We’ve all heard inspiring stories of people who’ve found great success later in life, from Laura Ingalls Wilder penning the Little House on the Prairie books at 65 to Ray Kroc opening the first McDonald’s at 59, from Julia Child making her TV debut at 51 to the painter Grandma Moses taking up art at 78. But rarely do we know the whole story and the challenges they likely faced along the way. Changing careers and pursuing long-held passions is not easy; and yet, many of us are doing this in midlife, figuring it out as we go along, with no guidebook or model to follow.
My Story: How It’s Going
Two years into my career shift, work “evolution,” or so-called “next chapter,” I would say it’s been illuminating; equal parts exciting highs and challenging lows. After making the decision to work fractionally as a contract-for-hire advertising executive, allowing flexibility to pursue other goals and to work remotely from France every year, things started strong.
Out of the gate, I was hired by the company I had just worked for in a full-time leadership position, to continue the work I was doing for them on a contract basis. This was a great segue into fractional work, already knowing the company and people. Pivoting to being off payroll with no benefits or paid vacation, I was now tracking time, submitting invoices with a lucrative hourly rate I’ve yet to match since, preparing for a month in France, and pursuing other work on the side.
This was followed by a long stretch of very little work, mounting financial strain, breakdowns, and daily anxiety of what had gone wrong. Having moved back to my hometown during the pandemic two years prior, I had also thought it would be an easy pivot into new directions there, such as higher education and the arts, only to find it was the exact opposite.
As I eventually discovered through networking, it’s an insular community that likes to protect and promote their own, and despite my extensive background and transferable skills, no one cared. It would, in fact, be my own Toronto network that brought me back to life, and that has since expanded to include ongoing work with a not-for-profit UK organization supporting women in leadership.
In parallel, the highlight of this transition has been tapping back into my creative passions; specifically, writing. Launching and authoring my Substack newsletter and the freelance articles that have come from it is a real joy, and to call myself a published writer for both U.S.- and France-based publications is a win I couldn’t have predicted.
Whether these paths can continue in parallel, or if I’ll eventually need to pick a lane, remains to be seen. But for now, I’m forging ahead enthusiastically, with an open mind.
A Reinvention Story
Many of us are in a time of transition in midlife, whether it’s because of downsizing, empty nesting, retiring, pivoting to volunteer work, being packaged out, or shifting from CEO to honorary chair. Whatever it is, it brings about change. As I’m still in the midst of my own reinvention, I’m hesitant to dispense advice or tips, but I have friends who are further along and willing to share theirs. Let me introduce you to my friend Tonie.
A Teacher All Along
I met my friend Tonie working in advertising in the ‘90s, and we’ve remained friends ever since. After 30 years, she left the corporate world and wondered, at age 50, what she’d do next. After applying for a marketing position at a Toronto college, they were wise enough to realize she’d be bored in the role, and asked if she’d ever thought about teaching.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Tonie took over the second half of a semester as a trial, teaching marketing fundamentals with her real world experience to a class of 40 students. Walking into that first class she was scared to death. After all, it’s one thing to do a PowerPoint presentation to a bunch of marketers; it’s another to keep a room full of distracted students engaged.
She came to realize she’d been teaching all along in her corporate life, frustrated that direct reports with degrees didn’t know the basics, and showing them the ropes daily on writing briefs, budget management and strategy. She was a natural teacher and leader and after her first full semester, grew to love it. “Seeing students excel, making an impact in their learning, receiving notes from them expressing their gratitude,” says Tonie, “it’s the best.”
Eight years later, Tonie’s teaching career is thriving with continued stints at additional colleges and a role as an executive in residence. She still hears from some of the students from that first class eight years ago, and those moments are priceless.
While Tonie’s career reinvention is likely just the beginning, she shared a few tips about the mindset that’s required to be open to change.
Tonie’s Tips
- Don’t be quick to say no to new opportunities that, perhaps, you never thought of or considered. Try new things, it’s good for personal growth and to overcome fear. You never know where it could lead.
- Don’t say no for financial reasons. If it feels like the right path, the money will follow.
- Find passion in what you do and trust your instincts.
The Career Long Game
It’s helpful and hopeful to think of a career or work today as an evolving thing versus something that starts and ends definitively. With the age range for most entrepreneurs starting their own businesses now 55 to 64, the aging population, and people living longer, the concept of a career long game is a welcome concept for many.
This quote by author Neha Ruch, founder and author of The Power Pause, shared on social media by CEO and founder of Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington, speaks volumes. Careers don’t need to end after one chapter closes. In fact, a “next chapter” of work can be better than the first. Also, coming to terms with the pauses and down time in-between gigs is a reality most don’t talk about, but many experience. It may not all happen overnight or as expected, but it just may end up better.
So, if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, just think back to what Oscar Wilde once said: “…Now knowing what you want to be, reinventing yourself every morning, not being fixed in life, is a privilege.”
Connect with Kathy at labadieboutique@outlook.com and stay tuned for more of her contributions here at AGEIST.
Labadie Boutique’s Newsletter / Kathy’s Writing Portfolio / Labadie Boutique’s Instagram (@labadie_boutique) / Labadie Boutique’s Art Instagram (@labadie_art)
