WSJ and Publishers Weekly Bestseller List and Why This Matters

Yesterday was a monumental day for me as my book with Wiley made it on not one but bestseller list that is nationally recognized by industry experts.

My book, The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within is #8 on The Wall Street Journal Bestselling Hardcover books for Business. (You can order your copy here )

As some who is always seen as quiet, submissive and obedient and who's capability is constantly question because of my cultural background, this is a big deal. This win isn't only a win for me but a win for the Asian women and beyond who felt like they are limited by their cultural upbringing or the negative stereotypes they continue to face today.

Here's a snapshot of the top 10 bestselling Hardcover Business books by WSJ. There are 8 men and 2 women on this list. To be on the same list as Brené Brown is also mind blowing.

Sometimes it just takes one person to show you what is possible. This is what representation is all about. It's about breaking barriers to show up and be the leader that you are meant to be. I never in a million years thought I would ever get this far in life. Even my own mother was shocked about this because she never realized I could go this far as well and that's not because she doesn't believe in her children.

When you are a child of immigrants, our parents think that having better opportunities is going to school, getting a good job and working there until you retire. There is nothing wrong with that if you love what you do but for me, I always knew I had a bigger purpose in life but was too afraid to pursue it at the time.

So she was shocked and proud at the same time because I was able to make the impossible possible. In fact, this was her comment when I shared my news on Facebook:

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think you’d go this far! We are proud of you"

I know what a big deal that is if you have Asian parents. I know what it's like to forge your own path and feeling like you are letting your parents down because you are going against the grain. Your parents can evolve when they see your persistence and passion to go after your dreams.

The book also made it to Publishers Weekly for Hardcover Nonfiction Frontlist bestseller list. So this means that out of all the Hardcover books from different genres, this is the top 25 bestselling books from last week.

For context,?Publishers?Weekly?is a publishing-focused outlet that booksellers nationwide use to see what books are “hot” (selling).? This means book stores will check out the trends to see what is trending and order more inventory. My book made it to #23 out 25 books.

To be honest, I didn't even know this list existed especially since I live in Toronto.

These wins are not just a win for me but a win for the AAPI women. We have one of the lowest representations of leadership in the US and Canada and I often wondered why this is constantly happening when there are so many amazing Asian women who are bosses in their own right.

This book is going to be the start of showing Asian women and beyond as leaders, elevating our community and showing the current and future generations what is possible!

Don't let anyone ever tell you again that you cannot go after that promotion, start your business or live your dream life. Anything is possible and things will not happen overnight but it's definitely a life worth living. I hope seeing this helps you expand what your life can actually look like. I want to encourage you to step up and show up so that we can dismantle the negative stereotypes we still face today.

So please celebrate this moment for yourself. This is the beginning of showing the world what Asian women are capable of and always I will always be there rooting for ya! Happy Friday and a BIG THANK YOU for your continued support.

Sheena

P.S. Free Quiz - Unlock your self-confidence personality