Second Acts : Launch Your Passions

For years, Dorothy Atkins kept her side business as a greeting-card designer a secret. She worked for a bank in various client service and human resources positions. "It was totally unrelated to the card business -- different sides of the brain," she says. She used her commutes into San Francisco to brainstorm and sketch potential designs, and focused on her banking job from 8 to 5. Then, during her lunch hour, she visited local shops to see if they wanted to sell her cards. "I got a couple of clients that way," she says.

For many who have spent their first half working for other people, the soul-searching

often leads to entrepreneurship. "There was a management change at MGM and the boss who I loved working for left," says Doug Gleason, 56, who was running the consumer-products division of MGM Studios in Los Angeles at the time, in 2007. "I thought this is probably the time for me to move on as well." But in what direction?

 If you want to ease into retirement without having to gain a whole new set of skills (or launch a job search or make a big capital outlay), you may be able to pass your expertise along in a consulting role. After Jennifer Hay of Seattle, 54, was laid off from her job as a technical trainer four years ago, a mentor suggested she start a business writing resumes for people in the tech industry. Today, Hay says, she works with up to 10 clients a month and is making a better living than she did before.

The World Is A Dangerous Place Because Of What You Don't Do ..