Embrace Your Encore: Bold Career Moves for Women in the Transitional Age

On this exciting journey into your Executive Encore career, it is crucial to remember that it is not a sprint but a marathon. Filled with lessons, growth, and courage, this path may be uncertain, but I encourage you to embrace the unknown. Make bold decisions, venture down uncharted paths, and always prioritize your values and wisdom in your professional and personal life. These practices are key to unlocking a rewarding career and a fulfilling life. Although the journey might present challenges, these very challenges make it worthwhile. So, lace up your shoes, step onto the track, choose your lane, and prepare to embark on the transformative journey to remaster your life in your Executive Encore.

Transitioning with Grace and Courage

At some juncture in life, we find ourselves at a crossroads, facing a transition. The period between the ages of 50 and 65 and beyond serves as a moment of contemplation, where we ask ourselves, "What lies ahead?" This question can evoke both excitement and trepidation. Yet, let us not forget that it is never too late to embark on a bold career move and pursue the work that truly ignites our passion.

If you are unsure how to navigate this transition, begin by summoning the grace and courage to begin the personal work. The key to transitioning into this new phase is assessing your health, financial stability, job satisfaction, and self-actualization. We must challenge outdated notions of retirement and choose a path that aligns with our values, goals, circumstances, and preferences.

For some, this might mean part-time work or volunteer/advocacy work. For others, this could be the perfect opportunity to step into self-employment, entrepreneurship, or even a complete career change.

The Courage to Embrace Change

Take it from Anne Donovan, Founder and Principal Consultant of Donovan HR Solutions. She made the leap from a corporate desk to entrepreneurship and has thrived. It wasn't easy, but her people-first philosophy and courage to ask for help served her well.

Anne’s story resonates with many of us. It’s about embracing the courage to be human, acknowledging our fears, creating action plans, and stepping into our power. After all, we've done this before, but it has been likely to serve and further our employers' business goals.

Now, it is about serving our goals of finding deep meaning in life and work. It's about sharing our journey with others and inspiring them to make bold moves. It's about changing how we work and ensuring our wisdom is shared and valued. In other words, we finally get to explore the answers to "What is the meaning of life?" and "What do I want to pass on?"

Finding Fulfillment After 60

In our journey, let's remember that we are not alone. Recent surveys reveal that many Canadians aged 55 to 80 (55.1%) intend to continue working part-time. For others, the decision to keep working is influenced by factors such as reducing stress and physical demands (43.0%) or the opportunity to engage in more interesting work (37.6%). This last aspect drives the entrepreneurial spirit.

Similarly, 63% of Americans in the United States plan to work during the traditional retirement years, with 15% of those aged 60 and above already venturing into their own businesses.

In the UK, British workers are increasingly likely to work into their 70s according to research released on International Workers' Day, May 1, 2023.

The impact of the cost of living crisis undeniably factors into the decision to continue working, but the quality of life encompasses far more than just financial security. A delicate equilibrium of finding purpose and fulfillment demands our attention.

As members of a growing community of women, we are reshaping the perception of the transitional age and actively pursuing fulfillment in our professional endeavours.

Final Words. Your Encore Awaits

Let's wholeheartedly embrace our encore years and careers! We can discover fulfillment in this transitional age range by examining our fears and concerns, devising action plans, and embracing change. As we embark on our encore careers, we require valuable resources to navigate this journey. Podcasts, blogs, and Executive Encore coaching programs are just a few resources offering insights and encouragement.

I'm eager to hear from you! Share your experiences, thoughts, and questions in the comments below. Let's talk about daring career moves during this transformative stage of our lives.

For Executive Encore blogs related to this topic, click "Categories" on this page.

• Listen to the Executive Encore podcast. Women Finding Fulfillment After 60!  
• Watch the Executive Encore YouTube Playlist, including Anne Donavon's interview, Embracing Humanity. People-First Philosophy and Bold Career Moves