Career Redesign - Case Studies

Professionals in their 40s, 50s and 60s who’ve deliberately designed their next decade to have much more joy than their last.

Warning: These case studies are not TikTok ‘before and after’ transformations.

They are in-depth stories of midlife work-life redesign for anyone trying to understand what it’s like to work with me.

You’ll get behind-the-scenes insights on the starting points and sticking points alongside the bumps and breakthroughs.

To help you decide if the Fierce Emporium (deep at-home training with group support) is enough for you. Or if you’d prefer extra one-to-one support. (The three programmes.)

Iona, mid-40s. (Speedy Sherpa 1-2-1 Programme)

Some clients are stuck because they have too many ideas and don’t know how to narrow them down. This is just as painful as having zero ideas. They carry the burden of confidence in their potential to make a difference, if only they could narrow the field of ideas.

“I felt like I could absolutely do anything. But I could never make a decision on the right thing to focus on - and that lack of direction and focus had begun to weigh very heavily on me.”

Cillian, early-50s. (Fierce Accelerator Progamme - inc The Fierce Emporium)

With three young children, a frustrating senior leadership role and only fleeting moments to think about his future, Cillian couldn’t access a clear vision of a role that might suit him better. He needed a methodology to work through in his limited free moments. This reduced his dominant fear that he would end up stuck in the exactly same position five years from now—and being five years older!

“I need to keep the financial show on the road, but I’ve realised it’s also important to work on my future personal satisfaction. One keeps the other alive.”

Joelyn, late-40s. (Speedy Sherpa 1-2-1 Programme)

When very smart people get bored, it brings with it an unusual stress that not many understand. These clients feel a heavy burden until they understand why their work no longer works for them. It becomes possible and even necessary to design work differently, to maintain engagement and energy. If you’re suffering from boredom, check out this series on chronic boredom.

“There’s a world of opportunity out there to explore. I didn’t know how to navigate it and what to look for. Or even what to reject!”

Keira, early-40s (Fierce Accelerator Programme - inc The Fierce Emporium)

Many clients arrive knowing their current work is wrong - but don’t know what they need or want in the future. Sometimes there’s an unspoken itch - a fearful sense that the only way to solve the work problem might be to escape to the circus (or some other radical career change move). But so often, the shift is slower and more sure-footed than they imagine.

“Today I accepted the new role….to keep using my Superpowers, but to point them at problems that light me up and learn lots more about how those people and organisational problems get solved on the ground.”

Aaron, mid-50s. (Fierce Accelerator Progamme - inc The Fierce Emporium)

For some clients, beyond their control, it becomes necessary to say good-bye to their current work life. Aaron’s unplanned exit, at 55, turns from a potential disaster into a golden opportunity to design creatively satisfying work with longevity and excitement built-in. Never too old, and never too late.

“My severance package offered a little space. I knew if we tightened our belts, I could take time to work out the next right steps - without financial pain.”

Kara, late 40s. (Fierce Accelerator Programme - inc The Fierce Emporium)

When you’ve thrived in, and felt passionate about, an industry for 20 years and then something bad happens it can rock your world. In this instance, a toxic new boss was the catalyst for Kara’s work-life make-over.

Even though Kara had experienced fantastic leadership development training, she’d never before appreciated how valuable it was to have someone fresh (whose success was not linked to the success of the organisation) reviewing her needs as an individual and having tools, methods, resources and ways of thinking to design her future to light up the second half of her career. 

“My eyes have been opened to the toxicity embedded in the senior levels of our organisation. I'm not sure whether I want to stay and fight, accept my fate, or get the heck out of here!”

Dara, early 50s. (Fierce Accelerator - inc Fierce Emporium)

Dara couldn’t put a finger on exactly when the change had happened. He’d been struggling with motivation for quite a while - years maybe? But he still needed to perform his busy and demanding role as Finance Director in a privately-owned technology business. He knew he needed something different. But what? He couldn’t afford a childish leap of faith. He couldn’t quit without a plan - he had a mortgage and family to support. He needed to figure out the right plan. And he engineered a surprisingly, clever exit that worked for everyone.

Joanne, mid-40s. (Speedy Sherpa 1-2-1 programme)

A serial entrepreneur realises she’s been missing out on the fun times by working long hours and weekends. She doesn’t know if it’s possible to get a “real” job having never had one before. Mindset shifts, figuring out what she does brilliantly, figuring out which problems she wants to solve. An early story of change. 

“Success, if you’re not careful, breeds more work - but not the exciting kind. The kind of work that I now realise was sucking the joy, not just out of my work-life, but eventually from my day-to-day life too.”

Pete, mid-50s. (Fierce Accelerator - inc The Fierce Emporium)

Pete’s soul was being sucked dry in his project management role in a big bank. The colour had faded from his work life some time ago. And when his Irish wife suggested they relocate back to her home town, he saw an opportunity to escape and learn how to design a new world of work for himself. 

“On my commute home, I’d stare at the workmen on the side of the road - green with envy. I’d almost lust after the honesty of their work. The physicality of it. The outdoorsey-ness of it. The clarity of a good day's work with a tangible beginning and end.” 

Dana, mid-50s. (Fierce Accelerator - inc The Fierce Emporium

A failed attempt at early retirement forced a re-think and a completely new career strategy emerged - a career portfolio solving problems that she cares about, in ways that bring extra energy. Some of us aren’t meant to retire. I don’t think Dana will be considering retirement for a long time.

“I gave early retirement a shot - but it didn’t suit me - the winters were too long and dark!’

Cliona had grown tired of talking and thinking about her “idea” about her future work life but doing very little about it. She could never seem to get the courage to make the leap and her fear of failure seemed to be growing rather than diminishing as time moved on. She needed a method of analyse if it was the best idea for her future or if she had become attached to it as it was the only idea for her future. The results of our time together surprised her.

“I’m really worried about money, about failing and having to start again - I just can’t afford to get it wrong. I need a plan, and a way to evolve into something new.”

Shauna, early-50s. (Speedy Sherpa 1-2-1 programme)

Discovering the deep satisfaction of feeling successful rather than being perceived as successful. The lightbulb moments that led to use designing the tools, resources and new ways of thinking that allowed her to earn more, do work that feels great and have more energy to devote to her other priorities in life.

“From a very early age, I’ve felt like a freak. I’ve learned the codes but those codes weren’t my codes. I suppose from the outside, it would appear that I’m successful. Yes, I guess I am. But my success has never felt good to me.”

Aoibhe, late-40s. (Fierce Accelerator inc The Fierce Emporium)

After almost two decades in one industry, even though she felt valued and was paid well, she was ready for the next chapter in her career. A well-crafted brand new career strategy - even without the luxury of a financial exit package - brings excitement where fear once reigned supreme.

“Even though I’d spent my life in change and understood change intimately, I didn’t want to take a leap of faith. I wanted time to think through the right strategy and someone to discuss options and potential action-plans.”

Bridie, late-40s. (Fierce Accelerator inc. The Fierce Emporium)

Even when we want to make changes in our work-life, life gets in the way. When we’re dealing with the big rocks of life (parental decline or loss, the ever-changing needs of our children, personal health scares, or relationship changes) our own work happiness simply has to go on the back burner…until we’re ready. Bridie decided she was ready.

“I'm a serial griever. I've lost a lot of family, in a relatively short space of time. As a result, it's fuelling a fear to find my 'so, what's next?’ in life…and work.”

More midlife joy-at-work design stories. In the meantime…