20 May Take your mind off pause. Push start.

Barbara Brooks, Founder & CEO of SecondAct|Women | April 4, 2020

Life, it’s a crazy thing, especially in these uncertain times. Our lives have been put on pause quite literally and for some, their livelihood. The ability or willingness to see what’s next and adapt to the new normal can be unsettling. Or so it may seem.

Been there. Done that. In round two.

Round one began when I launched Bloom+Co Presents, the parent company to SecondAct|Women in 2018 at 51. My world was caving in on me and I felt the need to end the marketing and PR company I had with Lupe (she also felt the same) and instead, land a steady job back in Corporate America. I, my friend, feared what my future held in middlescence and it turns out, I had every right to be worried. Corporate did not want me as I sat at level 51. My life was on pause, but not for long.

I went on a search to find my ‘what next.’ My purpose. My why. I read all the books and watched YouTube to seek it. Brene Brown’s Braving the Wilderness, Rachel Hollis’ Girl Wash Your Face, Jen Sinceros’ You’re a Badass, and UnFu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop. You name it, this non-book reader was on the hunt and finally, it hit me. The big idea I had held onto for five years WAS my purpose AND my why combined. It was in front of me all the time from the notes I’d taken in Evernote to the sticky notes stuffed in a folder with snippets of ideas to launch. I was ready to move on it and take action. At 51 years young, uncertain of my future and without a plan, I hit START.

By now you’re probably saying, “Wait a minute. That’s not the same. We’re in the middle of a pandemic. I cannot begin to launch my big idea, grow my company or find a new job.” Hogwash (a word I never use but seems to fit)! Can you imagine how many others have slowed their roll in tough times? Paused plans for new revenue streams. Paused preparing for their next career. Paused thinking big! Now is the time for creative thinking, learning, growing and strategizing; and you don’t have to have big audacious plans to start. This, coming from someone who drives her business partner crazy with planning docs, worksheets and forms before we launch anything who is now singing a different tune. (Although, I still love a good planner and at least a one-page action plan)

Get moving. What on earth are you waiting for? Someone out there is ready to launch your idea, steal your job and kick start that new program or service you’ve held on to. Like Nike, Just do it and here are a few things to encourage action.

• Grow your business: Create a goal or two to accomplish in the next 30, 60 or 90 days to gain new clients. Put actions to them and work on them every day.
• Land a job: List three tactics you will do to land interviews post-quarantine.
• Launch your business or big idea: List the actions you will take to move from pause to start.

Are you ready? Get yourself an accountability partner or two and hit start! Download our Project Planner and I’ll see you in round 3.

Barbara and on socials @heybarbarab

Guadalupe Hirt (46) is the co-founder and CCO of SecondActWomen. Founded to rescript the social narrative that women 40 & 50+ are past their prime, SecondActWomen is an IRL and virtual club platform that doubles as a resource hub and community support system to spur the careers, business ventures and big ideas of women in middlescence.