If you own a computer or read the news, you’ve probably heard of the “two Steves” – Jobs and Wozniak, who founded Apple Computers in 1976. Far less likely is that you’ve heard of Ron Wayne. He designed the Apple logo and along with Steve Jobs and Wozniak, was one of the original founding partners in Apple. Afraid that their new startup computer company would fail, Ron sold back his 10% stake in Apple for $800, only 12 days after he got it. If he’d held onto that $800 stake, even as a silent partner, today he’d be worth around $22 billion.

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At some point, we all become stuck. Maybe it’s a job that is comfortable, but no longer challenging. Maybe you’re in a relationship that is going nowhere. Or maybe you’ve been out of the workforce so long, your confidence is at an all-time low and you fear further rejection could derail you completely. Stuck happens. 

It’s been noted that people who generally stay “unstuck” share certain characteristics. They tend to have a positive outlook on life, a way of reacting to setbacks that helps them regroup and keep going no matter what. It doesn't mean that they never stumble momentarily or face hardships or disappointment. Rather, it's that they have discovered ways to pick themselves up and tread on regardless.  

Neither are they afraid of making mistakes. If one approach doesn't work, they simply try another. As Winston Churchill famously noted: “Success consists of going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” Libby Gill (LG), author of “You Unstuck,” understands this precept well. In her delightful book, she outlines some of the traps we all fall prey to, and offers strategies for staying out of the woods. 

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A few months ago I was peeking around the local http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ and couldn’t help but stop and pull this off the rack, Note to Self: 30 Women on Hardship, Humiliation, Heartbreak, and Overcoming It All by Andrea Buchanan. A fan of inspirational stories, I began to read some of the chapters which revealed poignant tales full of incredible strength from celebrities such as Sheryl Crow and Camryn Manheim to Grandmother, Beverly London to stuntwoman, Stacy Courtney. I was so moved by the piece, that I went online and tracked down the author who happened to be at a local book-signing event the following day. Having an opportunity to speak to Andrea in person about http://www.notetoselfbook.com/ was a blessing. Andrea believes that in telling our shame, sharing our “wounds” and revealing difficult stories, we help one another to heal and to develop strength. Andrea’s own personal journey, which she shares in the introduction of the book, is authentic and courageous. I invited her (AB), to elaborate a bit further on the notion that false starts are central to the process of awakening…

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