The Happy High Achiever

A game-changing road map for ambitious people to transform chronic stress and anxiety into sustainable happiness and success.

Throughout her years as a licensed clinical psychologist, Mary E. Anderson, PhD—known affectionately as “Dr. A” by her clients—has noticed a pattern: Talented, productive, and often brilliant patients—from business executives to lawyers to grad students—constantly arrive on her couch, drop their flawless facades, and describe feelings of self-doubt, burnout, and worry.

The Happy High Achiever brings Dr. Anderson’s unparalleled expertise to the wider world. The book is a practical guide to her 8 Essentials, a set of powerful principles with actionable, science-based strategies to combat the unique pressures and pitfalls of high-performing individuals. These CBT-based tools help ambitious people like you live free of the perpetual anxiety and fear of failure that can hold you back, and instead enjoy both happiness and high achievement.

The Happy High Achiever will teach you:

• Why striving for perfection actually limits you
• How to navigate uncertainty with less worry and more ease
• How to find relief in moments of overwhelm
• How to overcome the three most problematic ways of thinking that plague high achievers
• Why gratitude is rocket fuel for your success
• How to get clear about what you really want for your life
• How to effectively manage stress to boost your calm and confidence and enhance your performance

Most importantly, you’ll learn anxiety is not the price of admission for your success. You have the power to optimize your life and be your best. You can be a happy high achiever.

• “You can achieve without the burnout. These science-based strategies are game-changing, and will challenge so much of what you thought you needed to do to achieve what you want.”
  Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, Host of The Psychology Podcast and author of Transcend
• “For the high achiever, ‘self-care’ often sounds like ‘slacking off’ or ‘sacrificing excellence.’ But Mary Anderson shows that treating yourself well is not only compatible with fulfilling your goals—it’s the only sustainable path to being your best. Essential reading for anyone committed to reaching their highest potential.”
  Seth Gillihan, PhD, psychologist, and author of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• "A must-read for ambitious achievers. This book provides science-backed and accessible guidance for all who wish to pursue excellence while shedding the shackles of anxiety, imposterism, and burnout."
  Jill Stoddard, PhD, author of Imposter No More: Overcome Self-Doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career
• “If you struggle to enjoy your success—or you’re both ambitious and anxious—then this book is for you. The Happy High Achiever is an incredible resource for making success not only more enjoyable—but also sustainable in the long run. In this down-to-earth, accessible, and practical guide, Mary Anderson walks you through how to invest in your happiness as you invest in your success. This book will make you happier, calmer, and more successful—all at the same time!”
  Chris Bailey, internationally bestselling author of The Productivity Project, Hyperfocus, and How to Calm Your Mind
• “Many people think that achievement comes at a cost to one’s psyche, crippling anxiety especially. But Dr. Mary Anderson provides clear and research-based advice in this engaging book designed to keep the high achiever on the path of psychological health. Rooted in cognitive behavior therapy, her eight essential goals actually can be put into practice immediately. I know: I am trying to practice them every day myself!”
  Peter Salovey, PhD, University President and Chris Argyris Professor of Psychology, Yale University