I managed to change my career by getting new qualifications and moving to an new area lower down the ladder for a while. I also left behind any delusions that come with corporate rehtoric about ‘teams’ and common goals, and now see these as useful short term project themes not how you should live your life.

Losing your career means its time to start being self-centered. Being clear about your real needs and aspirations. Its a ‘crucible moment’. Its also time to remember that all of your experience, know what and know how stays with you. Its a resource, but not in the direct sense necessarily.

The ‘on the scrap heap’ thing is scary too and if you have debt to pay down thats scary too. Try and avoid jobs that undermine your sense of self and self esteem just to get income and still focus on finding out about the qualities of the potential new ‘lily pad’ you are about to leap onto.

When you’re ‘in it’ its hard to believe that it will be OK (and that’s a challenge too), Rest assured it will but you have to really use the moment to stop and think about new goals and develop a new personal life strategy into which your career fits.