top of page

The Obama question

Updated: Jun 3


Most of you have been working for 25 to 40 years. We spend on average 260 days a year at our job. That's over 50.000 hours in 25 years. How are you going to spend the working days ahead? Here's the Obama secret: be intentional about it.


Do you mostly talk about your past adventures at or mainly focus on your professional future? Do you tell stories about achievements throughout your career or do you share exciting plans for the future?


In our third quarter self scan, we found out that only a little over 6 % remain focused on career advancement and are striving for the top.


The top 3 answers to the question:

When you think about your career, what comes to mind?


  • It should fit my work-life balace and my health and wellness pursuits (16.2 %)

  • It's my way of making a difference and contributing to society (16.2 %)

  • I'm happy where I stand and am focusing on balance (13.7 %)


The Third Quarter is clearly a life stage when giving back to society & finding more balance are key drivers at work. That doesn't mean work becomes less important. It means we think more about how we want to spend the third quarter of our careers.


FUN FACT: over 1 in 5 people are considering a career change.

Over 10 % are considering a complete change in careers or pursuing a passion project and almost 12 % say work is a source of stress, questioning if they should take another path.



Midlife Hack - take some time to become intentional about work


I just listened to a great podcast, IMO, hosted by Michelle Obama and her brother Craig. They interviewed Brain Chesky, founder of AirBnB. It appears that former president Obama is one of his mentors. And became one just because he asked, very early on in his entrepreneurship story when he started the company in 2008. Here's how he phrased it:


"The most important thing I learned from President Obama is to become more intentional. What do you want out of your life, your job, your business? He made me sit down and put it into writing so I wouldn't forget along the way. Asking these questions and knowing your why is crucial to being happy."


This is something you can do at any age, in any life stage.


Stay tuned for more midlife hacks to navigate your third quarter in a positive way.


Elke & Jo





To find out where you are today and get regular midlife hacks for professional growth, scan the QR-code below or take our free Third Quarter Sca. It only takes 5 minutes.






 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page