One month ago, I wrote on LinkedIn about those moments when something shifts—inside you or around you—and you start wondering if it’s time to move. This is often where professional resilience is tested, and where the scenery of your career begins to change.
People started telling me their stories. A few had bent with the wind and stayed put. Some had jumped into something completely different. And quite a lot were still somewhere in the middle, trying to figure out which way to go next.
It brought back a lesson I’ve seen play out more than once in my own career: when the world around you shifts in a way that feels “off”, the real decision isn’t between safety and chaos. It’s about whether you’ll take the pen and write the next chapter yourself… or let someone else do it for you.
For me, that’s what professional resilience really comes down to. It’s not blind endurance. It’s the ability to stay steady while deciding, with intention, what comes next (One insightful read on workplace ageism: Workplace Ageism: The Pros And Cons Of Including Age In DEI Strategy on Forbes).
Recognising the moment — professional resilience in real life
Changes in the workplace aren’t always loud. Sometimes they sneak in so slowly you almost miss them — a little change in priorities here, a subtle shift in tone there.
Little by little, the things that once fired you up start to wear you down instead. That’s often the first sign your work environment and your personal compass are no longer pointing in the same direction.
I learned this lesson early in my career, when a leadership change brought a wave of “restructuring” that had little to do with actual business needs. My role was suddenly declared redundant. Months later, standing in court, it was obvious this had never been about performance or budgets. It was about clearing out people tied to the previous leadership. Winning the case felt good, sure — but the bigger win was realising that sometimes professional resilience is about spotting when the rules have changed and deciding how you’re going to play from then on.
I’ve shared more about how adaptability plays out in real leadership situations — moving from rigid structures to more flexible, people-centred approaches — in another article here.
Living with the discomfort — professional resilience in practice
That knot-in-your-stomach feeling when things stop fitting isn’t failure at all — it’s often just growth wearing a disguise.
Back then, my gut reaction was to smother that uneasy feeling by working even harder, as if sheer effort could somehow make it disappear. It took me a while to realise it was actually telling me something important — a nudge to pause, step back, and ask myself: “What’s really shifting here… and what does that mean for me?”
That pause isn’t doing nothing — it’s part of building your professional resilience.
Deciding if the change is temporary or permanent
Not every shift means you need to reinvent yourself. Some changes are seasonal — they pass, and the core remains. Others stick for good, changing the culture itself, shifting what’s expected, even redefining what “success” looks like.
I’ve had those days where I kept thinking, “Hang on, this will blow over.” They didn’t. One day it clicked — this wasn’t a rough patch, it was how things were going to be from now on. Once I stopped fighting that idea, figuring out my next move got a whole lot simpler… and I could do it without dragging any bitterness with me.
Building on what you’ve achieved
Reinvention doesn’t wipe the slate clean — it stacks new bricks on top of the ones you’ve already laid.
Every skill, every setback, every win — they all become part of the base you’ll stand on for whatever comes next. And if you’re reinventing your career past 50, that foundation’s even richer: you’ve got perspective and adaptability that only years of living this stuff can give you.
When I made a mid-career shift, my past roles didn’t weigh me down — they gave me a solid reputation and the confidence to navigate unknown ground.
Let’s be honest: in today’s job market, landing a new role after 50 isn’t always simple. Age bias might not show up in the job ad, but it can creep in quietly during the process. Evidence shows that about 64% of workers aged 50-plus report seeing or experiencing age discrimination. That’s why professional resilience at this stage isn’t just about “rolling with it” — it’s about making your value so obvious it can’t be overlooked. Everything you’ve achieved, every skill you’ve sharpened, every person who knows your work — they’re not just part of your past, they’re the toolkit you bring into the future.
Testing before committing
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t to jump — it’s to edge in slowly, just far enough to feel the water before you decide to dive in.
That could mean taking on a small side gig, trying out a short course, volunteering in a space you’re curious about, or having a coffee with someone already walking the path you’re exploring.
This approach is exactly what the co-creation.group calls small experiments in career planning — short, low-risk tests that help you learn more about your next direction. Another great read, How To Experiment Bravely In Your Career Change, encourages acting quickly, reflecting thoughtfully, and using each tiny step to clarify what’s next.
Some of my own transitions began quietly, outside official job descriptions. These experiments gave me proof that I was moving in a direction worth pursuing. (More on experimentation here).
Purpose and professional resilience
Resilience without purpose can keep you stuck in situations you’ve simply learned to tolerate. The anchor is knowing why you want to change.
For me, that “why” has evolved. Early in my career, it was about challenge and growth. Later, it became about working in ways — and with people — that reflect my values.
Your reason doesn’t have to be grand, but it has to be yours. It’s the compass that turns uncertainty into direction.
Practical steps for a senior professional career transition
- Revisit your values — they may have shifted since you last thought about them.
- List your transferable skills — many will be more valuable than you realise.
- Map your network — who knows your work and would vouch for you?
- Invest in targeted learning — focus on skills that serve both your curiosity and your next goal. (Related content here)
- Shape your story — frame your move as building on your past, not escaping it.
The quiet signal
You don’t need a crisis to make a change. Sometimes all you get is a quiet realisation: “This chapter has given me everything it could. I’m ready for the next one.”
That’s professional resilience: hearing the signal and trusting yourself enough to act on it.
So I’ll leave you with this:
What would make you say, “This chapter is complete, and I’m ready for the next one”?
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