Career Midlife Crisis: Do You Really Want to Win the Rat Race?

Often flippantly mentioned in relation to bad hairdos and convertible sports cars, the mid-life crisis is a serious issue. Not surprisingly, its symptomatic angst and sense of purposelessness often spills over into careers. Current research suggests career midlife meltdowns are occurring younger than ever thanks to higher expectations, more pervasive marketing and greater competition. Common triggers are poor job fit, being overlooked for a promotion or the realisation that it takes a rat to win the rat race. But, managed effectively, career midlife crises can have positive outcomes.