Beating Burnout - Book by Vicky Russ
At the book’s core is the “Selfish Spectrum,” a simple, clarifying model that challenges the idea that people are either selfish or selfless. Instead, we move along a continuum; the aim is to live in the healthy middle—able to care for others and ourselves. When we drift too far toward martyrdom, burnout follows—subtly, gradually, like the “boiling frog.”
HowtoputyourmaskonfirstBook Vic…
Readers are invited to take a guided self-assessment and explore Eight Root Causes of Burnout—from low self-worth and difficulty setting boundaries to the need for validation, cultural expectations and difficulty receiving. Practical exercises help you notice your strongest reactions, identify patterns, and prioritise what to work on first.
Vicky then models the process with her own results—low self-worth, need for validation, and difficulty receiving—offering clear, evidence-informed “top ten” tips for each area: reframing negative self-talk, celebrating strengths, practising self-compassion and gratitude, asking for help, and learning to accept support gracefully. The tone is warm, honest and deeply human—about “falling upwards” through setbacks and using adversity as a springboard for growth.
The book closes with an invitation to keep choosing the centre of the spectrum—making “first-place” moments a habit so you can serve sustainably. For public-sector professionals, carers, clinicians, teachers, and anyone who has ever “given until they gave out,” this is both mirror and map: a concise toolkit to understand your burnout, reset your boundaries, and rebuild a life that’s balanced, resilient and on-purpose.