I am using jquery validation plugin and is working fine. I have validation logic duplicated in two places one is on form submit and the other is on focus out. Now i am trying to extract it into a method and reuse it whereever it is required. I am trying as below.

```
$(document).ready(function() {

     validateForm();  

    function validateForm(){
            $("#myForm").validate({
              onfocusout: function(element) { jQuery(element).valid(); } ,
              rules:{
                attribute: "required"
            },
            messages:{
                attribute: "Required field"
            }
        });

      }

   $('#myForm #submit').click(function(e) {

            e.preventDefault();

    var validator = validateForm();  //here it shows error line

    if(validator.form()){ 
          //do something
        }
});

});

```

If i extract the logic as above i am getting script error as below.

```
Error: 'Undefined' is null or not an object

```

Do i need to return anything from the method?

Thanks!