<p>Got married the first time.
Self-Learned how to become an Investment Banker at the age of 50.</p>
<p>I hope things are better now, WayOutWestMom.</p>
<p>As better as they can be…</p>
<p>That i could actually retire, and stay home with our 3 kids…now in 50’s ,kids in college, and loving life</p>
<p>-- had my youngest at age 40. Now he’s a sophomore in college</p>
<p>-- went back and got my masters, then became a teacher. 3rd grade!</p>
<p>–learned how to go all-out and fight a determined prosecutor who tried to ruin our lives. She only half won, but I won’t let it be over 'til it’s cleared completely. (Okay, that may take me another 40 years).</p>
<p>–finally got to like my mom</p>
<p>You guys are amazing! Really, to retool, go back to school, get retrained and do something entirely different after age 40 is remarkable… and to see so many accomplish it is inspiring. (Tho not inspiring enough to get me off my ass; I like it here!) </p>
<p>I had to write down dates to figure out where I was/ what I was doing at age 40, and I kept doing the same thing for the next 14 years, and now that I am not working I am keeping busy and doing some interesting things, but not in the league of what I have read here. And learning how to play golf doesn’t count, especially because I haven’t even taken a lesson yet. I was all ready to, but then I heard that Bubba Watson never took a lesson.</p>
<p>ok, I completely forgot that I got involved in the old car hobby after age 40, and had to learn a lot about working on old cars, but I am not a certified mechanic or anything like that.</p>
<p>Took classes and became certified teacher at 45. I’m a better teacher because I had kids…I’d have been a better parent if I had been a teacher first. I learn new things every day.</p>
<p>I learned that riding my own horse for an hour in the evening thru a hay field with deer leaping through the tall hay makes me REALLY happy. </p>
<p>Sent from my DROID X2 using CC</p>
<p>The stuff I posted about reinventing myself occurred in 2007 & thereafter–I turned the big 5-0 that year.</p>
<p>When my mom was over 40, she went back to college to get her master’s degree in special ed, which she accomplished in about 2 years, getting straight As & leaving a tough act to follow for my sister who started college the fall after mom graduated. Mom then started being a special education substitute teacher until the last tuition check was written so that all of the kiddos finished college & all who wanted went to grad/professional school.</p>
<p>Our neighbor went to med school after they finished paying tuition for their last kid & got a certification in palliative care medicine & has been practicing ever since.</p>
<p>After 40 I learned SQL, HTML, web design and some programming. I work in IT now. I majored in Religious Studies and graduated from college before there were personal computers.</p>
<p>Last year I won the outstanding employee award from my employer (over 600 employees). I was very humbled.</p>
<p>Got my MLIS after 40 and changed careers. Pulled up roots and moved across the sea after 40. Enjoy each day, one at a time. Don’t wish to move time on too quickly for you’d be just wishing your life away.</p>
<p>I went back to school(ACCD) and learned to paint. I’ve sold around 35 paintings and I have a garage full of another 50. At around $500 per picture not enough to be a full time artist, but it is more of a self funding hobby.</p>
<p>Nothing official, no certificate 
I have learned that whenever I do something out of my comfort zone, I become more confident. Even if it didnt turn out perfectly.</p>
<p>After years and years and years of group exercise, I became a fitness instructor after age 40…and a Zumba instructor a few years later.</p>
<p>I learned to sew without patterns. It’s a willing suspension of disbelief. It’s incredibly fun and has been something to bond with DD over. (She’s a lot better at it than me)</p>
<p>Retired after 30 years in the Feds to take a job as a college administrator. What did I learn? I learned that when I was in the government and working with colleges I had no idea what really went on. Unfortunately, I only get to see the bad stuff, I don’t get to see too much of the good stuff.</p>
<p>I went back to take figure skating lessons - which I quit around when I was around 11 (because my friend learned how to spin and I just couldn’t get it). Eventually, I learned lots of new tricks and competed in a local figure skating competition in a skating dress and everything. My music was from Lord of the Rings!! and I won 4 “gold” medals!</p>
<p>The biggest lesson i learned after turning 40 was the understanding that i actually did not give a hoot what other people thought…</p>
<p>As for job stuff, the best thing that i did was learn more about computers and the internet. All of that was just from trial and error. I was a late bloomer with the web. I didn’t even send an e-mail until my last years of college. I was a late bloomer in college too.</p>
<p>Anyway, it seems to me that there are so many opportunities for small business stating up online. With what has happened with the economy and people losing jobs right and left-the internet has made it easy for people to get started with their own small business.</p>
<p>The more that i learned about how to navigate the web, the more things i was capable of. I have my own small business and it is all online. So, i would recommend that anyone learn their way around the web. Learn how to research, learn SEO blather, and figure out how it all works. That was big for me.</p>
<p>Amandakayak – I think going back to learn figure skating and then competing after 40 is just totally ridiculous and wonderful!</p>
<p>I have an inner desire to return to ballet class and get out those pointe shoes again . . .</p>
<p>musicamusica,</p>
<p>Good Luck with your paintings!</p>
<p>I learned how to prepare tax returns, how to be a good customer service rep, and how to coach three youth sports. I used my researching skills to co-author a non-fiction book as well as write a few articles. I am learning more about my family tree even though it is difficult to obtain the information. </p>
<p>I feel that I have learned how to be a better person. I relate with others better and understand their motivations and needs. I am comfortable with myself and with my life.</p>
<p>I learned to install fixtures and appliances. I installed a kitchen faucet, garbage disposal, dishwasher, electric cooktop and new light fixtures when I redid my kitchen 6 years ago. I also learned how to install a toilet.</p>
<p>And even more important when to call a plumber, electrician or handyman instead of trying to do it myself.</p>