When you embark on a life transition, the skills that brought you success in a former life will no longer work. It's like trying to play football on a basketball team.

Example: To succeed in corporate life, you've developed strong political skills. You can maneuver by memo. You know the unwritten rules as well as the policies.

When you're ready to find a new life, you need to learn a whole new set of skills -- like these.

1. Scrambling: Transition is pickup basketball, not pro football.

2. Running on two tracks: Keep going in the short term but plan for the bigger picture.

3. Decision-making without data: You come to a fork in the road and both paths are unmarked. What do you do next?

4. Using intuition: Hang on to your power. Intuition is no longer woo-woo -- psychologists recognize intuition as a critical aspect of thinking, residing in a specific portion of the brain.

5. Listening and waiting: If you rush, you'll hit a wall. The toughest skill to master.

6. Not being afraid of fear. During a life transition, fear is your ally.

7. Taking the freedom inventory: count your money as well as your blessings.

8. Getting help: how to hire an expert -- and maybe discover you don't need one

9. Managing identity: overcome the biggest roadblock to a new life. As soon as you leave a well-established career or business, you're viewed differently by others and you may have to revise your own self-concept.

10. Enhancing creativity: think of new ways to reach your goal.

I offer one-to-one consultations on business and career strategy. Check out my new resume and interview services.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294