Now What: A Practical Guide for Navigating Your Career

A New Book from Amanda Duff, Coming October 2026

You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to know what to do next.

Now What? is a practical guide for navigating your career when you're questioning what's next. Whether you're entering the workforce, considering a career change, feeling stuck in your current role, or simply wondering if there's something more, this book provides practical tools and guidance to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. This book helps you understand yourself, navigate your options, and make intentional choices about your career!

“Amanda's HR expertise was instrumental in helping me meet my professional goals and ultimately qualify for a promotion. Her empathy, support, and knowledge of HR made a huge difference in my success.” - Leadership Coaching Client.

Pre-order Starts September 10th!

What if you...

  • Had the inside scoop on how to navigate the twists, turns, and unexpected moments of your career?

  • Could learn the tools to navigate your career toward work that feels meaningful, fulfilling, and right for you?

  • Could transform your uncertainty about what comes next into a clear path forward?

Now What? gives you practical tools, real-world insight, and guidance to help you make sense of where you are and figure out where you want to go next.

Look behind the scenes, learn the strategies and tools that can help you navigate career decisions with confidence, and turn the uncertainty of “what now?” into a clear plan for what’s next.

Before reading Now What, you might feel:

  • Lost about what direction to take next.

  • Stuck, knowing something needs to change but unsure where to start.

  • Unsure whether you're on the right career path.

  • Overwhelmed by too many options and unsure how to choose.

  • Ready for something different, but needing the tools and confidence to figure out what comes next.

Take the Guesswork Out of What’s Next

Afterwards, you’ll walk away with:

  • Clarity about where you are and where you want to go.

  • Tools to help you make informed career decisions.

  • Confidence to navigate change and uncertainty.

  • A strategy for taking intentional steps toward your goals.

  • A new perspective on your career and what's possible next.

Outline illustration of a trowel laying bricks to build a wall.

Here’s What You’ll Learn…

How to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Career

Magnifying glass with the word 'GHOUL' inside the lens, all in black outline on a transparent background.

Practical Tools for Career Planning and Visualizing Your Goals

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How to Manage Uncomfortable Workplace Dynamics

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How to Build Practical Job Skills and Resilience in Your Career

Meet the Author, Amanda Duff

Amanda Duff, M.S., SHRM-CP, is a human resources leader with over 10 years of experience helping people navigate their careers and perform at their best. She was named a San Diego Business Woman of the Year in 2025 and recognized on San Diego's 40 Under 40 Top Changemakers list in 2026.

After starting her career in accounting, she discovered her true calling in HR and has since developed systems and programs that support employees at every stage, from landing their first job to leading without a title. “Now What?” grew out of the countless conversations she's had with clients, mentees, and colleagues who were asking the same questions she once asked herself.

Amanda lives in Vista, California, with her husband, daughters, dog Barley, and cat Maci. A lifelong learner, she's rarely without a book or a podcast queued up, and she credits much of what she knows to the people who took the time to mentor her along the way.

Early Praise for the Book!

  • “Whether you're just launching your career, facing workplace challenges you never anticipated, or striving to become the kind of leader others want to follow, you'll want this book within arm's reach. Filled with practical wisdom, real-world strategies, and actionable advice, it equips you to navigate every stage of your professional journey with greater courage and confidence. You'll find yourself returning to it time and again as one of the most trusted resources on your career bookshelf.”

    — Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office and Stop Sabotaging Your Career.

  • “Comprehensive in scope and practical in approach, this guide offers support for the many moments—big and small—that shape a career.”

    — Julie Winkle Giulioni, Author of Promotions Are SO Yesterday and Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go.

  • "Every career has 'now what?' moments — the transitions, the wrong turns, the spaces where you wonder if you're building the right life. Amanda Duff meets you in these with honesty, warmth, and practical tools, drawing on her own journey from misaligned accountant to HR leader. This is the career guidebook people actually need."

    — Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the 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.

  • "I love how honest this book is. We have all felt stuck in our careers at some point, and many of Amanda’s anecdotes will feel immediately familiar. She combines these relatable stories with practical advice grounded in solid scientific evidence, making the book both credible and helpful to you, regardless of your career stage. I could see myself in many of the situations she describes. It feels less like a book telling you what to do and more like an honest conversation with someone who understands what it means to feel stuck, and can help you find a practical way forward."

    — Dr Dieter Veldsman, Chief HR Scientist and Professor of Practice

  • "Amanda’s life’s work is supporting leaders and helping others navigate their careers. Her book reflects the deep wisdom she has amassed in her own career. It’s a guide for moving forward when the path feels unclear. Whether the issue is landing a job, growing your career, navigating workplace dynamics, or feeling stuck, this book is a go-to resource you can turn to whenever you reach a “Now What?” moment. It’s loaded with practical tools and workable strategies. All it takes for you to flourish is the curiosity and courage to use them."

    — Wayne F. Cascio, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus, The Business School, University of Colorado Denver

Ready to figure out what's next?

Now What? gives you practical tools to navigate your career with greater clarity, confidence, and intention.

Pre-order starts September 10, 2026!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Right now, we are aiming for an official release date of October 22.

  • Whether you’re just starting, considering a new opportunity, or feeling stuck, this book is here to meet you in your “now what” moment. Think of it as your personal guide and mentor!

  • Yes! We will share all links to preorder and purchase once they are available.

  • I have no plans to do this yet but would love to!

  • Yes! We are working on finalizing the formatting and book cover. Once preorder links are ready, they’ll be shared everywhere!

  • This book is designed to be both read from cover to cover and revisited whenever you need it. With bite-sized chapters packed with practical advice, you can turn to the topics that matter most in the moment. It's a resource you'll come back to throughout your career!