"Now, Near, Next comes at a time when taking control of our lives and maximizing self-agency is at the forefront of conversations surrounding careers and leadership.
By distilling the complexities of what it means to put ourselves first—and tackling the internal and external barriers that hold us back—Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer and Kimberly Rath embody the future and want us all to come along with them."
—Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
“The flight attendant announced that we were ready to push back and reminded us to turn off our electronic devices. As I reached to turn off my phone, my son asked with surprise, “You have to turn your phone off?” As I said yes and attempted to explain why, my daughter interrupted with shock and joy. “You mean you’ll have to be off your phone the entire flight?” Their delight was a painful reminder of the tightrope I had been walking, attempting to balance motherhood and a career.”
When we embarked on authoring this book, we theorized that throughout mid-career, women get so bogged down in the daily grind, consumed with the pressure to do it all and the guilt of falling short, that they fail to invest in themselves, plan for what is Next, or reflect on their success. Our assumptions were crystallized through our interviews with numerous mid-career women, a survey of over three hundred female professionals, and evidence-based research. We discovered that exercising personal agency—a feeling of control of actions and circumstances expressed through intentionality, forethought, self-reactiveness, and self-reflectiveness—is particularly challenging for women.
THIS PHENOMENON MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROVERBIAL “BROKEN RUNG,” THE STEP ON THE CORPORATE LADDER THAT SLOWS THE TRAJECTORY OF MANY MID-CAREER WOMEN.
NOW AVAILABLE AT BOOK STORES EVERYWHERE!
“Kimberly and Cynthia have written a book filled with hard-earned leadership and career wisdom perfect for the woman leader who wants to get clear on the next steps in her career and be inspired to take intentional action. Reading this book felt like gaining secret access to years’ worth of mentoring sessions from proven leaders.”
— KELLI THOMPSON
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP COACH, SPEAKER,
AND AUTHOR OF CLOSING THE CONFIDENCE GAP
“Timely, relevant, intensely personal, and expertly written, this book serves as a modern-day GPS for women (and men) who are willing to engage in career reinvention as a way of life. I am making this a must-read for my twin daughters and all the women I know as a guide to life beyond the corporate corridors.”
— REGINALD R. MEBANE
FORMER BOARD MEMBER, MERCY
“In Now, Near, Next, Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer and Kimberly Rath have managed to distill the wild alchemy of change and transition into an approachable (and far less overwhelming) way to embrace what’s around the corner for each of us. A book for anyone who’s sensed a shift is coming or needed, Now, Near, Next doesn’t just remind you that there’s “more” - it is a practical tool to help you pursue your biggest dreams in a thoughtful, curated and joyful way.”
— NINA BLACKSHEAR
PRINCIPAL, NINA BLACKSHEAR COACHING + CONSULTING
“Now, Near, Next is an incredible piece that empowers you to take your power back.
I was taken aback by vignettes that bring to life the science of personal agency and its profound toll and impact on the lives of women. Cynthia and Kimberly do such a wonderful job of detailing pathways to overcoming the sometimes subconscious stumbling blocks that can make you feel limited. The book leaves you with a sense of ownership of your life. I'm energized by reading it. You will be, too!”
— DAVID SATCHELL
AIR FORCE COMMAND CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT AND AUTHOR OF EXTRACTING THE LEADER FROM WITHIN
Embracing Grace
Feeling Stuck or Stagnant in your Career
Strength Development
Pursuing Volume vs. Value
NOW AVAILABLE. GET YOUR COPY TODAY!
WHY NOW, NEAR, NEXT
For some women, mid-career feels like a merry-go-round. You begin your career eager to jump on.
You pick the pink pony and hold on tight. You might move to the purple pony during the first stop. Look, Mom, no hands! However, a few years later, you look up and are still belted into the same saddle, on the same ride, following behind a new group of riders, going in circles. You need a bigger amusement park and a more challenging ride! A must-read for all women trying to find or fight their way to what is possible. The methodology outlined in Now, Near, Next debunks the myth that just putting your head down, enjoying the ride and working hard is the best way to realize your fullest potential.
“In Now, Near, Next, Cynthia and Kimberly offer a transformative guide for mid-career women, blending practical strategies with personal narratives. From energizing self-agency to navigating life’s unexpected turns, the book is full of practical wisdom and proven strategies, serving as a blueprint for realizing a woman's true potential. A must-read!”
— JINGJIN LIU
CEO AND FOUNDER, ZAZAZU
"This book is timely, as many jobs will be impacted by the 4th Industrial Revolution, driven by AI.
'Now, Near, Next' is an all-encompassing guide for mid-career women. Each chapter acts as a catalyst for personal and professional excellence, offering not just a reading experience but an interactive journey that fosters self-discovery and empowerment."
— DR VIRPI TERVONEN, CEO MINDSET COACH, REAL RELEVANT RESULTS
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Energize your career, look up, take inventory, make room, and be present.
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Instead of conforming to conventional expectations, organizations and individuals alike can look ahead with intentionality.
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Even when feeling the crunch of ambition and family demands, women can rise above the chaos and amplify their possibilities.
“Accessing and tapping into our fullest potential is more essential than ever—but in this fast-moving world, it's also harder than ever.
Now, Near, Next empowers us with the guidance we need and speaks to us in ways that are relatable, practical, and meaningful. While the book seeks to activate our self-agency, it also reminds us about the power of our relationships with others. As much about the present as it is about the future, there is a spot for it on every shelf, now and beyond.”
— LORRAINE RISE, FOUNDER AND CEO OF CAREERUPRISING AND AUTHOR OF WHAT YOU DIDN'T LEARN IN SCHOOL
NOW AVAILABLE AT BOOK STORES EVERYWHERE!
“Now, Near, Next is the essential guidebook for women to recognize, articulate, and promote traditional and non-traditional skills to accelerate their careers. Successful leadership for the future of work requires empathy, communication, time management, negotiation, and an ability to make decisions and form consensus in the face of imperfect and incomplete information in a rapidly changing environment.”
— HEATHER E. MCGOWAN
FUTURE OF WORK KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND AUTHOR OF THE ADAPTATION ADVANTAGE + EMPATHY ADVANTAGE
“Authors Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer and Kimberly Rath courageously confront age-old conditioning that has thwarted women’s progress throughout history: women must always be humble. The pervasive notion that women must keep their heads down and work hard has only served to propel the careers of their male peers, who instead are looking ahead and surging forward. Enter Now, Near, Next, a pragmatic guide that encourages women to reclaim their autonomy, unapologetically invest in their future, and hype women to do the same.”
— ERIN GALLAGHER
CEO + FOUNDER, ELLA; CREATOR OF HYPE WOMEN MOVEMENT
Your Guide to Your Now, Near, Next
CHAPTER ONE: TAKE CHARGE
Embrace Grace Over Guilt
Ask for Help
Generate Positive Energy
CHAPTER TWO: PROCLAIM YOUR PURPOSE
Declare Core Values
Develop Your Why
Inspire Your Vision
CHAPTER THREE: REVEAL YOUR ZEAL
Look Up, Within, and Forward
Distinguish Natural Talents
Alignment of Talent to Role
CHAPTER FOUR: ARCHITECT YOUR JOURNEY
Determining what is Next
Begin with the End in Mind
Create a Strengths Development Plan
Authenticate Your Brand
Amplify Your Aspirations
CHAPTER FIVE: RECRUIT SUPPORTERS
Appoint Your Life’s Board of Directors
Engage Sponsors, Coaches, and Mentors
Expand Your Network
CHAPTER SIX: BROADEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Stretch Your Reach Internally
Widen Your View
CHAPTER SEVEN: RADIATE CONFIDENCE
Embolden Self-Agency
Practice Positive Self-Talk
Show Up and Speak Up
CHAPTER EIGHT: TAKE RISKS
Harness Your Fear
Make Bold Moves
Foster a Growth Mindset
CHAPTER NINE: BOLSTER RESILIENCE AND AGILITY
Develop a Base Camp Outlook
Navigate Rerouting
Exercise Holistic Self Care
Celebrate Success
“Changing your life for the better isn't always easy, and Now, Near, Next means never having to do it alone.
There are stories of transformation that can motivate our own, and real-world advice from a diverse range of voices that is implementable for everyone. Sharp, necessary, and the world is ready.”
— ANDRÉ STEWART
FOUNDER AND CEO OF INVESTFAR, INC. AND AUTHOR OF EPITOME OF THE MIND