Career Reinvention For Women Over 50: The 3 Phases Of Finding Purpose And Financial Stability

It’s My Time Now: Kavita Ahuja

Since starting my coaching practice, I’ve noticed one common thread among the successful, high-achieving women I work with: at some point, they may start asking themselves, “Is this really what I want for the rest of my life?”

A big salary and impressive title can feel good for a while, but eventually, the pull toward deeper career fulfillment just can’t be ignored.

Does that sound like you? If so, you might be wondering, “Can I chase a sense of purpose in midlife without sacrificing financial security?” The answer is a resounding yes—provided you approach it thoughtfully, one step at a time.

These types of questions should indicate to you that you are entering a transition. 

The Three Phases Of Career Transitions:

Every transition has three phases, and it is important to understand them in order to really make changes in your life which will “stick”:

“You can view these moments as the end of something – or the start of something better. The choice is yours.”

1. Triggers:

Transitions generally kick off with a trigger. Maybe you’ve experienced:

• A layoff
• A sudden empty nest
• A retirement
• Burnout
• Lack of fulfillment
• A big life change like divorce or losing a loved one
• A health scare that makes you rethink your priorities
  

Some triggers show up unexpectedly (like a job loss), while others bubble up from within (like a deep urge for more meaning). You can view these moments as the end of something – or the start of something better. The choice is yours.

2. The Neutral Zone:

Once a trigger happens, you land in that in-between period called “neutral zone.” It’s a period of rediscovery—a time to pause and reflect on who you are and what you really want.

It can feel confusing or overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure how to proceed. Give yourself permission to press pause, ask questions about who you are now, and explore possibilities you may have never considered before.

3. Action (The New Beginning):

Once you’ve gained clarity in the neutral zone, you move into action mode. Maybe you apply for a new job, start that passion project, or return to school. This phase is all about doing. And yes, it requires a bit of courage. But if you’ve honored the first two phases—recognizing your triggers and clarifying what lights you up—whatever you do now is far more likely to stick.

When Fear Sets In:

It’s totally normal to get butterflies (or maybe a stampede of elephants) in your stomach at this point. Doubts creep in—“Am I too old to make a switch?” “Can I still pay my bills?” “Do I even have the skills for something new?”

These fears often pop up because we want to stay safe in our comfort zone. Take a step back and ask yourself: “Do I really want to settle for ‘fine’ when I could have something that fires me up?” If you’d rather keep growing, use that fear as motivation. Fear isn’t necessarily a stop sign; it can be a green light telling you you’re on the brink of meaningful change. It’s time to redefine what success means for you.

So, back to the original question: how do I honor both financial stability and purpose? 

Balancing Financial Stability And Purpose:

I get this question often: “How do I honor both my bank account and my desire for meaningful work?” In my experience, once you uncover your deeper “why”, you can find creative ways to earn an income that aligns with it—especially if you plan thoughtfully. Sometimes that means taking small steps first, like exploring your interests on weekends or after work. You don’t have to drop everything overnight if that feels too risky.

When you find your purpose or your WHY, and design your life and career around that – abundance will follow. It has to.

3 Steps To Career Reinvention For Women Over 50:

When you have taken the courageous decision to find your WHY it also can be very confusing – so where do you start? 

“Let that image of your Inner Mentor guide your day-to-day decisions.”

1. Identify Your Ikigai:

Ikigai is the intersection of what you’re good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Reflect on:

• Strengths: What are you naturally good at, and do people seek your advice for these skills? Are you using these skills to the utmost now? If not, why not?
• Passions: Which activities could you lose yourself in for hours? Have they been buried?
• Values: What do you value now, vs. what you valued say, 10 years ago? Does your current values align with your work and life? If not, why not?
• Contribution: How can you apply these strengths, passions, and values to benefit others?

2. Envision Your Future:

Picture your life 5 or 10 years from now. Who are you with? What are you doing? What impact have you made? Let that image of your Inner Mentor guide your day-to-day decisions.

3. Face Your Obstacles:

Notice the limiting beliefs or assumptions that keep telling you, “No, you can’t.” Challenge them by asking, “Is this really true, or just a story I’ve grown used to?” What lies are your inner critic telling you? Challenge your interpretations of events, situations and people which can change your perspectives.

4. Build Confidence Through Action:

Every small move—updating a resume, attending a workshop, networking, daily self care routines, talking to a mentor—builds real momentum. Momentum creates confidence, and confidence leads to more action.

5. Seek Accountability:

From mentors, groups, trusted advisors, coaches, consultants

When you determine your WHY through this process, the work now becomes – how do I bring this out into the world?

Taking Action:

Action brings confidence, and confidence brings results and hence abundance into our lives. Think about how you can you bring those elements of your strengths, passions and values together somehow in your life?

It could be that you need to push yourself further in different ways in your current job; perhaps it means you pursue the next role within your existing organization. It could also mean pursuing a buried passion or hobby, or starting something you love as a business on the side. 

What matters is taking intentional steps toward a career pivot that aligns with your personal definition of success.

A Real-Life Example:

I have a client who is a brilliant scientist and has spent her whole life in progressively more senior positions. She seems to have the perfect career on paper—yet she felt stuck, burnt out, and unhappy. As we worked through the above process together, she has rediscovered her passion for art and music, two hobbies she’d buried under work and family obligations. 

Now, she is pursuing these passions, and this renewed energy has led her to take action to display and sell her art, teach music, and perhaps eventually create educational programs combining art and STEM for young girls – which is one of her deep values. All this combines her love of science with creativity. This positive energy has spilled into all aspects of her life, including her work and relationships.

So, she may eventually leave her corporate role, but for now she is starting slowly to redefine her definition of success!

Redefining Success:

Switching your focus from a paycheck to a sense of purpose in midlife brings a host of rewards: more energy, genuine excitement for your day-to-day life, and a feeling that what you’re doing truly matters. When you’re living out your values, you’ll often find that new opportunities—or “abundance” in its many forms—will show up.

Final Thoughts:

If you’ve felt that tug to break free from what’s “fine” and discover what’s extraordinary, it might be time to pause, reflect, and explore the triggers nudging you toward change. Yes, it can be scary, but ask yourself what’s scarier: staying stuck, or looking back later and wondering “What if?”

You get to define success on your own terms—no matter what age you are. And trust me, with the right mindset and plan, you can absolutely have both financial stability and the deep satisfaction that comes from doing something you truly believe in.

Did you enjoy this article? Become a Kuel Life Member today to support our Community. Sign-up for our Sunday newsletter and get your content delivered straight to your inbox.