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Ditching Success?: Discovering Life Beyond the Corner Office Kindle Edition

by Batoul I. Ajlouni (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
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Her sense of purpose became an addiction. Could this overachiever walk away from a high-powered career to rediscover her true self?

Jordan, 1980’s. Batoul Ajlouni was raised to reach for the stars. Losing her beloved father at seventeen, the driven young woman used her fond memories to spur her through college, become an architectural engineer, and grow a cutting-edge business. But when thirty years vanished in the blink of an eye, the accomplished businesswoman woke up to discover herself middle-aged, burnt out, and empty.

Rebelling at the thought of giving up on her inner free spirit, Ajlouni confronted her anxiety head-on. And while turning her back on the priorities that had ruled her choices for decades felt impossible, the goal-oriented entrepreneur fought to find a way to pour her passion into a new future.

In this emotionally raw story, Batoul I. Ajlouni shares her deeply personal quest to redefine herself even at the cost of severing ties with her remarkable achievements. And for anyone struggling with a lack of work-life balance, this tale of sacrifice, reflection, and hard-earned triumph offers the first step toward freedom.

Ditching Success? is a heartfelt and award-winning memoir. If you like self-transformation, re-evaluating decisions, and chasing hopes and dreams, then you’ll love Batoul I. Ajlouni’s journey to enlightenment.

Buy Ditching Success? to pull back from the grindstone today!

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  1. Print length
    194 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    June 29 2021
  5. File size
    2693 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0989JKV65
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Batoul I. Ajlouni; 1st edition (June 29 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2693 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 194 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 9957679333
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

About the author

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Batoul I. Ajlouni

Batoul I. Ajlouni

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Batoul Ajlouni is the award winning author of "Ditching Success?". She is an architect, entrepreneur, and business executive with thirty years of experience in fifteen of the world’s toughest markets. Ajlouni co-founded her company at twenty-four, before serving as VP for Business Development at a leading IT firm, helping it grow into a multinational corporation. A prominent businesswoman engaged in activities and public speaking events on design, business, technology, and women and youth empowerment. Also, an active board member at Jordan’s premier Society for the Conservation of Nature. Batoul works from her home in Amman, Jordan where she lives with her husband.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
57 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Raad Rihani
5.0 out of 5 stars Ditching Success or rather embracing change
Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2021
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A truly fascinating memoir from someone courageous who dared to abandon entrepreneurship and life on the fast lane in search for equilibrium in her life/career. A challenge that faces so many executives in our day and age. Ajlouni attempts to challenge the status quo of today’s complex and sometimes chaotic workplace culture.

You cannot but admire the author for dedicating so much to her career, later confronting the issues that propelled her career but limited her personal growth, and ultimately taking the bold decision to say enough is enough. If that sounds idealistic, it certainly feels genuine and deeply personal in Ditching Success.

A good book that will shed some light into the busy and complicated lives of many.
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Eman ALSmady
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Great Read!
Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2021
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One of the most engaging books I’ve ever read. This memoir takes you through an emotional and powerful story that provokes some really important questions. I loved how real and genuine the author’s voice felt, you could tell there was no sugar coating. All the complexities and contemplations that you read through are so relatable and truly familiar The writing style also really pulls you in, once I started reading it I couldn’t stop. If you’re feeling like you’re struggling with your value system, sense of purpose or work-life balance, this is an absolute must read!
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Honest, engaging, and deeply personal
Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2021
I enjoyed the book and how it flowed and conveyed the raw emotions that the author experienced, particularly , in the latter phase of her career. I wish that the author had delved more into the complexities of her uphill struggle as a female entrepreneur in a patriarchal conservative society, and as a female leader in her own company. The title of the book might be misleading as I believe that the author has finally embraced success by ditching the toxicity that her career had caused her. A book worth reading, indeed!
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Basel Tutunji
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Journey I Can Relate To
Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2022
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Finished reading the book in 2 days and enjoyed the story of Batoul, I can feel the challenges she went through in her career and the difficult decisions to take her freedom back and enjoy life . I also relate to the issues of having a family that is always there for you. It is a wonderful read if you're looking for a book to read over the weekend
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Kordula
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s not Ditching Success but rather Succeeding in life!
Reviewed in Canada on July 3, 2021
What a nice book to read, you feel the author’s authenticity in expressing her thoughts, feelings, hopes, pains,…
It really makes one think of himself or herself, how we are raised and geared to achieve and to push oneself to keep on going at the expense of our health, lives and family. It makes you reflect on what’s really important in life, and how we have to relearn and put our priorities in proper order.
What a nice read, when you start, you can’t stop until you’re done. What an achievement to be able to share in the full public eye your disappointments or pains and not just your achievements! BRAVO
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Diana
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book to teach you about what matters most in life.
Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2021
Sometimes success comes at a great cost and this book is the perfect reminder about the importance of balancing your career and personal life. It challenges you to re-evaluate your own career and life, offering new perspectives through detailed anecdotes. I recommend this book for anyone searching for some direction.
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Monica P
5.0 out of 5 stars I thoroughly enjoyed this book
Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2021
A great read especially at a time when burn out is an all time high. Batoul’s story and real life experiences are a powerful reminder that success in ones career should not come at high costs, that there is so much more out there that can give us purpose.
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Top reviews from other countries

Sima Kanaan
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Invitation to Connect with Our True Selves
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
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In her debut book Ditching Success, Batoul Ajlouni tells her story as an ambitious career woman whose identity is shaken once she walks away from the high-profile career that she dedicated her life building. The book is a gripping and honest story of how the author went about to reclaim her place in this world. It is an invitation to connect with our true selves, with nature, and our loved ones. In a refreshingly bold tone, Ajlouni walks us through her existential and spiritual journey contemplating deep questions: What does it mean to live a mindful life? How can we be mindful of the “essence” of time?

In the first few chapters, Ajlouni throws us into her early years as a driven young lady with the courage to dream and dream big. The death of her father at a young age is a milestone she goes through fearing a lost life ahead. But she overcomes this and other hurdles that she recounts with ease and humor. Talking about her struggle with the early onset of technology in Jordan, she writes: “I would type a web address, get off my chair, go into the kitchen, heat the water kettle, make myself a cup of coffee, ending with a short chat with one of the guys. All while waiting for a standard web-page to finish loading.”

Ajlouni takes us further along her journey to witness how her “days of exhilaration” give way to endless days of exhaustion and anxiety. Expressing her disappointment with the discovered world of multinationals she writes, “the new norm seemed to be more demanding and less forgiving…about end results, indifferent to the journey that gets you there.” She continues, “the deeper we ventured into the process, the less passionate I became about it all.” Such musings, scattered throughout the text, add another dimension to Ajlouni’s book – a critical reflection on the failings of an increasingly materialistic world and the receding value of ethics.

Ajlouni’s Ditching Success flows with the same rhythm as her life. Her confidence and determination shine through in the early chapters of the book, juxtaposed by feelings of loss and vulnerability as the book, and her journey, progresses. She brilliantly writes, “I had no brain cells or heart to even start thinking about my future plans. I knew I had dreams. Many dreams. Those, however, were still hiding somewhere in the back of my head not even close to surfacing.” Using simple language, each of the book’s chapters reveals profound depth, captured through the author’s choice of creative titles.

Ajlouni does not hesitate to take us deep into her world of fear and vulnerability. Writing about her post-surgery recovery, she lets us into her mind, echoing her brain’s struggle as she writes, “Should the heels touch the ground first or should the toes? Do you bend your knee before or after you lift your leg? Should the hip turn or not?” In other parts, such as the one where she meditates on the sound of nature in Bali, Ajlouni beautifully immerses the reader in feelings of bliss as she herself finds solace and peace in nature’s beauty.

I really enjoyed reading Ditching Success. I found myself turning the pages effortlessly as the book is written with an unassuming yet grounded voice. It takes readers through a beautiful crescendo as the author’s life unfolds. Centered on the protagonist with only a few characters, the book carries the feeling of loneliness that the author felt on her journey. Although written as a retrospective story, Ditching Success could be as illuminating to young readers as it is to others reflecting on a long-lived life. It is a deep dive spoken through the author’s unhindered voice. It is a refreshing read that I strongly recommend.
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Elsa Bridger
5.0 out of 5 stars Touching and inspiring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2022
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I have never managed to finish reading an autobiography before this book. In fact, I loved it so much I couldn’t put it down! It’s going to be one of those special books that stays with me long after I’ve finished it. I am very different to the author in many ways, but the engaging way in which it is written, makes me connect with her and so care deeply about her life’s journey. And what a life so far! The writing is beautiful and flows so well. Descriptions put you right there with her, yet not too many that it stalls the flow. Laying your life out for strangers to read is a brave thing to do, but has been done so well. I highly recommend this to anyone whether young, mature in years and everyone in between! In fact, I’ve just suggested it to my seventeen-year-old daughter, and I know my mother would enjoy this, too. It serves as a timely reminder to ensure we enjoy what we have and to value friendships and loved ones over work goals, while shooting for those stars!
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Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars Personal, moving and a little perspective for those wondering if they should make a change
Reviewed in Germany on October 25, 2021
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from my research I saw that Batoul is recognised as a senior executive in the IT industry. being based in the Middle East, that makes her quite remarkable.

Ditching Success is a personal and moving account of the kind of thing that happens to executives who get caught up in building a company. The many responsibilities of; clients, employees, business needs block out family and the friends you need and want the most.

I'm not sure if young execs will take this tale to heart, but I believe that seasoned execs will certainly see a part of themselves throughout these pages.

This is a compelling story, a journey which I found difficult to put down. Looking forward to reading what happens next.
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Randa Shaban
5.0 out of 5 stars Perspective Changing, a book that really makes you think.
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2021
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Every book out there is geared towards chasing success. When I stumbled upon this title out of curiosity, I decided to give it a read. And boy was I pleasantly surprised! The moment I started reading it, I could not put this book down for a single second; it was as if I was glued to it with a strong adhesive. The book not only rattled my perspective, but it touched my heart, soul and had my overfilled emotions bursting out in the form of tears. It made me look back at my life and reminisce about relatable experiences that I had gone through, forcing me to reevaluate a lot of decisions I have made, am currently making, and will make.

The author’s writing style was also astonishing; she made the words jump out of the page and draw a picture that I could stare at all day long! This truly is a perspective-changing book; I believe it’s a must-read for all ages. I could not recommend this enough! You’ll understand what I’m saying as soon as you give it a shot!
3 people found this helpful
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Valerie Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly inspiring memoir
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2022
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This is one of the best memoirs I have read. Not only because of what happens (and there is a lot!) but also because of the way it is told. The intelligence, curious mind and compassion in this author are truly engaging. And the conclusions she arrives at, at the end end of the journey, are both inspired and inspiring. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels a major life change might be in the wind because here, yu will find the courage.
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