Mid-career crisis is becoming a widespread phenomenon where the mid-level managerial employees are experiencing lower levels of job satisfaction. A research conducted at University of Warwick by Andrew Oswald, a faculty member, and other economists stated that the job satisfaction decreases dramatically in this period.
The reasons could be varied. With a pyramidal organisational structure, the opportunities for lateral growth for many managerial employees reduces drastically rendering them stuck with current work profiles. The opportunities for tangential movement are also far and few with increase in specialisation and specifity of the nature of jobs. The companies too have very few options of a charted career growth for such employees. Hence the mid-level managers are left on their own to manage their career and crisis.
Added to these are the stressors of job profile, financial obligations and responsibilities of family life. All these responsibilities leave very less time for self, introspection and planning for career ahead.
Here are a few tips to deal with the crisis to re-explore, re-orient, rejuvenate and step with ahead with increased satisfaction at work and other areas.
Take a short break: Most corporate ventures offer short time breaks of one to three months. You could avail the option to destress and gather energy to think and plan your career ahead. You could also explore your creative side and learn something you longed for when you were younger.
Plan for an Educational Sabbatical: Plan to attend a short course to upgrade your knowledge and skills so you perform better at your work which could bring you more satisfaction and increase your opportunities for senior positions.
Making meaning of your job: Take time out to think about the vision and mission of your company and how your work contributes in this regard. This brings about a perspective about your job and you would recognise the value your work adds to the company. This might increase your interest at work and as a result job satisfaction.
Be open to change: If you recognise that your interest lies somewhere else, be open to make that shift or change and work towards achieving it. This only helps in performing better and increases satisfaction not only at workplace but also in other aspects of life.
Reference
Andrew J. Oswald, E. P. (2014, February). Happiness and Productivity.