Hitting the halfway mark often initiates a period of self-reflection and re-evaluation. It can force us to ask what we don’t ask often enough. What gives me meaning? What is my purpose?
The longing to express who you truly are and bring a sense of renewal to your life starts to take over as you approach your 50s. You may contemplate a major career change or consider how to tweak certain aspects of your life. It might mean doubling down on what you are already doing. Or it could be something more radical like taking a reduction in salary to better position yourself for a more satisfying or strategic role.
To truly discover new possibilities and shape your life in a way that’s meaningful to you later in life means cultivating discipline around a “reinvention” mindset. This mindset is grounded in the principals of a growth mindset and is a perspective that embraces growth, change and transformation.
But here’s the hitch. It sounds easier than it really is. A reinvention mindset means you can’t be in cruise control when there’s a part of your brain that wants to do exactly that. This is the biggest mindset shift: gear up because to truly cultivate the meaning and growth you desire you must be all in and that requires effort.
Why Reinvent Yourself at 50?
Now that we’ve acknowledged that reinventing yourself at 50 is going to require effort the first step is dealing with resistance.
One of the biggest roadblocks to reinvention as we get older is how established we’ve become with our routines and the structure we’ve created for our lives. We like things the way we like things. We know what we like and don’t like. What’s “us” and not “us.” Knowing ourselves well is not a bad thing but it can create resistance to change via a knee jerk reaction to say no.
The reinvention mindset means when resistance comes up, we side step and grant some due diligence to the value of staying curious. What could the opportunity potentially offer me? What if this was something that would be good for me? What would I learn about myself because of trying this out? That shift to curiosity means we move past the automatic answer of saying no that’s not for me. This is how we cultivate flexibility and a willingness to embrace the new experiences that lead to our growth.
Another common roadblock that comes up at age 50 is feeling like we’re run out of time to change. We’re too old now. What’s the point? The reinvention mindset has the belief that it’s essential to reinvent ourselves continually throughout our lives even if it’s through subtle shifts such as taking a class or upgrading our skills. That type of belief system sets us up to keep exploring our untapped potential as well as ensuring that we stay relevant.
By staying open to reinvention, you will attract like-minded individuals who align with your newfound aspirations and values. This type of supportive community fosters a feedback loop that will encourage your growth and provide meaningful connections that are reinvigorating.
The Power of Self-Discovery
Self-Discovery Tips
- Recognize the self-limitations standing in your way:
You likely have fixed ideas about who you are and what you’re capable of, especially if you’ve been working in the same company or industry for a long time. If you want to reinvent yourself, you need to upend those assumptions. Make a point of taking on an unexpected leadership role, taking a class in a new subject or explicitly request an assignment that intrigues you. - Use authenticity to your advantage:
As we get into our 50s we feel the pull of authenticity and it’s liberating. You don’t care as much what other people think. Use that as a springboard for your reinvention. Strike out on your own terms and in alignment with your core values and don’t apologize for it. - Deal with your baggage:
Acknowledge the role that you play in being unwilling to change. You may have outgrown your job and being in a stagnant position for too long can lead to feeling resentful and cynical. You may be ready for a change that fulfils your need for meaning and purpose, but you can’t depend on the outside world for a career epiphany. You must cultivate it yourself. It’s an opportunity to take a dive into the heart of what inspires you and a chance to take stock of your last 30-40 years and create a plan you can feel excited about. - View your age as a powerful asset:
It’s easy to get stuck feeling old and like a has been. Turn the tables on that thinking. You have weathered the ups and downs and come out the other side with valuable knowledge, strengths, attributes and skills.
Hopefully, you’re convinced that the effort you put towards your reinvention will be well worth it in terms of what will sustain and gratify you in the years to come. If you need help developing and applying a reinvention mindset we have many coaching opportunities that can help ignite growth and transformation. Click here to book a free 30-minute consultation!
Book a Free ConsultationLiane Wansbrough | High Performance Coach
