Breakdown, Breakthrough : The Professional Woman's Guide to Claiming a Life of Passion, Power, and Purpose

Although it's been well documented that many men go through a midlife crisis, women have only recently recognized a similar life transition. When a woman suddenly finds herself stuck in a career that no longer seems to fit and she longs for something more, she often has no place to turn. Breakdown, Breakthrough was conceived when Kathy Caprino found herself in the midst of her own professional meltdown, and provides answers for women facing these struggles. When a woman feels out of control in this stage of life, she needs to be empowered to make the right choices. Four areas of empowerment are covered in this book: with self, with others, with the world, and with the higher self. In all four areas, the reader is invited to step back to explore what might be causing the problem, let go of something that just isn't working, and say yes to something new that might work better. Caprino shares the wisdom she's collected from women who have been through some dramatic changes that improved the quality of their lives. In addition to sharing their stories, these women offer advice and affirmations to guide us on a similar breakthrough. Action steps and probing questions are also provided. A resource list of reading, websites, and groups is included, and Caprino suggests that you may need the support of a life coach or therapist, if you feel you can't make these changes alone. But the most important thing you can do now is to recognize and take action to make your life the best it can be. Breakdown, Breakthrough can provide the expert assistance you'll need on your journey. Reviewer: Alice Berger Helps professional women experiencing feelings of disempowerment and dissatisfaction regain the confidence, courage, and energy to take control of their lives Identifies 12 crises professional women face today and offers specific advice and tools for overcoming them Draws on interviews with over one hundred women, offering inspiring stories and practical advice for addressing and resolving disempowerment Thousands of professional women, though outwardly successful, find themselves in the midst of a crisis, believing that they've sacrificed meaning, fulfillment, and balance in their lives to achieve work-related success. Their lives feel unmanageable—and they are confused, blocked, overwhelmed and unable to move forward effectively. Kathy Caprino sheds light on this growing epidemic of disempowerment and shows women how to reinvigorate and reclaim their lives. Breakdown, Breakthrough uses a comprehensive coaching, behavioral, and spiritual framework to explore how women can restore their power and reconnect with their life visions as they awake from the paralysis of professional dissatisfaction and personal diminishment. Caprino outlines a new model for understanding disempowerment, one that focuses on women's relationships with themselves, with others, with the world, and with what she calls their higher selves. She identifies twelve specific challenges professional women face and offers concrete, practical advice for overcoming each one—helping readers “step back, let go of what is holding them back, and say yes” to creating a compelling and rewarding next chapter of life and work. This is also a deeply personal book. Caprino candidly discusses her own struggles with crippling feelings of disempowerment, and shares moving stories and heartfelt advice gleaned from her interviews with over one hundred women who experienced and overcame the crises she describes. Breakdown, Breakthrough offers working women who are stressed, stuck, and dissatisfied access to new inspiration, hope, and a definite plan of action. Thousands of Professional Women, though outwardly successful, find themselves in the midst of a crisis, believing that they've sacrificed meaning, fulfillment, balance, and joy in their lives to achieve career success. Breakdown, Breakthrough shows how women can restore their power and reconnect with their life visions as they awake from the paralysis of professional dissatisfaction and personal diminishment. Kathy Caprino identifies twelve specific challenges professional women face and offers concrete, practical advice for overcoming each one-helping readers step back to gain a new perspective, let go of what is holding them back, and say yes to creating a compelling and rewarding next chapter of life and work. She candidly discusses her own struggles with crippling feelings of disempowerment and shares moving stories and heartfelt advice gleaned from her interviews with over one hundred women who overcame crises. Breakdown, Breakthrough offers working women who are stressed, stuck, and dissatisfied access to new inspiration, hope, and a definite plan of action. Many women who are outwardly "successful" in their professions have awakened to the realization that their work is no longer positive, meaningful, or productive in their lives. Caprino's book sheds light on this growing epidemic of disempowerment and offers a way out "'Breakdown, breakthroug' offers working women who are stressed, stuck, and dissatisfied access to new inspiration, hope, and a definite plan of action"--Page 4 of cover The disempowerment dilemma Empowerment with self Empowerment with others Empowerment with the world Empowerment with higher self.