Whether you have no idea, an inkling, or some thoughts you’re kicking around for your next career, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you know you want to do something different—and that’s the place to start. My first 7 steps walk you through the process to figure out what you want to do next. You’ll get ideas to help you connect the dots, clarify notions and hunches you already have or evaluate if what you think you want is on the mark. My last 2 steps show you how to go after it. I’m with you the whole way!

A new, fulfilling career is about a lot more than just what a test can tell you. Tests don’t tell you how well you’ll handle a certain job or what’s unique about you. They probably won’t tell you more than you already know! No one person or any test can tell you what’s rewarding and meaningful to you. If you want this next career to be the best one for you, start by taking a good look inside of you. My first 6 steps tell you exactly how to do that.

People make career changes at any age. I know a man who became a doctor at age 66! And an actor who’s studying to become a chiropractor at 46! (Their stories are in my book.) Like them, you’ll need to figure out how to arrange your life with a plan to get to what you want. But you owe it to yourself—and everyone else—to stop biding your time and create the life you want.

People change careers for various reasons. Something may be nagging at you to make a change—and you finally pay attention due to other circumstances. Maybe you were laid off, you’ve completed the raising of your family, you’re retiring and still want to work or you can’t physically do your old job anymore. Or you want more flexibility, challenge or meaning in your work. If something is nudging at you— telling you there’s more—now is the time to pay attention.