Book excerpt: When life throws a curveball, it can knock you off your feet, and it may take you only seconds or minutes to get up. But sometimes, it takes hours, days, months, or yearsand you could stay down. When Ruth Pearson suffered an emotional breakdown while teaching, she felt as though her life had fallen apart. After twenty-five years, she was afraid to go back into a classroom. While she felt terrible at the time, the bad experiences she went through became the catalyst for her to change her life. In sharing how she overcame her challenges, she helps you: Appreciate the importance of motivation; Master five steps that will motivate you to take action; Listen effectively and be more engaged; and Approach challenges with a positive attitude. No matter what you do for a living, you know how hard it can be to overcome personal and professional problems. Get the inspiration you need to accomplish your goals and conquer your fears with the lessons in Say Yes to New Opportunities!