Ever have one of those days, weeks or even months where you are so busy you can barely see straight? Where you absolutely, positively must keep a note pad near you at all times to capture the overflow of thoughts and reminders sloshing around in your brain?
Well, I’ve been having an entire season like that.
I’m not complaining, just explaining. Really, I promise.
Last winter I was just getting started, in all sorts of ways.
By spring I was getting into a groove; ideas were hatched and projects were born.
Summer arrived and I was fully engaged and things were humming along.
I foolishly thought that I’d have plenty of downtime for writing, what with it being summer and all. Yet that never quite materialized.
Somehow I got it into my head that with Son heading off to university back in the US and Daughter moving up in high school, I’d have more free time to pursue dreams and goals.
However, the more I did just led to my doing more, which in turn led to additional challenges that came along, new opportunities to seize. The fates conspired and the result has been an autumn that has been busier than ever.
For awhile now, I’ve been nurturing a secret. A little kernel of possibility that germinated into a definite endeavor, and which has sinced grown to completion. An exciting project that I became involved in a little over nine months ago is now ready to burst forth fully blossomed.
(And no, the metaphorical analogy to gestation does not escape me.)
So it’s time to spill the beans.
On Tuesday, November 1st, we launch the new book Turning Points: 25 Inspiring Stories From Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Turned Their Careers and Their Lives Around.
Edited by the talented Kate Cobb, a women’s business and executive coach (www.movingforwardyourway.com) and Brit living in France, and published by the inimitable serial expat extraordinaire Jo Parfitt (Summertime Publishing, www.joparfitt.com) residing here in The Hague, Turning Points truly has been a labor of love.
When Kate asked me all those months ago to participate in this book project, I have to confess that my immediate reaction was why me?
Each of the women shares her story of reaching a point in her life, whether at a pivotal moment or after a series of events, the realization dawned that she absolutely, positively HAD to make a significant change or changes in her life, profession, career.
As I thought more about the book concept – the extraordinary women who would be participating and the incredibly uplifting stories of hope, change, rebirth and renewal that would result – I knew that it would be something that catches the attention and interest of people all over the world.
Because don’t we all enjoy stories of reinvention?
Don’t we often seek understanding of how others go about identifying and instituting major changes?
Aren’t we all looking for ideas, information and insights to help guide us on our own path?
It’s at that point that I shifted from thinking me? to beginning to wonder why not? Soon I’d decided to stop testing the water with my big toe, and to just jump in.
I believe we all experience moments where a leap of faith is the only option: for me, this was one of those moments.
So here we are, nine+ months later, with the book about to launch. I’ll be writing more about the book and my involvement in it in the days ahead, including taking a ‘virtual book tour’ on some of my favorite blogs around the world.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about Turning Points, please check out www.theturningpointsbook.com and/or follow us on Facebook’s The Turning Points Book page and Twitter @Turning_ Points.
Did I mention that a portion of the proceeds from Turning Points will go to support www.seedsfordevelopment.org?
P.S. – IF you purchase the book on Amazon on launch day (Tuesday, November 1st), you are eligible for some great launch day bonus prizes! I’ve included links to Amazon to purchase the book here on my site (on the right-hand side of this page or under the Books You’ll Love tab at the top) to make it easier.
Please be sure to note your Amazon order number, and go to the Launch Day Bonuses tab on www.theturningpointsbook.com on launch day for directions to collect your bonuses. Remember, these are only available on November 1st.
Finally, take a moment and ask yourself:
What might YOUR turning point be? Please share!
What makes this book so readable is these women reached a point in life when they were challenged to make a significant change. Not always through choice sometimes through unexpected circumstances. We all have to make life choices, some tougher than others, but these women were able to step back take stock and move forward successfully. An inspiration.
Linda’s story has always inspired me, I recommend you read it!
Thanks Wordgeyser, you are very kind. I was humbled by the other contributors’ stories. I believe almost anyone can see a bit of themselves in this book. Plus I love the positive nature – no wallowing, let’s just get on with it.
I know EXACTLY what you mean about being too busy to breathe! I always kid myself that I’m going to slow down at this time of year, but exactly the opposite always happens…
Congratulations on your book. It sounds very exciting and I am going to share the info on it widely via all my social media! If you are on LinkedIn, that would be an excellent place to promote it as you would be reaching a good target audience there… Maybe you’re already doing that. Good luck with everything!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your support. That’s a great reminder about LinkedIn, too. I am on it but don’t always remember to use it to better advantage; in the rush and excitement it’s so easy to overlook something like that. Now I’ve got a scribbled note to remember LI! Deep breaths, deep breaths…
Of course I am biased being a co-writer on this amazing journey but well done girl. Was and is a great project regardless of book sales. If we help just one but hopefully more and what a cyber delight to see my kids are supporting you too via tweets, definately not in this alone.
Thanks Sarah, it’s been such a great adventure, hasn’t it? That your children are tweeting about it cracks me up. Neither of mine tweet at this point but when they do I’ll be sure to put them to work!
Congratulations Linda! What fantastic news to be part of a new book. I wish you all the best with it!
Thanks Carrie. It’s exciting and nerve-wracking and exhausting all at the same time!
Wow! Wow! Wow! Congratulations on your part in the book and the book as a whole!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on it… it sounds amazing!
… and to think, I knew you when…! 🙂
Funny thing: all the time that we spent watching and talking about soccer, I don’t think either one of us mentioned our love for writing.
Again… CONGRATS to you and your team!
Thanks Carol. No, I don’t think we ever did talk about writing. I was doing a little, but not regularly. And certainly not finishing very much. I’m so glad that you are writing ‘in public’. Scary, but in its own way, very freeing. We learn that we can survive its being made public.
Congratulations to you! As a fledgling expat to turning pointer who is in the process of extracting her big tow and jumping in headlong to new projects, I am so inspired by your success! And I’m sure I will be likewise inspired when I read this book!
Oh thank you dear, that’s greatly appreciated. I find your keen interest (and willingness) to jump into many different cultures/countries in such a short period of time exciting. You’re definitely on the cutting edge!
This sounds like a wonderful adventure! As a new expat myself this is very inspiring to know that there will always be opportunities no matter where you are and to embrace them. I always love askingt
The question, “why not?” versus “why?” it puts things in a different perspesctive.
Welkom Jackie! Glad to hear from you. Would love to hear where you are now living and how it’s going. Your turning the ‘why?’ question on its ear is important. Often we are the biggest source of our own hurdles. (Okay, I am laughing now because I know that sounds very ‘coaching-esque’, lol, but it really is true.) We stop ourselves far more than we are stopped by others.
Hi Linda, It’s great to read all these amazing comments, especially about YOU. You deserve it! Thanks for being part of the Turning Points adventure and for all your support throughout the long months!
Thank YOU Kate for leading us all in this amazing journey. It’s been so thrilling, and isn’t over by a long shot!