Or you deliver a batch of fresh-baked brownies to a charity event. The caterer asks if you want to bake more treats on a regular basis, for money.

However, students of serendipity like to quote saying attributed to Louis Pasteur: "Chance favors a prepared mind." We all hear messages but most of us ignore them. We get caught up in our own plans or we aren't flexible enough to respond.

Once you realize that career and life changes often follow a feeling of being hit by a two-by-four, you can become more receptive to life's happenstance. An interruption can be seen as a message rather than a nuisance. And sometimes an unexpected encounter can transport you, like a magic carpet, to a place you never heard of, but which feels very much like coming home.

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., author of Making the Big Move, helps midlife professionals navigate career and business transitions. "How Smart People Can Derail Their Transitions" complimentary Special Report http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html . Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/feedback.html Phone: 505-534-4194

4. Encourage your child to experience success in any area of her life.

Did she make honor roll? Get selected for a play, a club, or athletic team? Win an election for competitive office? Survive a strenuous application process for a summer job? Once your child has tasted success, he will know how it feels and will act like a winner when he enters job market.

Cecilia, a shy twelve-year-old, blossomed when she won lead in a school play. "We want you to improve your grades, not spend time in rehearsal!" fumed her worried mother.

To everyone's surprise, Cecilia's grades improved and she made new friends with "good kids" who were also achievers. Most important, no matter what happens, Cecilia can return to that feeling of success whenever she gets discouraged.

5. Getting into a top university -- or any university -- will not guarantee success.

I've met Ivy Leaguers who have experienced unemployment, bankruptcy and even homelessness. I've met high school drop outs who flourished on their own initiative. In my own small town, a couple with degrees from excellent schools have dropped out to pursue artistic careers -- and they clean houses to pay bills. Recently a minimum wage job was posted by a nonprofit -- and several unemployed lawyers applied.

Career-changers who face future with an attitude of "I can handle anything" are ones who win today. Tossed into ocean, they'll improvise a set of oars and keep up their spirits till they figure out what to do next. Those who feel betrayed ("I thought I was set for life") flounder around for weeks, months, even years.

Entitlement is over. Those who have a positive outlook, who can seize unexpected opportunity, can count on reaching shore. And they realize that only they can transform a resting place into a safe harbor.

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., author of Making the Big Move, helps midlife professionals navigate career and business transitions. "How Smart People Can Derail Their Transitions" complimentary Special Report http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html . Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/feedback.html Phone: 505-534-4194