Are you ready to finally put yourself first in your career? We’re often so focused on deadlines, delivering results, and impressing our bosses that we forget the most important part of the equation—ourselves. In Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career, Laurie Ruettimann delivers a refreshing, real-world guide on making yourself a priority at work without compromising your values, health, or happiness. If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or ready for a change, this book might just be the wake-up call you need.
Why Read This Book?
Betting on You is the ultimate guide for anyone ready to stop running on autopilot and start taking control of their career and life. Laurie Ruettimann—former HR leader turned author and speaker—delivers real, relatable advice on how to prioritize yourself without feeling guilty. This isn’t another “grind harder” career book; it’s about working smarter, setting boundaries, and defining success on your own terms.
Ruettimann helps you see that burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a warning sign. Through honest stories, practical strategies, and empowering lessons, she shows you how to take bold steps toward happiness and fulfillment—whether that means reshaping your current job or making a big leap.
If you’ve ever felt undervalued, stuck, or exhausted by the constant hustle, Betting on You will remind you that you are your best investment. It’s a call to reclaim your time, energy, and confidence—and finally create a career that works for you, not the other way around.
Key Sections of Betting on You
1. Prioritize Yourself, Not Just Your Job
Ruettimann emphasizes that while we’re often encouraged to go “all in” on our careers, we should start by going “all in” on ourselves. In this section, she explains that we can’t truly succeed at work if we’re constantly sidelining our own needs and values. She breaks down how to assess whether a job aligns with what matters to you personally and introduces the concept of “self-investment”—putting the same energy into your well-being that you put into your job. Ruettimann suggests practical steps like creating a personal mission statement that keeps you grounded and focused on what truly matters to you, beyond any job title or company.
2. Take Control of Your Time
Time management might sound basic, but Ruettimann goes deeper than just suggesting to-do lists or productivity hacks. She encourages readers to view time as their most valuable asset and provides methods for reclaiming it. This means setting boundaries that protect your time both at work and in your personal life. She even includes strategies for “time audits,” which allow you to see where your time is truly going and where you can make adjustments. The goal is to help you design a schedule that includes moments of rest, reflection, and personal growth, making sure your calendar reflects your priorities rather than just work demands.
3. Redefining Success on Your Terms
Ruettimann challenges the traditional view of success—moving up the corporate ladder, achieving prestigious job titles, and making more money. Instead, she encourages readers to define success on their own terms. In this section, she provides exercises and prompts to help readers clarify what a “successful” life looks like for them, whether it’s work-life balance, meaningful projects, or simply feeling valued and fulfilled. She argues that when we define success by our standards, it’s easier to feel a genuine sense of accomplishment, rather than constantly chasing external validation.
4. Setting Healthy Boundaries (and Sticking to Them)
Boundary-setting is a crucial skill Ruettimann champions, especially for those who feel overworked or overwhelmed. She provides strategies to help readers identify areas where they may need firmer boundaries—such as saying no to late-night emails or taking on extra projects without additional compensation. She also addresses how to have difficult conversations with managers, explaining that boundaries aren’t about being uncooperative but about ensuring sustainable productivity. By setting and respecting boundaries, Ruettimann explains, you can protect your mental and emotional health and perform better in the long run.
5. Embracing Failure as Part of Growth
Ruettimann knows that putting yourself first and taking career risks can be intimidating, especially when failure is a possibility. This section delves into the fear of failure and how to overcome it by reframing failure as an essential part of personal and professional growth. She shares stories of her own missteps and how they ultimately helped her gain clarity and build resilience. Readers are encouraged to take risks, even if it means facing setbacks, because these experiences often lead to greater self-awareness and open doors to unexpected opportunities.
6. Building Your Personal Brand and Network
Recognizing that career success isn’t only about the work we do but also how we present ourselves, Ruettimann introduces strategies for building a personal brand that reflects our true values. She explains how to network authentically, form genuine connections, and create a professional presence that feels aligned with who you are. Her advice is practical and accessible—whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, she has tips for connecting with others in ways that feel natural. Ruettimann stresses that when you’re clear on your brand and values, networking doesn’t feel like a chore but a way to expand your influence and career options.
7. Taking Responsibility for Your Own Happiness
In this section, Ruettimann brings the focus back to self-accountability. She argues that, ultimately, each person is responsible for their own happiness. She explains that it’s easy to blame a company, a boss, or external circumstances for a lack of fulfillment, but at the end of the day, each of us has the power to change our situation. Whether it’s advocating for a role shift, learning new skills, or even leaving a toxic job, Ruettimann provides insights and encouragement for readers to take ownership of their well-being and career path.
8. Finding Work That Aligns with Your Purpose
The book concludes by encouraging readers to find (or create) work that feels aligned with their deeper purpose. Ruettimann is honest about the fact that finding meaningful work is a journey, not a quick fix. She provides practical advice for exploring new career directions, figuring out what really lights you up, and finding roles or projects that bring a sense of satisfaction and purpose. By the end of the book, her goal is for readers to have the tools to make empowered career choices that leave them feeling fulfilled rather than depleted.
Real-Life Examples
What makes Betting on You so compelling is how relatable it is. Ruettimann uses personal stories and real-life experiences to show the importance of self-care in the workplace. She opens up about her struggles with burnout and anxiety while working in HR for Fortune 500 companies, where she saw firsthand the toll the “work-first” mentality took on people.
In one example, she shares a story of a former coworker who was always overworked but stayed because she feared “losing everything.” Eventually, this coworker’s health and relationships suffered greatly. This cautionary tale highlights the importance of setting boundaries and asking, “Is this job worth the personal cost?” It’s a wake-up call to anyone who’s afraid to take a step back from work or to think about their career with a more critical eye.
Ruettimann herself made the leap from a traditional corporate career to pursuing her own path as a speaker and consultant, despite the risks. Her journey gives the book an extra punch because she’s not just preaching self-care from an HR pedestal—she’s lived it, struggled with it, and come out the other side.
Final Thoughts
Each of these sections combines Ruettimann’s personal insights with actionable advice, making Betting on You both relatable and practical. This book isn’t just about “putting yourself first” in a vague, feel-good way—it’s a guide for making choices that genuinely reflect your priorities and well-being. If you’re tired of feeling like work is something that happens to you rather than something you actively shape, this book could be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.
Join the Conversation!
Ruettimann’s book is more than a career guide—it’s an invitation to rethink how we approach our work and our lives. Are you ready to take the leap? Whether you’re looking for a career change, feeling stuck in a current job, or just need that extra nudge to set healthier boundaries, Betting on You has something valuable to offer.
If you’ve read Betting on You, I’d love to hear your thoughts! What was your biggest takeaway? Have you applied any of Ruettimann’s advice in your own career? Share your story in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation about putting ourselves first.
5 powerful quotes from Betting on You by Laurie Ruettimann
📖 “You are your own best advocate. Nobody will care more about your career than you do.”
This quote reminds us that waiting for others—bosses, mentors, or companies—to recognize our worth can leave us stuck. We must take charge of our growth.
In simple terms: Don’t wait for someone else to make things happen for you—speak up and take control.
📖 “Burnout isn’t a sign of success. It’s a signal that something needs to change.”
Ruettimann challenges the toxic idea that exhaustion equals dedication. Real success comes from balance, not burnout.
In simple terms: Feeling drained all the time doesn’t mean you’re winning—it means it’s time to make a change.
📖 “If work is making you miserable, you have the power to rewrite your story.”
This line highlights that staying unhappy in your job isn’t your only option. You always have the choice to pivot, grow, and start fresh.
In simple terms: You can change your situation—your career is your story, so write a better chapter.
📖 “Self-care is a career strategy, not a luxury.”
Ruettimann reframes self-care as an essential part of professional success. You perform better when you’re mentally and physically well.
In simple terms: Taking care of yourself helps you do better at work—it’s not selfish, it’s smart.
📖 “Work should fit into your life, not the other way around.”
This quote sums up the book’s message perfectly: your career should support your happiness and purpose, not consume it.
In simple terms: Don’t live just to work—make work fit the life you actually want.
