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

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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 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.

From the Publisher

Praise for Breakdown, Breakthrough

"The flow between riveting true stories and the lessons learned from them makes this book not only impossible to put down but a must-read for women at any age and any stage in their careers."
--Sharon Jordan-Evans, executive coach and co-author of Love It, Don't Leave It: 26 Ways to Get What You Want at Work

"A great resource for any woman contemplating a career change that validates her self. I especially liked the combination of the psychological thought processes along with the concrete steps to make the change. The experiences of others who have been through it is very helpful as well."
-- Nancy Mark, former Director, Lotus Development, and former Senior Manager, IBM

"Kathy invites the reader to reveal what already lives inside and gently guides the reader to realizing her dreams. What makes Kathy's book even more powerful is her willingness to share and expose her personal experiences. Suddenly you feel as if you're sitting on your living room couch with your best friend, feeling a little less scared, a bit more confident, and decidedly not alone in your journey."
--Laurie Howlett, Vice President of the Board of Trustees, Westchester Exceptional Children's School, and former Vice President of Marketing, Fortune Magazine Group

"Breakdown, Breakthrough does what so many books promise and so few deliver. It tackles a huge issue, recommends solutions, and then provides real, practical tools to get you from where you are today to your breakthrough. Empathic, powerful, and inspiring. Bravo."
--Noah Blumenthal, author of You're Addicted to You: Why It's So Hard to Change--and What You Can Do About It

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Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576755592
• ISBN-13: 978-1576755594
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #247,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book, and not just for women, October 16, 2008

By	Charles Decker (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a former colleague of Kathy Caprino's and was delighted to learn she had published this book through my wonderful former employer, Berrett-Koehler [the best small publisher in the country, and the most author-friendly.] As someone who reviews books for several national business magazines, I am always on the lookout for new books by and for women. Though one might think this was purely *for* women, I think it has real lessons for everyone seeking passion and purpose in their work. Too often managers get so caught up in the day-to-day firefighting that they forget what brought them to their current jobs in the first place. And who suffers most? Their employees -- and, sadly, often their families when they come home empty and burned out after another tension-filled day at the office. I urge both men and women to take a look at this entertaining and inspiring book. I ordered it for my Kindle this morning and have already almost finished it. It's the best book on the subject I've read since 'Time Off for Good Behavior' and 'The Power of Purpose.' Congratulations, old friend.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Inspiring, October 8, 2008

By	D. Valenti "wordlover" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just finished this inspiring book, and recommend it wholeheartedly. I am really impressed with the way in which Caprino features specific case studies of professional women and how they have not only survived crisis, but come through the other side more fulfilled, happier, and more connected to their higher selves. Each chapter addresses a different focus and set of specifics, but the overall message is as hopeful as it is direct. Each of us CAN live our best, most balanced lives, starting right now. Caprino provides interesting exercises, meditations, and checklists that help keep the more practical readers moving forward, and has a fresh writing style that will bring a new perspective to even the most self-help-addicted among us.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, Practical and Inspiring, December 13, 2008

By	Renate Rosauro (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read Kathy Caprino's book a couple of months ago in the midst of questioning my own professional future. It helped me clarify my thoughts and feelings and find a new direction in my professional life. Since the book has exercises for self questioning and lots of practical advice I still open it for ideas and inspiration.

I especially love the way Kathy divided the women's stories in four empowerment chapters: with self, with others, with world, and the higher self. In doing so she guides us gently to deal first with our self-centered concerns to those with our relationship with others, the world and ultimately, higher purpose and spiritual growth. This is an excellent book which helps us to tap into our own creative forces to find fulfillment and purpose in all aspects of our lives.