Drop the Ball audiobook cover - Achieving More by Doing Less

Drop the Ball

Achieving More by Doing Less

Tiffany Dufu

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Career & SuccessProductivity

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Drop the Ball
The 'Doing It All' Myth+
The Strategy: Dropping the Ball+
Balancing the Household+
Overcoming Perfectionism+
Expecting More From Men+
Prioritizing Well-being+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What is the central strategy proposed in 'Drop the Ball' for women struggling to balance work and home life?
  • A. Wake up earlier to accomplish more tasks before the day begins.
  • B. Accomplish more by intentionally doing less and letting go of unrealistic expectations.
  • C. Hire professional help for all domestic chores to focus entirely on career growth.
  • D. Demand that workplaces provide flexible hours for working mothers.
Question 2 of 8
Why do women often end up taking on the majority of household chores even when both partners work?
  • A. Women naturally prefer domestic tasks over professional work.
  • B. Men actively and maliciously refuse to participate in household maintenance.
  • C. Couples often default to outdated gender roles and unconscious habits instead of deliberately delegating.
  • D. Workplaces are generally more forgiving of men taking time off for family needs.
Question 3 of 8
How does the author suggest applying the 'law of comparative advantage' to domestic responsibilities?
  • A. By comparing your household's efficiency to that of your neighbors.
  • B. By ensuring that the partner who earns the most money does the fewest chores.
  • C. By focusing your energy on tasks you do best and that align with your values, while delegating the rest.
  • D. By taking advantage of modern technology to automate every possible household task.
Question 4 of 8
According to the book, what is the danger of completing a chore that you had already delegated to your partner, such as opening a growing pile of mail?
  • A. It teaches your partner that they can skip chores because you will eventually do them anyway.
  • B. It creates a financial burden by causing you to miss important bills.
  • C. It forces you to micromanage their future attempts at the chore.
  • D. It creates unnecessary clutter that negatively impacts your mental health.
Question 5 of 8
What phenomenon causes some women to spend up to three hours a week redoing chores their partners have already completed?
  • A. The 'law of comparative advantage'
  • B. A lack of gratitude from their partners
  • C. 'Home control disease' and the urge to micromanage how tasks are done
  • D. The biological necessity for a perfectly sterile environment
Question 6 of 8
What does the story of baseball player Daniel Murphy taking paternity leave illustrate about modern society?
  • A. Professional sports are leading the way in progressive family policies.
  • B. Men face harmful stereotypes and are often expected to value their careers over their home life.
  • C. Men are biologically less equipped to handle the stress of early childcare.
  • D. Paternity leave is universally accepted and encouraged in the corporate world.
Question 7 of 8
Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Four Go-Tos' recommended for professional women to prioritize their own well-being?
  • A. Getting a regular eight hours of sleep
  • B. Attending events that build professional visibility
  • C. Committing to a strict daily meditation practice
  • D. Building and nurturing a professional network
Question 8 of 8
What actionable advice does the author give to combat negative thought patterns when feeling stressed or falling short?
  • A. Practice self-affirmation by repeating a positive mantra.
  • B. Immediately write down a new, highly detailed to-do list.
  • C. Confront your partner about their lack of support in the household.
  • D. Take a temporary leave of absence from your professional duties.

Drop the Ball — Full Chapter Overview

Drop the Ball Summary & Overview

Drop the Ball (2017) is a guide to living that makes the simple argument that you don’t have to do it all to have it all. Part memoir and part manifesto, the title provides a new approach to life for modern women.

Who Should Listen to Drop the Ball?

  • Young women breaking into the working world
  • Mothers still striving for professional success
  • Anyone interested in advocating gender equality

About the Author: Tiffany Dufu

Tiffany Dufu is a consultant, public speaker, and leadership expert who helped launch the Lean In and Levo professional networks. She was named one of Fast Company’s League of Extraordinary Women in 2012 and has presented everywhere from TEDWomen to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit.

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