Book Review: The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates

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I remember when my Mom recommended that I read The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. I had just started working in San Francisco a year out of college and was learning how to navigate the ~corporate~ world. I was 23 years old and clueless about positioning myself in the workforce and accelerating my career. My Mom has always been a source of guidance and truth for me so I turned to her and she recommended I read this book because it emphasizes the power of empowering women to lift our society as a whole. Melinda’s book describes, “her own personal journey to finding her voice and becoming an advocate for women and girls” through her impactful experiences around the globe. Her stories are jaw-dropping, eye-opening, and, most importantly, motivational. The most important takeaway from this book was the ultimate call to action – women need to lift other women. Whether it’s defending women in your family or promoting equitable practices in the workplace, women must act as mentors and empower each other to reach their goals. They need to provide the moment of lift. 

The reason that my Mom gave me this book was, well, for one obvious reason. She wanted to teach me that women need to empower other women. But there was a greater lesson that resonated with me throughout my career – the importance of mentorship. This is not exclusive to professional mentorship either. Mentorship can present itself in all aspects of your life. You can find mentors in your side hustles, hobbies, work, family, and friends. My Mom’s desired outcome for this gifting me this book was that I’d walk away knowing how important the moment of lift can truly be in someone’s life – and to find the people who will do that for me. It’s easy to flow through the motions on your own and forgo any guidance. You think you can, “do it all”. We could all use that mentor. We could all use that moment of lift. 

This book resonated with me for a plethora of reasons. Discovering mentors who truly provide you with that “moment of lift” takes time and effort. You need to find people who have your genuine best interest at heart. You need to find people who you are inspired by and can reach out to when you need help. You need to find role models. It’s easy to latch onto any obvious leader in your life – your boss, your company’s founder, your local influencer. But who will truly be there for you when you need direction? Who will be a champion for you when you decide to take the next leap in your life? Who will remain a strong presence in your life as time goes on and you don’t see each other regularly? These are a few of the questions that you need to answer when you look for a true mentor.

The Moment of Lift gave me exactly what I needed. It opened my eyes to look out for mentors in my life who would push me to be the best version of myself. Since reading this book, I am grateful to share that I have a trusted circle of mentors – previous bosses, current managers, close family members, and incredible friends – who have given me mentorship when I needed it. Melinda Gates’s inspiring memoir is a must-read for any young person who needs to find those people around you who will give you, well, the moment of lift.

Yasi Agah

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Yasi Agah is a born and raised Californian living out her dreams in New York City. She loves to read, write, listen to podcasts, and teach yoga. Becoming by Michelle Obama makes her cry every time she reads it.