Dear Success Seeker: Wisdom from Outstanding Women

By Michele R. Wright

An inspirational collection of original letters written by remarkably accomplished women to future generations of success seekers

When facing obstacles to her own success, Michele R. Wright quickly discovered how valuable it is to have success warriors in your life who can inspire and guide you. With this in mind, Wright assembled luminaries from the entertainment, arts, business, and sports worlds to offer words of inspiration and invaluable advice to those seeking victory in their personal and professional journeys.

In these original pieces, the eighty-three contributors -- representing a diverse range of age, background, and experience -- share intimate stories of the challenges and triumphs, adventures and mishaps they faced that marked the road to their achievements. Mae Jemison, MD, the first female African-American astronaut, cautions that "'You can't' and 'You have to' are two deadly phrases that are stumbling blocks for many success seekers," and encourages those seeking success to "remain curious and inquisitive." Tennis great Billie Jean King suggests, "Use your talents to win, not only for yourself, but for generations to come." These women and award-winning actresses Shirley Jones, Ruby Dee, Mo'Nique, and Phylicia Rashad, Senator Mary L. Landrieu, Nobel Prize winner Rosalyn S. Yalow, New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer, and entertainer Patti LaBelle are just a few of the many women offering such pearls of wisdom.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416570799
• ISBN13: 9781416570790
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A great read of inspirational snippets no matter where you are in your journey through life ...

I like books that leave an imprint on my soul, words that evoke things read and especially invoke (invoke is to call upon or appeal to something or someone for help or inspiration, while evoke is to bring or call something to the conscious mind) and this book wonderfully does both. This is a perfect gift to bestow upon that new high-school graduate or college grad, a friend going through a life transition whether career related, or brought upon by unfortunate circumstances. This book is a compilation of letters written addressed to "Dear Success Seeker", the writers, all successful women in their own right, were asked to write a letter to a success seeker imparting advice they learned through their own trials and tribulations on their journey to success. Recently laid off (as of May 28, 2009) and feeling anything but successful this book provoked emotional responses within me as I read the bestowed advice shared by so many women. I've been able to sit down and listen to 86 women present the most important advice they can offer on seeking and becoming successful. Yes, this is a great book to have in your library and to give to those younger than you, older than you, your friends, and acquaintances. If a woman has shared with you her dream of success, be her champion of success, inspiring her to achieve her definition of success. Let's empower others, make the world a better place by investing in the lives of others. Another book that I highly recommend is This Is Not the Life I Ordered: 50 Ways to Keep Your Head Above Water When Life Keeps Dragging You Down definitely check it out!!

Success Brings Success

Everyone wants to be successful in life. We are always looking for that one piece of advice that would make a difference. DEAR SUCCESS SEEKER is that advice. Wright has assembled letters from over 80 women of various backgrounds to share their wisdom. The letters are motivational and ham packed with "pearls of wisdom". Some of the inspirational nuggets are: Sandra Yancy - "Give first, share always" Robin Wolaner - "Allow for serendipity - you can do it all just not all at once. Follow your interests and values, the money will take care of itself." Susan L. Taylor - "Do what you love" Faye Wattleton - "Be informed. Be vigilant! Don't shrink from power. Support other women. Be an independent thinker." Mae C. Jemison - "Always remember who you intend to be" DEAR SUCCESS SEEKER should have a prominent spot on every female's desk. The letters should be highlighted, dog-eared, paper clipped or adorned with post-it-notes. The words should be passed down from generation to generation. DEAR SUCCESS SEEKER would make the perfect graduation, birthday, or a simple just because gift. Michele R. Wright can be contacted at www.dearsuccessseeker.com Deltareviewer Reviewing for Real Page Turners

How Do you Define Success???

Michele Wright has had some road blocks of her own which include a speech impediment (couldn't speak before the age of 5) and a very short attention span. She believes that her wise parents and success warriors in her life helped her to some great accomplishments in her life. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering (graduating with honors); got her Masters of Science in Engineering Management and Industrial Engineering from the Tennessee Space Institute (first African American to achieve this educational goal); and received her Doctorate of Philosphy in Public policy from the University of Arkanass. She has also had a successful career (over 20 years) as a corporate professional. Michele believes that anyone can achieve such success, and wrote this book that includes the wisdom of 83 women. Some of these women include MaryAaron, Valerie Ackerman, Sheila E., Shirley Jones, Rosa Parks, Della Reese, Lillie Armstrong Thomas, and Sandra Yancey (this is just a small few). Michele wrote this book containing letters from 83 women so that other women can take the wisdom this group of women have learned and use this wisdom to maximize the opportunities in their lives. She also hopes that you to will invest your life with others. The foreword was by Camille Cosby and she says three words can measure success. She also does say that success is differently defined by people. These three measures include family, integrity, and doing. She goes through each three..warning the reader not to avoid emotional intimacy by subsituting work for family. She also encourages work for love..not necessarily for a higher salary. Do what you love so you love what you do sort of thing. She also concludes by saying if you treat others with integrity then you will also be treated with integrity. She makes sense. If you treat others well, you to will probably be treated well by others, and you will probably attract healthy people to your life. Some of my favorites are included in the following. Mary Aaron (First Lady, Bibleway Community Church compares success to a travelor trying to reach a particular destination. She believes also that success comes in saying, "I can, you can, we all can". She believes in putting all her trust in one God, and to let God do all the driving. Edith Virginiabell Atchison (Mother) was taught the importance of being nice, not being judgemental, and seeing the good in others. The two most important things she taught her childern were read the bible, and be nice to people. The Glamous Life girl herself Shiela E. (drummer for Prince, solo artist). I love her music and listened to her in high school. Where has the time gone! Her parents always believed in taking care of not only the family but everyone in need. Her family didn't have much, but gave what they could. This principle has followed her througout her life. Shiela also realized that she could use her music to mentor not only enterta

Good book for encouragement and positivity

A great little book for a pick me up, when you need some encouragement or for the new graduate or career changer in your life; Written by a group of women successful in their fields, each woman speaks on what success means to her, what obstacles she went through and overcome. One lady from Montgomery,Alabama, went through a difficult marriage and divorce and had kids; Determined to make a better life for herself, she decides to go back to college and get her degree; She has her own catering business now. Other women spoke of losing mothers, going through obstacles but still striving. Recommended to all go getters.

Excellent

By far one of the best reads of my lifetime. Superb stories and monumental women.