Rigging the Game: How to Achieve Financial Certainty, Navigate Risk and Make Money on Your Own Terms

by Dan Nicholson

Why do some always seem to win while others always seem to fail? And why do others win and then fail to maintain their spot at the top? Is it luck? Not to spoil the contents of this book, but no...it isn't. To see consistent success in your own business, you're going to have to turn the magnifying glass on yourself. Because the fact is, nothing you do-no action you take, no strategic financial decision you make-matters if it doesn't bring you closer to the things you really want. So how do you ensure that you can ultimately reach (and fund) your priorities? Rigging the Game is here to help you create and follow a path to the things you truly value, whatever they may be, and eliminate the risk and financial uncertainty that commonly plague business owners every single day. In this book, serial entrepreneur Dan Nicholson delves into tips and strategies that can help entrepreneurs get what they want, including how -Identify biases to evolve beyond them -Turn big goals into actionable steps and checklists -Replace financial anxiety with financial certainty -Beat the odds by playing their own game And much more. As much a rallying cry as a guide to success, Rigging the Game teaches entrepreneurs how unconventional thinking can transform their lives and finances for the better-especially when the competition is stuck in the old ways.

Genres: Business

214 pages, Hardcover

Published October 14, 2022

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The message of this book is pretty simple: Stop playing other people's games, figure out the game YOU'RE playing, and then... rig YOUR game in YOUR favor.

To do this, Nicholson offers a number of commandments, frames, issue processors, lenses, and tools to help reorient you and take the necessary actions to get closer to what you really want out of life, what Nicholson calls "The Solvable Problem."

What I liked:

Nicholson's methodical approach and his lists of analytical tools are especially helpful for evaluating what you're currently doing in business as well as things you're considering doing.

For example, the first commandment of financial certainty is "Closer Over More: Every action we take needs to get us closer to what actually matters to us." Simple but profound since most of us default to "more" in our day-to-day thinking.

This book is one that you can flip forward and backward to review and digest all the nuggets of info. For this reason, I'd suggest a paper copy.

What I didn't like:

The book starts a little bit slow. And Nicholson includes the usual tripe about successful famous people like Oprah and Bill Gates. You know why Oprah is successful? Because [insert lame one sentence explanation]. Or Bill Gates? [Insert lame one sentence explanation.]

Anyway, all the good stuff comes after the first couple of chapters.

Verdict:

Definitely worth reading simply to have new ways of processing information and making decisions that have low risk and high upside.

[Greg Esman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks to you in a way that just feels right. What was taught, for me, was new information, but the feelings I got while reading the book were "This makes sense. It feels right". The concepts taught in this book do not require hours and hours put into them to understand how they work. Instead, once you read them, you can pretty much immediately put them to use. So much so that if you were to skim through the book and just pick up one or two concepts, you would be able to immediately put them to use and feel the impact they created.

I have started to implement the concepts I've read from this book and I am already feeling that the actions I am taking today are different than what I would have taken otherwise. To me, this is a success, and makes me even more excited to dive back into the book and find ways to implement the other concepts being taught.

Highly recommended read.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Nicholson is a winner and is eager to share his secret to success with others. More importantly to me, Nicholson is also a rationalist with a strong affinity for solutions that make sense for everyone, and he includes concrete action plans that can be tailored and executed according to personal goals. Rigging the Game has several important points, including abolishing the idea that a “success mindset” determines your outcome. Chapter 8, “Certainty Commandment 4: Business Decisions should have Asymmetric Upside,” completely changed how I evaluate “acceptable risk.” Nicholson’s advice isn't necessarily revolutionary, but his communication method has a unique resonance. I plan to revisit Rigging the Game often and encourage others to try it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, love the title, I feel it is very catchy to any audience. Rigging the Game is a book I would recommend as it drops some gems throughout, be it his own tools that help or quotes from other successful people. One of the most valuable things Dan Nicholson said was he had to unlearn things and that contributed significantly to his success. I loved the fact that he gave tools he personally uses to keep progressing such as to write a quarterly “archaeological dig” to figure out your own gaps. I would definitely recommend this book especially if you are trying to increase revenue without losing your soul.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!
I have read this book multiple times, organized a study group in which all participants gained significant value by listening to how each person was able to implement t and utilize their toolkit, the certainty commandments, the individual operating systems, while understanding their solveable problem and learning how to close the gap and to get closer to what they personally want for themselves and their families.
Each time I read the book I gain deeper insights and learn something new.
Implementation is key!

[Harout Markarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book and I encourage everyone to read it because in my opinion this book will stand the test of time. Rigging the Game is all about playing your game. it talks about incorporating systems to filter our actions so that we don't end up shooting ourselves in the foot. These systems will help avoid leaning on our hardwired biases when making decision. The author did a great job showing how our biases impact our decisions and highlights 4 commandments for financial certainty. Great read!

[Marna Distaffen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will help you define what business success looks like for you and will help you find that success. Since there is no single blueprint for success for everyone, you will learn how to define what success looks like on your business and how to streamline your business to increase revenue. The author provides an easy to navigate step by step operating system to help you in your business. The book is broken down into five parts with specific steps and processes in each part that will guide you in the process.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes the mystery out of being able to live the life you want as an entrepreneur. It doesn't just provide a prescribed plan with steps that only work for some. Rather, it offers ways that you can develop your own personal blueprint that you can adjust as you grow. Some of the math references may scare you off. Dont let it. Things are broken down so well that you will not notice. It's logical, practical, and filled with resources.

[Divyesh Sheth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a practical guide for small business owners on how to be successful and build financial security. Author rightly points out that VC funded internet companies are exceptions and not the norm. He lays out steps to identify one's biases and using them to one's advantage, create an actionable plan and how to achieve your goals while being financially prudent.

[Mike Alden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up poor I never understood how the rich get rich. In fact it was so esoteric and confusing to me I never really understood it. Having generated hundreds of millions I also didn’t know how to keep it. Dan’s book shows you how to level the playing field. The game is already rigged. You just need to learn how to play.

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book is a good wake up call, to stop generically pursuing more and decide what you really want. The second half has some strong tools to get your business finances aligned with your goals.

It's explicitly written for businesses who make 7 figures in revenue, so you may have to translate it a bit if you're not that size.

[Kim Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even as a business book, it’s an easy, engaging read. The book gives helpful insights for businesses and for life in general. I appreciated the author’s humor throughout.

[Tracy Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will change the way you think about both your business and personal finances. This book will help you turn thing around. Easy to understand concepts thanks to this authors well written guide to help you achieve your goals

[Brooke Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rigging the Game translates in to many more areas of life than just business. Provides many different ways to "rig your own game" and rethink and change your mindset on how to "win" by being yourself and without risking it all.

[Chloe Obermeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possessing the knowledge of an academic text while remaining relatable through an autobiographical perspective. This work provides well thought out financial tips that resonate with the reader and aids them against second guessing.

[Emily Catford · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple isn’t always easy

Dan goes through a number of steps for entrepreneurs to build a business on their terms… by asking why and compiling the data, better isn’t always more. Good read, and didn’t get too technical in the financials

[RubiesReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a clear direct way to help entrepreneurs. Yes, everyone is unique, and that is addressed since “it depends” is a real thing. Would recommend if needing to move your business forward.

[Trey Carmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan's book Rigging the Game plays a significant role in how I operate and make decisions.

[Hephaestus Global · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan nicholson created something special with this book.

[Stephen Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rigging the game with have you getting closer to the things you really want over simply seeking more

[Sam Del Rosario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Very analytical in nature and definitely written by an accountant. Great principles and I’m exploring his websites.

[Minh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 star
I picked up this book because of a catchy title in Vietnamese and nearly dropped at 20%.
Though the book offers some insight, I find the writing a bit boring and lack of examples.