Changing Careers At 40 - Overcoming Fear

By Author: Penny Elwright
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

There are various reasons for changing careers at 40. One might be that you want to earn a living doing what you love. If you follow your passion, the rest will follow. Another might be that you decided you hate what you do. Or it might be that you were self-employed and now want the comfort of a steady paycheck with benefits. Do not let fears hold you back.

Changing careers at 40 requires a certain mind set. You can't be afraid of change and of taking risks. Be flexible in your thinking. For instance, you might say that the economy has few jobs. The economy has changed but so can you. Update your skills and resume. Consider alternative types of jobs; part-time, speaking engagements, teaching what you know, consultant, flex-time, contract or temporary. Take a chance on a job that you would never look at twice because it is unfamiliar or different. Also make a list of what you liked about your past jobs and what you disliked. You have to take the journey to find the best fit. You could find the perfect job. Ask yourself What do I really want to do? as opposed to What should I do?

Changing careers ...
... at 40 does not have to be scary. There are many things a forty year old can accomplish. You can go back to college and might be surprised how many people in your age range that you meet. You can still learn and adapt to a new job and all of its requirements. You can still look great. Update your hair and wardrobe. Appearance goes a long way in an interview and in making you feel confident. Tell yourself that change is good. Psychological research has showed that a person will succeed if he changes his job once every five years. Changing jobs will help you to acquire new knowledge and learn how to deal with unusual tasks.

Psychologists say that only few people are capable of abruptly changing their professional life. The ability to take calculated risk in your professional life is a major factor in success. And on the contrary, fear of failure can inhibit your success. You need to regard changing careers at 40 as a natural progression of your working life. Examine your identity. Is it tied to your previous job? Cut the cord and trust that you can reinvent yourself. You might be surprised to know that many employers value older workers because they are more reliable. At 40, you have confidence, leadership, maturity and wisdom.