YOU ARE ENOUGH!

A successful business executive and cancer survivor shares life lessons in this motivational memoir.

Consultant Wheeless was the first person in her family to attend college, and she’s been the youngest person, the first woman, the first Black person, or the first woman of color in each new role on her way to the executive suite. In 2017, at the age of 53, she was leading corporate affairs for a $40 billion global company when a breast cancer diagnosis changed her life. In 15 short chapters with titles such as “Quit Whining,” “Ask for What You Want,” “Work Is Personal,” and “It Is Not All About You,” she offers practical pep talks bolstered by personal anecdotes. Each chapter begins with an inspirational quotation from a famous figure, such as Maya Angelou, Marianne Williamson, or William Faulkner. Several incorporate posts selected from a blog the author wrote to document her experience of cancer treatment, complications that led to multiple surgeries, and her recovery. The inspirational messages, such as “embrace your own authentic self” and “the days are long, but the years are short,” bear repeating even though they will be familiar to self-help readers. Still, the author’s voice is sincere, breezy, upbeat, and surprisingly relatable considering her impressive accomplishments. Her perspective feels authentic and refreshingly down-to-earth, and she presents stories of her encounters with gender, age, and racial bias with honesty and without bitterness. Wheeless admits to her own faults, foibles, and mistakes; at the same time, she expresses pride in her achievements; gratitude for those who helped, supported, and inspired her; and dedication to helping, supporting, and inspiring others, in turn. Her strong, personal Christian faith and sense of humor are also evident throughout the text.

An upbeat, engaging guide to navigating work and life challenges.