GNT #060: Strategies for a Successful Career Pivot Age 50+ (or anytime!)

read time: 4 minutes

 A reader of this newsletter reached out to me recently and asked:

"New subscriber/follower here! Would love to hear ideas on how to make career pivots post-50 (I’m 51 and will be in a spot to make a potential career pivot in 1-2 years but unsure how to best approach)"

I had some ideas, but I'm convinced that getting people together with different perspectives working on a problem creates the best outcome.

So I posed the question to my outstanding LinkedIn network.

Today's newsletter is designed to give you the best strategies for navigating and embracing a career pivot age 50+ (or anytime!) that will bring you joy, align you with a sense of purpose, and enable the flexibility you desire for this phase of life.

Let's dig in.

The 6 Important Questions

According to Wendy S. Wiesman, CEO and Founder of the group Ready. Set. Pivot.:

"Everyone must consider the stage they're at and then begin to answer the 6 questions that any individual considering major change and transition might be wise to take note of."

The 6 questions are:

1. Why am I still doing this?

2. What makes me happy?

3. What do I want to do?

4. Can I afford it?​

5. How will I get there?

6. Who will hold me to my plan?

Alicia A. Ayala adds the importance to self-identify if you have not already. What are your core values, strengths, and accomplishments:

"Reflection is necessary to remove conditioning on what we should be, so what can be is revealed."

ACTION: If you are considering or dreaming about a career pivot, can you block out 30 minutes on your calendar in the next week to answer these questions?

Find the intersection

According to David Young, a mindset and clarity coach:

"Find the intersection of strengths, interests, and what provides energy. Experiment, with different ideas and roles, and don't assume another industry or role will solve the problem if it's not aligned properly. Have conversations with as many people as possible in a variety of spaces to learn more than you can find on YouTube and Google."

According to Matthew Fried, Nutrition Coach at Level One Nutrition:

"I recommend [your subscriber] do their Ikigai exercise... that provides massive direction and clarity."

Read more on Ikigai and finding the intersection:
GNT #037: A surprisingly simple technique to find your life's purpose
 

Start investing in your personal brand right now

According to Mike Jones, Serial Entrepreneur and EOS Implementer:

"This sounds cliche but make creating content your side gig for the next year before pivoting."

I talk to so many people who wish they would have invested in networking, LinkedIn, and personal branding long before they actually did.

No matter what you do in 1, 5, or 10 years down the road, there's never been a better time to invest in YOU.

Set your goals and break them down

According to Jeremy Walter, Fractional Integrator and COO:

"Sounds like a great time for a clarity break to get clear on what he/she really wants. Then break it into quarterly priorities."

I love that Jeremy brought in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). Many people I know apply the EOS tools to their career, business, and life. Check out the EOS Personal and Business templates here.

Believe change is always possible

According to Chad Boeckmann, CEO at TrustMAPP:

"The average age of a successful startup founder is 45. So your subscriber is within the bounds of the average and should consider starting their own business even if its a one-person business. That can often grow into something bigger over time. Choose a focus they are deeply passionate about that can apply to helping others improve their experience in said topic."

According to Brett Keirstead, Chief Sales Officer at Chief Outsiders: 

"I started my [fractional] journey at 54 years young!"

You are never too old to reinvent yourself.

Never stop learning

Kathy Lester, PPC, Partner and Executive Coach at The Collabrium, LLC noted some seriously helpful resources.

The book, Pivot, by Jenny Blake helped Kathy do some "serious identity-shedding."

And the book, Quit, by Annie Duke also helped Kathy "look at quitting a job in a different and almost process-oriented way that ended up being a huge catalyst." 

Lastly, I highly recommend subscribing to Dan McDermott's blog, Retire by Degrees. 

I found his last post, 'Phased Retirement: Becoming a Master' exceptionally fitting. Here's an excerpt:

"We start as a new trainee and work for years to perfect our abilities and then later we slow down our own production to improve the process and help to train others. [In] this last stage... we are still contributing to our field, we are influencing and teaching others, and leaving a legacy around the life’s work that we have done. Continuing to be curious and self-aware, and spending some of our newly flexible time generously sharing the wisdom we’ve gained over the years."

Takeaway

It's never too late to reinvent yourself. 

1. Answer the 6 Important Questions
2. Find your Ikigai
3. Invest in you, your personal brand, and build leverage
4. Set your goals and break them down
5. Believe change is always possible
6. Never stop learning

To our brave subscriber for posing the question - I have no doubt you will find your next path to leverage your master skills in a way that brings you joy.

We're all cheering for you.

See you next week.

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