Changing Career In Midlife

From: sfa
To: askdrbeverlee@selfdiscoveryofspirit.com

Dear Dr. Beverlee:
After being in business for myself for over 7 years, the downturn of the economy and resulting loss of some clients and reduction of hours needed with others, I decided to, at age 55, re-enter the job market. Over the past several months I have withdrawn money from retirement savings, hired a career counselor, hired a professional resume writer, spent 3 weeks at a dead-end commissions-based sales/consultant job, and sent out approximately 250 letters and resumes with nothing to show for it.
I am an accountant by education and experience, but have a broad background in a number of industries. I yearn to do something I love. I love working with people to help them succeed, which is why I started my consulting/accounting business 7 1/2 years ago. I love to travel, but because of my economic situation am unable to do that. My ideal career would be to write articles for a travel magazine, but I cannot afford to launch that full-time. I need revenue coming in to meet my financial and debt obligations.
I have always worked hard, and am frustrated that businesses needing an experienced person will not even offer me an interview. I would love to relocate, but my wife's mother is elderly and she feels the need to stay by her. My own mother is in a nursing home, but I do not feel a need to stagnate my life in order to remain close by. My sister is estranged from my mother, and although she lives nearby also only visits my mother perhaps once or twice a year.
Our youngest son and his Thai wife have moved from San Francisco to our home in Charlotte, N.C. They were blessed with their first child just 5 weeks ago, and are temporarily living with us. Our son is out of work, collecting unemployment and looking for a job.
The whole situation has me in a spin. I just landed a nice consulting engagement with one of my long time clients, but I also must spend time on my job search daily in order to not miss out on a possible new job.
What type of work should I be seeking? I am an experienced business person with an accounting background, but varied interests that make me unlike your typical CFO. I'm more of a senior level business manager and feel that a mid-sized corporate management job would be ideal, but I value the freedom that being self-employed brings.
Any advice or counsel would be greatly appreciated.

Dear S:

Your entrepreneurship dedicated to accounting/consultation was motivated by your love of guiding people to find their best work related self. As you describe this business it sounds like it touched and used your talent, education, resources, and personality.

Belief that you had to relinquish it was a serious loss. But a more damaging loss occurred when the replacement became re-entry, at age 55, in the “job market.” You then, with good reason, became dispirited, unhappy, and confused by the failed efforts. I believe that you have been directed, and perhaps directed yourself, away from the career where creativity, enjoyment, love of what you do, and talent matched a choice that worked for 7 years. Your business hit a break point (related to economic downturn or perhaps other elements). And at breakpoint a shift of energy is necessary as well as change in direction. Economic downturns, even depressions, are fertile grounds for creative opportunity. Many people have lost jobs and careers and are seeking guidance from someone who can evaluate their dreams, ambitions, and resources. Your skills in accounting and business consultation are critical to being this guide or coach. And that is the irony of your letter. Your years of personal experience, growth, and even pain are wonderful background to helping others. Why look for a job when you know what you love to do?

The Yin: Perhaps time spent adding new dimensions; new tools would enhance your original business, making it once again viable. I call this outreach. Talking to many people will enable creative directions. For example, bankruptcy attorneys may have clients who need your consultation and expertise. A woman accountant has been written up in many magazines for her innovational way of doing accounting. She has formed an Internet association of net-working accountants whose offices are throughout the United States. They support each other with their different areas of knowledge and expertise. Each one enhances the others so they can give their own clients a broader range of accounting services and information that they alone can’t provide. Her email address is:
carolyn@azcpa.com
Her own business has not only grown enormously with this venture, but the accountants that she has associated with have broadened their experiences and knowledge.

The Yang: Are you over extended with care-taking your son’s family and perhaps feeling responsible to do more? Talk candidly about appropriate options with your son because temporary can become permanent as a line of least resistance. Like habits. Your life needs thoughtful time and energy. Quiet space.

An interesting book on business evolution you might want to read is “Breakpoint and Beyond” by George Land and Beth Jarmin.

My best wishes for your creative journey and re-enchantment of spirit.

Dr. Beverlee

Author of The Day the Music Stopped: Re-enchantment of Our Lost Spirit: