Making a Mid-Life Career Change

Making a mid-life career change is among one of the most common yet stressful things you can decide to do. I've recently done it myself, and it's quite an adjustment. However, it's one I feel good about. After 20 years of being a stay-at-home mom, I now have joined the ranks of working moms, after becoming employed for a local whole health retailer. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are considering making a mid-life career change.

Do You Find Yourself Bored?

As a stay-at-home mom of eight, there really wasn't time for boredom, but for me it was the same busy stuff keeping me occupied that I had done for 20 years. I felt the pull to learn some new things, and possibly get updated on some of the new changes in the alternative health field. Ask yourself if you're bored and then try to honestly answer that question. You'll then be able to move forward one step at a time.

Are You Willing to Take Less Money?

Sometimes it helps to consider what your true love for work is. The problem is sometimes that particular love of your life may pay much less. That's my personal problem as well. I really make much less in my job than I would if I were doing some other things. However, there's really no other environment I'd be happier in. Ask yourself if you're willing to take less money to become happier with your career.

Is Your Location Convenient?

If you're career has required you to commute long distances or spend a lot of time traveling, you may find yourself more unwilling to do that as you age. It may help to ask yourself if you want to keep your travel time to work such a big part of your life. Trust your gut feeling and then take steps toward making some changes if you've decided to step away from your current career.

Have You Lost Your Current Career?

The current employment situation has been in trouble for quite awhile already, and those losing their jobs have felt it firsthand. That predicament will force you to look in other directions. However, it helps to keep in mind some of your other talents and strengths that you can emphasize when trying to find a direction to go for a mid-life career change. Sometimes, as stated above, less money can turn out to be more happiness in the end.