I think all of us have age denial to some degree.  The age you feel isn’t the age you are and the mind plays tricks on you with society pronouncing that 30 is new 20 and 40 is new 30, and so on.  However age does start to become an issue for many people when they begin to approach their dreaded midlife. 

For so long I thought the term “midlife crisis” seemed years away, but not any longer.  I am part of Generation X and it’s hard to believe my generation is fast approaching or currently in our mid-life.  In fact according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Have a Nice Midlife Crisis” the years of turbulence and transition span between the ages of 35 and 53, with 47 being at the heart of this anxious period.  However the article offered some good news for Gen X’ers, now entering this potentially turbulent stage, that they may be equipped to take on their midlife in a more creative and resourceful way.  They are turning the negative into the positive, and not succumbing to indulgent stereotypes that typically plague this age. 

As we begin a new year, whether you are a Gen X’er like me or just want to create a different life path in 2010 here are some valuable suggestions to avoid a “crisis” at any age:

Avoid a knee-jerk reaction:  If you are unhappy in your job or career, and feel that incredible urge to “jump ship”, avoid a knee jerk reaction to grab the next job that comes along.  The people who are happiest professionally have incrementally thought about each decision and ruminated about where their true passions lie. You will benefit in the long run by figuring out what you really want to do and staying in the job you dislike a little longer so that you can secure the perfect opportunity.

Go back to school:  If a different job or new career path needs additional education, think about returning to school or taking a night class.  After traveling abroad a good friend of mine who had been working in social work since graduate school decided her true love was teaching English.   She returned home, went back to school, and got another Master’s in teaching English as a second language.  Now she lives in Costa Rica, teaches English at an American school, and loves her new direction and career. It may seem scary to drop everything and return to school, but it could be the right boost you need.

Make small changes:  If you are in a situation not easily changeable, then consider small steps to make you happier.  One such idea could be altering the amount of time you commute by asking your workplace for a different schedule and commuting during quieter hours.  Finding inner peace is an incremental process and small changes can make a difference.

Discover old passions:  If you’ve put an old passion on the shelf because of family commitments, children or perhaps trepidation about pursuing it as a career, think about bringing it back into your life somehow.  This could translate into doing it as a hobby, part-time job, or being bold enough to create it as a full-time career.  Reigniting prior passions can rejuvenate you and give you a needed sense of excitement. 

Create a better work-life balance:  If not having a satisfying work-life balance is making you unhappy, consider talking with your employer about an adjusted work schedule, working from home, or job sharing with a colleague.  While the American workforce still has a long way to go in terms of embracing plausible work-life strategies, there are still many employers out there that are open to the possibility if it can benefit both the employee and employer.  If you do decide to ask your employer for a more flexible or non-traditional work schedule, make sure to organize a thoughtful and thorough presentation that explains why this new set up will be mutually beneficial.