As I embarked upon this portfolio career, one of the things that I was clear on was that I wanted to write a book. It had always been an ambition however until recently, I didn’t know what I wanted to write about. I contemplated fiction, however while I love reading such, I wasn’t really that creative, I was more pragmatic, more real world. I was however, consistently enthused by mentoring and supporting others in their careers and ultimately it became apparent that is what my book needed to be about. A book from my perspective, a book about navigating a professional career as a woman, a person of colour, an introvert, someone who came to the UK as an outsider.
Getting Started
Once I had made the decision to start, the ideas just flowed out of me. It was like the book I had been waiting my whole life to write. In fact, it was the book that I wish I had access to 20 years ago in my career. It is the advice, the learnings, what works, when should you lean in or not, how do you balance maintaining your identity and your authenticity in spaces where you might be the only one.
Motivation
As I moved through the writing process, I kept coming back to the idea from Marian Wright Edelman “you can’t be what you can’t see.” For much of my career, I rarely saw stories that reflected women like me—women of colour, introverts, outsiders forging a path in business or professional environments. That absence can make it difficult to imagine what’s possible for yourself if you are not lucky enough to be surrounded by real life examples. By sharing my story authentically, I want to contribute to a broader, more accessible landscape of success. It’s not just about spotlighting singular, exceptional journeys although they are important and break barriers; it’s about showing that people from all walks of life can navigate their careers and thrive by taking bold, intentional steps.
My process
Early on I realised that I needed to write in the mornings. I would wake up full of ideas that I needed to capture, and I just had to put them down on paper before they disappeared. My phone was also a constant companion during that time, not as a phone but as a note taker. There was always a moment grabbed to quickly capture an idea when I was on the go, even if it was just a couple lines. Or sometimes longer voice notes capturing a story, an experience, an example, when life reminded me of a situation or a point worth making.
I am also very structured. Hence having decided I was doing this, there was a very clear timeline, word count goals for each week and month. Not everybody would need such but for me tracking such on a weekly basis gave me the confidence and assurance that I was moving forward and I could see progress. It was a major accomplishment therefore when I hit major milestones like 50% of my word count target and I could celebrate those wins along the way.
Very early on, the structure of the book was clear. That meant mentally I could see where the book was going. I could jump around within chapters. Hence the time thinking through the outline and the strategy in the first couple of weeks was invaluable later in keeping me focused and not going off course. For me, that’s a strategy that worked well and seems particularly well suited for a non-fiction career guide based on personal experience, however, appreciate it might be less effective for other genres or personality types.
Embracing Vulnerability
Despite more than two decades of professional experience, an accounting qualification, an MBA from on the top universities in the UK combined with the privilege of having worked for multiple well known global corporations, I found myself grappling with insecurity: who was I to write this book? The imposter syndrome crept in, whispering that maybe I was being presumptuous—to think my story or advice would matter to anyone else.
I often questioned if I was bold—or perhaps mad—for believing I could add something meaningful to the conversation. The truth is, vulnerability isn’t a stage you outgrow; it evolves with you, no matter what you’ve achieved. Sharing my experiences, successes, and failures in such a public way felt exposed, but also necessary. I realised that if I was feeling this way, others—no matter how accomplished—probably were too. And perhaps my willingness to be honest about those doubts might offer someone else permission to try, to share their voice, and to know that self-questioning is a sign of caring deeply, not of inadequacy.
Moments of growth and community
Despite the doubts, within three months, I had finished my first draft. Then came my first reviewers. My husband was my first critic; the first contributor looped into the project. As someone who spend his career in education his feedback was insightful and professional. Yet as someone who knew me exceptionally well, he also knew when I had not explored a potential idea or mentioned a relevant story. Other friends and family followed and provided invaluable feedback on early chapters, an idea, the name of the book and more. There were so many early decisions that it was imperative that my inner circle was there for me. Their inputs made the book stronger, made me stronger.
Lessons learnt
- Through this journey, I discovered that writing a book is as much about personal growth as it is about sharing knowledge. I learned to trust my voice, recognising that it carries the weight and nuance of a life lived at many intersections—gender, race, nationality, and personality, particularly as an introvert who isn’t always comfortable in the limelight.
- I realised that sharing honest, real life relatable experiences matters just as much—if not more—than the advice and stories from those that achieve CEO status or are sporting or entertainment superstars.
- I learned to celebrate small wins and to see vulnerability not as a weakness, but as a signal of authenticity, dedication and passion.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I’m grateful for both the challenges and triumphs that have defined my writing journey. My hope is that this book will serve not just as a guide, but as a source of encouragement for all and especially women from all backgrounds to believe in the value of their own stories. Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to reveal more in the coming weeks—and I hope you’ll continue to follow along as we move closer to bringing this book into the world.
