If you're going to eat a balanced breakfast, go running, and save the world by 10 a.m., you really should wake up earlier. But don't try to change overnight. Go to bed five minutes earlier each night and wake up five minutes earlier every day until you reach your goal. If you're changing time zones, mitigate jet lag before you travel. If you're flying from San Francisco (Pacific time) to Boston (Eastern time), sleep on Central time in the days before the flight, she says. Once in Beantown, immediately adopt the local schedule. For a drastic change in routine—say, a switch to the graveyard shift—try to trick nature. When you want to be awake, keep rooms bright. And minimize daylight exposure before sleep by wearing dark glasses outside and dimming lights inside.

Somewhere between the fall of shoulder pads and the rise of low-cut jeans, you may have lost your flair. If so, shop for a style before shopping for clothes. Go through magazines and tear out pictures of women whose looks you admire. Once among the racks, begin with the item you'll wear most. For example, for a polished look, start with fitted trousers in black or navy. If you're feeling drab, try a brightly colored blazer. And don't be shy about using a department store's personal shopper, whose services are usually free. Coats and handbags can have a big impact—they're the first reflection of your personality that many people see. As for your face, clip photos of women whose hair and makeup you like, then bring them to a salon. Even if a cut is wrong for your features, your stylist will see what you're aiming for.

Doing what you love is more practical than you think. If you're trying to find your calling, the most important factors to look at are your natural talents and your personality. Try making two lists: one with your top-five skills, the other with your five favorite fields. Show your list around zealously. You'll typically get many job suggestions. For an intermediary shift, either change your title and keep the field, or keep your title and change the field. Also, volunteer or get a part-time job to learn from people in the industry you're interested in. Soon you'll be one of them.