Reclaiming the Fire - Review

HR Magazine, Oct, 2001

Steven Berglas

Random House, 2001

272 pages

List Price: $25.95

ISBN: 0-679-46321 -6

In astronomy, a supernova is often the brightest star in the galaxy. But, they are dying stars, which soon burn out. Same thing in the business world, writes Dr. Steven Berglas in Reclaiming the Fire. Workplace stars often suffer from burnout -- or, what Berglas calls supernova burnout." This burnout, he writes, is often born of what he calls "encore anxiety" -- the continual pressure that people at the top of their professions feel to top their previous achievements. Ironically, as successful people continue to meet their goals, they often feel their work lacks challenge, creating a debilitating ennui.

Berglas, a clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty member of the Harvard Medical School, identifies another common factor behind burnout: exhaustion. Successful people are quite motivated early in their careers--working long hours, sacrificing their personal lives and doing whatever it takes to get ahead. As their careers advance, they often fail to adjust their level of dedication. Too often, people who keep driving themselves throughout their career wind up burned out.

The book also focuses on what Berglas calls "success depression." Early in our careers, we believe that success will lead to more money, and that more money will lead to happiness. When this equation breaks down, it often prompts over-achievers to question their lives' work.

How do you combat supernova burnout? Reclaiming the Fire explores a variety of solutions.

* As your career develops, shift your focus from reaching for success to sustaining it.

* Understand what you are afraid of. And, confront these fears by accepting new career challenges.

* Reapply your strengths, rather than reinventing yourself. As you seek new career directions, keep in mind the things you do best--and enjoy most.

* Don't suppress emotions. Learn to be angry with the right person, at the right time and in the right way.

In fact, Berglas writes, people suffering from supernova burnout are often angriest with themselves. To get over this anger, and to overcome burnout, you must "drop the facades [you] erect to compensate for, or mask, a lack of self-approval."