Did I really just say that out loud?
“Do you believe in God?”
I could not believe the words coming out of my mouth. But before I could stop them from tumbling out, there they were, impossible to retract.
I was at a signing event—for my book, Again, Only More Like You! In New York!
A real random person I’ve never met before was standing in front of me, wanting to buy my book and have me sign it, and I bring up GOD?!!! 😱
We were talking about the themes of my book—how it’s about midlife meltdowns, career pivots and personal reinvention.
And she had just told me about how she was a young widow and was leaving behind her career in law and studying to be a grief counselor to help others.
And it made me think of a sticky note I have on my desk. I don’t remember where I heard this line, or if I even made it up myself: “Second act belongs to God.”
So I told her about it, and she didn’t run away or call me a psycho. And the book store owner didn’t kick me out of her shop or town. The woman just quietly nodded her head as if to say, “Yep, that’s about right.” 😌
So I told her about my friend Alison, who wrote a book about losing her mother and has become a grief advocate, speaking at libraries across North America, with sights set on conquering the corporate space next.
And my friend and client Joe, who also wrote a book about grief, and is now guiding others through their own loss and speaking in front of audiences on the topic, not to mention raising money for his favourite charity to help grieving children.
You don’t have to write a book to embark on your next chapter. But if you’re feeling called to help others in your own unique way, it sure helps to share your story and lessons learned in a travel-friendly format like a book—to reach more people and organizations, and to get others to share and talk about you.
Whether it’s a book you want to write, a movement you want to grow or a personal reinvention you want to explore, book a discovery call with me here to get started.
Cat xo
PS: My book is now available on paperback, ebook and audiobook! Buy it here to get inspired for your own second act.
What are they saying about you?
I love my Michael Douglas in Wonder Boys. I love my Paul Giamatti in Sideways. The irascible, unlovable, curmudgeonly misanthropes. I love unlikeable characters.
However, as a fiction author, I’ve learned that if we don’t build up evidence on the page to the contrary, even our likeable characters will be unlikeable.
I discovered this firsthand when coming across some of my editor’s comments regarding one of my favourite characters in my book, Again, Only More Like You. I could picture the reader rolling her eyes as she made condescending comments toward someone I considered to be one of my favourite people in the book. It took me a moment before I realized that I had drawn a picture of him in my mind, that I hadn’t quite conveyed on the page. And so with my final proof of the book, I implemented some changes, so there could be no doubt that he was a good guy.
All this to say whatever message or story you’re crafting or movement you’re creating, know this:
We are ALL always making up stories about ourselves and others too. As an author, expert, brand and/or business founder, if you don’t carefully craft your message and make it clear and accessible for others, you leave room for others to fill in the blanks and write their own story about you.
Your why, your hero’s journey, your origin story and your transformation are all part of what’s necessary to get audiences on side and to invest in you, and if you haven’t figured that part out yet, we can hop on a discovery call to chat about that too.
Need a proven framework to help you write, finish and publish your book?
Schedule a call with me and let’s explore how I can help you position your voice, leadership and story for impact and growth.