There’s no such thing as too old anymore.

Even people who used to see themselves as being ‘in their autumn years’ are making radical changes. Over-50s made up 8.5% of all entrepreneurs in South Africa in 2019, compared to 1.9% in 2001, according to the latest figures from the Heavy Chef Foundation.

So, where should you start if you also want to make the move?

5 tips from a management coach

If you’re unsure of what you want to do and only know that your current role is not what you want, Linda Jean, an executive and management coach at Acorn Consulting, suggests working through these steps.

1. Ask yourself how much you (realistically) want to earn and how hard you are prepared to work for it. That is, how many hours a day or week.

2. Complete these phrases: ‘I want to be…’; ‘I want to do…’; ‘I want to learn…’ to help guide you in setting goals for your new career. Be as specific as possible and remember that effective goals are S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound).

3. List your three most important goals. They could be anything from ‘make enough money to cover my monthly debit orders’ to ‘have enough free time to watch my son’s cricket matches each week’.

4. Visualise yourself in your new role. What are you wearing? Who are you talking to? What equipment is around you? If you can create a rough sketch of that vision, even better. Review it often.

5. Polish your CV. Practise your elevator pitch. Dress for the role. Tell everyone who will listen that you’re ready for a new challenge.

5 tips from a life coach

Colette Merritt was 45 when she left her corporate job to become a life coach, and says: ‘It was the best decision I ever made. Living a life of purpose and passion is everything!’ Now she helps others to navigate change with her business, Thrivalist Life Coach. She advises everyone to follow these five steps before taking the leap.

1. Make sure your new career or business will allow you to do what you love. If you are unsure, job-shadowing someone can help you to decide.

2. Find out what the average salary is. Will it be enough? Will you need additional training? Do you need accreditation?

3. If you’re thinking of starting your own business – what will it cost to start this new enterprise, who are you targeting (i.e. what does your target market look like), and how will you let potential customers know that you’ve begun trading?

4. Plan your exit from your current job carefully, and factor into your timing the impact of your decision on those who depend upon you.

5. Mindset is E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. If you believe you can change your career or start out on your own, or believe you can’t – you are right.

Overcoming hurdles in job interviews

Ageism – being discriminated against because you are older – can make job searching and interviews difficult. Employers may be wary of appointing a more senior person in a junior role because they worry that you may become bored and leave after two or three months. Be confident and assure them that this is a considered move and not an impulse decision.

It’s not unusual for older employees to seek less responsibility instead of more to be able to have more time and energy for something else, be it family, a hobby or a side hustle. If this is you, be sure to make this clear in the interview.

There’s also no shame in admitting that you were previously swept along on a career path that took you on a route you had never intended. It happens to more people than you think. Tell them why you’re here now, at this point in your life, and why you want to start over in a brand-new career.

Don’t forget to mention what you will bring to the team – soft skills learnt over years, such as collaborating, handling conflict, and juggling deadlines and different tasks.

‘Above all, be honest. You’re allowed to say “I am ready for something new” or “I feel like I want to achieve more before it’s too late”,’ says Linda.

From nail artist to decorator

Kim September* had worked as a nail technician but always dreamt of becoming an interior decorator. Although she didn’t have any formal training in the industry, Kim knew she had a good eye and great style, and she used magazines and websites to inspire her looks. She also knew all the best places in town to buy fabrics and furniture.

She began working with Linda Jean, doing a lot of visualisation exercises where she imagined what her life could be like as an interior decorator: what she’d wear to work, how elegant and polished she’d look, what it would be like to sit in a client’s home and sketch her designs.

Linda encouraged Kim to change the way she introduced herself and to say: ‘I’m an interior designer.’ One day, someone heard Kim introduce herself in this way, and asked if she would quote on designing a nursery for her baby. From there, the referrals and jobs started coming in, and Kim is thriving today.

This article originally appeared in Today magazine. Read more here.

*Not her real name.