THE BALANCED LIFE
by
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Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired
As I look back at the issues women have sought counseling for over the past 20+ years, I have seen some interesting trends. In the 80’s and early to mid 90’s women were more focused on glass ceiling issues, not only having to adapt to masculine leadership styles at the expense of their own natural styles but also learning to understand and value their feminine work and leadership styles. In addition, they had to concentrate on their struggles with the relationships in their lives, generally focusing on communication, appropriate boundaries and co-dependency issues. Although these topics are still of concern to women, something else surfaced that significantly overshadowed them.
In the mid 90’s, I began to hear women say, “I’m exhausted and overwhelmed. I feel so off balance.” “I have to get some balance in my life.” As women crossed into the new millennium, they are ever more questioning the quality of their lives. “I feel like I’m sacrificing my family for my job. How can I be more balanced?” “I need a life!” “Why do I have to do it all?”
In response to the increasing stress levels women experience as a result of their multiple roles and responsibilities, many are leaving their jobs to start their own businesses, seek jobs with less responsibilities or make financial sacrifices to stay at home -- steps taken to insure their flexibility and autonomy so they can “have a life.” And thus the phrase “work/life balance” has been born into the psyche of women everywhere.
Through my own personal experiences and my work with women, I have discovered that experiencing a balanced life is pretty simple. “Simple,” you ask incredulously? Yes. Simple. “Nothing is simple,” you say.
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About the Book
Using her own rich experiences as well as the stories of her clients, Dr. Barbara McFarland shows that experiencing balance in our lives is possible. Based on her work/life balance seminars and keynote addresses, She explores the resources that lead to living a balanced life and presents tools to help you begin assessing your current levels of balance. The Balanced Life teaches how to become unstuck, how to make positive, creative behavior changes and how to become more fully present in your life.
About the Author
Dr. McFarland, EdD, is a psychologist, author, trainer, media guest, and motivational speaker who has been enhancing the lives of women for nearly 25 years. Dr. McFarland has authored 7 books some of which include Feeding the Empty Heart (Hazelden, 1984); Shame and Body Image (Health Communications, 1991); Brief Therapy and Eating Disorders (Jossey Bass, 1995, translated into Japanese); My Mother Was Right! How Today’s Women Reconcile with Their Mothers (John Wiley; 1997, translated into Taiwanese). Her most recent book, Take Back Your Life NOW! Master the Ten Traits of Today’s Healthy Woman (First Books, 2003) is research-based and has been endorsed by former ABC Medical Correspondent, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Senator Bob Dole, iVillage Resident Physician Dr. Holly Atkinson and Lifetime TV’s fitness guru, Denise Austin.
She has also written many articles on various women’s issues, the most recent on body image was published in Oprah Magazine. In addition, she counseled women in her private practice for nearly 25 years, pioneered the treatment of women and eating disorders, was invited to present her clinical work at
Dr. McFarland has conducted large-scale wellness programs and events at the Health Alliance, Procter & Gamble, General Electric, Ernst and Young, The Andrew Jergens Company, and Brown Foreman. She has worked extensively with Anthem and
Dr. McFarland has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, Diane Rehm of NPR and PBS, as well as many others.
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