Instead, finding your calling after 40 must be approached as a game — no different than a child playing on the playground. It is through this playing and self-discovery that you can finally find work that is full of meaning, and coherent with your life. Self-awareness

Each person in mid-life must answer for him or herself the most difficult questions they will ever have to answer. Who am I? What is most important to me? How do I feel about myself? Which of my life-long beliefs are no longer useful, and must now be changed? What new possibilities might there be for my work and my life? What is my place in the world and what work might renew my energy and attitude about life itself? What would be perfect for you?

Mid-life adults must ask themselves this question: What would be perfect for me now? What work will fit my daily patterns? What must I do now to move toward what I want? How will this new movement toward a more joyful work life affect my relationships with others, and with money? What can I do to build my emotional state so I am ready for this journey? How can I build a new support network to help me through these changes? Retirement is a silly idea for those OVER 40

Retirement seems like a much better idea to those in their 20s and 30s. After all, most people don’t like their work, and the thought of retirement down the road to do something else gives many people the energy to get up in the morning. After 40, it takes more than the dream of retirement to get us out of bed — it takes the vision of waking up to work that feeds our souls. After 40, most of us are smart enough to see into the future, and we know we will need more than book clubs and cruises — assuming we can even afford this as we age! What are you waiting for?

Perhaps you are waiting for permission — permission from someone else — to tell you it’s OK to start searching for your calling — the work that will last your lifetime, and bring you joy and happiness.

I have bad news: This permission will never come from anyone else — even those who love you. Permission to find your passion must come from YOU. Once you give yourself permission, your life and your world will open up like a new rose beginning to bloom. You deserve this

You have probably worked 20 years or more at jobs meant to use you to JUST maximize shareholder profit.

Don’t you think your time has come to maximize the joy and coherence in your life and work instead? I think so.

I’ll be cheering you on as you go- Craig Nathanson

Craig Nathanson is the author of P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day and a coaching expert who works with people over forty. Craig’s new E-book, Discover and live your passion 365 days a year is a workshop in a box designed to help busy adults go insane with their work. Craig’s systematic approach, the trademark "Ten P" process,’’ helps people break free and move toward the work they love. Visit Craig’s online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson’s books and CD’s, get some private coaching over the phone or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.

Craig lives in Fairfax, California. His office is located at 6 School Street, suite 220, Fairfax, Ca 94930. You can reach him at 415-457-0550 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com.

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