Bramble Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Just wondered if anyone has radically changed their career in their 40s. I CANNOT face another 20+ years in my current career so am thinking of what else I could do (I can't afford to retire!), I've got one or two ideas but really have NO idea how to go about putting them into practice. I have no experience of running my own business but would definitely give that a go if I can think of a plan. Am I completely losing the plot, or is it realistic to look for a change? This post doesn't give you much to go on, but just wondered if anyone else has done it and either regretted it or never looked back? Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcountrygirl Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I went from being an Estate Agent to owning first a sandwich bar and then a tea rooms. Totally different - but once you have been your own boss it's hard to work for someone else. Plus side - you make the decisions and hopefully reap the rewards. Minus side - you have to stand by your decisions and have no-one else to blame if it doesnt work. If you don't try you will always wonder - "what if". What are your ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I worked in a bank from leaving school and also numerous part time jobs when the children were little, going back to the bank when they were at school. When i turned 40 i also wanted a career change and now im a lorry driver, how different from banking is that?! Im driving Eddie Stobart lorries now and love it. I say if you want a change, go for it. Do you have anything in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Do it! I'm finding the challenge of studying,setting up a business and networking exhilarating and wished id done it a few years back. I know i will have some tough times to start but i'm looking forward tot he challenge. Our local council put on day workshops for people thinking about starting their own business, Maybe have a look to see if yours does the same - you don't have to have a plan to attended one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 My OH was a dedicated police officer for 35 years, he lived and breathed it. Didnt ever want to leave but they made him retire and we both agree it was a good thing now we've got over the shock. Even on days off he was still at work if you know what I mean. He is now an HGV driver/ shunter. He works very long hours but when he's home he is relaxed and the career change has been a success. He has a joie de vivre which was missing for some years. He's in his fifties so I think take your time and make sure you get everything straight in your mind. If you can get it right, why not, otherwise you may feel bitter in twenty years time if you don't give it a go. Good luck and enjoy planning it, I would imagine that would be quite exciting in itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Thanks for your thoughts everyone!! The trouble is I've got lots of "ideas" but nothing is anything more than a pipe dream (though oddly enough, the thought of coach/lorry driving has always appealed to me!!!!). I've come up with lots of options for possible businesses (mainly around horticulture or aquatics, neither of which I have any qualifications in, but do have enthusiasm and in the case of aquatics, a fair bit of experience), but I don't think there's anything that would be enough to earn a living by itself (yet, anyway), if you know what I mean. I like the sound of the workshops for starting up a new business (though I'd be a bit worried about being seen there by current colleagues!) I'll definitely look out for those! My ideal would be to start small whilst still working in my current job and build up from there, but it seems to be having that spark of inspiration is the key thing that's missing at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I've had a couple of career changes over the years, not drastic ones but more sideways moves - every time it has paid off, because I've felt more enthusiastic about what I was doing and the experience I have gained has been invaluable. It's worth some careful planning however. A couple of good books 'What Colour is your Parchute?' and 'Building your own Rainbow' - they may be a bit out of date now, but I found them helpful for establishing what your personal strengths/abilities are, and where your interests really lie. It's worth finding or borrowing one of these to help you structure your ideas a bit. I think if you're going to make a big move, then you need that 'spark' as you put it, to keep you going - there could be long hours and hard work ahead and you need to be really motivated. Remember - it's not the things you do in life, it's the things you DON'T do that you regret! Risk brings reward, it's certainly been my experience that every time I've taken a risk (leaving a permanent job to work as a locum, moving to London when I didn't know anyone here) it has paid off in the long run. I've always fancied lorry driving too ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Specialist IT hardware couriers ( transporting tall racks etc)are hard to come by and in demand with office moves etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Just looked what colour is your parachute up, there is a 2012 version, I may get this as well. I want to do something totally different, have a few ideas too.. I sound very much like the opening post!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Sorry, meant to do links earlier but was at work and not really meant to be on here! For anyone else - What Colour is Your Parachute and as welovemarmite says, it's a new edition. Build Your Own Rainbow is 2009, so not too old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Thanks all, I'm off to Amazon for books about parachutes and rainbows .... I'm very pleased that you haven't all told me to get a grip and knuckle down to my current job ... thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I think a lot of people reassess their lives in their 40's, if you have had a family they are usually becoming more independent and if you haven't you are more comfortable in your own skin and have a greater idea of what you want out of life. Don't worry you are very normal. My OH has been having similar thoughts for a few years, whether he ever does anything about them remains to be seen, he would like us to run a business together. I am quite involved in his current business he is the managing partner and I am the credit controller, but we would like to benefit from the hard work we do rather than carry the dead weight of others. Good luck with what ever you decide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 My advice to mid life career changers is pretty much the same as for my 'normal' students - go and do some work experience in fields you think you might be interested in I work in a supposedly 'glamorous' area - the reality is, of course, very different. Over the years I've seen so many people who *thought* they understood the job get it very wrong and end up in a career that really wasn't for them Work experience is usually associated with teenagers, but any of us can do it. Ask if you can spend some time (a day, a week, more) shadowing/helping out people working in jobs/businesses you think you might be interested in. As well as seeing if you might fit in, you can get a wealth of advice about your chances of getting into that industry, what you would need to do by way of qualifications etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I had an early midlife crisis in my early 30s after losing both my parents in my late 20s. I went from being a Financial Adviser to doing an admin job in the NHS, big pay cut but far more rewarding! I now write patient leaflets, do information websites, write news stories etc. I'd say go for it. Work is such a big part of your life, you need to do something you enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 THank you everyone! As Spacechick says, work becomes all consuming, there's really nothing else for me in life at the moment (and that's not in a good way), I'm thinking/worrying about work constantly and that's no way to live. I'm hoping I might be able to get myself organised into doing some voluntary work/work experience at a local National Trust garden, just to see what it's really like and might do an RHS course. I think my ideal would be to gradually scale down my current job whilst gradually building up into something new, although it probably won't happen like that! Thanks everyone for your encouragement, it's good to know I'm not alone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chestnutmare Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I'm not having a mid life crisis just yet but after many years of studying I have made 3 'sideways' moves with my career. And so far, I've not regret anything. Mind you, I do think things through, thoroughly and have spoken about and changes with my family. There's nothing quite like being enthusiastic about your job and I am enjoying being self-employed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 I think the work experience advice is excellent. I've seen a few people jump into making jobs from hobbies - something that does not always turn out as expected because the stresses are so different when the hobby becomes their means of survival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
