You Have Arrived
by Shannon Joy Mekeel
"THIS ISN'T JUST MY STORY. IT'S OUR STORY." DIVE INTO A MODERN FEMINIST BATTLE CRY FOR EMPATHY AT HOME, AT WORK, & IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
We are told that life is a series of destinations. We chase the career, the family, the status, and the perfect balance, only to find that the finish line keeps moving. For anyone who has ever reached the top only to ask, "Is this it?" or struggled through the wreckage of a life plan gone sideways, this book is your field report from the front lines.
The author, who was raised in rugged Northwestern Colorado, where the sagebrush blooms, takes you on a 30-day writing journey you won't soon forget as she traverses Florida and journals for her sanity. She embarked on her epic road trip in search of wisdom from her mermaids, and what she ultimately found was a wisdom deep inside herself that she never knew existed.
When prostate cancer and perimenopause collide to implode their marriage, will they hang on or hang it up?
You Have Arrived, the second edition, is a Narrative Non-Fiction. This is not a guide to a perfect life, but a strategy for an authentic one. By blending the tactical precision of a marketer, the investigative honesty of a journalist, and the tenacity of a USAF veteran, Shannon shows you how to identify your current tide, define your personal brand, and understand why the goal was never about the destination. It was about the journey.
Stop waiting for permission to start doing that hard thing. You have already arrived. Now is the time to write YOUR next chapter.
A masterclass in high-stakes leadership and personal resilience. CEO and veteran Shannon Joy Mekeel bridges the gap between a quarter-century of brand strategy and the raw human experience. Featuring the "Roadmap to Empathy" curriculum, this memoir is a tactical battle cry for dismantling toxic ego and reclaiming authentic connection.
What readers are saying
“When Shannon’s life as a mom and professional, while supporting her husband with prostate cancer, became too stressful, she did what many of us wish we could do. She pressed the pause button and resigned from her corporate job. What came next was a 30-day adventure that changed her life forever. Shannon has this unique ability as a storyteller to weave personal and professional lessons into something very meaningful. She shares why listening to your small, quiet voice and journaling for clarity is so important for your sanity in today’s busy world. She also has a knack for connecting people personally and professionally, and I know she is going to make huge waves. ”
— Katy Rey, Entrepreneur + Author of Your Labels Don’t Define You, YOU Define You. Organizer of CelebrateYOU, Elder Millennial
“YOU HAVE ARRIVED combines relevant stories about the challenges our human family faces every day with the need for business to adopt a new way of viewing and working with these challenges. When you consider the personal trauma created by alcohol and drug addiction, serious health challenges, and the special struggles of a single-parent family, leaders can no longer afford to turn a blind eye and pretend these issues do not exist. Shannon Mekeel’s personal experiences in these areas, combined with multiple talents that improve profits and productivity, make her and YOU HAVE ARRIVED a combination that can transform the next generation of business into a more empathetic and humancentric entity.”
— Sheyenne Kreamer, CE, Universal Soul-ution Alliance, Inc., Boomer
“In YOU HAVE ARRIVED, Shannon masterfully combines her rich tapestry of experiences to offer invaluable lessons on finding balance and fulfillment at work and at home. Her approach to leadership, valuing employee growth, encouraging open dialogue, and her personal journey to find a healthy work-life balance, resonates deeply with today’s workforce. Shannon’s unique ability to make decisions on the fly, her commitment to integrity, and her skill in fostering relatable connections shine through the pages. This book is a testament to her expertise, making it a must-read for anyone looking to grow their team or enhance employee engagement and development. Shannon’s insights have not only inspired me but also reinforced the importance of leading with empathy and purpose.”
— Lindsey Freeman, Entrepreneur and founder of Two Hands Creative, Millennial
“In researching family histories, I often find situations in which a person’s life path is drastically changed by an event or series of events. I have witnessed where a death, a pregnancy, an illness, or the loss of employment became a turning point in a person’s life. Among the many situations faced by the author that are potentially life-altering, one of which is when her spouse is diagnosed with cancer, is especially difficult. The reality for anyone facing this crisis is that they ask, “How will this affect me?” The response to a significant other’s crisis is guided by the quality of the relationship, the depth of the burden, and the strength of our own mental health. The author’s reaction reveals the journey she took in coping with her husband’s illness and the raw feelings she experienced along the way.”
— Paul Kiser, Third Generation Family Friend, Author, and Genealogist, Boomer
“I had hip surgery a week ago and find myself reading your book several times each day! I felt strongly pulled to text you and say that the reason you called my cell that day was not by accident! As I get further into this book, I am finding that you and I basically have the exact same story, page by page. Some of your words are the same as those I have spoken. I always said I should write a book so I could help others, and I don’t have to, because yours talks just about the same life, experiences, and aha moments that I would have shared! I can’t believe it. It’s emotional for me on so many levels and has me thinking about a lot of things -career, people, culture at work, all of it. I just know this universe lined us up!! When I’m in Tampa next, we are getting together for dinner and long, fruitful conversations!! I’m so glad you somehow found me that day! Blessings to you, my new mermaid! ”
— Therese Wensmann, Gen-X