The Myth of the Midlife Crisis
We’ve all heard the stereotypes: the sports car, the drastic haircut, the wild escape plan. But what if your so-called midlife crisis isn’t a crisis at all? What if it’s a wake-up call—an invitation to step into the next, truest version of yourself?
For Lisann Valentin, that wake-up call came on a packed New York City train, tears streaming down her face on the way to court. A successful Wall Street lawyer by every traditional metric, she felt hollow. She wasn’t failing; she was thriving. On paper. But her soul was waving a red flag.
And that’s the truth most people won’t tell you: A midlife crisis is usually a soul cry. It’s your deepest self saying, Something has to change.
Why We Resist Reinvention
Here’s the thing: Most of us were raised to believe life is a straight line. Go to school, pick a career, stick with it until retirement. Deviate from the plan? Cue panic.
Add in cultural and family expectations, and it gets heavier. If you’re the first in your family to achieve a certain level of success, the weight feels doubled. You’re not just carrying your own dreams—you’re carrying theirs.
That’s why pivoting feels terrifying. It’s not just logistics; it’s identity. Who am I without this job title? What will people think? Am I throwing it all away?
Spoiler: You’re not. You’re building on everything you’ve learned. And you’re making room for more.
The Pivot Playbook: What It Really Takes
So, how do you reinvent yourself without burning it all down? Here’s what Lisann learned (and what you need to hear):
1. Ditch the “Too Late” Lie
If you’re breathing, you’re on time. Full stop. This idea that reinvention has an expiration date? Total BS. The most successful pivots often happen after 40 because you finally know who you are.
2. Listen to Your Intuition
Intuition isn’t woo-woo. It’s data from your highest self. Lisann calls it your inner compass. Start small: journal in the morning, meditate for five minutes, or turn your shower into your strategy room (yes, Aqua Notes exist for a reason).
3. Take the Smallest Next Step
You don’t need to leap off a cliff. Lisann started by taking an acting class “to be a better lawyer.” That class changed her life. Your next step might be booking a consultation, signing up for a course, or having one honest conversation.
4. Expect Resistance (and Know Where It Comes From)
The loudest critic will be the one in your head. Get curious about what it’s trying to protect you from. And if other people throw shade? It’s usually their fear, not yours.
5. Get Support
You don’t have to do this alone. Hire a coach. Join a mastermind. Surround yourself with people who speak reinvention fluently. You need voices that say, “You can,” not, “You’re crazy.”
The Role of Intuition in Business (Yes, Really)
We talk about strategy like it’s separate from soul work. It’s not. If you’re scaling a business, leading a team, or plotting your next move, your ability to pause and listen might be the highest ROI activity you can do. Intuition often whispers the truth before logic catches up.
Lisann calls it co-creation: You and your inner compass working together. That’s how she went from litigation to The Blacklist to coaching high-profile clients. Not by hustling harder, but by listening better.
Why Slowing Down Speeds Things Up
When you’re in constant hustle mode, you can’t hear the guidance that actually saves you time (and heartbreak). Lisann learned this the hard way—via a sprained ankle that literally forced her to stop. That pause birthed her first book and opened a new chapter in her business.
So if life feels like it’s slowing you down, maybe it’s not sabotage. Maybe it’s an invitation.
Money, Mindset, and the Myth of Martyrdom
Here’s a spicy truth: Undercharging for your gifts doesn’t make you noble. It makes you exhausted. If you want to serve at the highest level, you need energy, resources, and stability. That means charging your worth.
As Lisann puts it: “You can’t operate from an empty cup. You can’t pour into others while you’re starving.” Let that sink in.
Final Word: Your Crisis Is Your Clue
If you’re feeling the rumble—that low-grade discontent you can’t shake—don’t ignore it. It’s not weakness. It’s wisdom. That discomfort is pointing you toward your next level.
Because here’s the truth: A midlife crisis isn’t the end of your story. It’s the plot twist that makes it worth reading.
Listen here and make your pivot without burning out.
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