This is a summary of the book titled “Next! The power of reinvention in life and work” written by Joanne Lipman and published by Mariner Books in 2023. Transformation, whether from external circumstances or from internal motivation, does not have to be stressful. The author draws from remarkable transformations of both people and products from interviews and scientific research to uncover the process. Major transitions follow a four-part pattern. Gut instinct always feels right. Past failures can be learning. If something does not suit well, we forge a path ahead. Someone who believes in us can help us clarify our goals. If a company wants to make a transition, look for outside perspectives.

Major career transitions follow a four-part pattern: "Search," "Struggle," "Stop," and "Solution." The COVID pandemic prompted millions to rethink their careers, but most significant changes happen incrementally. Research and personal anecdotes reveal a common four-phase pattern: "Search," "Struggle," "Stop," and "Solution."

Deciding to make a career change is often the most challenging part, but it's important to listen to your gut instinct. Gut instincts can guide you in the right direction, stemming from your experience and knowledge. For example, James Patterson, a famous author, used his experience as an adman before becoming a best-selling novelist to appeal to customers and provide what they wanted. By following this pattern, individuals can successfully navigate their career or business transformations.

Past failures can help individuals grow and succeed by focusing on the learning process rather than the final results. Success often comes from going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. People who succeed after failure often search for reasons for their failures and work through the adjustment process to find a breakthrough idea. For example, figure skater Nathan Chen readjusted his mentality after losing a gold medal at the 2018 Olympics.

To learn from failure, reflect on the struggle and make small incremental changes. Allow for creative insights when searching for your next step, as decisive breakthroughs, or "aha moments," often emerge when you do something else entirely. Cognitive neuroscientists have found that during an "aha moment," the subconscious brain connects increments of unrelated or distantly related information to create a solution. To tap into the power of subconscious connections, distract yourself and create an incubation time for your subconscious brain to process your research and make connections.

Many people find themselves in need of a new career, often due to societal obstacles. Women, especially those with children, are more likely to embrace reinvention than men, creating companies that empower marginalized people. Women-owned firms have started to change the workplace into a more accepting, flexible environment.

To make a career- or life-changing transformation, it is important to prepare and lay down the groundwork before jumping into a new job. JP Morgan executive Will Brown took over 20 years to transition from being a Wall Street economist to a full-time farmer. Steve Jobs and Whitney Wolfe Herd have also made significant changes without consciously knowing it.

Trust that the struggle you are in will lead to better things and let it become a time of inspiration, research, and discovery. Find someone who believes in you to help clarify your goals. Ina Garten, for example, made her transition from working as a nuclear budget analyst to starting her culinary career by impulsively buying a 400-square-foot food shop in Westhampton Beach, New York.

Ina Garten, a successful chef, transitioned from a White House nuclear budget analyst to starting her culinary career with her husband's encouragement. This person helped her gain a professional reputation, attract celebrity clients, and expand her shops. When she decided to sell the shops, her husband's guidance helped her create best-selling cookbooks and start her TV career. It just takes one person who believes in you to help clarify your goals. Having someone who champions your strengths and provides a clear perspective can make all the difference in navigating tough career moves. Sharing your goals with trusted people can hold you accountable and support you throughout the process. If your company plans to make a transition, look for outside perspectives to guide the way. Innovative ideas rarely come from the C-suite, but outsiders may see potential where insiders can't. Companies in transition often benefit from outside perspectives, as they may see potential where insiders can't.