Summary: This is a self-help book for the perfectionist in so many of us, especially mothers. Over the course of the book, the author explains how to “slay the dragon” of perfectionism, self-doubt and negativity that drives us to work relentlessly to obtain the approval of others and be the best at everything, all the time. It is divided into four main sections: Wintsch’s own story and the journey to the book; the destructive thought patterns and behaviours that make the “dragon”; approaches to changing the thoughts and behaviours; and the positive effects of doing so.

Thoughts: Like any self-help book, the more personally relevant this book is to you at the time you are reading it, the more positively you will respond to it, in my view. I feel like this book would have been absolutely perfect for me about 7-8 years ago, when I was suffering my own superwoman syndrome breakdown. I was a victim of my own overwork, perfectionism and unreasonably high standards – the target audience for this book. There is nothing revolutionary in this book or anything you haven’t seen or heard elsewhere, but it is a well-constructed, down-to-earth message about the importance of cutting yourself some slack and treating yourself as you would a friend you dearly loved. If this is a message that you or someone you care about needs, then this book is the ideal read! Many thanks to Sourcebooks and Suzy Approved Tours for this gifted copy.