Personal Development Mastery: Clarity for Midlife Professionals in Transition The Hidden Emotional Traps of Career Change No One Talks About, with Michelle Schafer | #572
Ever feel like your career transition is “going nowhere”… even though you’re doing all the right things?
If you’re in that messy in-between of job loss, burnout, values mismatch, or a pivot that’s taking longer than you expected, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Michelle Schafer (two-time restructuring survivor turned career coach) breaks down why this phase feels so uncertain, why confidence takes a hit, and what to do when the “sprout” hasn’t shown up yet… even though growth is happening under the surface.
- Learn practical ways to manage the emotional rollercoaster of uncertainty (without pretending you’re fine).
- Discover simple, repeatable actions to rebuild confidence, especially if job searching feels harder than it used to.
- Get a clear career-transition strategy: how to define your target, create a plan, and stop wasting energy on unfocused applications.
Press play now to get a grounded, step-by-step approach that helps you regain clarity and confidence, so you can move toward work that energises you and aligns with what you believe.
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KEY POINTS AND TIMESTAMPS:
01:40 - Michelle’s background and restructuring experiences
03:30 - The planted seed: discovering coaching
07:00 - The seed and gardening metaphor for career transition
09:48 - Navigating uncertainty during transitions
13:54 - Emotional regulation and building supportive practices
16:18 - Confidence dips and practical reflection strategies
21:10 - Strategy, clarity and planning your career direction
27:45 - Resources, final questions and concluding insights
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MEMORABLE QUOTE:
"Use your network more. Look through your network, not just at it, because every connection opens the door to many more."
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VALUABLE RESOURCES:
Michelle's website: https://mschafercoaching.ca/
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Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor
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🎙️ Want to be a guest on the podcast?
Message Agi on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/personaldevelopmentmastery
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Conversations and insights on career transition, career clarity, career change and career pivots for midlife professionals, including second careers, new ventures, leaving a long-term career with confidence, better decision-making, and creating purposeful, meaningful work.
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Career transition and career clarity podcast content for midlife professionals in career transition, navigating a career change, career pivot or second career, starting a new venture or leaving a long-term career.
Discover practical tools for career clarity, confident decision-making, rebuilding self belief and confidence, finding purpose and meaning in work, designing a purposeful, fulfilling next chapter, and creating meaningful work that fits who you are now. Episodes explore personal development and mindset for midlife professionals, including how to manage uncertainty and pressure, overcome fear and self-doubt, clarify your direction, plan your next steps, and turn your experience into a new role, business or vocation that feels aligned.