There’s a famous song lyric that asks: “Is that all there is?” Every seven seconds, an American turns 50 years old. So there’s a good chance that song is running through some of their heads.

The question captures the ennui that many people feel in mid-life. They look up at the clock, see it ticking, and begin counting in their heads all the mountains not climbed, the poems not written, and the songs not sung.

It’s time to stop asking the question idly. I’m offering five initial steps that you can take to evaluate your situation and to begin the transition away from a meaningless grind toward a new life that provides you with energy and fulfillment.

Vocational passion is an alignment of your abilities and interests in a role that gives you unlimited energy and happiness. This is not an overnight process. But it’s a process you can begin today.

Step One: Evaluate

Lots of people settle for jobs that pay the bills but leave them feeling empty. If you want to break out of this trap and find another kind of life, you need to evaluate where you’d like to go.

Examine where your passions lie. On a scale of 1-10, where are you when it comes to vocational passion? A “1” is a living drudgery where you force yourself to your desk every morning and dream about the end of the day; a “10” is a perfect alignment between interests and livelihood.

Too many of us are closer to “1” than “10”. Anything lower than a “5” suggests your working life may be feeding your family, but at the expense of starving your soul.

Step Two: Envision Your Future

You may have seen the U.S. Navy ad that asks: “If someone wrote a book about your life, would anyone want to read it?”

Here’s your chance to write that book – or at least the outline. Sit down and write a short biography that describes who you are five years from now. Describe exactly the life you wish to lead, doing work that you love. You will know you’re done with the exercise when your heart races with excitement.

Then imagine and write down your vision of a perfect vocational day. It’s difficult to achieve something that you have not clearly envisioned. Make sure your vision has clarity. Then document it and pull it out regularly, to refresh your desire to achieve that vision.