High Octane Women (How Superachievers Can Avoid Burnout)

Today women hold half of all management and professional positions in the United States and female business owners represent one of the fastest-growing markets in this country. In business, as in many other walks of life, the achievements of women are unprecedented. Unfortunately, there’s another, perilous side to this success story. Many bright, ambitious, and highly driven women ultimately burn out. What causes them to give up, melt down, or just walk away when they seem to have it all? And more importantly, what can be done to prevent it? In this authoritative, well-researched book, full of helpful insights and practical advice, this psychologist draws on her more than fifteen years experience and expertise in stress management to explore the unique challenges that high-achieving women face, including:

• A drive toward perfectionism—feeling that nothing short of perfection in all aspects
of life is required for success.

• The increasing demands in the lives of high-achieving women. So they are often
expected to do it all—handle a stressful job, maintain a committed relationship,
bear children, and assume primary responsibility for the care of home and family.

• Limited or no resources or support.

• Technological innovations, such as BlackBerries and laptops, that have made it seem
as if they’re on the job 24/7.

To counter the negative repercussions of achieving success, the author prescribes ways for high-octane women to refuel themselves. She emphasizes that women who thrive on challenges can’t be asked to just slow down or enroll in a yoga class. Instead, she offers creative ways for women to find balance and rediscover joy in their lives. She charts a course that will enable these accomplished women to remain actively engaged in their professional and family lives, and to once again enjoy their lives more than ever.