By Danielle Legg,
I Start Wondering Contributor
Mid-life is a time when women have the opportunity to come into our own. We often are more confident, don’t put as much thought into what others think, and are well established in our careers or life path.
We are contemplative, thinking about next steps as we transition into t
he next phase of our lives. Are we wanting to slow down? Perhaps retirement is on the horizon? Would a change in jobs or career be desirable? Maybe you want to consider relocation?
There are many things to consider as we move into this next stage of life. While it is an exciting time, starting the next chapter also can be overwhelming as we are faced with a string of new decisions.
If any of this resonates with you, perhaps it’s time to consider working with a coach. These professionals believe that you have the answers deep within and that our job is to assist you with bringing those realizations to the surface.
Coaches specialize in a variety of areas, including health and wellness, career, spirituality, leadership and life. While my specialization is working with leaders, I have noticed that leadership coaching blends nicely with life coaching. Also, while we all want to be the leaders of our own lives, we often find ways to self-sabotage our efforts.
Addressing Mid-Life Challenges
Mid-life offers a whole new set of different challenges that women may not be prepared for. Here are some examples of some of my clients—all women who have reached mid-life or beyond--and the situations they are facing:
Ms. Financial Security wants to retire but has no hobbies or interests outside of her job. She also wants to improve her financial security by working a different job while collecting her pension. However, she’s not sure about what jobs she’s qualified to do after retirement.
Ms. Wants to be Healthy has had a medical scare and wants to change her eating and exercise habits to improve her health and increase her life expectancy. She has struggled for much of her life not only with her weight but also with her self-esteem.
Ms. Not Good Enough rates herself low in her job satisfaction and her work-life balance also is off kilter. A perfectionist, she worries that her co-workers do not like her. Ultimately, she is her own worst critic.
Ms. Pleaser has a plan of retiring in three years. She is a pleaser who rarely says no. She is over-committed to serving on committees and boards inside and outside of work, which gives her little time to take care of herself. She wants to be healthy and have more time for hobbies and exercise.
Both A Coach and Cheerleader
Do any of these resonate with your situation? That’s where coaching may be of help by offering an external reflective presence to help you take steps to adjust your choices. While each coaching experience is individualized, the coach typically begins by helping the client nail down the best starting point to deal with the challenge at hand, including analyzing why that’s the best place to begin.
The beginning of a new year is a time of celebration and reflection—and it also is a time to set priorities and goals. Do you need someone to help you fulfill those goals? Consider partnering with a coach who can offer timely questions to help you consider your path and serve as a cheerleader as you make progress.
On that note, I’ll be contributing future columns to I Start Wondering on some of the life challenges and opportunities that women face at midlife and beyond. I want to help you consider the steps you can take to build a strong foundation so you can thrive in your next chapter.
Welcome to the I Start Wondering team! We're looking forward to your contributions that will invite older women to explore personal growth in their own lives.