If you don’t have a copy of Sheryl Sandberg’s new book titled, “Lean In”, I highly recommend that you pick up a copy before your next cup of coffee on the patio, book club or flight. Sheryl is an amazing writer (and oh, by the way, is the COO of a little company called Facebook) and her words are moving, compelling and funny.

From the beginning of the book, Sheryl convinces you that she is as real as she is convicted to her passion to encourage women to “lean in” and live life doing what it is that you truly were meant to and want to do, without fear and without boundaries.

She takes you on a fun filled ride composed of statistics about professional women and the psychological boundaries and prejudices that we still face today with regard to work, worth (both monetarily and with regard to our own self-confidence) and our gender.

This book was given to me as a gift from a friend, which I thought was so perfect due to the timing. Just this week, it was announced that I will be taking on more and new responsibilities in my job at DMA Solutions. Sheryl’s words of wisdom, advice and encouragement have been comforting and validating for me during this time as my senses and eagerness to absorb information is at an all-time high.

Never before in my career have I felt so overwhelmingly positive about my trajectory and my ability to do what is needed of me and my new role at the company. Never before have I had the confidence to well, “lean in” and go for it.

This weekend, Dan’l and I will make our way to sunny Scottsdale to attend the PMA Foundation Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference. We’ve been watching the comments about “Lean In” on the Women in Produce discussion group on LinkedIn, and will be anxious to hear more from you about your thoughts on the book, but also about your professional journey.

What barriers have you faced during your career and what opportunities have you had the courage to seize – without fear and without boundaries? What inspires you to lean in?