Navigating Your Second Act: How to Thrive in Career and Life Transitions

Life’s journey often involves unexpected turns, intentional changes, or simply the unfolding of events. Regardless of the path, you may find yourself embarking on a “second act.”

In storytelling, the second act follows the main character as they struggle to overcome challenges introduced in the first act. This phase is marked by conflict, obstacles, and struggles that ultimately lead to growth, transformation, and even moments of joy.

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This article is sponsored by Neely Coaching & Training

Life’s second acts can bring unexpected plot twists, whether it’s a career change, retirement, a medical diagnosis, becoming a parent or grandparent, embarking on a journey of self-discovery, or chasing long-held dreams. Life can give us many second acts.

Not only am I experiencing a second act in life, but it seems many people around me are as well. For example, Terri shifted from the corporate world to working at a small local business. Trish transitioned from being an employee to launching her own company. And Kim left a successful legal career to pursue her dream of becoming a published author. Their individual journeys—and the wisdom they’ve gained along the way—are shared below.

What if you don’t have a vision for your future?

Mel Robbins, who is a New York Times best-selling author, podcast host, and motivational expert shares the following exercise to help you understand what brings you joy and what you might be neglecting in your current life that can help you shape what you want your life to be.

Recall a happy time: Think back to a specific moment or period when you felt genuinely happy and content.
Identify the factors: Consider what was happening in your life at that time. What activities were you involved in? Who were you with? Where were you? What were your priorities at the time?
Compare and contrast: Compare your recollections of that happy time to your current circumstances. Are you prioritizing the same things? Are you engaging in similar activities? Are you surrounded by the same people?
Gain insights: By contrasting your past happy time with your present, you may gain insights into what’s missing from your life or what’s holding you back from feeling more joy.
Take action: Use these insights to make intentional choices. Maybe it means spending more time with loved ones, reigniting a passion project, or taking a bold step toward a dream.

Once you identify your way forward, Trish encourages you to do it, even if you feel you’re not ready or the timing isn’t right. Embrace the journey!

How do you move forward?

Life is happening. The question is, how do we accept our current circumstances and build positive momentum from where we are?

Slow down to speed up – I often find myself saying this phrase because moving quickly isn’t always the most effective approach. Taking the time to think things through and listen to your intuition can often lead to quicker success.

These are good questions to consider as you think about your next chapter: How do you want to feel in this second act? What are you enjoying in your current act? What do you want to leave behind?
Trust your intuition. Terri’s advice is to learn to pause. You don’t have to have all the answers and sometimes it is okay to let something be as it is and see how it unfolds or resolves before jumping in to fix it.
To maintain momentum and motivation, try to do at least one thing each day, no matter how small. Setting a daily intention and following through can be helpful. This could be dedicating time for reflection or connecting with someone. Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can also provide a sense of accomplishment and help you stay on track.

Practice micro bravery

I recently learned about a concept called micro bravery while listening to the Tim Ferriss podcast featuring guest Caroline Paul, a firefighter. She explained that we often set ourselves massive challenges—and then feel so overwhelmed that we don’t know where to begin. Micro bravery is the idea of building courage by taking small, intentional steps forward. Since bravery is a skill that can be learned, it requires practice. By starting small, we train ourselves to act despite fear. Think back to a moment of personal accomplishment. It likely wasn’t confidence that got you through—it was courage. You did it once, and you can do it again. With each small, brave step, you build momentum. Those nudges accumulate, and inch by inch, you get where you want to go. That’s the essence of micro bravery.

“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

This African proverb—”It takes a village”—was, overwhelmingly, the most consistent message I heard about what the second act is all about: community. Whether it’s family, friends, or others navigating their own second acts, lean on those who support your ideas and dreams. Support comes in many forms, from an encouraging word to a push when needed.

Kim shared that her motivation stemmed from the “can’t wait to start the day” feeling she experienced each morning, waking up excited to pursue her dreams. As she honed her craft and connected with others on a similar journey, she found that opportunities and inspiration naturally came her way. The road, as they say, rose up to meet her—just like the Irish blessing.

Success is no accident

I once attended a TED Talk event where one of the speakers asked, “What if your setback is a setup for your comeback?” That question has stuck with me through every setback I’ve faced. Even now, I’m often surprised and grateful when people recognize the accomplishments of my second career with Neely Coaching & Training. When I first started, my vision of success wasn’t fully formed, so I lacked clear direction. Then, just as I was starting to figure things out after a year in business, a pandemic hit and everything changed. I quickly learned that change would be the constant, and I would need to continuously evolve. And guess what? I did—and you will too.

If you’re not first, you’re last

It’s easy to fall into the habit of prioritizing others, but it’s so important to remember to put yourself first. We all need recovery time. Setting clear boundaries, noticing what is going well and being grateful, and mindfully managing both your time and energy are key. Let your values be your compass in making these choices.

What challenges might arise?

Feelings, nothing more than feelings – I recently saw a social media post that reminded me that stepping outside of your comfort zone feels scary because it’s new, not because you can’t handle it. That statement is so true! Terri warns not to underestimate possible unsettling feelings changes may have on you, even if you are the driver of the change. You will have moments of fear and doubt. That is normal.

Mindset is key – If you can build a muscle, you can build a mindset.

It’s helpful to remember the reasons that led you to choose your current path. I recently spoke with a leader who realized the role she had raised her hand for wasn’t as advertised. She felt tricked and now found herself stuck. I asked her why she wanted the role in the first place, and after she shared her reasons, I asked what had changed. Her intentions and motivations remained the same, and I reminded her that these would help move her forward, guiding her decisions in the face of things she couldn’t control. Remembering your “why” can provide inspiration and resilience during challenging times. If you haven’t clearly defined your “why” yet, I encourage you to take a moment and identify it now.
Trish recommends considering how your thinking and work approach might need to evolve. For example, how might your time management and boundaries need to change? If you’re a new entrepreneur, your focus should shift from day-to-day execution to vision and strategy. I quickly realized that I needed to schedule time for administrative tasks, or else I’d end up working evenings and weekends. I discovered freedom in moving away from the traditional nine-to-five structure, and by focusing on managing my energy levels, I’ve seen improved results in my work.
Terri’s tip? Give yourself time and try not to judge yourself against others and their second act. We each walk our own, unique paths.

Let it go

“Let it go” is a phrase I find incredibly frustrating. While it’s true that there are aspects of life beyond your control—no matter how hard we try to influence them, like the fact that not everyone will want to help you, the perception that your efforts should seem effortless, or decisions not always going your way—it’s crucial to remember where your true power lies. We can focus on trusting that the right individuals will show up when needed, embracing a growth mindset, and being proactive in seeking support. Sometimes things won’t unfold the way you expect, and that’s okay—they may lead to something even better.

Get out of your own way

In my line of work, I had to get used to not being chosen at times. Sometimes you are not the right fit. I tell my clients the same thing – when you are taking a risk or chasing your dreams, it is not about waiting to be chosen, it’s also about choosing. Don’t take things personally. Don’t tell yourself a story about what you think is happening. Don’t underestimate what you have to offer. You are worthy of all of it.

A client of mine found herself in a new organizational structure when her company split into two businesses. She was assigned to the newly formed organization and there were a lot of unknowns. After speaking a few times, I noticed a big shift in her energy, and I asked her about it. Her words of wisdom? I decided that I get to choose how I show up and how I let this affect me. I can be a victim, or I can be empowered. I choose empowered.

The ultimate lesson of a second act comes from Kim – no one needs to settle for a life designed by others. We know our heart’s desire better than anyone else, and we deserve a chance to follow it. You get to write your story.

Debby Neely is a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation who specializes in leadership coaching and facilitation. Her business, Neely Coaching & Training, supports both formal and informal leaders in realizing their potential and in getting results. Their mission is to help you be the best you can be.