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What Game Are You Playing?: A Framework for Redefining Success and Achieving What Matters Most
Rated ★★★★★ by Readers' Favorite Reviewers
It’s All a Game
From the moment we are born, others' expectations shape our behaviors, choices, and definitions of success. We build our personal and professional lives around those expectations and at some point, many of us wonder if we are on the right path. We may want to make changes, but it's difficult and we don't know how to start.
In What Game Are You Playing?, author Robin Moriarty, PhD shares her view on what being “successful” should look like, and those views will be a surprise to many. According to Moriarty, life is a game, and it is up to each individual to determine just what kind of game they want to play. The author guides readers through a process that shows them how to assess their current state and outlines the steps they need to take in order to achieve their new game and own version of success.The book enables readers to—
• Gain awareness of the way they want to live their lives
• Reframe success on their own terms
• Map out what they will need to do to get there
Through a series of examples and exercises designed as a game, Moriarty helps readers recognize—and then step away from—the expectations of others so they can define and pursue their own version of success in work and in life. Through this process of finding and designing their own games,, readers will no longer be a pawn in someone else’s.
It’s All a Game
From the moment we are born, others' expectations shape our behaviors, choices, and definitions of success. We build our personal and professional lives around those expectations and at some point, many of us wonder if we are on the right path. We may want to make changes, but it's difficult and we don't know how to start.
In What Game Are You Playing?, author Robin Moriarty, PhD shares her view on what being “successful” should look like, and those views will be a surprise to many. According to Moriarty, life is a game, and it is up to each individual to determine just what kind of game they want to play. The author guides readers through a process that shows them how to assess their current state and outlines the steps they need to take in order to achieve their new game and own version of success.The book enables readers to—
• Gain awareness of the way they want to live their lives
• Reframe success on their own terms
• Map out what they will need to do to get there
Through a series of examples and exercises designed as a game, Moriarty helps readers recognize—and then step away from—the expectations of others so they can define and pursue their own version of success in work and in life. Through this process of finding and designing their own games,, readers will no longer be a pawn in someone else’s.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2019
81 people are currently reading
1502 people want to read
About the author
Robin Moriarty
1 book17 followersRobin Moriarty, PhD, is a global business executive, professor, and writer who has lived on four continents and traveled to over 60 countries. Because of her experiences, she has been able to redefine what living a successful life means for her, which is quite different than the version of success she was raised to pursue. Robin he was invited to teach cross-cultural leadership at The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and she regularly shares her perspectives on navigating complex work and life questions with students and professionals through speaking engagements and at Gutsy.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 13, 2019
This is a quick, insightful, easy to read book. Author Robin Moriarty encourages us to redefine success and examine our expectations. After all, we are the curators of our life, so why fill it with other people’s aspirations and expectations? Once we define what personal success looks like to us, we can shift our efforts to more meaningful pursuits and be freed from the burden of living according to other’s expectations. As a person who has always marched to the beat of my own drum, pursuing primarily those things that are personally meaningful to me, this really resonated with me. Five stars.
September 22, 2019
Author Robin Moriarty poses an interesting question: How do you define success for yourself? Are you holding yourself to your own scoreboard or are you living your life based on the expectations of others? In What Game Are You Playing Robin Moriarty explains that we have been conditioned to measure our success based on what others expect of us and not what we truly want for ourselves. She then provides a framework on how to examine your own life, map out what is most important to you and how to make changes so you can live your life based on your own success measures. She provides many examples both from her own life and from others to help get the reader going. It's such a simple and profound concept.
This is a case of reading the right book at exactly the right time. I've been wanting to make some changes in my life, feeling dissatisfied with certain areas, but without really identifying why. Robin's way of gamifying how you measure self-success and the exercises provided in this book were exactly what I needed to get me thinking and help me map out a game plan to make changes starting today. I can already see this is going to be a book I reread many times. I hope others find it just as useful and impactful as I did.
I won a copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway.
This is a case of reading the right book at exactly the right time. I've been wanting to make some changes in my life, feeling dissatisfied with certain areas, but without really identifying why. Robin's way of gamifying how you measure self-success and the exercises provided in this book were exactly what I needed to get me thinking and help me map out a game plan to make changes starting today. I can already see this is going to be a book I reread many times. I hope others find it just as useful and impactful as I did.
I won a copy of this book in a GoodReads giveaway.
May 8, 2019
This is an interesting take on success and I love how the author starts with inviting the reader to redefine success, there's a moment she reflects and asks "why would I want it all? Why wouldn't I just want what I want and not what everyone says I should want?" I took a breather upon reading that because I realized that for most people success has been and always is defined by people's expectations of us. In the African set up, go to school work hard, get good grades, get a job and make your parents happy! It's always been what other people say that takes the lead and that was a moment of recollection for me.
The author explores various factors to consider in changing your game plan and it's a very interesting read, more practical from chapter 6.
I believe that this book is relevant and it also helps one to encourage young people and especially children when it comes to how we reward and punish certain behaviors.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
The author explores various factors to consider in changing your game plan and it's a very interesting read, more practical from chapter 6.
I believe that this book is relevant and it also helps one to encourage young people and especially children when it comes to how we reward and punish certain behaviors.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
September 18, 2019
5 Stars
What a great concept for a book! I was hooked from the very beginning.
I have followed brain science, neuroplasticity, NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and behavior for years in multiple self help books. I just have a thing for learning brain stuff and how we motivate ourselves for change.
The title of this book really caught my attention. What the author had to say held it in place firm and steady. This gal knows what she is talking about. I felt like I had a mind blown moment during reading this. Why am I playing other people’s games? I don’t want what they want. My game should be different. I loved how she gave her own example as how she marks travel as her measure of success. How many places can she visit in a year. No matter the number, she wins! We need to make winning in our game of life the important thing and not pushing our own wants aside to please others who probably don’t give a crap if we succeed in our goals or not.
If you are looking for a way to change your life, READ THIS! If you are really serious, do the exercises. You might discover a way to win at your own game of life!
Great stuff. Highly recommended.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
What a great concept for a book! I was hooked from the very beginning.
I have followed brain science, neuroplasticity, NLP (neuro linguistic programming) and behavior for years in multiple self help books. I just have a thing for learning brain stuff and how we motivate ourselves for change.
The title of this book really caught my attention. What the author had to say held it in place firm and steady. This gal knows what she is talking about. I felt like I had a mind blown moment during reading this. Why am I playing other people’s games? I don’t want what they want. My game should be different. I loved how she gave her own example as how she marks travel as her measure of success. How many places can she visit in a year. No matter the number, she wins! We need to make winning in our game of life the important thing and not pushing our own wants aside to please others who probably don’t give a crap if we succeed in our goals or not.
If you are looking for a way to change your life, READ THIS! If you are really serious, do the exercises. You might discover a way to win at your own game of life!
Great stuff. Highly recommended.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
August 7, 2019
It is an easy to read, clear and really practical guide. There are not many steps to do and they are pretty simple at the first glance, but if you follow them you have a good chance to discover plenty things about yourself and people around you even, or maybe especially, when you are not so very young. What made me really think was building the new hourly plan for a regular day of my life. This kicks...
The author refers to many stories from her life showing that it took a long journey to reach conclusions described in this book. Thanks to that the book radiates with true humbleness, maturity and vulnerability. There are also quite a lot of examples showing how other people went from playing somebody else's game to finding their own one. They range from very small changes/games, e.g. how to use my lunch time, up to total redesign of somebody's life. The only drawback I see, as with almost all good self-development books, is that theoretically there could be individuals who take this as an inspiration to make a serious damage to others. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth to read and give the the (work)flow a try.
The author refers to many stories from her life showing that it took a long journey to reach conclusions described in this book. Thanks to that the book radiates with true humbleness, maturity and vulnerability. There are also quite a lot of examples showing how other people went from playing somebody else's game to finding their own one. They range from very small changes/games, e.g. how to use my lunch time, up to total redesign of somebody's life. The only drawback I see, as with almost all good self-development books, is that theoretically there could be individuals who take this as an inspiration to make a serious damage to others. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth to read and give the the (work)flow a try.
January 25, 2020
*gifted in a goodreads giveaway*
This book was short and simple. A great choice for someone just starting to get into self improvement books. It was full of good information but nothing that sparked a revelation. I did enjoy that the authors voice in this book was like talking to a friend.
This book was short and simple. A great choice for someone just starting to get into self improvement books. It was full of good information but nothing that sparked a revelation. I did enjoy that the authors voice in this book was like talking to a friend.
August 24, 2019
This book is based on an interesting question that you can pose to yourself - what game are you playing?
A CEO may be earning 10 times the people who report to him but is he winning the game of life? That depends on the game you're playing. If the game is, 'who earns the most?' then yes but if the game is 'who is the most content?' then maybe no.
A lot of times, the games we play are because of the conditioning we have as regards to the games we should play. But we have the power to change the game we are playing so that our success gives us lasting joy and contentment. The author talks about these ideas and then follows it up with choosing the right game to play.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
A CEO may be earning 10 times the people who report to him but is he winning the game of life? That depends on the game you're playing. If the game is, 'who earns the most?' then yes but if the game is 'who is the most content?' then maybe no.
A lot of times, the games we play are because of the conditioning we have as regards to the games we should play. But we have the power to change the game we are playing so that our success gives us lasting joy and contentment. The author talks about these ideas and then follows it up with choosing the right game to play.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.
December 20, 2019
Got to see the author a a talk sponsored by my aliumni association. She gave a great preview to the book and I was excited to read it.
I suggest you plan to read through it once and then go back to do some of the exercises. As I read it and stopped to contemplate my answers I was feeling stuck. Then I turned the page to see Robin's example and realized I was over complicating things. By the end I realized I was already playing by my own game. But since I've been contemplating a change this book will help me map out my next game.
Great for any woman or guy who wonders if they are doing the right thing and who might need a gentle reminder that they are. Advise is somewhat common sense but we all need to be reminded of these things every now and then.
I suggest you plan to read through it once and then go back to do some of the exercises. As I read it and stopped to contemplate my answers I was feeling stuck. Then I turned the page to see Robin's example and realized I was over complicating things. By the end I realized I was already playing by my own game. But since I've been contemplating a change this book will help me map out my next game.
Great for any woman or guy who wonders if they are doing the right thing and who might need a gentle reminder that they are. Advise is somewhat common sense but we all need to be reminded of these things every now and then.
April 13, 2020
What Game Are You Playing?: A Framework for Redefining Success and Achieving What Matters Most by Robin Moriarty was very motivational! It was very easy to read but still had lots of information to learn from it! In her book she tells us how life is a game and instead of playing by society's rules you should make your own for success! I really enjoyed how in this it was less about her telling us what to do and more her giving us advice on how to reach success, whatever that success may be to each individual person. I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family!
December 3, 2019
This is a quick read concerning how are you living life in general be it work, family life friends. We have been as the author discusses condition to certain path and steps in life you know the ones you are not successful unless you have the big house, beautiful wife or smoking hot husband and 2.5 kids and trying to always surpass the Jones otherwise you cannot be considered the top of the class. But striving for this does it make you happy ? I won a copy of this book from Goodreads
March 21, 2020
A zippy guide to finding your own definition of success
I had the pleasure of seeing Robin speak to MBA students several times, so I was excited to pick up this book. She lays out a simple framework for how to figure out what you want to do, whether it’s a personal or professional aspiration, and make a game of it. Highly recommend, especially for overachievers who might be successful by conventional definitions and yet feeling a bit stuck.
I had the pleasure of seeing Robin speak to MBA students several times, so I was excited to pick up this book. She lays out a simple framework for how to figure out what you want to do, whether it’s a personal or professional aspiration, and make a game of it. Highly recommend, especially for overachievers who might be successful by conventional definitions and yet feeling a bit stuck.
June 22, 2020
Exactly
The things she describes in this book is how I have always loved my life. My life, my decisions. The encouragement to play your own game resonated so well with me. Talks about removing people from your life and defining what you think success looks like. This book felt like I was reading my life story. I loved having someone that understands and lives by their own standards.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
The things she describes in this book is how I have always loved my life. My life, my decisions. The encouragement to play your own game resonated so well with me. Talks about removing people from your life and defining what you think success looks like. This book felt like I was reading my life story. I loved having someone that understands and lives by their own standards.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
December 1, 2020
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I found that this book had some practical steps to creating a life that you enjoy for yourself, however I did not find that the content contained anything new or Earth-shattering. I also found the book to be pretty redundant at times. Robin Moriarty had some quotable lines within the book that made me stop and think, but the overarching content of the book was too common knowledge for me.
September 10, 2019
I wish I had this book 20 years ago! Early in my career, I felt less confident about the life choices I was making and wasted too much time comparing my life to others. These days, I know that the only game I need to worry about winning is my own. What Game Are You Playing is a great reminder that my life is my own, and I get to define the rules to win. Great read!
April 28, 2020
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway and the following is my honest review.
this book is great for anyone who wants more joy out of life and a creative approach for goal setting.
this book is great for anyone who wants more joy out of life and a creative approach for goal setting.
January 22, 2023
**won this book in a Goodreads giveaway**
The concept is pretty obvious but tons of people don't take the time to think about it. Including myself. This gives an interesting approach.
The concept is pretty obvious but tons of people don't take the time to think about it. Including myself. This gives an interesting approach.
Want to read
November 21, 2019I never received it!! My mistake...I don't own a kindle and didn't realize that is what I won.
November 10, 2019
Won a Kindle copy from Goodreads. This was a great, quick read and gave some good points. Really liked the questions and exercises she suggested to do to evaluate success. Definitely something worth doing and revisiting as needed.
December 27, 2019
Since I read this book I have not stopped thinking about what game I'm playing, what game you're playing, etc. I hear people talk about this in various ways. They may use a different phrase, but the people who are motivated to actually LIVE their lives, they are analyzing it. Read this book if you want to live your life to its fullest, with meaning and purpose, then once you figure out what game you are actually in it for, then go for it.
September 3, 2019
Good book IF you feel you need to make some changes
Good book if you are dissatisfied with your current lot in life and want to make a change. Makes you think about what you really want out of life and encourages you to make the changes needed to achieve your goals.
I won this book in a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Good book if you are dissatisfied with your current lot in life and want to make a change. Makes you think about what you really want out of life and encourages you to make the changes needed to achieve your goals.
I won this book in a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2019
What Game Are You Playing?: A Framework for Redefining Success and Achieving What Matters Most
by Robin Moriarty is well written and easy to follow. DI you follow your own rules and expectations ? Or do you let others make up all the rules ? This book will make you think.
I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.
by Robin Moriarty is well written and easy to follow. DI you follow your own rules and expectations ? Or do you let others make up all the rules ? This book will make you think.
I received a copy thru a Goodreads Giveaway.
October 21, 2019
I really needed the exercises in this book to help me figure out what changes I need to make.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews