Mental Health
The midlife career crisis: thinking of quitting your job? Read this first
We might think that, after 40+ years in the workplace, levels of career apathy and dissatisfaction would be greatest as we edge towards retirement – but research suggests otherwise.
Workplace apathy actually peaks in midlife, and employees in the mid-stage of their careers are the most likely to quit or move jobs. So what’s going on?
Why so many midlife women have career apathy
“Midlife is often described as a time of reckoning, a period when people take stock of their lives and question whether their current path aligns with their evolving values and aspirations,” explains Dannielle Haig, principal business psychologist at DH Consulting. “By this stage, many individuals have achieved the milestones they once worked so hard for, such as financial stability, professional seniority, or family commitments.”
However, rather than basking in feelings of accomplishment, Dannielle explains that these achievements can actually lead to a sense of burnout or monotony. “The daily grind may no longer provide the excitement or growth opportunities it once did,” she says. We might also begin to question what ‘success’ really means to us.
In addition, the midlife years can bring about big transitions in other areas of life: children growing up, planning for later life, or caring for ageing parents. “These shifting priorities can lead people to question whether their career is meaningful or merely another obligation,” adds Dannielle.
Getting our professional mojo back
For the majority of us, taking early retirement is (unfortunately) not an option. So what can be done to put a pep back into our work step? We asked the experts to reveal their top tips.
Understand low motivation
Before we can get out of a rut, we need to know how we got there in the first place.
“Addressing the root cause will save a lot of time and effort,” says Maureen Adams, an executive and career coach. “The simplest way is to reflect on three things: your role, manager, and organisation. Which of these gives the most worry or stress, and how long has it been a cause for concern?”
Reflecting on these can help to reveal whether it’s a roadblock we can overcome or if we need an actual change.
From there, Maureen advises considering three actions that can help to improve our situation. “Hold yourself accountable for completing these actions, or find someone who will help you do so. A work buddy, friend, or partner is a great place to start.”
Conduct an ‘achievement audit’
When we’re struggling with career apathy, it can often feel as though we’re treading water at work. Reflecting on our accomplishments can give our confidence a boost. It might even give us a nudge of encouragement to go for that promotion.
“It’s so easy to forget all the things we’ve achieved and lose track of how much progress we have made,” shares Keren Blackmore, a leadership and team coach and founder of Leap of Thought.
Spending just 10 minutes writing down professional achievements – however big or small – can works wonders for our self-esteem.
For a more regular check-in, Keren recommends the 3-2-1 method. “Schedule a 5-10 minute meeting with yourself every Friday to jot down three things you’ve accomplished, two things you’ve learned, and one goal,” she says. “You’ll end each month with heaps of accomplishments and learnings.”
Invest in development
Rather than viewing career apathy as a negative, we can reframe it as an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and develop new skills.
“By building new skills or gaining fresh perspectives, you can reignite your passion for your work and open up exciting possibilities for the future,” advises Sarah Rozenthuler, a psychologist, leadership coach, and author of Now We’re Talking.
The prospect of trying something new can trigger our inner critic – for example, we might worry that nobody at a networking event will be interested in what we’re saying, or that we’re incapable of upskilling in a way we’d like.
“Take a moment to pause, observe this inner judgment, and then sign up anyway,” Sarah says. “It can be daunting but coming into an easier relationship with your inner critic is some of the deeper work to do in midlife.”
Revisit your career vision
Chances are that our careers look somewhat different to how we pictured after leaving school, or even a decade ago.
“Ask yourself whether your career goals and values are still the same as they were five or 10 years ago or if your priorities have shifted,” advises Dannielle. “Perhaps what once drove you, such as financial success or climbing the corporate ladder, no longer feels as fulfilling.”
Here’s where we shouldn’t be afraid to make a change. A Co-op survey revealed that almost one-fifth of adults switch their occupation entirely after the age of 45.
Dannielle recommends taking the time to identify what excites us now and, from there, set achievable objectives that align with our current aspirations. “This process can help reignite a sense of purpose and provide direction for the next phase of your career,” she notes.
Understand your workplace’s systems and cultures
If a promotion or pay rise could help us feel more inspired, it’s time to consider how we can achieve this. “How ambitious are you being? Is there someone who could help that you haven’t yet approached or networked with?” asks Maureen.
Tiny changes can add up to big wins. For instance, a simple chat over a coffee with a manager or colleague could help to kickstart changes and raise our profile. “Break those patterns that make you feel ‘stuck’ ,” Maureen says. “Lean into experimenting with new working methods and getting to know others better.”
Connect with your values
Apathy and low motivation often don’t appear overnight. Instead, they build until we can no longer ignore them. One way to overcome these feelings is to reevaluate and connect with our values and motivators, says Keren – especially as these often evolve over time.
To help identify these, we can ask ourselves the following questions:
- What three words best describe you?
- What qualities do you most admire in others?
- What qualities annoy you (as your values are likely to be the opposite of these)?
- What activities energise you, and why?
Once we’ve answered these questions, we can narrow them down to three core values.
“Think about what they mean to you and to what extent you are honouring them in your career,” Keren says. “For example, if growth is one of your values and, in your current role, you don’t feel that you are growing, think of one or two things you can do to honour that value.” We might consider taking a course or seeking a mentor to learn from, for example.
As Sarah explains, reviving professional motivation in midlife isn’t necessarily about overhauling our career but revising how we engage with it. “By focusing on purpose, connection, and growth, this period can become an empowering opportunity to rediscover your sense of self-worth,” she says.
Words: Chantelle Pattemore
