Lately, I’ve had a lot of conversations that start the very same way: "I don’t hate my job... but it just doesn’t feel right anymore."

If you find yourself in that kind of foggy space—where the old path simply doesn’t fit like it used to, but the next one isn’t clear—I want you to know something important: you are absolutely not alone. That uncertainty you're feeling? It’s not a sign of failure. In my experience, it’s often a powerful indicator that you’re truly ready to grow, to evolve, and to step into something more aligned with who you’ve become. 

"The fog isn't a dead end; it's just the prelude to a clearer, more purposeful path." 

My advice? Don’t wait for clarity to simply arrive. Go out and start shaping it.

You’re Not Starting Over, You're Starting from Strength

Often, when things feel uncertain in our careers, especially as we move into our 50s, there’s a quiet worry that we might be starting over. That the world has shifted under our feet with new tech, team reshuffles, or a sense of being subtly sidelined, and we have to go back to square one.

But here’s what I want you to truly hear: You are not starting over.

You are starting from a place of immense experience, profound insight, and a resilience that is more valuable than ever before. Think about it: the lessons you’ve learned, the challenges you’ve overcome, the wisdom you’ve accumulated – that’s your foundation. The challenge isn't about acquiring new basic skills; it's about understanding how to effectively position the extraordinary value you already bring. 

As leadership expert John C. Maxwell often notes, true leadership is about knowing the way and showing the way, and your unique journey has equipped you to do just that. Or, as I like to put it, "Your past isn't a burden; it's the invaluable launchpad for your next great leap."

The New Definition of Success: Beyond the Ladder

For so many years, success in our careers was defined by clear metrics: the next title, the larger salary, that visible rung up the corporate ladder. And there's nothing wrong with those aspirations.

But after 50? For a lot of the people I coach, success starts to look a whole lot different. It begins to feel much more like:

• Purpose: Finding work that truly resonates with your values and makes a meaningful contribution.

• Flexibility: Having the autonomy to shape your work life in a way that supports your overall well-being.

• Peace: Discovering a sense of calm and fulfillment that comes from alignment, rather than constant striving.

If you’ve been feeling that quiet pull to redefine what truly matters to you in your professional life—it’s absolutely time to listen to it and follow where it leads. As Rob Stogsdill, Executive Coach, explains, "True success isn't about climbing higher, but about digging deeper into what genuinely fulfills you."

Burnout in the Second Act: It's About Misalignment

When we talk about burnout, we often think of long hours and endless tasks. But burnout in your 50s, or what I call "burnout in the second act," often looks very different. It’s usually not about how many hours you’re putting in; it’s about misalignment.

When your work no longer genuinely fits who you are now—your values, your energy levels, your desire for impact—it starts to drain you. Quietly. This isn't the dramatic exhaustion of early career; it's a slow, persistent depletion that can leave you feeling subtly empty. "When your internal frequency no longer matches your external reality at work," notes Rob Stogsdill, Executive Coach, "that's where the quiet drain begins." If you're experiencing that quiet exhaustion, that feeling of your spirit being slowly diminished, I truly want to help you find your way back to work that feels meaningful and energizing.

When You're Tired of Proving Yourself: The Pivot to Positioning

One of the biggest things I hear from seasoned professionals, something that truly resonates with me, is this: "I’m just tired of proving myself."

And I absolutely get it. You've spent decades earning your seat at the table. You've built a reputation, developed deep expertise. You shouldn’t have to keep justifying your worth, your ideas, or your value.

That’s precisely why it’s time to pivot from endlessly proving yourself to powerfully positioning yourself. It's about confidently articulating your unique value, your wisdom, and your vision in a way that commands respect without needing constant validation. As Rob Stogsdill, Executive Coach, emphasizes, "You've earned the right to shift from proving your worth to simply being your worth." We need to work on how to do that—powerfully, without apology. It's about owning your accumulated wisdom and expertise, and letting it speak for itself.

Moving Forward with Confidence

If any of this resonates with you—that feeling of the old path not fitting, the desire to define success on new terms, the quiet exhaustion of misalignment, or the weariness of always proving yourself—please know that these are not roadblocks. They are invitations. Invitations to shape a career chapter that is even more profound, fulfilling, and authentically yours.

It’s about understanding the unique value you bring, and then strategically and confidently showing the world exactly where you belong. Let's explore how we can make that happen for you.

Ready to have a conversation about what your new path could look like? Get hold of me here and schedule some strategic time to focus in on YOU.