Five Hidden Sticking Points Blocking Your Midlife Career & Life Transitions

For many Gen X professionals, the first real thoughts about retirement don’t arrive as a decision—they arrive as a question mark.

You’re still capable. Still productive. Still relied upon.But you may be noticing that the role you’ve built your life around no longer feels as defining as it once did.

This session explores The Identity Unraveling: the moment when professional identity begins to loosen before there’s a clear picture of what comes next.

What you may be noticing

• You’re not ready to stop—but you’re not sure you want to continue in the same way
• Certain parts of your work still energize you, while others feel more obligatory
• You’re starting to ask “Who am I beyond this role?” without needing an immediate answer

What’s really happening

This isn’t a crisis and it isn’t disengagement. It’s a natural identity shift that often begins well before retirement decisions are made.

When long-held roles start to evolve, people experience uneven energy, quiet restlessness, or a desire for greater alignment, without yet having direction.

What you’ll walk away with

• A clear explanation of why identity shifts often begin before retirement is imminent
• Insight into where you currently have energy—and where attention may be overdue
• A grounded way to interpret these signals without pressure to reinvent yourself

Who should attend

Gen X professionals who are beginning to think about retirement or “what’s next,” but want to stay engaged, relevant, and intentional rather than reactive.