[spacecowboy]

45 here. Two in college, two teenagers and my wife is back in school. I've managed software teams in the past and have done my share of coding but today, I work from home and code for a living which I truly enjoy but would definitely entertain the opportunity to have my hands in more things. I think the biggest things I have discovered in my 40s is a refocus on my physical and emotional health especially by discovering meditation - at this point I feel that meditation has had the biggest impact so far. I also try not to overreact to things in my life and to try to enjoy the moments more and try to be supportive of my wife and kids as much as I can. As far as professional development, try to do side projects that scratch an itch and allow you to develop skills you wouldn't normally be able to develop at a day job. Try to stay up-to-date in industry and attend conferences when you can, they are great for the exposure to what's going on in industry but its also nice to meet other professionals, network and get out of the office.

[drjasonharrison]

If not meditation, try stoicism. The Daily Stoic is available by email.

[spacecowboy]

Will take a look. Thanks!

[centerparks]

Can you elaborate more about how you discovered meditation and the methodology you follow?

[spacecowboy]

Discovered it by accident. I'm not into the religion but I discovered meditation by listening to the talks recorded by an American Buddhist monk. You'll need to distill it but the knowledge is in there and the workings and mechanics of the mind is described in such detail that I have never heard about it anywhere. https://www.dhammatalks.org/mp3_collections_index.html