Reclaiming the Fire: How Successful People Overcome Burnout

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

From the Hardcover edition.

Why do so many seemingly successful professionals hit the wall in middle age, and decide to either radically scale back their careers or set off in an entirely new direction? Clinical psychologist Steven Berglas, a specialist in success-induced burnout, believes it stems from the "self-handicapping behavior" that baby boomers are exhibiting in record numbers as they climb the corporate ladder and find they aren't happy with what results. Terming the phenomena Supernova Burnout, Berglas defines this workplace ennui as "the constrictive effects of being branded a 'success'" and offers some advice for the psychological distress that is an increasing consequence. In Reclaiming the Fire, he advances his arguments in a serious but accessible manner with references to cultural touch points like Mark Monsky's Looking Out for #1 and help from philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche. He analyzes "performance-inhibiting" behaviors ranging from substance abuse to abrupt career changes that he says developed from societal attitudes of the last half century, and suggests a few individual and organizational responses (including his 60 Minutes cure, which relies upon passion and intrinsic motivation to battle career malaise). While not everyone will agree with his assessments and prescribed cures, businesspeople who fit Berglas's description--and human resource managers who deal them--will likely find the material intriguing and potentially helpful. --Howard Rothman

Short answer: Successful people overcome burnout by hiring Dr. Berglas.

The author talks about several of his patients and how they did (or did not) overcome their problems. This is quite insightful, but the main message of this book seems to be a warning to people who believe that once they have achieved success everything will fall into place. According to Dr. Berglas, more often than not the opposite is true.

After reading other reviews here, I expected more of an academic treatment of the topic, but it's far from that. For example, there is less than one references per page on average, and most of these aren't even to peer-reviewed papers and studies. And between the quotes from the ancient Greeks and Shakespeare, the tone tends to get a bit preachy.

I read this booking looking for some practical advice on breaking through burnout in my development career. This book was OK, but focused FAR too much on very successful people such as CEO's, actors and sports stars. I had a very hard time finding any application to my own professional life.

I'm very glad that I bought this book because it has been very helpful to me and I look back at my copy often. I have not solved all of my particular burnout problems yet (no fault of the book's) but it helped me to identify my misery and malaise, how I got so deep into it (trying to please, trying to prove to my parents and myself that I'm worthy of living) and identifying the problems alone helped a great deal. Don't be put off by any claims that an academic or scientific tone is present or that any part of the book is difficult - this is a very helpful resource.

You know you need this book when your most common feeling at work has become 1) wanting to throw everything out of a window, 2) wanting to throw a file at a coworker's head, or 3) answering all questions, comments or greetings with "F^%$ you" or "drop dead." Or when you start praying to be fired to just get the hell over with. When one or more of these is present, look to the burnout book for help....

I highly recommend this book! Dr. Berglas has a remarkable understanding of the human psyche -- he ( better than any other author I have read) completely and fully comprehends what drives/motivates us as well as the pitfalls in human nature and those present in our culture that can be defeating. I often felt as though he knew me personally and was speaking directly to me. Other friends of mine have made similar comments regarding Dr. Berglas. His insights are eye opening and make sense! He has an uncanny ability to grasp who we are and what we need. You will be glad you read this book!

I have not yet read through the entire book but it explores many novel ideas. The author did a very good job in bring the text down to everyones level. There is some information that is just not necessary in the book but other than that it is very good.