Finding Purposeful Work in the Second Half of Life: Opportunities and Resources

Gill Mathias, a 75-year-old from Leicestershire, founded her coaching business, Gold Coach, at age 60 — proving that the second half of life can be the most fulfilling chapter of a career. "I love the social interaction, the sense of purpose, and the chance to keep learning," she says. Gill is part of a growing movement of professionals rejecting traditional retirement to pursue work aligned with their values and skills (see recent article).

Research shows that people aged 40–60 increasingly seek careers that blend personal passion with positive impact. The question is no longer "How do I retire comfortably?" but "How do I work with purpose for the years I have left?"

This is where frameworks like the Planet Positive GAME Plan (Goals, Actions, Means, Execution) can serve as a roadmap — not as a rigid formula, but as a flexible guide to navigate this transition.

Why Purposeful Work Matters Now

1. The Midlife Shift: A Call to Reinvention

Psychologist James Hollis describes midlife as an "invitation to growth" — a time when many question whether their career still reflects who they’ve become. Studies link purpose-driven work to higher life satisfaction and better health, especially for those over 50 (see another example).

2. The Planetary Imperative

The world is in need of reinvention, as the global capitalist system is no longer sustainable. The climate crisis and social inequities demand skilled professionals who can contribute to solutions. Initiatives like Project Drawdown highlight how existing skills — from finance to education — can be redirected toward sustainability.

3. Financial & Emotional Resilience

Purposeful work isn’t just altruism; it’s about creating a sustainable livelihood. Many fear financial instability when pivoting, but strategies like phased transition, phased retirement or hybrid roles (e.g., part-time work + volunteering) can help in managing change.

Ultimately it is about fleshing out a plan, understanding the financial implications, but also understanding the implications on your broader assessment of wealth. The whole wealth paradigm considers mind, heart, mind, spirit, as well as wallet. When considered under that lens, a transition into purposeful work makes a lot of sense.

Identifying Your Purposeful Path with Ikigai

The Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, meaning “a reason for being,” offers a powerful way to identify work that brings meaning and satisfaction. It helps you explore the intersection between what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

At Planet Positive Planning, we use this framework to support clients in designing second-act careers that feel both purposeful and practical.

The Four Pillars of Ikigai

1. What You Love (Passion)

   • Exercise: Think back to times in your career — or life more broadly — when you felt deeply engaged, energised, or “in flow.” What were you doing?

2. What You’re Good At (Talent)

   • Resource: The Squiggly Career is a fantastic resource for career discovery, packed with exercises to help you uncover and make the most of your strengths.

3. What the World Needs (Mission)

   • Resource: 80,000 Hours’ Career Guide offers insights on how to use your career to tackle the world’s most pressing problems.

4. What You Can Be Paid For (Vocation)

   • Resource: For careers in climate, ClimateBase.org showcase real job roles that blend purpose with pay, especially in climate and sustainability-focused sectors. Information like this can help you get an understanding of potential market demand.

Taking time to reflect can spark valuable ideas. The key is to identify where each of these 4 areas can intersect. Once you’ve narrowed down some possibilities, test before you leap — talk to professionals in the field, volunteer, take a short course, or pilot a small version of your idea part-time.

Overcoming Barriers

Many midlife professionals face doubts when considering a career pivot. Three common beliefs often hold people back:

• “I can’t afford to change careers” – Flexible models like portfolio careers or phased transitions can ease the shift. For example, the idea of working part-time while building your next chapter.

• “I don’t have the right skills” – Retraining programs like Now Teach in the UK are specifically designed to support midlife career changers.

• “It’s too late to reinvent myself” – On the contrary, midlife offers the advantage of experience, networks, and self-awareness — as Gill’s journey illustrates.

The Planet Positive GAME Plan is designed to help you move past these doubts with clarity and confidence.

• Goals: We help you define what a fulfilling, values-aligned second half of life looks like — whether that’s launching a business, retraining, or pivoting to a purpose-driven role.

• Actions: Together, we break down your next steps — such as exploring portfolio careers, phased transitions, retraining opportunities, or small-scale experiments.

• Means: We assess your current resources and income needs, so you can balance change with financial stability. For many, part-time work or multiple income streams provide a bridge.

• Execution: With ongoing support and accountability, you take practical steps forward — at your own pace, with flexibility and purpose.

This isn’t about perfection — it’s about steady progress toward a future that fits who you are now.

Conclusion: Your Second Act Awaits

Gill’s story underscores that purposeful work isn’t about a dramatic leap — it’s about intentional steps. Whether through Ikigai, the GAME Plan, or low-risk experiments, the second half of life offers a unique chance to align your career with your values.

Final Thought:

Next Step: Audit your skills and passions with PPP’s free Ikigai Worksheet — Get in touch to receive a copy (neil@planetpositiveplanning.com).