About eight years ago I found myself living a cliché. A tenured philosophy professor at a respected university, I had the career of my dreams. I had made it through graduate school, the arduous climb of publish or perish, and the stress of seeking tenure and promotion. I had a wife, a child, and a mortgage. I was doing what I loved, and yet the prospect of doing more of it, week after week, year after year, began to feel oppressive. I would finish the paper I was writing; I would get it published; I would write another. I would teach this crop of students; they would graduate and move on; more would come along. My career stretched before me like a tunnel. I was having a midlife crisis.
Facing Your Mid-Career Crisis
Should you cope or quit?
Summary.
Research shows that many people—even those with seemingly enviable careers—grow dissatisfied in their jobs in their mid-40s. They may regret past choices or feel stuck in a rut. But Kieran Setiya thinks the tools of his trade—philosophy—can help. He says sadness about the road not taken can be mitigated by attending to the people and pursuits that we cherish and wouldn’t have without our careers. He notes that we spend much of our work time solving problems and meeting needs, so we should engage in some feel-good activities (inside or outside the office). And he suggests focusing less on projects and more on process, to replace a “What’s next?” mindset with an appreciation for the present.
A version of this article appeared in the March–April 2019 issue (pp.135–139) of Harvard Business Review.
New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.
Learn More & See All Courses
New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.