How to Overcome a Mid-Life Crisis in Your Career
Two takeaways:
This piece argues that feeling stuck in your career— whether from restlessness after a long tenure or the belief that you should be farther along than you are— is much less a personal failing than it is a predictable byproduct of how growth actually works.
This piece’s central framework is that every skill learned or challenge faced takes the shape of an S curve, starting at the relatively flat launch point, moving into the high-incline sweet spot, and then flattening out again at mastery. The shape of the “S” captures the rhythm of how growth actually feels: slow at first, then fast, then slow again.
The key insight is that feeling “stuck” usually means you’re at one of the two flat ends — either grinding through a launch point or coasting at “mastery” — not that something is fundamentally wrong with you or your career. Let’s break these two down a bit more:
- At Launch Point (early in a new position): This stage can feel murky. Complicated. Frustrating. But dwelling too much on the negative aspects of the situation can obscure the fact that growth is often taking place out of sight. Frustration can obscure feelings of progress. But remaining curious, active, and aware that you are moving forward can help keep you invigorated & driven.
- At Mastery (middle career): Those feeling stuck in positions they’ve held for a longer duration often mix feelings of confidence and competence in their work, with feelings of being complacent or stagnant. If this describes you, Johnson argues, it is a sign that you have reached the point in the learning curve where– to continue growing– you must start a new curve. To find a new Launch Point.
Though new surroundings might help bring on a new launch point, finding it may not necessarily mean you have to leave your position. Consider lateral moves or proposing new initiatives to company leadership that invigorate you.
Growth can often feel frustratingly slow. It’s easy to feel stuck—but it is important to remember that you are always in control. When we take a thoughtful approach and recognize where we are on the growth curve, we give ourselves the chance to accelerate.
By Whitney Johnson for Fast Company
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