TURNING POINTS

Highlands has identified six turning points in a person's working life...

At these points you will seek ways to expand your areas of competence and express your talents more completely. It can be a time of introspection and reflection as you become increasingly aware of the disparity between who you are and what you do.

During these turning points you tend to become more open to new ideas; you may decide to explore a new career, enhance your present one, start a new business or have a baby.

The problem with taking drastic action is that its focus is mostly external. After a while the old feelings of restlessness come back again - only stronger. Identifying your real nature and true self will enable you to make decisions that ensure the next period of your life will be more purposeful, meaningful and focused.

Schools and University/College (17/18)

The first turning point and the first career decision. It is important to start higher education with (a) knowledge of your natural abilities and (b) two or three good career options to work on.

Higher education into the world of work (22-25)

Your first job should be the first step in a larger vision. If you take 'just anything' you run the risk of having to restart at age 30.

Age Thirty Assessment (28-33)

Even if your first career choice was a good one, you will tend to modify it here, to enlarge or expand it - start a family, get into the 'fast track' or move to another part of the country (or world).

Mid-Life Transition (40-45)

The end of the first cycle in your life and the beginning of a new one. No matter how satisfied you have been in the first cycle, you may want to develop different parts of yourself in the second cycle. You may want to add something you have been missing or overlooking - a new interest, for example.

Research shows that one of the most significant turning points is the one at around 40 or 50 - the so-called 'mid-life crisis'. Radical and drastic change can happen at these points. Divorce; complete overhaul of lives; jobs are left and started, affairs are had, sports cars are bought and face-lifts are carried out - to name a few! Of course, for some people everything continues as it always has done.

Age Fifty Assessment (50-55)

As in the Age Thirty Assessment, you may want to modify the choices you made at age 40; or you may want to start on a new path altogether.

Retirement Transition (65+)

The end of the second cycle; the beginning of a new one.