The Art of the Detour: See Possibility Around Every Bend

"Most people would be happy where I landed, but I wanted to do bigger things. When I mentioned this to an acquaintance, he suggested an opening where he worked. I mustered my courage—and I'm now director of alumni programs and events at Boston University."

The takeaway: Susan stepped back and saw that her job didn't connect to her values. That's tough to do, but try this: Imagine you're at your 100th birthday party. A friend toasts you by telling the story of your life. What traits and events would you want to take center stage? The highlights reflect what's most important to you.
—Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhD, psychologist

Next: How to change your life at any age