4. Learn to speak like a pro. The ability to deliver a presentation in front of an audience is crucial. The polish you learn will help you not only in your current work situation, but also in job interviews and more. Enroll in a public speaking class at a community college or join a Toastmasters group.

Most courses cover techniques for managing communication anxiety. You might also consider signing up for an acting or improvisational class. You'll learn how to express yourself on your feet under pressure, and to be more attuned to your body language and others'. Those skills will come in handy in plenty of work and nonwork activities.

Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from all walks of life improve their speaking skills and self-confidence in front of an audience. Toastmasters has nearly 280,000 members in 13,500 clubs in 116 countries. Most meetings consist of about 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or two.

Participants practice and learn skills of effective speech: focus, organization, language, vocal variety and body language. One of the things you learn is to focus your attention away from your own anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience. That will go a long way toward helping you ace an interview.

5. Shoot for the sky. Think about what the coolest job in the world would be, or who would be your dream person to work for. This is your time to do something fabulous, right? "I tell my clients to play long shots," says career coach Beverly Jones of Clearways Consulting. Great jobs often come from unlikely sources. Once you network with people who already know you or those within your industry peer group, "you have to pursue the off-the-wall possibilities, jobs ... you have never done, but have the skills to do. I have found these are often the ones that pay off," she says.

6. Learn something new. Education will motivate you. I always advise career changers to take one course in the area they want to pursue to see if it's something that really interests them. Check out community colleges, or find an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The Plus 50 Initiative by the American Association of Community Colleges is aimed at students over 50. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs as well.

Libraries typically host monthly series of lectures by local experts and authors. If the arts are more up your alley, see what your town's art museums or arts centers offer. The Carnegie Museum of Art and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, for instance, offer adult studio classes in photography, drawing and ceramics.

You can also take an online course. I recently signed up for a free six-week class via Coursera called "A Beginner's Guide to Irrational Behavior."

Many aging experts say that to stay healthy, older adults have to learn new things, stay active socially and exercise. When you stop challenging your brain with new experiences, you're in trouble. Don't let that be you.

Kerry Hannon, AARP's jobs expert, is a career transition expert and an award-winning author. Her latest book is Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy…and Pays the Bills.

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Remember to go to the AARP home page every day for great deals and for tips on keeping healthy and sharp.