Interview with Siobhán Murray, author of The Burnout Solution
Siobhán Murray, author of The Burnout Solution was very kind this week to answer my questions and give us her book recommendations! Before jumping into the interview, please check out Siobhan's book The Burnout Solution:
Review from Book Depository: Burnout is a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment - many of the same symptoms as depression. Burnout is on the increase as we struggle to juggle the pressures of work and family life with a constant feeling of always being on.
(All affiliate links earn commission from purchases that help fund this site. Prices accurate at time of writing)
The Burnout Solution
Through her own experience of burnout and her work as a psychotherapist, Siobhan Murray has developed a 12-week plan for overcoming this condition.
The Burnout Solution offers a step-by-step path through feelings of stress and anxiety towards renewed clarity of mind and an ability to prioritise the important things in life. Learn the beauty of saying no, rethink your boundaries, find your 'non-negotiables' and regain your power, passion and sense of purpose.
Buy On:
Book Depository €15.89
Waterstones £14.99
Amazon UK £14.99
Amazon US $17.65
Q. Do you have a favourite smart thinking book (and why that book)?
I love The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. Gary breaks down how to avoid distractions in a simple easy format of using ’The One Thing’ formula. Whenever I feel I’m spiralling into overwhelm with too many projects on my plate I refer back to this book to refocus. There are so many learnings in this book but the one I embrace the most is ‘Go small. Don’t focus on being busy; focus on being productive. Allow what matters most to drive your day.’ There are so many smart thinking books out now but I’m always drawn back to the ones that are simple and to the point.
The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
Review from Book Depository: You want fewer distractions and less on your plate. The daily barrage of e-mails, texts, tweets, messages, and meetings distract you and stress you out. The simultaneous demands of work and family are taking a toll. And what's the cost? Second-rate work, missed deadlines, smaller pay cheques, fewer promotions-and lots of stress.
You want more productivity from your work. More income for a better lifestyle. You want more satisfaction from life, and more time for yourself, your family, and your friends. Now you can have both - less and more.
Buy On:
Book Depository €10.19 Waterstones £10.99 Amazon UK £7.29 Amazon US $15.79(All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
Q. What's the most recent smart thinking book you've read (and how would you rate it)?
As a lover of bringing thoughts and actions back to basics in order to grow I recently re-read Mindset by Dr. Carol. S. Dweck. Originally published in 2006 it explores how we approach our personal and professional goals with either a growth or fixed mindset and how with the right mindset we can achieved much more than we think we can. I would rate this a 5* and recommend it time and and time again for anyone struggling to understand mindset and how moving from a fixed to growth mindset can teach not just us but children too how our mindset can have such a powerful impact on our lives.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Review From Book Depository: Dweck explains why it's not just our abilities and talent that bring us success-but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. She makes clear why praising intelligence and ability doesn't foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment, but may actually jeopardize success. With the right mindset, we can motivate our kids and help them to raise their grades, as well as reach our own goals-personal and professional. Dweck reveals what all great parents, teachers, CEOs, and athletes already know: how a simple idea about the brain can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area.
Buy On:
Book Depository €10.38 Waterstones £10.99 Amazon UK £7.45 Amazon US $10.20(All links earn commission from purchases. Prices accurate at time of writing)
Q. Do you have a favourite childhood book?
Without a doubt my favourite childhood book is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. I grew up an only child and spent a huge amount of time losing myself in the world books but the book that stands out for me, the one where I can remember feeling like I was in the pages of the book and accompanying Bilbo Baggins on his travels is The Hobbit. It’s still one of my favourite books and even though I have a newer version of it on my bookshelf I still have my original copy which stays safely in my room away from the kids!
The Hobbit
Review From Book Depository: The Hobbit is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarves in search of dragon-guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this perilous quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving unambitious hobbit, who surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and skill as a burglar.
Encounters with trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves and giant spiders, conversations with the dragon, Smaug, and a rather unwilling presence at the Battle of Five Armies are just some of the adventures that befall Bilbo. Bilbo Baggins has taken his place among the ranks of the immortals of children's fiction. Written by Professor Tolkien for his own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when published.
Buy On:
Book Depository €7.89 Waterstones £6.49 Amazon UK £6.38 Amazon US $9.99(All links earn commission from purchases that help fund this site. Prices accurate at time of writing)
Q. Do you prefer reading on paper, Kindle or listening to an audiobook?
I’m much more a book reader, the feel of the paper in my hands, the design and colours of the cover. Having said that I do own a kindle and when I’m travelling I will always have it with me as I read a lot and don’t always have the capacity to carry numerous books with me, I also only recently found out that their are some authors that are only published on kindle and if I didn’t have my kindle I wouldn’t have stumbled upon them.
Q. Do you have a favourite bookshop (and why that shop)?
You could drop me off at a mainstream bookshop around the world and collect me a few hours later and I be very happy however I have two favourite small independent bookshops. The first is local, The Village Bookshop in Terenure, Dublin, it sells not just newly published books but second-hand and out-of-print books too, my second favourite is a bookshop called The Bookshop in San Pedro, Spain and is run by Alicia (from Dublin) and Derek and sells English speaking books which is a godsend when you’ve run out of holiday books and have nothing new to read for the rest of the holiday!
Many thanks to Siobhán for answering my questions and for her recommendations of some great books!
Please don't forget to check out her book The Burnout Solution: 12 weeks to a calmer you.
Daryl
Image Copyrights: Gill (The Burnout Solution), John Murray Press (The One Thing), Little, Brown Book Group (Mindset), HarperCollins Publishers (The Hobbit)
< Home
