Beyond Happy: Women, Work, and Well-Being

by Beth Cabrera

<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> Over the course of a decade, positive psychology authority Dr. Beth Cabrera has surveyed and interviewed more than a thousand women to gather insight into how to effectively balance career and family responsibilities. Beyond Women, Work, and Well-Being gathers essential findings and offers women proven strategies for living more authentic, meaningful lives. Through the lens of shared experience, Cabrera thoughtfully examines the challenges women face and presents a simple yet powerful model for enhancing well-being that can both improve and transform lives. Helpful self-assessments guide you toward feeling good and doing good, and each chapter delivers tried-and-true tactics that real women have used to manage the difficulties of fulfilling their multiple, often conflicting, roles. Discover pathways to reducing stress, experiencing greater joy, and finding more meaning in your life by employing Cabrera’s solid strategies for thriving based on personal values, developed strengths, and what matters most–enduring family ties and relationships. <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {"Table Normal"; ""; 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; %; "Calibri",sans-serif; } <![endif]-->

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development, Feminism, Business, Self Help

189 pages, Paperback

First published August 24, 2015

Reviews

[Lois Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was initially skeptical of this book, but it has a really happy message and I really enjoyed it. This book also helped me identify things I was doing right/wrong in my life and ways to improve. I would definitely recommend to just about anyone working a full time job, and I think men would benefit from this too

[Kathryn Guylay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget trying to find balance, and focus on what you can actually control-- your own well-being! I was so appreciative to have found this book, and I loved every moment of reading it. Dr. Cabrera has obviously done a ton of research and weaves in her own life experience in with her story to supply the reader with a long, yet actionable, list of things that we can do to improve the quality of our life. She covers mindfulness, practicing gratitude, being hopeful, living your values, focusing on strengths, finding purpose, connecting with others, and improving our relationships. She has chosen to highlight the work of some of my favorite philosophers and researchers across a diverse field, including but not limited to Viktor Frankl, Jon Kabat Zihn, and Martin Seligman. The perfect word for this book is "gem", because it is small, dense, and valuable. Don't miss it.

[Amanda Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be fair, I'm not sure what I was expecting to get from this book, maybe some amazing insight I'd never thought of before, but it turns out there is plain and simple common sense on the pages of this book. I also was hoping for more of a conversational or free-flowing style, but this is written like a college research paper, which is somewhat distracting from the content. Overall, I didn't feel this book really offered any new information that any working mom couldn't come up with on her own, other than if you move to a different country you will likely be treated better at work, therefore more happy throughout your entire life. I won this copy via First Reads.

[Natalie Cline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose to read Beyond Happy: Women, Work, and Well-Being by Beth Cabrera for the thirty-ninth prompt of the 52 Book Club 2024 Reading Challenge.

Prompt Thirty-Nine: Non-Fiction Recommended By A Friend
Favorite Quote: N/A
Why I chose this book: It was part of a book discussion for work's women's network
Who recommended this book? My employer's women's network.
Review: I gave this book a 2 out of 5 stars. Let me save you some time, here's the entire book: Be Positive. This book does have some good statistics on how changing your mindset can help you live a happier life, but a lot of the suggestions screamed privileged. Not everyone has the ability to take time off work or just go find a job that brings more joy. Financial security was pretty much ignored in this book, and I'm pretty disappointed by it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good! I loved all of the studies that Beth Cabrera writes about, the assessments on discovering your aptitudes and well-being levels, the quotes that start each chapter, as well as Cabrera’s own life experiences that she interweaves throughout her book. Although I didn’t learn a ton of entirely new information, this book was still full of great reminders on how to improve your day-to-day life and become happier, especially for women who want to both work and be a good mother. It’s also important to note that this book is written in an academic and factual style. If you’re looking for fantastic writing and something to really grab you, this isn’t it. But I still appreciated all research, important tips, and great messages it contained!

[Tai Zhang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one for my PSY336 class - Positive Psychology.

Overall I thought it was pretty thoughtful, very positive American-focused book.

The strategies and advice given is relatively basic. While most of the book was general gender-neutral advice (be grateful, live your values, build relationships with coworkers), the specific advice given was a bit more mother-focused, and had more on what to do as a woman instead of what people can do for women in the workplace.

[Alexander Nghiem · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my favorite writing style, and i’m not sure there’s a ton in the way of revolutionary frameworks for understanding happiness, but i like the messages and the emphasis on doing what you can instead of doing everything.
it’s substantially more gender-neutral than i expected based on the subtitle

[Hollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely outdated as of 2024. Also, definitely doesn’t take into consideration neurodivergence among women. Some useful tools, but overall nothing you don’t already know.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part spoke mostly to women and their life/role, and the later part is pretty generalized. Has some pondering ideas, but nothing too radical. An easy read.

[Faith Gilfillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good workbook for a mom needing to balance things out. I didn't love that all of the authors examples were of women leaving their jobs and moving for their husbands. I wish they would have taken the time to talk about women who make the choice to move because of their work and how that choice is difficult as well.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It wasn't what I expected. It was a great read providing research and examples of how doing good and feeling good can increase your well being. It is a book that has tools anyone can use and it can be applied to all aspects of your life.

[Marjana Simic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly researched guide to well-being including self-assessments, backed up by facts and stories. Infused with beautiful quotes throughout. Highly motivational.

[Sareen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great points. There were little tips throughout the book that are helpful in my continued journey of living a happy and meaningful life.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good advice and observations, but feels a little too simplified in some ways. Still worth the read, though; especially for women struggling to find fulfillment and balance work/home life.

[Ealdarmaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

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