Catalyst

The promises of the feminist revolution of the 1970′s shimmers as a desert mirage in the heat of 21st Century pressures. While the leaders of women’s liberation claim they were misquoted, the mantra of “you can have it all” stuck with a generation of women  now weary of trying to have happy and fulfilled lives.

Is it impossible for women to find the life they want? Marcus Buckingham, prolific author  and “strength coach” addresses the concerns of overwhelmed women in his new book, Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently. In it, he counsels women to discover the path to true fulfillment–using the strong moments of life to forge new beginnings.

Buckingham is well-known for helping people discover their strengths. This book explores two women, Charlie and Anna, who must find the illusive sense of self through different paths.

The  book uses the trifocal lens of “catch and cradle.” The three portions are:

• Search for Strong Moments
• Accept What You Find
• Strive for Imbalance.

The author does an excellent job of defining strengths with a different concept of nine roles. These roles are well-defined but brief enough to catch the attention of the reader. Those who plow through them see themselves in the mirror. (Buckingham further delineates that a person has both dominate roles and supporting roles, a helpful concept to keep in mind.)

The last section of the book is a series of tactical plans for various scenarios such as, being laid or improving a marriage. He organizes these tactics under the umbrellas of career, relationships, children, and future.

Buckingham’s books are always insightful. He organizes his material well, allowing for a quick overview as well as a thorough reading. His sections covering life tactics are especially practical and geared toward action. Many authors are content with ideas but Buckingham really does want the reader to do something.

While written to women, Strongest Life also applies to anyone, whether male or female, navigating the rapids of the doldrums of daily existence.