I’m joined by Silvia, someone I worked with a few years ago during her work-life redesign — and what I love about this conversation is how grounded it is in real decisions, not big declarations.

Silvia didn’t chase a “perfect job.” Instead, she got clear on what actually mattered to her in midlife: time, the people she works with, and the freedom to keep adjusting as life changes.

We talk about choosing a three-day workweek, why work environment became a non-negotiable baseline for her, and what happens when you stop expecting work to have a final destination.

This isn’t a story about burning everything down or finding your one true calling. It’s about designing work that gives you enough energy, money, and time to support the life you care about — now, and in the decade ahead.

What This Explores

1. What being “time-rich” really changes about work decisions
2. Why the right work environment isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a baseline
3. How letting go of a final destination creates more freedom
4. What success can look like in midlife — without burning everything down

Curious what joy at work could look like for you?

Explore all of my programs at 👉 https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me

Catch Other Stories of Midlife Career Redesign:

What Changes When You Stop Editing Yourself at Work: Deirdre’s Story

From Stuck to Energised: Lara’s Story

Escaping Boredom and Finding Your Superpowers: Scott’s Story

Hi, I'm Lucia Knight and this is the Joy At Work Podcast.

Today I'm joined by one of my former clients, someone who, like so many

of us, had a moment of weight.

Is this what work is supposed to feel like?

And instead of brushing it off and cracking on, they paused and they chose

to design their work life differently.

I've asked each guest to share the three most important insights they

learned about their future work life that they never ever want to forget.

And these aren't just light reflections.

They're the result of three, six, or 12 months of deep work together, and now

they're in a position to capture those timeless notes to their future selves.

For some saying yes to my invitation, took a little bravery.

A lot of what I call powerful vulnerability.

Some had to dig deep because they really value their privacy.

Some said yes because they understood the potential power of having a

touch point to return to every year.

But mostly they said yes as an act of kindness gifted to me and to you.

Let's dive in.

So Silvia, I'm so curious, what is the number one thing about your future work

life that you never ever want to forget?

Yeah, great question.

It's time.

Time to do these things I love.

Time to think and prepare.

I like planning.

I like to prepare things before moving.

So for me, being time rich is very precious and also have time to dedicate to

my relations and to have the right balance at this time of my life midlife looking

10 years from my retirement probably.

Time will always be a factor in choosing what I do.

And recently I've decided to go three days a week to take

a job that is a part-time job.

It is paid enough to, being able to support myself and

my family for three days.

And that will leave me time to dedicate to other activities that

I've started in the meantime.

And since we've done the fierce emporium together, that was probably

can't remember, 4, 3, 4 years ago.

Something like that.

Yeah.

And it was really pivotal.

Since then I've took on a job that really ticked all the boxes we have identified

through the course, and now I'm changing again to, to free up a bit more time.

Lovely.

And it's really lovely that you said that.

'cause sometimes people.

Come to work together expecting one big change, but actually it's

likely over a decade long period that there will be multiple change.

So that's why it's really important for you to make sure that time is some

how precious and you find a way to do it to get paid enough to support you

and your family and do all the fun things, but in a three day work week.

Oh, so fantastic.

Thank you.

Okay, so what else?

What's the second thing about your future work life that you

never, ever want to forget?

Yeah.

My work environment, the people I work with are very important to me.

People who I know, I like and that they respect and value my skills.

That is a baseline for me.

Kryptonite for me is being in an environment that doesn't support this

kind of quality and relationships.

So this is really important and my current job, this three days a week,

I'm going back to a team that is really supportive and I've been known and

worked with and are welcoming me back.

So it's, it is, it's great.

It's great to come back to them.

So what difference does it make when you work within a team?

And respect them and they know and respect and value your skills.

What difference does that make to the quality of your work

or to how you feel at work?

yeah, I think for giving the best to a job, I need to feel that.

Calm and nourishment in a work environment.

That will also make me perform under pressure in a very different way.

And give me the strength and confidence, to feel that I can do anything.

The mutual support for me is the most important thing.

And if that is, lack in, in a work environment is really impossible

really feel at ease and and do my job.

And that seems critical for you.

I think it is somewhat important to all of us, but you figured

out that was absolutely critical.

It was your baseline.

And when it wasn't in existence at exactly the right level you needed

to be, it just doesn't work for you.

Yeah.

Lovely.

Okay.

Dying to know what is the final thing that you would love to remember

for the rest of your work life?

Yeah.

I think I want to remember that there's no, and at least in my case,

probably there's no final destination.

But the important thing is movement and do experiments.

And the freedom to do that is one of my biggest values.

Together with time, this means that I can find work that is good for me.

Give me the confidence to do that.

And as long as it gives me enough energy, money, and time, it might not

be the work I might love most, but is what allows me and support me to do the

things I love with the people I love.

So that is probably the most important and having fun in

doing it is the greatest thing.

having fun.

Okay, so what, how would I notice that if Silvia was experiencing joy at work?

What would I see you doing, saying being, how would I see this?

You will see a relaxed Silvia.

Very communicative smiley and happy and really, at ease and

able to be creative and yeah.

I'm very happy to talk and to share with people.

This is my desire really in work, creativity and communication.

I think you probably will see that person.

Silvia and I work together on the six week work life redesign

program called The Fierce Emporium.

Check out the episode notes to get details of the three programs I offer

so you can choose the right one to fit your appetite for change, your

desire for speed of change, and of course your budget so that you can

find the joy at work that you deserve.