How can you gain credibility and exposure for you and your business, reach a motivated audience, develop a far-flung network, hone your presentation skills -- and get paid to do it? Many executives and entrepreneurs have found an answer: they teach classes in adult education programs. Adult education is big business. In new century, "change" is a hot topic and learning is no longer confined to traditional degree programs. As people want to grow their careers and enrich their lives, specialized programs have emerged to reach this market. Some teaching venues require at least a master's degree. Others allow you to share your unique skills, from designing brochures to tarot reading. Temple University's continuing education program has offered a half-day class taught by a cleaning lady. The subject? Speed cleaning. If a target market exists for your business or if you have knowledge that people can use on job, chances are a target market exists for you in world of adult education. By entering this world, you can demonstrate your skills to a receptive audience, meet some terrific people, learn more than you expected and even have some fun.

2. When you feel trapped, what image comes to mind? A river too wide to cross? A forest? A thorny hedge? When you get comfortable with image, begin visualizing a change in obstacle. Imagine building a bridge across river or finding a path in forest. Don't force image or change. When you're ready it will come.

3. Think of developing skills, not serving time. Begin to build skills on company time and money, consistent with company guidelines and your own ethical principles. Take every course that's offered. Think skills -- not job titles -- and focus on skills that can be foundation of your own business. Can you learn HTML or PowerPoint? Can you use some evenings, weekends and lunch hours to solicit some free lance gigs?

4. Focus on satisfactory, not superior. Show up on time and meet deadlines, but forget about moving ahead. (If you have trouble with this step, ask yourself if you really want to leave.) If you have been targeted for a layoff, this step is especially crucial. When "Nancy" knew she would be out of a job in six months, she asked me for suggestions. Since she wanted to stay in same field, I suggested she begin networking within her industry. "I can't!" she said. "My job takes all my time! I work ten hours a day!" "Your job is finding a new job," I told her. "You owe company minimum you need to earn your salary and keep from getting fired. Your job hunt must come first." If you plan to leave, you're firing yourself. The same rule applies. But don't be surprised if you start to accomplish more than ever and start to earn rewards and promotions.