With people having longer life spans, 50 is the age at which many people only just get into their stride. Consider Ray Kroc starting McDonald's at 52, or the novelist E Annie Proulx only coming into the limelight in her 50s. The careers that each had had gave them the skills and knowledge that allowed for their real contribution. Never discount things that you have learned so far: they may be the platform for something great.

Most of us cherish freedom, but when we actually get the opportunity to make our own way it can be terrifying.

This is the period from ages 60 to 90 in which many people have a new sense of freedom, kids grown up, retired from formal work etc., about their possibilities. They can either crown a career, start something new, or launch themselves into a meaningful social enterprise. A phase of life that was once seen as an end can now more accurately be enjoyed as a beginning.

Anyone can get a job, but do you have a purpose?

Trust your intuition, rather than technology, to protect you from violence.

The more choices we have, the greater the need for focus.

Turning 40 is often a big symbolic point in one's life. In the 20s we feel we can do anything, but as the 30s progress we become more mature emotionally, and in terms of work tend to focus. These two things combined: emotional maturity and career focus, often produced an explosion of self-purpose in our 40s.