The Anxious Achiever

I loved Morra’s fresh take on reframing something previously perceived as a weakness and turning it into a superpower. She writes intelligently about how anxious people are equipped to lead and backs up her argument with rigorous research and quotes from credible experts.

I especially liked how she pointed out that anxious people are great at leading through crises because they spend so much energy preparing for the worst.

I am an anxious achiever. In fact, I’m an overachiever with a diagnosed anxiety disorder.

The great thing about this book is that, while it’s no substitute for the medications and therapy we anxiety sufferers may need, it helps us see that we’re not alone; moreover, that we can succeed not just despite our anxious personality, but because of it.

Good things happen, says Morra Aarons-Mele, “when we learn to manage anxiety and take advantage of its hidden gifts.” In other words, we can lean in (to our fear) and conquer. If you’re like me, well versed in the ways… show more.

Sometimes we feel stuck not because we don’t know what we care about or how we want to make an impact on the world… but because we haven’t made peace with our own psyche.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness and yet are often ignored in the literature about career choices, work/life balance, leadership, and more. This book is a brilliant blend of research, stories, and practical advice to help you take charge of your mental health.  

Be honest: managing people for the first time is anxiety-inducing and your internal monologue is racing so fast and churning enough doubt to make you wonder why you took this job.

Relax. You’re not alone. Not even close. And you are in good company with Morra Aarons-Mele, who has built a stellar career despite wrestling with anxiety from her earliest days. She shares her story in The Anxious Achiever, and delivers useful advice on not just how to manage your anxiety, but to use it to get ahead.