AP Photo/Alfred A. Knopf

Facebook COO and bestselling author Sheryl Sandberg’s memoir/feminist manifesto, Lean In, is causing quite a stir among working women. If you missed the hype, Sandberg uses her book to address the barriers in women’s minds that keep them from reaching the same levels of professional success as men. Sandberg acknowledges systematic hurdles like work and national policies, along with cultural expectations that inhibit the progress of women. But, she believes women can dismantle these hurdles by changing the way they think.

Sandberg’s critics note that her racial, academic, and economic privilege make it easier for her to put the burden on women to simply try harder to succeed. Many women were “leaning in” long before Sandberg’s book only to bump into a glass ceiling. A study by the League of Black Women found that black women make up only one percent of U.S. corporate officers.

Sandberg’s privilege shouldn’t stop women from applying the principles that brought her success. There are external boundaries inhibiting the success of black women, but that’s even more reason for us to eliminate the ones we inflict on ourselves. Check out these 10 principles from Lean In. Does the way you view yourself hold you back?

You can’t control everything. No matter how prepared or talented or strategic you are, your career will not always go exactly as planned.

Viola Davis’s film career spans over 15 years – excluding her years on the stage – and includes over 60 projects. She’s garnered 4 Oscar nominations, 3 SAG awards and one Golden Globe this award season for her role in The Help. But, many feel recognition for her work is long overdue. You won’t, however, hear this sentiment from Davis’ lips.

Davis has overcome institutional and cultural obstacles inherent to her industry to build a lasting career. She’s shared several life lessons as she basks in the well-deserved limelight. The few words of wisdom included below are essential lessons for any woman pursuing success.

Understand your obstacles and have a realistic view of your industry

It’s just the politics of it all. I’m a 46-year-old black woman who really doesn’t look like Halle Berry and Halle Berry is having a hard time… I have an absolute understanding and awareness of the image that I project and its just not a lot of lead roles for women who look like me…I think that African-Americans represent 12.5 percent of the population and that is not the demographic we are targeting in the movie and television industry.

Newsweek Oscar roundtable January 2012