We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents and interests.

And in situations where a man and a woman each receive negative feedback, the woman's self-confidence and self-esteem drop to a much greater degree. The internalization of failure and the insecurity it breeds hurt future performance, so this pattern has serious long-term consequences.

Every job will demand some sacrifice. The key is to avoid unnecessary sacrifice.

Every woman I know, particularly the senior ones, has been called too aggressive at work. We know in gender blind studies that men are more aggressive in their offices than women. We know that. Yet we're busy telling all the women that they're too aggressive. That's the issue.

So please ask yourself: What would I do if I weren't afraid? And then go do it.

I want to tell any young girl out there who's a geek, I was a really serious geek in high school. It works out. Study harder.

If I had to embrace a definition of success, it would be that success is making the best choices we can ... and accepting them.