...forget chronological age and focus on functional age. Functional age combines and integrates the biological, social, and psychological measures into one active package. This message must be actively and continuously reinforced during the entire career refocusing process. The important thing is the age we act, perform, execute, move, think, feel-the age at which we function.

Don't accept and act out the stereotype of being old, regardless of your chronological age. This is the first and most critical mandate for resetting the career clock in the second half of your life. Shake off the earlier learned beliefs and misinformation about how you are supposed to act, feel, and age. Become a Ulyssean adult-a creative, curious, active learner. Forget chronology and focus on your functional age; rethink traditional retirement plans and discover and activate your vocation, calling, or mission.

The Four Keys to Finding Fulfillment at Work:

1. Reveal what's true for you.

2. Reclaim your personal power.

3. Express your commitment.

4. Surround yourself with support.

Find three people to interview who are openly passionate about their work. Ask them what they like most about it, what they like least about it, what a typical day or week is like for them, and whether they would make the same career choice if they could do it all over again.

Raise the integrity level in your work. Be on time, meet deadlines, keep appointments, finish assignments, keep your promises. If you're a manager, keep your word with your employees, just as you do with your customers (this includes keeping appointments and doing performance reviews when you say you will). If you have trouble remembering your promises, write them down.

Keep a record of the qualities and accomplishments you are proud of, even the smallest ones. Often it's the unnoticed little things that create resentment. Pay as much attention to the way you did something as to what you did. Write them down at the end of each day or week. Just two or three things that you feel really good about are enough. The important thing is to let in a feeling of pride and pleasure when you do it. You will then have a history of your accomplishments that you can use to back up requests for more responsibility, a raise, or a promotion, or to review when you need to lift your spirits.

Nine Ways to Put Spirit Back into Your Work:

1. Do work you love

2. Get back on track

3. Don't gossip and complain

4. Learn to appreciate straight talk

5. Become an astute observer of yourself and others

6. Take charge of your own growth

7. Do something about your office

8. Get a life

9. Take some risks

The Research Links list sites in the following categories: educational opportunities and occupational information. The Take Action section offers links related to: networking, volunteer opportunities, job search skills, and job listings.