HOW TO PLAY THE CAREER LONG GAME

Finding the right path doesn’t have to be a panic

Whether it’s buying your first house or getting married, life is full of imaginary deadlines we rush to meet. And careers are no different: there’s a prevailing idea that we need to reach the top of the ladder as young as possible, otherwise the chance will pass us by. This is, of course, a myth – but it’s easy to get wrapped up in the urgency of it all. ‘Women feel this sense of urgency more intensely because we’ve been taught to believe we have to meet our ambitions before having children,’ says Fiona Murden, psychologist and author of Defining You. ‘But there’s also the modern pressure of seeing everyone’s achievements plastered over social media, so we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others and tracking our progress against unrealistic goals.’

In reality though, there is plenty of time to have that light-bulb moment, find your pot of gold or discover your true passion. Our career paths are ever-expanding and, actually, slowing down and taking your time to work out what is really important to you can be even more fulfilling. ‘As you grow older, you become better at understanding your values and your strengths,’ says Murden. ‘Finding your purpose later in life gives you a greater sense of self-worth. The wisdom that comes with age means you have more to give back.’

If you want to start your own business or shift on to a new path, remember that there’s no limit to your potential – age or otherwise. So listen to the wisdom from these brilliant women, who made big career moves in their 40s and beyond.

‘BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, BE PASSIONATE AND BE BRAVE’ NICKY GRIFFIN, 59 became a model aged 53