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As a parent, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to balance career ambitions with being present for my kids. I want to provide for my family, set a strong example, and succeed professionally—but I also want to be there for the small moments, the bedtime stories, the heart-to-heart talks. In the past, the demands of work left me feeling exhausted and disconnected, making me question whether I was truly showing up for my family in the way I intended. If you’ve ever felt that same struggle, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what I discussed on The Company of Dads podcast with Paul Sullivan.
In my episode, we dove deep into the challenges that many mid-career professionals, especially fathers, face when trying to balance a demanding career with being present for their families. If you’re feeling stuck in a job that no longer fulfills you but also carries the weight of financial and family responsibilities, this conversation is for you.
Why Do People Come to Me?
I coach mid-career professionals—often in their 40s, 50s, and 60s—who have been successful by traditional standards but find themselves questioning, What’s next? They have aging parents to care for, kids they’re supporting, and careers that feel increasingly draining. Many come to me at a breaking point, realizing the status quo isn’t sustainable. That’s when we start the work of realigning their career with their life priorities.
How Do You Start Making a Change?
The first step is taking inventory. Where is your time and energy going? Many of my clients are spending enormous amounts of effort on things that don’t truly matter to them. Identifying what drains you versus what energizes you can be eye-opening. Once we pinpoint that, we strategize on what to stop doing, what to delegate, and what to focus more on. This clarity alone can be a game-changer.
Balancing Career and Family
Parents often assume they just have to “power through” without stopping to assess whether their setup is working. I was in that trap—always grinding, traveling, working long hours—only to realize I was physically present but emotionally absent for my kids. The key is to be intentional about how you allocate your energy.
I shared a simple framework with Paul:
Stop doing things that drain you unnecessarily.
Outsource tasks when possible.
Focus more on what truly matters.
By making conscious choices, we free up the emotional bandwidth to be fully present for our families.
What About Financial Realities?
One of the biggest concerns I hear from parents is, I can’t afford to pivot. But often, this fear is based on an outdated definition of success. We assume we have to keep climbing, and keep earning more—when in reality, what many of us crave is fulfillment, flexibility, and deeper connections.
When you redefine success to align with your current priorities, you might find that making a shift is more feasible than you thought. And with today’s evolving work landscape—including remote work, portfolio careers, and entrepreneurship—there are more options than ever.
The Life-First Approach to Work
Most people design their lives around their careers. But what if we flipped that? What if we designed our ideal life first—one that prioritizes family, health, and personal growth—and then built a career to support that life? That’s what I call a Life-First Approach to Work.
For parents, this means asking:
How do I want to show up for my family?
How do I maintain my health and emotional well-being?
How can my work support—not dictate—my ideal life?
The shift isn’t easy, but it’s possible. And once you move past fear and start focusing on what you stand to gain, the path becomes much clearer.
Listen to the Full Episode
If any of this resonates with you, I’d love for you to check out the full conversation on The Company of Dads podcast. You can watch the above YouTube video or find it on your favorite podcast platform.
And if you’re navigating a midlife career shift and need support, I’d love to connect.
Let me know—what’s one small change you could make today to align your career with your life priorities?
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