When change isn’t a choice—what do you do with it?
Most of us don’t seek out change.
It happens to us, whether we are looking for it or not.
A layoff. A health scare. A relationship ends. A company sells. A role disappears.
One day, the life you knew… isn’t there anymore.
That moment—when something ends but nothing clear has begun—is what I call the What’s Next space.
Not a reflective pause.
Not a clean turning point.
But an urgent, disorienting stretch between what was and what will be.
It’s all hands on deck.
This space is full of emotion—grief, anger, fear, and sometimes even relief.
And beneath it all, one question rises:
What do I do now?
It may feel like a failure. But it’s actually an opening.
Your mind might tell you this is the end—but it’s not.
The key is to calm the panic so your heart and head can work together to shape what comes next.
I’ve been through this space—personally and professionally.
And I’ve spent decades helping others through it, too:
Mid-career professionals. Business owners. People in personal or professional upheaval.
I’ve learned that these moments, while painful, are packed with potential—if we meet them with clarity, strength, and support.
That’s why I‘m creating NextWorks.
It’s a framework for navigating the messy middle.
It’s grounded in the psychology of transition, shaped by lived experience, and built to help people move forward with purpose, not panic.
The NextWorks process includes:
• Recognizing the signal—whether it’s a quiet stirring or a full-force shove
• Noticing your default patterns—avoidance, overthinking, fear, procrastination, or rushing into action
• Reconnecting with strengths—because change works better when you lead with what’s already strong
• Clarifying values and fears—to make aligned, meaningful decisions
• Holding both reality and dreams—so you can move forward clear-eyed and hopeful
• Taking small, intentional steps to build momentum and restore trust in yourself
And perhaps most importantly, not doing it alone.
Community is part of recovery.
Being seen, heard, and understood—even by one person—can change everything.
We don’t heal in isolation.
We find direction in connection.
Whether it’s a friend, a peer, a coach, or a group, reaching out isn’t a weakness. It’s wisdom.
In the coming weeks, I’ll break down each part of the NextWorks framework—sharing tools, reflections, and real-life stories to help you navigate your own “what’s next.”
If this speaks to you or someone you care about, feel free to reply, share, or let it sit with you for now and let me know your thoughts. That will help me frame this work.
There is a path forward: NextWorks
