As I scrolled through my social media feed recently, a friend's post caught my eye. It resonated deeply with me, sparking thoughts about my own career journey. The idea my friend shared was powerful — that a woman's career is a long game, marked by interruptions, twists, and turns, especially for those who choose to have a family.

Reflecting on my life, I realised how much this concept aligned with my own experiences. Growing up, I was ingrained with the belief that perfection was the only acceptable outcome. Any perceived failure, even a minor one like scoring 18 out of 20 on a math test at the age of nine, would leave me devastated. This pursuit of perfection followed me into adulthood, where I constantly compared myself to others.

My friend's post highlighted the unique challenges women face in their careers, particularly when raising a family. The reality is that our professional journeys often take unexpected detours during the child-rearing years. Whether leaving the workforce entirely or taking a temporary break, women often find themselves returning to a changed landscape — missed promotions, altered priorities, and a shifted professional mindset.

I can identify three distinct ‘acts’ in my life. The first act was my role as an educator and a young mother, focusing on being a stay-at-home mom while occasionally engaging in casual teaching. The second act unfolded after my midlife marriage break-up, leading me to join The Salvation Army and pursue a leadership role in the church. This chapter involved becoming an ordained minister and delving into theological studies.

Now, in the third act of my life, I am building a speaking business and pursuing my passion for writing. Despite occasional thoughts of why I hadn't started certain endeavours earlier, my friend's post reminded me that a woman's career is indeed a long game. The depth and breadth of my experiences — from teaching to motherhood to ministry — have shaped who I am today.

In my sixties, I am actively building a speaking career and authoring books, embracing the wisdom and insight garnered from my diverse life experiences. Despite occasional self-doubt, I now understand that my journey has been a process of continuous growth, with each act contributing to the woman I've become.

I've come to appreciate that success is not defined by a linear trajectory but by the richness of the journey itself. My career path has been far from a straight line, and yet, the culmination of my experiences has equipped me with a profound understanding of life, people, and their stories.

Rather than viewing myself as a failure, I now recognise the value of my unique journey. I still strive for excellence, but I've learned to resist the urge to compare myself to others. Instead, I focus on the long game — the unfolding narrative that has shaped my understanding of unconscious bias and the power of women.

As I explore this third act of my life, I am grateful for the wisdom gained from playing the long game. I am hopeful for the years ahead, armed with the knowledge that the best is yet to come as I bring my life's experiences into the words I share through my books and speaking engagements. I embrace the long game, excited to see what the next 30 years of this extraordinary journey will unfold.