Betting on You Book Summary - Betting on You Book explained in key points
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Betting on You summary

Laurie Ruettimann

How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career

4.2 (244 ratings)
23 mins

Brief summary

Betting on You is a career guide that helps individuals take ownership of their professional life. Laurie Ruettimann encourages readers to step out of their comfort zone and create a strategic plan to achieve their dream job.

Table of Contents

    Betting on You
    Summary of 8 key ideas

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    Nobody can save you but you.

    The author, Laurie Ruettimann, hated her job at Pfizer so much that she could barely bring herself to get out of bed in the mornings. She’d set alarm clocks all over the house because she just couldn’t get up.

    Pfizer had offered her a job in its HR department which it promised would be full of learning opportunities and prestige. But when she started, she realized that her main task was to fly around the country firing employees who were victims of “restructuring.” And the department she worked in was dysfunctional and toxic.

    She was miserable, and it affected every area of her life. Her health suffered because she overate and had no time to exercise. Her relationship with her husband was strained because she’d become bitter and cynical. She grew deeply depressed. But she couldn’t see a way out – that is, until she got some inspiration from an unlikely source.

    Laurie was leafing through a magazine in an airport on one of her trips when she came across a story about Courtney Love going to Tijuana for weight-loss surgery. For some reason, this article filled her with an excitement she hadn’t felt for a very long time. If Courtney Love could take charge of her life, then why couldn’t she?

    So, she decided to plan her own crazy jaunt to Mexico for the same surgery. It changed her life. Not because it caused her to lose weight – although she did. It changed her life because it marked the moment that she took charge and started putting her own well-being first. She started exercising, finally went to a therapist, and began writing more – something she’d always loved doing.

    The blog she created about the secret world of HR took off, and within six months, she’d left Pfizer to become a full-time writer and consultant. Today, she advises people all over the world about how to become their own best HR consultants – and fix work by focusing on themselves first.

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    What is Betting on You about?

    Betting on You (2021) is a hands-on guide to navigating the modern workplace. If you’re an employee in a big corporation, it can feel like you have no agency over your work life. But by putting yourself first and changing your mindset about work, you can make big changes right where you are. And if you need to leave your job, you can plan strategically for the next chapter.

    Betting on You Review

    Betting on You by Laurie Ruettimann (2021) is a thought-provoking book that challenges traditional career advice and encourages readers to take control of their professional trajectories. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • Offers refreshing insights into the corporate world, urging readers to prioritize their well-being and personal growth over societal expectations.
    • Provides actionable strategies for navigating challenges, such as dealing with difficult colleagues and negotiating work-life balance.
    • With its witty and relatable anecdotes, the book dives into the realities of modern work culture and injects humor into the serious topics it tackles.

    Who should read Betting on You?

    • People looking for more autonomy and purpose in their careers
    • HR departments wanting to up their game
    • Burnt-out entrepreneurs looking to change their work habits

    About the Author

    Laurie Ruettimann left a career in corporate HR to become a writer, entrepreneur, and speaker. CNN has recognized her as being one of the top five career advisors in the United States. Her work has been featured on NPR, and in the New Yorker, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal.

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    Betting on You FAQs 

    What is the main message of Betting on You?

    The main message of Betting on You is that you can create a successful career by being true to yourself and embracing your unique strengths.

    How long does it take to read Betting on You?

    The reading time for Betting on You varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Betting on You a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Betting on You is a valuable read for anyone looking to build a fulfilling career. It offers practical advice and insights to help you take control of your professional life.

    Who is the author of Betting on You?

    Laurie Ruettimann is the author of Betting on You.

    What to read after Betting on You?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Betting on You, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga
    • The Stoic Path to Wealth by Darius Foroux
    • How to Do the Work by Nicole LePera
    • The Busy Brain Cure by Romie Mushtaq
    • 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness by Jim Rohn
    • Burnout Immunity by Kandi Wiens
    • From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks