Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career

by Laurie Ruettimann

"Indispensable reading for anyone seeking to improve their professional selves."
—Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When

An essential guide for how to snap out of autopilot and become your own best advocate, with candid anecdotes and easy-to-adopt steps, from veteran HR specialist and popular podcast host Laurie Ruettimann

Chances are you've spent the past few months cooped up inside, buried under a relentless news cycle and work that never seems to switch off. Millions of us worldwide are overworked, exhausted, and trying our hardest—yet not getting the recognition we deserve. It’s time for a fix.

Top career coach and HR consultant Laurie Ruettimann knows firsthand that work can get a hell of a lot better. A decade ago, Ruettimann was uninspired, blaming others and herself for the unhappiness she felt. Until she had an if she wanted a fulfilling existence, she couldn’t sit around and wait for change. She had to be her own leader. She had to truly take ahold of life—the good, the bad, and the downright ugly—in order to transform her future.

Today, as businesses prioritize their bottom line over employee satisfaction and workers become increasingly isolated, the need to safeguard your well-being is crucial. And though this sounds intimidating, it’s easier to do than you think. Through tactical advice on how to approach work in a smart and healthy manner, which includes knowing when to sign off for the day, doubling down on our capacity to learn, fixing those finances, and beating impostor syndrome once and for all, Ruettimann lays out the framework necessary to champion your interests and create a life you actually enjoy.

Packed with advice and stories of others who regained control of their lives, Betting on You is a game-changing must-read for how to radically improve your day-to-day, working more effectively and enthusiastically starting now.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business, Personal Development, Historical Romance, Personal Growth, Audiobook

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2021

About the author

Laurie Ruettimann is a former human resources leader turned writer, entrepreneur, and speaker. CNN recognized her as one of the top five career advisers in the United States, and her work has been featured on NPR, The New Yorker, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Vox. She frequently delivers keynote speeches at business and management events around the world and hosts a popular podcast focused on fixing work.

She lives with her husband and cats in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

My expectations weren't super high for this book. It's not very long and self-help books are often more hot air than content. I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this one.

A bit of backstory: I first encountered Laurie Ruettimann in a webinar series hosted by Jason Lauritsen. (He's referenced in the book). I started listening to Laurie's podcast and got on her mailing list (likely from the webinar). Laurie's newsletter led me to a webinar by Don McPherson because he was giving away copies of her book to webinar attendees. He's also mentioned in the book, which he sent me, and now I listen to his podcast. It all feels rather circular... (maybe a little incestuous without the creepy-factor.) A whole little networked system, proof that it works.

Back to the book. Laurie writes like she speaks, 100%. The structure, the words, the style, the intonation, all of it. I have to like the authenticity of her voice. It's hers. Natural or cultivated, this is what she presents to the world.

For the most part, the book tells it like it is. There's not a lot of hot air blowing, she stays concise and on point. She generally doesn't oversell a magic formula ("YOU fix work by fixing YOUrself" emphasis mine). She re-iterates that theme all the time throughout the book, so her message can't be missed.
The job search "advice" is probably the weakest part of the book, but really, it's going to vary by region, person, industry, and level, so it's difficult to be pragmatic and specific there. The book makes the reader feel like they're in control, because that's her point. Don't wait for someone else to make your life better. Be happier in ways you can control and that will bleed into everything. I think there's good truth there.

The book is quick and very readable, with tangible examples throughout that are relatable, even if Laurie's (former) HR life is not.

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like hanging out and having real conversations about work with Laurie for the past few days. Filled with great advice and lots of wit and humor. I feel more empowered as I look to my own career and am looking forward to re-reading alongside some checklists and scheduled self improvement sessions. I plan to recommend this book to everyone most especially because Laurie gives Famous Amos cookies the recognition they deserve. 🤘🏽

[Teresa Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like having your no BS best friend lay out ways you could fix your own life after you told her about everything you were going through at work over a cocktail or three. It is full of actionable advice that you can put into play ASAP, which I really appreciated. I have been sending my work colleague screen shots of pertinent paragraphs for us to help keep each other accountable in setting better boundaries between home and work (Rona be damned!) and for us to take better care of ourselves physically and mentally, which has been a running theme for the past year. Definitely buying a few copies for my colleagues and mentee!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and I love Laurie Ruettimann. I stayed up too late to finish this awesome book because I wanted to immediately put the advice to use. While I've worked at the same employer for 25 years, I found myself giving guidance to others as well as being an advocate in the workplace. Ruettimann provides real world scenarios for the reader to use in their own situation. I recommend Betting on You to anyone who may be seeking a career change, looking for help in your current career path, or wanting to help others.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t typically read books like this one, but I couldn’t help but love Laurie’s open, brutally honest take on fixing work (and yourself) in the process. It was refreshing and a pleasure to read. There’s a metric ton of practical advice for everyone, no matter where you are on the employment spectrum. Whether you’re chronically unemployed or a happy veteran on the verge of celebrating a work anniversary, you’ll find practical advice (some of which you didn’t know you needed) you can apply right now. Highly recommend this one.

[Danielle Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #4 out of 40

I fell in love with Laurie when I saw her speak at Inbound (a marketing conference that was all virtual this year). She’s snarky, outspoken, and intelligent. I preordered her book as soon as she mentioned she had a book.

5 things about this book:
1. Laurie does the Chapter+Podcast format that I enjoyed in David Goggins’ book Can’t Hurt Me. I love how it provides more conversational context to each Chapter.
2. As someone who’s constantly in a state of work/life imbalance, I really appreciated her practical, applicable advice.
3. Laurie is real, raw, and unapologetic. She owns her experiences good and bad.
4. Putting life/career in perspective. Leaving work at work and recognizing what really matters in life. (IE, don’t lose sleep over a typo in a report)
5. She promotes learning as a tactic for burnout. Learning new things gives me a boost when I’m feeling stagnant.

I stole this line from her book website:
Packed with advice and stories of others who regained control of their lives, Betting on You is a game-changing must-read for how to radically improve your day-to-day, working more effectively and enthusiastically starting now.

Says it all.

#2021bookchallenge

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Laurie Ruettimann has written the best book of career advice since What Color Is your Parachute? started up the field in a big way. Her voice is honest and funny, her style is fast and authentic, and the advice is eye-opening. I wish I'd had it back in the day when I worked for other people. Maybe I wouldn't have started my own company! Anyway, this book covers how you get in the door, get in good with the top cheese, and get out before they slam the door on you. It's all marvelous advice, and if you are at a point in your career where you don't need it, then for heaven's sake buy it for someone who does!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mix of lots of great anecdotes and some solid advice of making work work better for you.

[Courtney Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I needed these words! Laurie Ruettimann writes in her unique voice and empowers us to move forward in our careers and lives. I am going to re-read this one because there are so many good bits of information coming from her many years working in Human Resources. I’m so inspired to finally bet on myself and take control of my career. There’s no need to sit back and wait!

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

2021.26: Almost a DNF but powered through. Heavy on personal anecdotes, light on substance. Ideas good and summarized well at end of each chapter. Later chapters better than earlier ones so glad I kept reading.

[Jennifer Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Betting on You” is a quick, easy, humorous read full of interesting stories and practical advice.

One thing that jumped out at me is the book provides realistic advice you can implement right away. I walked away feeling good about the tips I was already doing - like having a side hustle that you feel passionate about and that makes you feel fulfilled (yay petsitting!) - and feeling confident I could follow the attainable steps provided by the author.

After reading the book, I feel like I actually know how to determine what the right career is for me and how to get there. Most self improvement and career advice books give you unattainable, emotion-based tips that are difficult to implement practically in the real world. “Betting on You” is exactly the opposite. What a refreshing change!

This was such a great book! I highly recommend it.

[Angela L · Rating 4 out of 5]

❛ Everything you’ve ever wanted to hear from HR. ❜ -
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Read This if You ♒︎
💀 Need to quit your job
🙃 Are unhappy in the workplace
🏔 Like to read self-help
🌙 Need help finding your purpose
🖤 Can’t stand your boss
🌞 Have ever worked in a toxic workplace
😷 Lost your job
✨ Have ever complained to HR
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This one paragraph really sums up what Betting On You is: “Get physically and emotionally healthy. Pull yourself out of isolation and talk to someone - a colleague, a mentor, a therapist, or an employee assistance provider. Learn to bet on yourself. It’s hard to take risks, but the premortem is the most effective tool in your arsenal to predict and beat failure. Ask yourself how something will fail. Write it down. And craft a plan to overcome failure” - pg. 136-137, Laurie Ruettimann
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The main objective author Ruettimann conveys is that it’s YOU who needs to make the change in order to become happy with the “work” not the work itself. The author tells the reader to be their own HR and to truly not depend on anyone in your workplace to fulfill the emptiness you may be experiencing. If the job sucks your soul quit but only once you’ve set yourself up with something else. If work just pays the bills and it’s not your passion that’s perfectly fine. However, pursue something on the side. Whether that be reading, photography, hiking, or painting it doesn’t matter. Do something that gets you pumped about life. Find the thing that gets your blood boiling and do that on the side while you still work the job that allows you to maintain your lifestyle. Always try to expand the activities in your life and not just make work your life. Work is not the most important thing in life and it doesn’t have to define you. Working on yourself and prioritizing your own health & happiness is the most important thing.
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Highly recommend to young working professionals. Biggest thank you to @henryholtbooks for the copy. Betting On You is out now!

[Ben Smitthimedhin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm usually not a fan of self-help books because they often give the same sort of advice: work hard, use your time wisely, don't procrastinate, visualize success, etc. They idolize the put-together businessman who's organized and knows what he's doing. He optimizes every second of his life and wakes up at 4am to start work, and anyone who doesn't do likewise should consider imitating him for a more fulfilled life.

Ruettimann's book was refreshing simply because she recognizes this trope and satirizes it by turning it on its head. Instead of idealizing this "magic career" that's right for the reader, Ruettimann is blunt about how working a corporate job can mean spending hours doing busy paperwork that don't serve any purpose. Her job in HR was to travel to different locations around the US to fire people, which sounds absolutely horrible.

Building on this idea, she challenges her readers to learn new things at work, to get a hobby and leave the office when it's time, to take responsibility for the change that needs to happen at work, and to find communities which long for similar systemic changes. The book is full of funny anecdotes that kept me reading, and I was thoroughly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book raises some really good points about the need to be your own advocate and "your own HR department," because despite what the company may say, they aren't your family and at the end of the day, their bottom line will matter more to them than you do. So if you're stuck in a job you hate, know that you deserve more.

The author gives good tips about how to look for a new job without jeopardizing your current one, about how to negotiate for severance when leaving your company, and other career transition topics. She also recommends making time for yourself, and for activities that benefit you and your passions, rather than your workplace.

And for any job, she gives the really good advice to write down your purpose statement: "I do this job for [REASON]. This job gives me [BENEFIT]." It can be as simple as "I do this job to pay rent. This job gives me a home to live in." But the author also recommends thinking about your broader dreams and life goals, like "this job gives me financial security and savings. I do this job so I can buy a house someday." The point is that your work life should be good for you, and having that purpose statement can help you stay cantered in your current job or know if your job no longer meets your needs.

A really good read, especially for people who may be contemplating the next steps in their careers. The author also narrates the audiobook, which makes it feel like a friendly coaching session. And I really like the podcast excerpts at the end of each chapter.

CW that in one of the first few chapters, the author shares that her solution to her workplace burnout is going to Tijuana for surgery to get her stomach capacity reduced. She does contextualize it by saying that that's what happens to have worked for her, but doesn't mean she thinks weight loss surgery is the solution for everyone. But she does often equate having a sucky work life with being out of shape, which is her experience but isn't always the case.

[John P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie has written a book that did not follow the same tired outline of “Here’s what happened - here’s my advice - here’s some people who followed my advice and now they’re good” like so many other business book authors (I’m looking at you Dale Carnegie and Malcom Gladwell). That was refreshing and made the material easy to read and advice easy to follow.

Here’s the deal, there are several career help books out there and most of them are rehashed info that hasn’t changed since the Great Recession. This is not that book.

Laurie’s put the onus on you the reader to fix your sh*t, and do it quickly. Then you’ll be on the right path to fix your career.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim from the new nonfiction book display at my library, and read it over 2 nights. Ruettimann, an HR professional, leans heavily on stories of herself and her friends to illustrate the stories and uses research to back her self up. It's a quick read, with good points about changing what you have the power to change. She also briefly mentions how the deck is definitely stacked against women, especially women of color, and minority groups. Thinking about what you can do in the next 6 months resonated with me. Surprisingly for a book published in 2021 that mentions COVID-19 circumstances on the inside jacket it's surprisingly devoid of details on how to deal with all of this during a pandemic, that being said I think it's a good book to read now to prepare for the future.

[Victoria Marcello · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars I really liked Ruettimann’s emphasis on looking beyond your work to become a whole person, and she described to ideas I already thought but never put into words. I had assumed this would give more workplace strategies, but it actually really is more a holistic approach.

I think her Tijuana reflections needed some work (it still felt like she still has a bit to unpack there for herself) but she does recognize the fat phobia and discrimination in the workplace.

It doesn’t seem like Ruettimann is also too far up her own butt in the self-help world, which is also refreshing.

[Lisa Rosendahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie has been a strong voice challenging the HR industry to do better, to be better for sometime and now she is using her voice to challenge you to do better to be better and to do it for you. Don’t wait for HR, an organization, or anyone else to make things better for you. You’ve got to do this for yourself, you deserve it and Laurie will show you how.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say it with me friends, "you are not your job." Laurie provides readers with practical advice on how to fix work, starting with the most important piece, yourself. This book is full of tips you can put into action before you ever finish it. Laurie's realistic advice has always been refreshing and it comes through in every chapter. She shares so much insider-HR information that I wish I would have known before leaving my last job. Read this book if you want to make work better by putting yourself first.

[Pretentia · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 50%- I love the reminders that we aren't our jobs, I love the calls to advocate for ourselves and not to live for our jobs. The Book meanders, jumping around and feels rambling. The author includes a huge amount of personal anticdotes that for me were uninteresting and self agrandising. I found myself thinking more about how insufferable I found the writing than the content so this is my first book of the year (the first of over 70 books) that I decided not to finish to the end.

[Brandon Laws · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie's book Betting on You is smart, funny, and packed with great stories and advice. Laurie got me to think critically about my career and life. I highly recommend this book to any working professional who wants more out of life.

[Regina Breier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice and insights

When the author shared with the HR Community that she was writing a book, I added it to my list immediately. This author has been a podcaster I have listened to and her insights are always spot on for me. What I got from this book was more than I expected. The content and the no-nonsense approach to fixing yourself before you can fix your work world is not only relevant today, but so needed in the current pandemic.

Employees and employers alike need to understand that humanity can help push businesses forward. The roles and rules of traditional HR need to be filed away and we must create environments where honesty, respect and a desire to be — wait for it — human are more important than policies, procedures and protocol.

Laurie can always tell great stories, and the ones in this book will not disappoint. It is the lesson from the stories that are important to read, to digest and to implement if you feel work is broken. This book is one I wanted to read and didn’t know I needed to read until I finished it!

[Brian Cluster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurie Ruettimann has provided professionals with a solid career book in an informative and entertaining way. I listened to the audiobook and loved the fact that she speaks to a particular topic in each chapter and then does a quick 2-3 minute chapter recap and helps transition to the next chapter, it really works. The book covers what HR does, how to handle a professional crisis, job search, career management, and much more. Laurie's experience at Monsanto and Pfizer has a wealth of varied experiences in HR including dysfunctional organizational culture and dealing with political challenges.

She also introduced several quotes that are well timed in the book and invaluable.

"Be in love with your life, every part of it"- Jack Kerouac. I never heard this quote before
and appreciate the author for introducing me to this piece of wisdom.

She also writes,"Life is about Relationships and Experiences". So true and it is
important to get out there and do some things to explore your interests.

Recommend this book for those considering professional improvement, changing jobs or industries in these interesting times called the 'great resignation'.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m lucky that I’m in a fantastic job at the moment and this book still had good nuggets. It did also make me reflect on some not so great jobs and remember how hard it is to fix yourself first in those moments. Now following Laurie on social so I can keep learning from her!

[Lydia Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. A wonderful useful and helpful professional guide to help you rise in your career and the way you think about yourself.

It's a shame this book wasn't available before I retired. I am sure my confidence would have being higher and I would have advanced further in my place of work.

A must read if you are feeling stuck at work or in your career. This great author lays out how to find a job of your dreams by putting yourself first and taking control of your career.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gotta be honest, I'm not the target audience for this book. I'm not working a job that sucks out my motivation or trying the best way to find a new career. However, I still think this book is perfect for me. As a girl about to go off to college, I recognize that soon I'll be jumping headfirst into today's job market. This book helped me prepare for
1. what to expect
2. what to look for and
3. what to do for myself.
Knowing I have this book whenever I need it for that little reminder that my life won't be completely over due to one bad job gives me hope and optimism for the future.

[Shannon Hertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read

This is a quick read that isn’t too “self-helpy.” I read it after watching a webinar featuring Laurie. If you’ve seen her speak and liked how she presents, you’ll enjoy the book.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promising but swerves all over the place like many a blog turned book.

[Reece David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It was clear, concise and provided good, real life examples. I appreciate the advice and want to implement many of its ideas.

[Marit Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because I really like Laurie Ruettimann's blog and her frank approach to the workplace. As a reformed HR professional, I appreciate her efforts to break free of the corporate-speak and rah-rah employee engagement projects of too many HR departments. I appreciate when she calls out the fact that HR and managers can't save you from a job you don't like, and sometimes they can even make it harder (and they might be struggling with hating their own job too). All that is true, even when HR or managers mean well. This book is easy to read and entertaining, and the no-nonsense approach of her blogs comes through.

In that same spirit though, can we just admit that the whole genre of career development books are not really all that different from each other? Work on yourself, everyone hates their job, it isn't them its you, you can't get a new job without networking, don't quit your job until you have a new job... etc. And throw in the "just because I became successful as an independent consultant/speaker/blogger doesn't mean that you can be successful at it, so don't throw that in as an option." and you pretty much have this whole category summed up and can write your own career development book.

Now, with all that said you might think that I didn't enjoy this book, but that isn't true. If you are looking for a book to help you get your head on straight before you look for a new job, then this book is the one. Different from the tone of other books, Laurie's approach feels like talking to a friend. She is saying "Hey, be cool! You can do this, and here is a few things to think about." There is also a tone of optimism that the world of work really will change, if we all work at it. Although this book was written before the pandemic upended our working world, I think that it provides useful advice for the 2021 workforce.

I intend to recommend this book to others who are struggling to figure out what comes next for them and how to put themselves first! The bottom line, everyone hates their job from time to time, and you really do have to work on you before you can find yourself in a better job.