I'm Louise Fletcher. As President of 
I've been re-reading one of my favorite books recently. The Art of Possibility is about many things, but it's mainly it's about how our perceptions affect the way we experience life. Unlike the latest sensation, The Secret, the authors don't claim that we can make things happen just by wishing for them - but they do claim that we can control the way we feel by changing the way we look at things.
George Blomgren writes about the same thing today in discussing age discrimination. George tells of two people he knows - one employed and one unemployed:
"I know an older job seeker who feels perpetually discriminated against. He’s projected the same attitude as long as I’ve known him. He believes that employers see him as inflexible, unwilling to learn new skills, set in his ways. [...] I have another colleague, a woman who is almost 15 years senior to my friend. Every time I interact with this woman, I am left in awe of the tremendous depth of knowledge and experience she embodies. She is also amazingly hip to new technologies, trends, and attitudes. She works hard to stay one step ahead, and she’s not bitter about anything, not even some significant health problems."
I'm sure you can guess which of the two is employed. Read the whole post here.
I agree with George that a positive attitude can't wipe out all the prejudices faced by older workers, but the way we perceive ourselves certainly impacts the way others perceive us.
If we approach the world with the attitue that we're about be screwed, people will react accordingly. So when looking for a job, it's important to find a way to maintain a psoitive outlook, even when things don't go your way. I know it sounds easier than it is, but if you need help, I recommend The Art of Possibility.
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