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Woody Dunkin

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How did you find you life's work and passion after age 40? Is it possible?

I'm trying to find my passion in a career. I took the path most traveled and I found myself lost, unfulfilled after 25 years of working for a paycheck. I never discovered what I truly enjoyed and ended up here. No more excuses, only left to take action :)

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Topics: Being happy Ideas and help needed! Rediscovery of Wonder Self Fulfillment Wonder career career development happy life passion
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    May 22 2012: Woody, Do you have 25 years with the same company? Can you retire? Quick story. I had three jobs and retired from all three. Do twenty ... retire, etc ... At fourty some things are no longer possible (I.E., some federal jobs, military, etc ...) Here is my advice. Narrow your list to five areas you have a lot of interest in. Send out five resumes to companies of each interest. 25 total. See what the responses are. You do not have to accept any offers. No responses means that either you do not have qualifications that sparked a interest or your resume stinks. Figure out which. Things to consider. How much do you need to make to stay afloat? Can you relocate? Family? Insurance? After all things are considered the job you are in may take on a different look. Can you transfer within to a different post/classification? Can you re-locate with your company?

    Lots to think about. Good luck. All the best. Bob.
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      Woody Dunkin

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      May 22 2012: Thanks Bob. A lot to consider. All good.
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      Brian Mead

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      May 22 2012: No Woody. Don't send out resumes. What do you want, just another job with another company? Take what you love to do and then just do it. Worm your way into it. volunteer, re-educate, put it out there in the world (tell everyone what you want). Be proactive toward your dream. It's not about another job, it's about doing what you like and if it is what you like, you will do it well (perhaps after some learning stumbles, but if your passion is there, you will progress).
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      joy faber 10+

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      May 25 2012: No matter what you choose your life events will interfere with those choices; my own obstacles have been negative peer and self assessment, cancer, amputation, addiction, divorce, financial collapse. The most difficult of these to overcome is my own inner dialog.

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