The real reason women over 45 are leaving corporate life – and it’s not what you think

Let’s face it, the corporate lifestyle is not set up for working women and mums. At ANY age. But even more so when you’re in your 40s and 50s.

One of the biggest reasons women leave the corporate workplace is to find balance.

For many, the juggle of doctor’s appointments, footy matches, swimming galas and trips to the vet is Just. Too. Much.

But there are actually 3 (not just one) other reasons I see women in midlife wanting to leave the -apparent- security of their hot-desk.

1)  We have at least another 15+ years left at work…!!!

This is the first time in history that us women are unlikely to retire before the age of 65. We cannot depend on the government, our savings, partner, or minted great aunt Bessie to bale us out in our old age.

We can’t even rely on our pension anymore (what’s THAT all about?!)

So let me ask you this question….

Can you see yourself doing the job you are doing now, for the next 15 years?

If it’s a hard NO, then you are not alone!

So my next question…

If you could start again, what would you do?

Because, essentially, we ARE able to start again. To retrain in a completely new field. To start up our own business. To go travelling round the world with nothing more than a laptop and wifi connection.

We have another decade and a half (at LEAST) to make enough cash to live comfortably (or even lavishly) now, and into our old age. And I don’t know about you, but I intend to ENJOY DOING IT.

I want to do something that brings meaning to people’s lives.

Not just to line the shareholders’ bulging wallets. Ewww.

Or just make the politicians look good. Ick.

I want to live to a ripe old age in the best physical, mental, spiritual and financial health – in fact, if I can still stand on one leg to put pants on without falling over, at 95, I’m GOLD.

2)  We don’t want to compete anymore.

Whether it’s the long or inconvenient hours, the increasingly meaningless work, the younger go-getter micro-manager – or the relentless pressure to perform better, meet KPIs, exceed targets, write more reports and so on… it just doesn’t suit us. 

It requires a savings account of energy, which at this season of life is harder to replenish.

The perfect storm of lacklustre energy, achy joints, brain fog and enough heat energy to generate nuclear fission, doesn’t help.

Not to mention tweens with degree-level chemistry homework, teens with newly acquired L-plates and an elderly rescue feline (or two).

It’s not surprising then, that women who have been scaling the ladder, shattering glass ceilings, and ramming down the door of the boys’ club, are sacking it off to go and do their own thing.

• To bring back a sense of community, collaboration and co-operation in the work that they do.
• To bring meaning and purpose and LOVE into their world.
• To make a positive difference.

And don’t we all need more of that right now.

3)  We want to be in control of our own life. At last.

Let’s face it. Not all of us like to be told what to do. Especially by someone younger, more energetic and with a blatant disregard for post-it notes (gasp!)

From the micro-managing boss to the power-hungry administrator, we are DONE WITH IT.

Call me ‘mengry’ (menopausally angry), but we don’t want to be told:

• what we should wear
• what we should say
• who we can speak to
• what we should work on
• when we can have lunch or
• when we can take our holiday, any longer.

If it feels like you’ve been dancing for years to everyone else’s tune but your own, it’s time to conduct your own orchestra.

I've opened up spaces in my Hot-Desk to Hot Leads 1:1 program to help you transition from your 9-5 to being the confident leader in your online business, and rock the next phase of your incredible life!  Click on the link and have a chat with me about how we can work together!