Action Item: Get a journal and write down everything you need to be happy and successful in your job. Consider:

• Work-life balance
• Pay requirements
• Company culture
• Values alignment
• Types of tasks you like and dislike

Ask yourself, "What am I willing to give up?"

• Time: Are you ready to spend weekends and nights learning new skills or starting a side business?
• Money: Are you willing to take a pay cut to get your first job in a new field?
• Comfort: Are you ready to feel like a beginner again, even if it hurts your ego?

Capability vs. Skill: A skill is the ability to use a certain piece of software. A capability is a skill that you have, such as being able to think critically, persuade others, stay organized, or listen well.

How to Find Them: Do some research about the job you want.

• Google: Type in "what qualities make a great [new job title]."
• Job Descriptions: Read them carefully and emphasize the skills you need, such as "strong communication," "strategic thinker," and "effective under pressure."

For example, a great salesperson isn't only someone who knows a lot about a product; they are also kind, strong, and good at making connections for clients. These skills can be used in other areas.

Who to Talk To: Get in touch with people who are currently doing the job you want. Their experience is new and useful.

How to Talk to Them: Send them a short, courteous note on LinkedIn that says, "I'm looking at moving into [their field]. Your work path is quite encouraging. Do you have 15 minutes to talk quickly about your experience?"

What to Ask: Ask them what their biggest problems are, what they love most, and what skills are most important for success. This information is worth its weight in gold.

How to Build It: Find authors, leaders, and people who have a lot of power in your profession.

• Read their blogs and books.
• Follow them on social media.
• Listen to their podcasts.

The goal is to make a list of 5 to 7 experts whose guidance you can use to improve certain talents, like marketing, leadership, or technical skills. This is your own, on-demand learning system.

The Big Three Hurdles: These are things that everyone has to deal with.

1. The Learning Problem: How will you learn new things?
2. The Marketing Problem: How would you market yourself without any experience?
3. The Interviewing Problem: How will you get someone to give you a chance?

Your Plan: Write down a specific plan for each obstacle.

• Learning: "By [date], I will have finished my XYZ online certification."
• Marketing: "I will change my resume to show what I can do, not just what jobs I've had."
• Interview: "I will prepare stories that show my transferable skills."

Fill in the Learning Gap: Start learning with your Franken-Mentor and the materials you've found. Sign up for that class, view those videos, and start practicing.

Change the Way You Tell Your Story: This is the most important part of your marketing. Stop talking about how you don't have any firsthand experience on your resume, LinkedIn, and in interviews. Instead, start with what you can do. Instead of saying "I was a teacher," say "I honed exceptional communication and project management skills by simplifying complex subjects for diverse audiences and managing classrooms of 30+ students."

Connect the Dots: Clearly show how your skills match up with what the new job needs. You don't change careers; you bring new skills to the table.

The Challenge: You might have to start over as a "newbie," which might be hard. Ageism is against the law, but it can happen.

The Advantage: You have a lot of experience in both your personal and professional life. You have a lot of strengths that younger applicants can't match, such as your resilience, wisdom, and emotional intelligence.

The Mindset Shift: Stop saying "It's too late." People over 55 had the highest rate of successful business startups, according to research. Your second act can be your best act. You have a bigger network, better judgment, and a clear idea of what you want.