I have been a self employed travel professional for over 10 years and because of undercapitalization I am going out of business. I am devastated as I have always been so far sucessful in everything I have started. I am in my mid forties and this has greatly affected my sense of self worth to the point where I am considering a complete career change. I am the holder of a bachelors's degree in French letters, am a philosopher and like to write. In everything that I do I am driven by an urge to make a difference in the life of others. I need to feel I contribute something to someone.

-- Marie-France Akin (travel2france@hotmail.com), December 18, 2000

Answers

Hey, Marie-France!

Chin up!! Why don't you write about France, about travel, and your many years of experiences in the travel industry? There are many travel magazines, as you know. There are also a number of interesting Web-based content writing opportunities.

I say, find something for the short term that will put food on the table, but that won't require oodles of overtime. Consider the time outside the 9-5 to be yours and yours alone. Use at least some of that time - say 20 hours a week - to follow your desires and dreams. Be ruthless with yourself about discipline to do those things that will get you to where you want to be.

Consider the ways in which being in your forties is actually an advantage now. Write them all down, so you don't forget! Remind yourself constantly, if need be, so that you don't lose sight of the positives you posess. You have experience that no wimpy 28 year old like me can match. Milk it for all it's worth. ;)

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

- elizabeth

-- Elizabeth Rennison (erennison@hotmail.com), December 19, 2000.