Power of the Pivot: From Career to Lifestyle

Power of the Pivot

Forget the corporate ladders and the naysayers, it's a new era of creating your own path. It is NEVER too late, and you are NOT too old. Start now.

For years now, corporate layoffs and bankruptcies, outdated structures, changing business landscapes, job dysfunction and dissatisfaction, ageism, sexism, and more have sent people searching for big life changes and career pivots. Between my Linkedin and TikTok stream in particular, it is clear people are not happy in their careers overall, or the state of corporate world. The good news is that people start new chapters at every age and stage, and you can too.

Read my post on online education options or visit my Age Box podcast & site for supporting women in new adventures at every age and stage.

I can empathize with both my fellow burned out xennials/elder millennials/GenX crew looking to use their vast experiences + skills in new ways, and GenZ who have suffered multiple waves of layoffs and living unaffordability. I have never seen so many leaders in tech, media, communications, marketing, and advertising in particular, out of work and job seeking for months or years, nor so many people (especially women 50+) who went into executive coaching or entrepreneurship. It also seems many people I speak to here in the U.S. are seeking new paths, pivots, education, and side hustles - I get it, I have always been one of you, seeking work, location, and financial independence. I see my many chapters, jobs, moves, hobbies, and courses as an intersecting power dynamic of knowledge, which have included being a writer, author, blogger, photographer, broadcaster & podcaster, speaker, producer, creator, designer, entrepreneur, marketing executive, content & media executive, communications & PR executive, and more (plus shout out to my college days of bartending, waitressing, and retail that was like a free degree in psychology). The point is, you are never starting from zero with all of that experience and lessons learned. It is irreplaceable, so lean into the power of the pivot.

It isn’t easy, but I know with all of the tools in our tool box (experience + knowledge), there is always a way forward. And the inevitable failures are the learning experiences that get you that much closer to your goals. There is a very long list of people pivoting careers and launching new projects after 40, 50, 60+ as this is prime time given all of your knowledge and experience, especially for women.

Landscape Reads

Opportunity Reads

Inspiration for 40+

  • Vera Wang launched her store and designs at 40

  • Dame Patricia McGrath launched her massive makeup line in her 40s

  • Martha became wildly successful in her 50s

  • Arianna Huffington started the Huffington Post at 55

  • Julie Wainwright created The RealReal at 53

  • Bernard Marcus opened the first Home Depot at 50

  • Viola Davis achieved EGOT status at 57

  • Harland Sanders founded KFC at 62

  • Ray Kroc franchised the first McDonalds at 52

  • Ellen Latham was 54 when she created Orange Theory

  • Not to mention, the many MANY people who have published books, started a podcast, earned a PhD and more after 50, 60, 70+

It is NEVER too late, and you are NOT too old. Start now.

I am cheering on all of you starting a new chapter (myself included)

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carrie, Culture, Learn, WomenCarrie Mitchellwomen, career, learn, culture