Are you over 40?

Good. Then you won't need permission from your parents to read this article. If you are under 40, I give you permission now! I would guess if you are over 40 you have begun to question your life and your work. Good. This is normal and healthy.

Perhaps you have also started to question your contributions to society. Perhaps your accomplishments for this period of your life have not reached up to your internal or external expectations. That’s ok. Life tends to get in the way as we are making plans. And, this is the right time to deal with the disparity between where you are and where you expected to be at this time in your life. This is important now so you can change your internal expectations to suit you better at this point of your life. This can be a magical process.

Do you experience sometimes that you are no longer young?  It’s normal from time to time to sense a recognition of your own mortality as this can drive new healthy change. This is an invaluable time to ask yourself key questions about what is most important and whether your lifestyle is aligned with your values and sense of identity.

Do you love your work?

If your answer is no, you are not alone. Most people don’t find meaning in their work. Many people afraid of failure continue to work harder at jobs which have no meaning. This over emphasis on productivity is not personally rewarding and causes inner conflict.

Stop doing what didn't work before

This is the most important lesson. Don’t go back to jobs which didn’t provide joy or meaning. Don't go back to jobs which you didn’t enjoy or lowered your self-esteem. Don’t go back to jobs which you didn’t feel made a difference to yourself or others. For sure don’t go back to jobs JUST for the money as this has a way of catching up with you. You will spend the money you earn faster than you can earn it and then the emptiness of the work will set in.

Try something completely new!

This usually requires risk, courage, and an openness to change. Why not? What have you got to lose or gain? What could you do which would be completely different with regards to your work? What small steps might you take now to get started?

Become an expert at something you enjoy

In what, are you an expert? Being really good at one thing vs. average at many things can raise self-esteem and give one, especially those over 40, a greater sense of self and contribution in the world.

Make a product or service and sell it to at least one person

This is not just for fun. Even if your goal is to work for someone else, the process of thinking through what you could make as a product or service and then selling this to just one other person can create even more possibilities in your life and work.

Learn from others

The world of learning is unlimited. For each idea you want to pursue, you will find many people in similar pursuit. Within seconds you have the world’s knowledge to pursue new learning and new ideas.

What are your first five steps now?

Let me help. Decide what you want to change in your life and work now. Define WHY you want to change. Define how your life will be different if you do change. Define what your life will be like if you don’t change. Take one action now that will start to build new habits.

Take a new approach for the New Year to your work

Why not? It might just be the right prescription for a heathlier and happier life.

I’ll be cheering you on as you go-Craig Nathanson and Happy New Year-2010!

Craig Nathanson is the author of "Don't JUST retire and die: A new approach to your life and work after 40" and he is a coaching expert who works with people over forty.

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 skype using webcam or in Craig’s office, or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.

Craig lives and works in Petaluma, California. His office is located at P.O Box 2823, Petaluma Ca, 94953. You can reach him at 707-775-4020 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com.