Simultaneously a memoir and a blueprint on how to take the reins of one’s life, this book wastes no time in telling the author's story and using it to weave pertinent themes centered around reflection. True to the genre, the “My Lesson” section is intensely vulnerable. When readers see the author not just accept but embrace what happens to her, it is a resounding vote of confidence for them to emulate that mindset. Carter-Scott is adamant that when a breakdown occurs, the path to a breakthrough opens. Thus, all things, even adversity, should be viewed as learning experiences that add unique skills to deploy later in life.

From being classified as a disappointment due to being a girl and fighting through a dysfunctional family environment to finding a spark in theater and mentorship, the author’s experiences have given her the tools to ask powerful and profound questions, to reframe the mindset to work for her and break free from the victim cycle. It is this feeling of being stuck that gives rise to her widespread coaching efforts. Her work and approach allow individuals to almost step out of the current moment in their lives, reach their horizon, and understand who they really are and what drives them.

What makes this work stand out is its ability to weave engaging stories, such as Carter-Scott’s timely interaction with Dorothea, her mother-in-law, with technical theories like the varying types of competence and incompetence. When the author herself is the embodiment of what she strives to instill in her clients, having her thoughts resonate is an inevitability. The journey from “My Lessons” to “Your Questions” is one that will cut to the root and spearhead growth, making it an unquestionably meaningful experience.

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