Polly May, a business and confidence coach based in London, offers guidance for women in their fifties seeking greater satisfaction in their professional lives. Her advice comes amid growing recognition that midlife can prompt significant reflection on career and personal priorities, as well as a reassessment of work-life balance.
Many women in midlife face a range of pressures and changes, including navigating perimenopause or menopause, increased caregiving responsibilities, and evolving family dynamics. According to a 2026 study by the HR publication People Management, approximately 57 percent of women in these stages question their career direction or express a desire to leave their current jobs. May explains that these pressures often lead women to reconsider their professional paths and what they want from their work life moving forward.
May emphasizes the importance of evaluating job satisfaction before making major career decisions. She suggests that if individuals find they enjoy less than 60 percent of their work, it may be time to explore other options. “That much time spent unhappy affects your sense of self and hope for the future,” she notes. Identifying the specific aspects of a role that are enjoyable or unsatisfactory can help clarify whether a change is necessary.
Another key step, according to May, is to reflect on one’s core values and priorities. She encourages women to list their top five non-negotiable elements in work and life, which can serve as a framework for reassessing career choices. This process addresses the common experience of following career trajectories without ongoing consideration of personal fulfillment, leading to feelings of being stuck or unfulfilled in midlife.
May also highlights the significance of recognizing identities beyond professional roles. She points out that success and satisfaction in one’s fifties may differ considerably from earlier stages in life, shifting from external markers such as salary or prestige to factors like mental well-being and personal fulfillment. Engaging in activities outside of work, pursuing hobbies, volunteering, or re-training can contribute to a more balanced sense of identity and purpose.
Finally, May advocates for “future visioning” — a technique that involves imagining and articulating what an ideal future might look like. This approach can help women understand what changes—whether in their current role or a new career path—could enhance their happiness and align with their evolving priorities. Drawing on her own diverse professional background, which includes a career as an opera singer and director of music, May notes that transitioning to new roles or industries can open up rewarding opportunities that better suit midlife goals.
As the participation of women over 50 in the workforce continues to grow, May’s observations underscore the growing importance of addressing midlife career challenges with thoughtful reflection and proactive planning to foster greater work-life satisfaction.