Reclaiming the Fire: How Successful People Overcome Burnout

(Paperback)

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The definitive work on avoiding burnout, written by the psychologist who is the leading specialist on the issue. An illuminating and useful book for anyone coping with the pressures of work. In Reclaiming the Fire, Dr. Steven Berglas analyzes the rises and falls of corporate executives, middle managers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and others as they struggle to handle the trappings of successful careers. How does one deal with encore anxiety, the monotony of having to use talents that are no longer psychologically rewarding Why is it that our national obsession with wealth traps people in careers that often lead them to wonder, "Is that all there is" And why do highly successful people often set themselves up for disastrous falls Dr. Berglas answers all these questions and many more in this groundbreaking book by discussing real people whose careers have left them feeling pressured, burdened, and jaded. In his most progressive and striking contribution to the literature on career success, Dr. Berglas debunks the persistent myth that women suffer more stress and burnout than men. He disproves the common claim that women involved both in careers and in family life suffer from trying to have it all, and he demonstrates how the drive to form close interpersonal ties a drive that is intrinsic to women can actually prevent both men and women from experiencing burnout. In a related analysis of the mentoring process, Dr. Berglas shows why it is more important for careerists to build legacies for future generations (a process he terms generativity) than to become obsessed with their own personal success. He proves that the process not only benefits the student but provides the mentor with psychological satisfaction and even improved physical health. Reclaiming the Fire uses the working world not the psychiatric couch as a venue for understanding the psychological and emotional burdens of success. It is the first comprehensive account of how to balance self-esteem and ambition while maintaining challenge and stimulation throughout your career. Reclaiming the Fire provides insight into- *Why baby boomers are currently suffering an epidemic of career dissatisfaction *Why women are uniquely suited to cope with the pressures that cause men to suffer burnout, and what men can learn from them *How to escape golden handcuffs- the workaholic devotion to a job that is no longer emotionally satisfying *How to cope with anger that threatens to sabotage your career *How all professionals can identify the passions that will allow them to sustain and enjoy success throughout their lives

Reviews

"Dr. Berglas's book provides invaluable insight into what it takes to achieve the balance necessary to maintain the drive to succeed."
Larry W. Sonsini, chairman and CEO, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

"I have seen firsthand the kinds of burnout issues and situations Dr. Berglas so eloquently describes in this book. His comprehensive grasp of what causes burnout and, more important, how we can remedy it is first-rate. Reclaiming the Fire is a must-read for anyone feeling the pressure in this fast-paced, go-go world."
Tom Matthews, vice president, human resources, AOL International

"Reclaiming the Fire demonstrates Dr. Berglas's uncanny understanding of what makes people tick. In it he provides great insight and practical strategies for executives intent upon keeping the flames of career passion roaring."
Roger S. Berkowitz, president and CEO, Legal Sea Foods, Inc.

"Reclaiming the Fire is a remarkable book. Few people are as gifted as Steve Berglas at getting into the psyche of businesspeople and unveiling it layer by layer so that the rest of us can begin to comprehend how they think and act."
Jeffrey L. Seglin, author of The Good, the Bad, and Your Business: Choosing Right When Ethical Dilemmas Pull You Apart

Author Bio

Dr. Steven Berglas is a clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty member at Harvard Medical School. He formerly wrote the Entrepreneurial Ego column for Inc. magazine, and his work has been profiled in The New York Times, Fortune, Time, The Wall Street Journal, and People. A counselor to hundreds of executives and industry leaders on the perils of success-induced burnout, Dr. Berglas currently resides in Los Angeles, where he teaches at the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA.