For the current generation in their 40’s and 50’s, there is something between work and retiring to the golf course or cruise ship. A chance to try other things, live life first and fulfilled and with a sense of purpose.
Written by:
Justin Walton
Date:
September 1, 2025
People often spent all or most of the working life with one organisation, retired to the golf course or cruised the world in their mid to late 60’s, then sometime later passed away. That's the essence of The Big Shift.
For the current generation in their late 40’s and 50’s, there is something between work and retiring to the golf course or cruise ship. A chance to try other things, live life first and fulfilled and with a sense of purpose.
For many current leaders from business owners to senior professionals and executives, their story looks impressive.
Business is thriving. They’ve scaled the career ladder. The numbers are looking great, for the business and for themselves. On paper, they’ve got enough. Some might say they’ve got it all.
But here is the truth I hear time and again from leaders in their late 40s and 50s.
“I should feel content, but I don’t. Sticking with where I am is comfortable, it’s easy. Changing things, that’s much harder. What should I do?”
I’ve stood there. I’ve looked in that mirror and asked myself the very same question.
We spend decades building our careers, leading teams, creating wealth, and making an impact. Yet when the time comes to step back or even just to think about life beyond work it’s not as straightforward as we expected.
The questions are bigger than numbers:
These aren’t questions about money, although that is clearly important in many cases, and a big consideration. They’re identity and fulfilment questions.
They’re not easy to answer alone and they’re not always easy to pick up with those closest to us.
Leaders are brilliant at solving problems for others. They’ve so much experience from leading companies, developing clients, and running teams. However, turning the spotlight on themselves? That’s different.
There’s often a gap between:
Bridging that gap is where the real work, and the real opportunity, lies. It’s where the treasure is found.
The concept of Life First for Leaders was developed from the challenges my wife and I had in answering these very questions and understanding the gaps. We are successful professionals and leaders, and we have been on our own journey of self-discovery, transitioning from corporate life to a place of Life First.
I won’t pretend it has been easy. It’s a journey that has called on all our leadership skills and emotional strength to work through.
It’s also not a journey that has ended for us as we fully expect to refine what Life First means for us over the coming months and years.
What we’ve done though is start the transformation.
· We’ve accepted who we are, leaving behind our successful careers.
· We have clarity about purpose now we are no longer defined by our previous roles.
· We have a plan to give ourselves a wonderful opportunity to ensure the next stage of our lives are meaningful, not just comfortable.
Full disclosure. Life First does not have to mean not working or not working hard. As you will gather from reading this, I still work.
It means reevaluating priorities so that work is not the only or main focus. The badge worn with pride and which defines us for so long can be safely taken off revealing a life beyond it.
For us this has required lots of soul searching, giving up things we held close and dearly for decades and stepping into the unknown.
What I can tell you though is that it has been liberating and has enabled us to do things we simply would not have been able to comprehend while in our leadership roles.
Life First for Leaders is my response to the challenges that leaders face. It is a no-nonsense coaching and support programme designed specifically for successful business owners, executives, and professionals in their late 40’s and 50’s who want to transition into life beyond their careers with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
Through masterclasses, one-to-one coaching, and a concierge network of trusted specialists, I help you:
It’s about moving from “Have I got enough?” to “This is the life I’ve designed, and I’m ready for it.”
This stage of life is not about winding down.
It’s about stepping into freedom, fulfilment, and influence without the constant pressure of the office or the boardroom.
It’s exciting. In some ways it’s a level of excitement many of us left behind.
While our parents typically moved from decades of work into retirement in their sixties, our generation grew up in a different world with different options and skills that we can take with us into our next chapters.
My programme helps with this and builds on lived experience combined with coaching skills from study at Henley Business School and as a Financial Coach.
This is your opportunity to put life first.
If this resonates with you, here are three simple things for you to consider
Ask yourself honestly: “If I stopped working tomorrow, do I know what my life would look like?”
Join a Masterclass: A small-group session where we map out the first steps of your next chapter.
Explore Coaching: If you want deeper clarity and a tailored roadmap, we will build it together.
You’ve already achieved success. The next chapter is about significance. Contact me using the form below to start working on your fresh start.
Photo by Alysha Rosly on Unsplash
Justin Walton is an Executive and Financial Coach, and Consultant working in Essex and London. He writes regularly on financial well-being and brings his lived experience and professional expertise together to benefit clients and partners.
Don’t hold onto what is holding you back.
I offer a range of executive and financial coaching and consultancy solutions for business leaders and their teams and can tailor my services to help you meet your goals.
