Accelerating in 2026: start the year with 70% off on 12min gold

GET IT NOW
12min
Book cover of Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu — critical summary review on 12min

Drop the Ball

Tiffany Dufu

8 mins

“Drop the Ball” is part memoir and part manual on how working mothers can finally achieve a balance between work and home life without having to compromise. The key is to get your partner to share in the workload, and Dufu explains from her own experience how to get there.

Listen to the intro

Brief Summary

Best suited for women of all ages, women wanting to pursue careers and be mothers, men wanting to help their partners achieve their best.

Topics

Personal DevelopmentBiographies & Memoirs

Summary of 5 Key Ideas

Redefining Success in Work-Life Balance

In 'Drop the Ball,' Tiffany Dufu challenges the traditional notion of success for working mothers, advocating for a new perspective on balance. She emphasizes that achieving a harmonious work-life balance doesn't mean doing it all, but rather focusing on what truly matters. Dufu encourages women to let go of perfectionism and societal expectations, suggesting that real success comes from prioritizing and allowing certain tasks to fall by the wayside. By redefining success, women can attain a more fulfilling life without the constant pressure of trying to juggle every responsibility flawlessly.

The Power of Delegation

A central theme in 'Drop the Ball' is the strategic use of delegation to manage household and work responsibilities. Dufu highlights the importance of involving partners in sharing the workload, rather than attempting to handle everything independently. She provides practical advice on how to engage partners in meaningful conversations about equal contribution at home, emphasizing the need for clear communication and setting up systems that encourage shared responsibility. By effectively delegating tasks, working mothers can alleviate stress and create a more equitable home environment.

Embracing Imperfection for Greater Fulfillment

Tiffany Dufu advocates for the acceptance of imperfection as a pathway to greater personal fulfillment. In her book, she shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how relinquishing control and accepting that not everything needs to be perfect can lead to more joy and satisfaction. Dufu argues that striving for perfection often results in burnout and dissatisfaction, and instead, she proposes embracing a mindset that values progress over perfection. This approach not only reduces stress but also opens up more time and energy for personal growth and quality family interactions.

Login

Login to your account

Enter your credentials to access your account

Don't have an account? Sign up

Key ideas in

  • Share Responsibilities: Encourage your partner to actively participate in household and childcare duties to create a more equitable balance.
  • Let Go of Perfection: Accept that it's okay to 'drop the ball' sometimes in order to prioritize what truly matters and achieve a sustainable work-life balance.
  • Communicate Needs: Openly discuss and negotiate household roles and responsibilities with your partner to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation.

More knowledge in less time

Listen to the key ideas

We offer various commission schemes from one-time payouts.

Find your next read

12Min is very popular among readers and lifelong learners.

Good Micropaths

12Min's browser-based app works for anyone.

Frequently Asked Questions