Psychologists have not yet determined why people in 50+ industrialized nations experience midlife crises. It’s certainly a major reason why people hire executive coaches.
“What’s next?” is one of life’s most worrisome questions. It’s something I hear from my successful clients. And it’s one of the main reasons to engage a coach who can help you reevaluate your cherished convictions, morals and guiding principles.
Experiencing disappointment doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. It does signal that something is missing.
There’s a mental shift at midlife from “time since birth” to “time left until death.” We begin to feel time is running out and, more crucially, question whether what drove us in the first half of life is worthy enough for a fulfilling second half.
Being aware of the pitfalls associated with the midlife experience can prevent you from committing irreparable errors. If you know you’re vulnerable to doubts, anxieties and mood swings, you can stop yourself from storming out of a meeting or acting out of desperation.
If you feel trapped, midlife can become a truly dangerous life passage. Perhaps Carl Jung said it best:
We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning—for what was great in the morning will be little at evening, and what in morning was true will at evening have become a lie.
In my work as a coach, we explore purpose and the stories you tell yourself about what you live for. Often, the stories we told ourselves at the beginning of our careers are no longer working for us.
Without knowing what you live for, and without being able to clearly articulate it, you’ll be challenged to find the deeper meaning and fulfillment you need. You’ll have difficulty knowing “What’s next.”
What about you? I’d love to hear from you. I can be reached here or on LinkedIn.
