The Next Write Thing

My Decision to Publish a Book That Encourages, Supports Professional Women

There are so many forces and variables that carry us forward through career decisions, relationships, and family dynamics. Change is constant, so I advise women to refrain from hard-and-fast assumptions about how their lives will unfold and what they may be able to contribute or achieve. Keep your mind and heart open so when an opportunity presents itself, you consider how you MAY be able to embrace it.  Don’t put constraints or assumptions on things that are not yet directly in front of you. When we get ahead of ourselves, a bump in the road or an unexpected change in direction can start to feel like failure—when in fact, they are simply twists and turns in our personal journeys.

Instead, I encourage making the decision on the Next Thing:  One thing. Which is the next thing. That is, given what I know, and what my gut is telling me, what is the next right step in my development as person and a professional? What sources of strength can I tap to help me choose the Next Thing?

Looking back, I never envisioned that I’d be the president of a company, then an entrepreneur, and now a book author. Yet I can trace my steps—some of which required me to circle back, make corrections, and recalibrate—and recognize the forces and variables that helped me make my choices. Several steps came naturally, while others paralyzed me with fear and indecision. In scary or difficult times, when focused on making my next best decision, one at a time, I overcame my natural feelings of trepidation. It’s powerful to feel yourself tap your inner strength with one definitive move—the Next Thing—and pull yourself forward.

When a publisher approached me to write a book after the 2020 Women’s Leadership Conference, I considered if it was the Next Thing for me. My objective is to help women embrace their value and exude that value through confidence, influence, and a strong leadership presence. I saw the chance to share my story so others could glean value and insight to make their journeys more fulfilling, confident, and courageous. I tapped my confidence, I engaged with others who have more wisdom and experience with book publishing, and I began to see my Next Thing taking shape. In this case, it was the write thing! Thank you for joining in my joy. Navigating Your Journey was officially published on October 24. Please let me know what you think.