Today, we are joined by Dr. Mary Anderson.
Dr. Mary Anderson is a licensed clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and sought-after speaker devoted to helping professionals lead happier, healthier, and sustainably high-achieving lives. With over a decade of clinical experience across both coasts, Dr. Anderson specializes in empowering high achievers—executives, attorneys, physicians, and entrepreneurs—to break free from burnout, transform negative self-talk, and achieve lasting fulfillment.
She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Health Psychology from the University of Florida, completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Boston Healthcare System, and held teaching and research appointments at Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine.
Driven by both personal and professional experience, Dr. Anderson has become an expert in cognitive behavioral therapy. Her signature framework, spotlighted in her acclaimed book The Happy High Achiever, provides actionable, science-backed strategies to reshape mindsets, foster resilience, and cultivate sustainable success—even in the busiest of lives.
Passionate about service, gratitude, and well-being, Dr. Anderson’s work inspires audiences worldwide to move beyond achievement alone and enjoy a truly meaningful, balanced life.
In this conversation, we explore why the very traits that fuel success often undermine happiness for high achievers. Dr. Anderson reveals her research-based framework rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy that helps ambitious people achieve big goals while actually enjoying the journey. She shares insights from her work with executives, attorneys, physicians, and entrepreneurs who struggle with burnout, perfectionism, and the relentless pursuit of the next milestone.
Key topics include:
-The "troublesome trifecta" of cognitive distortions that trap high achievers: all-or-nothing thinking, jumping to conclusions, and should statements
-How thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interconnect and influence professional performance
-The flashlight metaphor for understanding where we direct our attention and focus
-Why perfectionism masquerades as a strength but actually limits potential and performance
-The three hooks that keep high achievers trapped: comparison trap, failure seems fatal, and linking worth to achievement
-Essential #1: Striving for excellence not perfection while maintaining high standards with humanity
-Essential #2: Strategic self-care using the SELF acronym (Sleep, Exercise, Look forward, Fuel)
-Why self-care isn't indulgent but strategic for sustainable high performance
-How to break the "I'll be happy when" mentality and build fulfillment into the process
Whether you're a high achiever struggling with burnout, a leader managing perfectionist tendencies, or someone seeking to maintain wellbeing while pursuing ambitious goals, Dr. Anderson's evidence-based insights provide practical tools for sustainable success and genuine fulfillment.
Dr. Mary Anderson's Book: The Happy High Achiever - https://www.amazon.com/Happy-High-Achiever-Essentials-Success_Without/dp/1538722747
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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:00) Tool: Discovering the Troublesome Trifecta Pattern
(07:00) Technique: How Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors Interconnect
(11:00) Tip: The Flashlight Metaphor for Directing Attention and Focus
(14:00) Tool: The Troublesome Trifecta
(20:00) Technique: Striving for Excellence Not Perfection
(24:00) Tip: The Three Hooks That Trap High Achievers in Perfectionism
(25:00) Tool: Strategic Self-Care Using the SELF Acronym
(30:00) Technique: Sleep, Exercise, Look Forward, and Fuel as Performance Enhancers
(34:44) Conclusion