Secrets of a Recovering Perfectionist
By Denee Choice, MD
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part One: Awareness
Chapter 1: Houston, There’s a Problem
Part Two: Master the Fundamentals: Eat, Move, Sleep
Chapter 2: More Water, Less Coffee
Chapter 3: Exercise Is Medicine
Chapter 4: More Sleep, Less Wine
Part Three: Tame the Stress Monster
Chapter 5: Stress Makes You Stupid, Sick and Fat
Chapter 6: No Is Not a Four Letter Word
Part Four: Hack Your Way Back
Chapter 7: Hack Your Brain
Chapter 8: Find Your People
Chapter 9: Choose You
Chapter 10: Lights, Camera, Action!
Part Five: Etcetera
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Book Description
Break Free from the Pressure. Reclaim Your Power. Lead on Your Terms.
You’ve spent your life chasing excellence—only to feel like no matter how much you achieve, it’s never enough. You’re balancing a high-stakes career, personal obligations, and an internal standard of perfection that never lets you rest. And it’s exhausting.
I know this story because I’ve lived it.
As a former physician, senior executive, and recovering perfectionist, I understand the silent battle high-achieving women face—the constant pressure to perform, the fear of falling short, and the toll it takes on your well-being.
But here’s the truth: Perfectionism isn’t making you better—it’s holding you back.
Inside This Book, You’ll Learn:
🔹 How to recognize when stress is turning into burnout—and what to do about it.
🔹 Why perfectionism is a double-edged sword—and how to take control of it instead of letting it control you.
🔹 Practical, science-backed strategies to manage stress, shift your mindset, and reclaim your energy—without relying on endless meditation or self-care clichés.
🔹 How to leverage your community for support—and when to seek additional help.
🔹 A proven roadmap to break free from overwork, overthinking, and burnout—for good.
This isn’t just another self-help book. It’s a strategy guide for ambitious women who are ready to lead differently—without sacrificing themselves in the process.
It’s time to stop striving for perfect and start leading with power.
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Read Some of Our Great Reviews
Life changing!
This book will give you the road map to crawl out of the hole you might have dug for yourself. As overachievers we are programmed to do more, go faster, work harder and this is someone from the trenches who is actually breaking down for you WHY this is not good and HOW to pivot into a healthier lifestyle. From a recovering workaholic, I so needed to read this! For anyone considering purchasing this book – just do it, as the author says – not tomorrow or next week but now! You will find it eye-opening, motivating and you will be inspired to live your most beautiful life because well – you deserve that!
Grab your highlighter for this one!
I think I wore out the highlighter feature on my kindle with this one. So. Much. Solid. Information.
I’ve already sent the link to my mom, my SIL and my bestie. And the thing I love the most is that it was a pleasure to read. Not a chore, as some self-help books can be. Great writing and so beneficial. Just get it! ?
Sums it all up, PERFECTLY!
Wow! I feel like this book was written directly to me, for me. I know so many people–perfectionists like me–who will benefit from the wisdom shared in this book. Don’t do it the hard way. Dr. Denee Choice lays out the steps perfectly in this easy-to-follow guide. Implementing the action steps she outlines will lead to success, no doubt. The book is beautifully written and is a must-read for any perfectionist who is struggling to love her amazing life.
WOW. I just finished reading this book. It was a quick, information-packed read. As a 30 something busy mom of two young kids it spoke to me in many ways. I love how the author has a heart to share what she wished she knew earlier in life. As I was reading I felt I was in conversation with a friend. She is funny and also has the smarts to unpack and explain it all. Many of the topics covered I thought I knew but she breaks them down in an easy format with practical next steps. Do yourself a favor and read this book! You won’t regret it!
Practical, Personal and Simple, the perfect guide for the areas I am focusing on most!
The simple practical strategies and reflections make it simple to see the next step for me. It feels like listening to advice from a good friend who knows you exceptionally well and has walked through similar struggles. I highly recommend this book for anyone who tends to take on too much, or is looking for practical advice to avoid reaching complete burnout. As a manager, I really appreciated the opening section on recognizing burnout. I find it helpful not only for myself but in supporting my team and what I may see in them.
Comprehensive, practical and effective tools.
There’s no fluff, BS, or wasted words in this book. The advice is practical, comprehensive, and in my view, effective. I read the digital copy but will be buying the paperback for my permanent library.
A self-help book that feels like a chat with a friend
This is a well-written book that tackles the subject of stress and perfectionism. Although the author was at one time a practicing physician, she uses reader-friendly language throughout and does not come off as a know-it-all. Instead, she comes across like a best friend wanting to share with you her secrets to a better lifestyle. I highly recommend this book!
After reading this book, I am encouraged and so motivated to attempt (again) to find balance. The author is relatable and humorous, and she includes just enough science to explain and drive home the points she is making. I am convinced now more than ever that avoiding burnout is better than figuring out how to recover from it! Practical tips are provided that the reader can apply immediately.
You need this book!
Dr. Choice is an excellent writer – engaging and poignant at the same time while getting the point across and providing helpful solutions on how to back away from our perfectionism and all-or-nothing tendencies to create a more balanced, whole and functional (as well as FUN) life for ourselves as high achievers. She takes you on a journey (her journey) and step-by-step gives you easily implementable solutions (SOLUTIONS!!) and protective strategies against and healing from burnout. It is a quick, easy read (which I so appreciated) and truly beneficial to have in my personal and professional arsenal. Thank you for writing this book!
This book provides a thorough yet easy to implement plan to help you recover from burnout.
Brilliant, condensed, How-To information–A “must read!”
Medical field burnout- this is your book
Yes! Road map to avoid burnout!
Great reminders and simple action plans to get de-stressed and live better.
A Little About the Author
Dr. Denee Choice is a double board-certified medical doctor, a seasoned health and wellness industry executive, program design consultant for healthcare organizations, author, and certified executive coach for leaders in medicine and business. She helps busy successful leaders navigate their career and personal challenges and opportunities to create a life they love without overwork, over-stress, or burnout.
She brings her 20+ years experience in medicine as a clinician and medical executive, entrepreneur, and working mom to her work coaching physicians and business leaders who are struggling with perfectionism, overwork and overwhelm or burnout.
In addition to her medical training, she has extensive management and leadership training including Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business, and a masters degree in medical management (MMM) from Carnegie Mellon University.
She has two adult children and lives with her husband in Columbus, Ohio.