You’re in your late career and feeling unfulfilled. How can you reignite your passion?

If you’re in your late career and feeling unfulfilled, you’re not alone. Many people experience a decline in motivation, engagement, and satisfaction as they approach retirement. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a dull and dreary work life. You can reignite your passion and find new meaning and purpose in your work. Here are some tips to help you do that.

1 Assess your situation

The first step is to assess your current situation and identify the sources of your dissatisfaction. Is it the work itself, the environment, the culture, the relationships, the rewards, or something else? Be honest and specific about what you like and don’t like about your work. This will help you clarify your values, goals, and needs, and guide you to make changes that align with them.

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Claire Kelly

Head of Growth and Partnerships at Sigmar Recruitment- Non-Executive Director- NOW Group
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Go back to your "Why??" Step back from your role and remember what it is you enjoyed doing in the first place. From there, come up with a plan on how you can get back doing what you loved about the job in the first place! Do you need to delegate more? Are you stretching yourself too thin? Are you going off on too many tangents? When in doubt, take it back to basics and then build your action plan from there.

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2 Explore your options

The next step is to explore your options and opportunities to improve your work situation. You may have more flexibility and leverage than you think, especially if you have valuable skills and experience. You can look for ways to redesign your job, take on new projects, learn new skills, mentor others, or switch roles or departments. You can also consider alternative work arrangements, such as part-time, flexible, remote, or freelance work, that suit your lifestyle and preferences.

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3 Seek support and feedback

The third step is to seek support and feedback from others who can help you reignite your passion. You can reach out to your manager, colleagues, mentors, coaches, friends, or family, and share your challenges and aspirations. They may offer you advice, encouragement, resources, referrals, or insights that can help you overcome obstacles and pursue opportunities. You can also ask for feedback on your performance, strengths, and areas of improvement, and use it to grow and develop.

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Kristi Andrus

Elevating Experiences: Extraordinary Events & Life-Changing Journeys
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Don’t underestimate enthusiasm! Support and feedback from a coach or mentor will help you reignite your passion for meaningful work, remind you how amazing you are by helping you showcase your talents, and see the upside in pursuing something new. Everything that you reveal during the process has the potential not only to benefit you professionally but also to improve every aspect of your life. Don’t sit in the struggle. Find someone who has been there and can inspire you!

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4 Reconnect with your purpose

The fourth step is to reconnect with your purpose and the impact of your work. You can remind yourself of why you chose your career, what you enjoy about it, and how it contributes to your personal and professional goals. You can also reflect on how your work benefits others, such as your customers, colleagues, organization, community, or society. You can express gratitude for the positive aspects of your work, and celebrate your achievements and milestones.

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5 Challenge yourself and have fun

The fifth step is to challenge yourself and have fun at work. You can look for ways to stretch yourself, try new things, solve problems, or innovate. You can also inject some fun and humor into your work, such as by playing games, joking around, or celebrating successes. You can also pursue hobbies, interests, or passions outside of work, that enrich your life and bring you joy.

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6 Plan for the future

The final step is to plan for the future and prepare for the transition to retirement. You can think about what you want to do after you retire, such as travel, volunteer, start a business, or pursue a passion project. You can also set realistic financial, health, and lifestyle goals, and take action to achieve them. You can also build and maintain a strong network of professional and personal contacts, who can support you and keep you connected.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Rachna Khanna

International Keynote Speaker. Emotional Integration Technique Practitioner| Mindset Coach and Trainer. The Daily Life Hero
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It is completely normal to feel this way, and there is a potential to dive deep. What is your calling. What is your purpose, what makes your heart smile. You don’t have to do this alone, look around, who do you think is your idol, who inspires you, it is best answered sometimes with someone you feel safe. You are a sum of 5 people, look around and explore your tribe. Sometimes it is difficult to assess this on your own. You don’t have to do it by yourself, the other recommendation would be to hire a coach. 😍 they have the skill to get you answers and pathway ahead.

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Sammi Luxa

Senior Fundraising Marketing Manager
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Lean in to what you enjoy and explore that without pressure. If you enjoy writing copy, then why not take a short writing course or just write for pleasure? You're never too old to learn and although you may not find a new career that way, you may enjoy trying something new and flexing your skills. Be open and willing to try but choose something you are likely to enjoy.

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You’re in your late career and feeling unfulfilled. How can you reignite your passion?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Assess your situation

2 Explore your options

3 Seek support and feedback

4 Reconnect with your purpose

5 Challenge yourself and have fun

6 Plan for the future

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workforce Management

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You’re in your late career and feeling unfulfilled. How can you reignite your passion?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your situation

2 Explore your options

3 Seek support and feedback

4 Reconnect with your purpose

5 Challenge yourself and have fun

6 Plan for the future

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workforce Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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