Always Change a Losing Game: Winning Strategies for Work, Home and Health

by David Posen

"Everyone can relate to this book! Dr. Posen teaches us, through practical and entertaining stories, how to make our lives better in every way -- and inspires us to take action!" --Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

"This book makes change seem fun rather than a chore." --Christine A. Padesky, PhD, co-author of Mind Over Mood, Director, Center for Cognitive Therapy, Newport Beach, CA

Always Change a Losing Game has been published widely and continues to be popular and useful. Whether readers are dealing with compulsive eating, addiction, a growing family, an unhappy relationship or an unsatisfying job, or have a seemingly insurmountable challenge ahead of them, Dr. Posen provides practical guidelines that will help them change their losing habits and become happy.

Now updated for our fast and stressful times, the book is written in everyday language to make it easy and reassuring. The connection to sports is understandable for readers thinking about their health, relationships, problem solving, self-esteem and productivity. Always Change a Losing Game explains how to make changes when important segments of their life -- work, relationships, family -- are not working out. But like all games, there has to be a plan, and it starts by changing the rules and focusing on three key areas.


Awareness -- Be aware of the game you already playing. Is it working? What are the common losing games? How do I recognize one? Be aware of mind traps and the power of beliefs. Look at how you behave. Choice -- Change your thinking. Choose your focus. Keep and use your sense of humor. Choose your lifestyle. Take breaks. Pick your behavior. Find a support system. If it's not working, stop doing it. Understand why people don't solve problems. Permission -- Give yourself permission to change. Make it happen.
David Posen uses real-life stories of ordinary people (including himself) and everyday situations to show why change is necessary, beneficial and achievable.

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1994

Reviews

[Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Some well balanced sound advise. Addresses the negative behavioural patterns that everyone falls into (which he simply refers to as a losing game) and what to do to snap out of it to get back to things we find fulfilling. Deals with everything from people being pleasers to those extraordinarily successful individuals with the all or nothing mentality. The brilliance of this is in its simplicity. Divides into book into 3 stages:

awareness of a problem,

understanding you have the agency and choice to tackle it,

giving yourself permission to now change this pattern. i.e taking action.

Besides the calm way he provides counsel, its organised and written in a simplified easy-to-read manner. Breaks down concepts into steps to get over the emotional blocks or dysfunctions that people may have fallen into but don’t really realise it.

Examples that everyone can relate to can include quitting smoking or similar addictive habit, sleeping on time to have more energy or even spending more time with family without feeling guilty about work.

Personally found a lot of value in this and surprised this isn’t as popular.

Quite recommendable.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second self help book I've ever read and I think it was pretty good. Life isn't fair and other people aren't going to change s it means I have to change. I don't have time to be stressed anymore and this book is subtle. The examples are achievable.

[Jonathan McCormick]

Excellent advice for many emotional and physical challenges.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first self help book I read many years ago which started my journey to figure out Me and change any patterns that weren't pro-active for my life. Dr. Posen was my physician for many years and always believed in treating the whole person, not just the physical. I moved from Oakville in 1985 and lost Him as my Doctor and to this day, still value and appreciate what He did for me.


Pamela McNally (formerly Greene/Ramsay)

[Scott Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as an assignment for a course I'm taking. I think there's some valuable stuff here but it's not a good read -- at least it wasn't for me. I think the same material could have been covered more effectively and efficiently in about half the page count. I was bothered by the constant sports references and general folksy nature of the writing -- things that probably account for the book's popularity with most people. I'll take what I can from it but I wouldn't probably recommend it.

[Swami · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome book...!!!!i may not call it a stress buster but a medium to burst out your stress..!!!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice read. Easy to follow and kept me engaged. Will definitely reference some of David’s charts and tips to change my habits.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book before and found it really helpful. Dr. Posen has much wisdom to impart and he does it in a really engaging way.