’t have to wait until retirement—take the time now to pursue your dreams and passions, invigorating both your present and future.
3. Aging and Longevity—Planning for a Proactive Future
Concern: "As I get older, will I be able to maintain this pace and productivity?"
Aging brings inevitable changes, and we often overlook how crucial it is to prioritize health and energy. Your ability to lead and innovate depends on maintaining physical and mental stamina.
Another client, Mark, was a high-performing executive who had always been goal-driven, especially regarding his fitness. He would push himself toward completing one-time challenges, like marathons, but found it difficult to maintain consistency afterward. We worked on shifting his mindset from chasing short-term fitness goals to building sustainable habits that supported his health as he aged. We create the habit of making exercise enjoyable for him.
In his book Outlived, Peter Attia, MD, introduces the concept of the Centenarian Olympics, which emphasizes functional fitness to prepare the body for everyday tasks as we age—such as lifting hand luggage into an overhead compartment, carrying groceries without strain, and getting up from the floor unassisted. Instead of focusing on short-term performance goals, this approach prioritizes long-term independence and physical capability.
Initially, Mark's motivation for fitness was extrinsic—driven by goals like completing races or hitting performance targets. While powerful, this often led to burnout and inconsistency. The turning point came when we shifted his focus to intrinsic motivation, and he embraced regular activities like running, cycling, strength training, and yoga for the personal satisfaction they brought. This approach made his exercise routine more sustainable.
By aligning his fitness goals with Peter Attia’s emphasis on functional fitness—aiming to maintain independence and health as he aged—Mark built lasting habits. He also reduced stress through meditation and optimized his diet, adopting a longevity-focused approach that improved his current quality of life and prepared him for a healthy, active future. His focus shifted from excelling in his career to sustaining long-term well-being.
4. Rediscovering Your Relationship—Adjusting to Life Changes
Concern: "As our kids leave the house and life stages change, will my marriage be able to adapt?"
Life changes, such as children moving out, caring for aging parents, and the onset of menopause, can profoundly shift relationship dynamics. These transitions often require intentional effort to rediscover and redefine the partnership in this new phase.
Julia was navigating the transition to an empty nest, her mother’s early onset of dementia, and the emotional and physical changes of menopause. After years of focusing on their kids, her marriage had taken a backseat, leaving her uncertain about how to reconnect with her husband. In Jim Dethmer’s 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, he discusses the importance of each partner taking individual responsibility for their own happiness.
Julia began focusing on hobbies and self-care practices that brought her joy. She reignited her passion for writing, started practicing yoga regularly to manage stress, and made time for long walks in nature to clear her mind. She also set personal goals, like improving her overall fitness and exploring new career opportunities in part-time consulting, which had always interested her but had been put on hold.
Her husband, too, embraced this shift, pursuing his own interests, like cycling and woodworking, and setting goals related to his personal growth, such as volunteering in the community and taking butchering classes. Together, they set aside intentional time as a couple and as individuals sharing their separate journeys. They began taking weekend trips, joined a running club, and had open conversations about their goals and dreams beyond parenting.
By taking responsibility for their own fulfillment, Julia and her husband strengthened their bond. This recognition allowed them to enjoy a renewed sense of partnership, mutual support, and personal growth in this new chapter of life.
5. Friendship—The Foundation of a Fulfilling Life
Concern: "With everything else going on in my life, how do I find time to maintain and invest in friendships?"
Friendships often take a backseat amid the pressures of a demanding career, family responsibilities, and personal goals. However, strong friendships are critical to well-being, offering support, joy, and perspective during challenging and successful times.
James, a client I worked with, had spent the last decade advancing his career. He had achieved impressive success but noticed a growing sense of isolation over time. His friendships had faded due to his busy schedule, and he realized he was missing the deep connections that had once been an essential part of his life.
Through our sessions, James understood that friendships are essential for emotional well-being and personal growth. We worked on practical steps for reconnecting. He began contacting old friends and committing to regular coffee or lunch meetups. He consciously joined a local running group and attended community events to foster new relationships.
Arthur C. Brooks, in his book Build the Life You Want, talks about the great paradox that our most profound need is for relationships with people who, in a practical sense, we don’t need for survival. Though not tied to career or immediate family obligations, these friendships became a vital source of emotional support. James realized that friendships require consistent effort and vulnerability. James strengthened these connections by being open about his challenges, actively listening, and making time for his friends without expecting anything in return.
Being past the middle of your career offers a unique opportunity to blend the wisdom gained from experience with the drive for reinvention. By avoiding common pitfalls like burnout and neglecting health and embracing bold career pivots and a proactive approach to aging, your relationship, and friendships, we can build a future that’s not only successful but fulfilling—starting now and lasting long into the future.
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