Ivan, who trained as neurosurgeon, decided, after considerable soul searching, not to take a lucrative offer to practice neurosurgery. Instead, he chose to follow his passion of helping to make the public aware of preventative health measures. So he created his web site, www.WellnessAid .com. Ivan says, "My passion is to help people preserve their health, improve their quality of life and reach their true potential." Ivan, 38 years,is experiencing the Age-40 Transition which used to be called the Mid-Life Transition.

Barbara, a 30 year old engineer in the petroleum industry, who has been on stress leave for six months, is not looking forward to returning to work. She would like a job where she can use people, rather than technical skills. Barbara, who is also questioning whether to stay in her marriage, is experiencing the Age-30 Transition.

Although we all have our own rhythms of change, growing adults alternate between transitional and developmental periods throughout life. Transitions, which generally begin during late adolescence and occur every decade following are times for questioning who we are and where we want to go. Changes in priorities, needs and lifestyles may result. Experiences such as marriage, divorce, illness or job loss precipitate and intensify appraisals during transitions. Developmental periods follow transitions and involve commitments to achieve modified goals. Transitions are approximately three to five years in length and developmental periods last five to eight years.

Are you in transition? To find out, answer "yes" or "no" to the following: I ...

Feel restless. Think of quitting my job. Am reevaluating my needs, priorities and career/life goals. Lack a sense of purpose. Have experienced a traumatic event such as illness or job loss within the past few years. Am within a few years on either side of a round-numbered age like 30 or 50.

If you answered "yes" to three or more, you may be in a transition. If you honestly reassess who you are and where you want to go during the next decade you\'ll find new meaning in your work and life.

Transitions and change are a normal part of growth. Knowing this can ease stress and anxiety and help you better manage these life changes.

-- Which transition are you experiencing? Age-20s: You finish high school and wonder "what to do next?" If you explore occupational and educational options and make commitments based on your own needs, interests, etc., you\'ll make sound career decisions. You start building your career and other life components in your 20s.

Age-30s: You\'re becoming more self aware and, like Barbara, you place more value on quality of life, job satisfaction, balance and satisfying relationships. As a woman, the biological clock increases pressure to make family vs. career decisions.

Your reappraisal during this transition helps you identify previously ignored needs. You\'re aware that life is finite. New choices are made and commitments are altered or deepened.

Age-40s: You become aware of advancing age and death. You think about time left to live. Youquestion stereotyped roles you adopted. You\'re more inner-directed, ethical. As a man, you\'re more tender, feeling; as a woman, you\'re more aggressive, rational. You begin to express previously hidden traits. You commit to goals that have meaning and value. You\'re concerned about health.

Like Ivan, you evaluate your life by internal symbols of success such as feelings of accomplishment and inner peace, rather than external symbols such as prestige or material rewards. You want to lead and mentor the young. You need to make a lasting, significant contribution to society or a profession.

Age-50s: You reassess work and other issues, and become more interested in spiritual activities. If you\'ve been a homemaker, you\'re anxious to return to work. You want to make up for lost time, while your partner may want to slow down.

If you\'re a man, it\'s important to reexamine where you\'ve been or want to go. Research shows that men who plunge ahead without reappraisal are susceptible to depression and illness.

Age-60s: Spiritual and health issues become more important. Your needs for quality of job and life satisfaction deepen. You think about what you\'ll do during "retirement" which can last 30 or more years. Retirement could imply unwelcome inactivity, escape from a dreary job. Or, it may mean staying freedom to do what you want, and/or continuing growth and revitalization. You may decide to continue to work in a challenging job, starting your own business or returning to school.

Age-70s: Decisions to continue paid employment, engage in volunteer activities, or pursue a more leisurely lifestyle are contemplated. Choices are made and plans implemented to pursue activities that offer opportunities fo continuing purpose, meaning and growth.

Dee, a senior executive with an international transportation company, decided to study to become a minister. Now, 70, he is still working full time and taking evening courses. In two years he intends to be working full- time as an ordained minister.

Transitions and growth continue throughout life at Age-80, Age-90 and 100. €œQuesters,€ who continue to maintain their curiosity and interests and desire to learn and master new skills, develop into fresh, healthy, exciting 90-year olds. They trust themselves and are open to the boundless, unforeseen opportunities of the 21st century. The richness of their past is a source of strength and wisdom, rather than nostalgia, which often acts as anesthesia to living.

Contemporary career development is a continuing quest to improve the fit between your developing career and evolving identity. Make your transition work for you. Clarify your purpose, needs and skills, explore compatible options, and commit to new goals or deepen earlier undertakings. You\'ll be happier, healthier and more productive.