All or Nothing: Bringing Balance to the Achievement-Oriented Personality - Paperback

by Mike McKinney (Author)

In this fascinating and empowering book, clinical psychologist Mike McKinney takes an informed look at the often talked about but little understood phenomenon of the & all or nothing' personality: a personality type that is driven to focus on one task or area of life to the exclusion of all else. While often bringing great rewards in terms of career achievement, this approach can commonly lead to other aspects of life being adversely affected and can result in problems such as difficulty maintaining relationships or not having a life outside work. It's also one of the main causes of burn-out. The author looks at how this personality type can develop (through, for example, a deep fear of failure, a desire to please others, or childhood expectations that you must & always do your best') and, more importantly, he explores how balance can be brought to the all-or-nothing personality, so that its best qualities can be retained while the potential negatives are mitigated, resulting in a more meaningful and rewarding life.

Author Biography

Mike McKinney is a registered clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience. He has worked in both public (hospital-based) and private practice settings, with a wide range of clients presenting with issues including: depression, anxiety, stress management, problem solving, and challenges within their work setting. Over the years, Mike has become increasingly intrigued by the potential for an individual's personality style to enhance or undermine decisions and behaviours in relation to achievement. He believes there is a role for psychology to help people maximise their potential to achieve a more meaningful and rewarding life, be it in the corporate world, sporting arena, or personal understanding and awareness. Mike approaches psychological therapy in a collaborative manner, employing a range or evidence-based therapeutic options that are built around his training and skillset within CBT, ACT and Schema-based approaches.
Mike is married to a psychologist and together they have two teenage boys. His interests include martial arts and classic Japanese motorcycles. He lives with his family in Christchurch, New Zealand.