For the person who struggles with the perfectionist “Martha Mentality,” this revealing book brings the serious issue of imbalance, along with its tag-along concerns of pride, self-esteem, and legalism, into the spotlight of truth.

Engrained in our culture is the belief that unbending discipline is the only sure way to success. You must go the gym five times a week, never order the dessert, and don’t even think about buying that dress you keep staring at in the store window! Breaking from such a regimented lifestyle is a sign of weakness, right? Wrong – and Joyce wants to tell us why.

Though setting rules in our lives is important, it’s just as important that we break them from time to time. Structure is a powerful tool, but when diverging from your own goals is seen as catastrophic, it can have a hugely negative effect. Balance is a core value in life and every once in a while we deserve to indulge in a guilty pleasure or two. So don’t feel bad about straying from your goals occasionally. In fact, embrace it!