Mid-Career Crisis?
Yes, it is a thing and relatively common! The mid-career crisis has been described as a situation in which experienced professionals—by this, we mean those who have worked for at least 15+ years—begin to feel a growing dissatisfaction in their work life.
A recent study by Professor Ying Zhou, Director of the Future of Work Research Centre at the University of Surrey, published in the Socio-Economic Review, analysed over 100,000 workers and found that mid-career dissatisfaction predominantly affected highly skilled workers.
To be clear, a mid-career crisis is not the occasional bad day at the office, rather it is the constant feeling of stagnation. It is a sense that you are stuck and opportunities to move beyond your current role are non-existent.
As for the emotional state, those experiencing mid-career crises may suddenly find it hard to get and stay motivated, have creeping self-doubt, and feel a sense of purposelessness that pervades their every work day. This can happen to anyone, even those who are at the very top of their career ladder.
In her article, “Is this it? The rise of the mid-career crisis”, Jess Annison writes that it is a time when we notice an absence of some sort, a feeling of emptiness.
We have put together five questions to help you explore what may be missing in your career picture:
1/ Are you less interested in the company’s mission or future than when you first joined?
2/ What are your prospects for promotion or job change?
3/ Is the value you create for the company recognised?
4/ Does your side hustle or hobby excite you more than your current role?
5/ Do you feel burned out and experiencing health issues as a result?
If you answered yes to any of the questions, a period of self-examination is required to determine what motivates you now.
Dr. Cheryl Robinson’s article “Experiencing A Mid-Career Crisis? Might Be Time to Change Jobs” in Forbes Magazine is an excellent read on this topic.
We have also put together some excellent books that should help you on your journey of introspection.
This article is not personal advice. The information contained in this article has been designed for educational and informational purposes only and not for your specific circumstance. It is provided solely to enable you to make your own choices. No material in this article is a substitute for professional advice.
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