SuperBetter: A Revolutionary Approach to Getting Stronger, Happier, Braver and More Resilient - Powered by the Science of Games

I saw a TED talk, years ago, and wondered what became of SuperBetter — well, here it is, all grown up & ready to give me leverage on life!

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I've watched Jane McGonigal's TED talks, read  Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World  and installed the "Super Better" app on my various phones. But until I started reading Super Better, I didn't "get" the power of the concepts contained in the process.The writing is easy to read, and the use of the "quests" in the middle of the book make me excited to continue reading. My first experience was when reading the book on a bus and being challenged to complete the first 4 quests in the next 5 minutes. How do you strike a power pose in the morning rush on a bus without being "the strange man" who people avoid? I summoned my gaming knowledge and decided to be a ninja super better hero, finding the subtle and hidden ways to achieve the quests while blending into my surroundings. Suddenly I was doing things I'd never do, seeing thing's I'd never see, and experiencing my commute in a new way.I continually am sending snapshots of paragraphs to friends and family who need to hear the truth behind being "gameful" in life. Friends who have been mocked for playing games, or who have thought less of themselves because they play them. Seeing the benefit in applying a gameful mindset to life is inspiring me to do more, and read more.The explanations are so natural and easy to follow, that I'm looking forward to becoming more than just better - I'm looking forward to becoming "Super Better".

I feel that McGonigal was one of the first to 'gamify' things and the last to get credit, as a massive influx of yuppie bros decided to do the same. Anyway, Mary Poppins was not wrong - the principle demonstrated here as we make jobs into challenging games, goals into 'leveled' steps, and remind ourselves to support ourselves with regular refueling/checking in with our support system. What I like about this is the feel of compassion and encouragement every step of the way. She developed this through recovering from a serious head injury - can't think of a more miserable situation - and was able to mentor herself like a cool Khadgar. It's good for dealing with chronic pain or elder care as a series of a million little accomplishments. If you gotta grind, may as well do it for rep - in this case, your own self efficacy and self esteem.

VERY useful, in-depth break down of why games work and how to use them.I personally have used the Superbetter app on and off for a couple of years, and it has been a great experience - helped get me through some of the toughest times in my work.From there, I've experimented with a bunch of different ways to approach my life in a 'gameful' way - with some great results. The resilience that superbetter - and the 'gameful mindset' Jane McGonigal discusses in her book - gave me was one of the key elements in getting me through some really difficult transitions in my life and in my work.I'm in my mid-20's, played a lot of games as a kid, but I've hardly touched anything more than Portal in about 5 years. The concepts outlined in Superbetter have brought back some of the stuff I used to love about games, but now with a lot more meaning (because the game is my life - and not a complex monstrosity of an adventure video game that I might not want to commit 50 hours of gameplay to).I'll definitely be getting my friends into the book and game.

This book is such a powerful and effective resource, it's hard to do it justice in a review. For almost every important life challenge or self improvement need, it has a tested to work and unusually effective stragegy to deal with it. The author, a game designer, used a technique to overcome the severe and continous pain from a bad concussion from a car accident. The she built a tool kit of as effective ways to not just get better; but SuperBetter. I've tried many things to overcome hard to fix problems and deal with threats beyond my resources. Few of them have worked or worked well. I've been using her method since I got her book almost 4 weeks ago. The results have been truly miraculous. It's as if I have a sci fi kit now with lightning bolts in it!

This book by far is the best book of the year and I read a lot of good books. I didn't want it to end.Why is it the best book ?I have used some of the technique (secret identity to motivate me to work out) identified bad guys( illnesses, loss of job ,PTSD) for me the bad guy is my comfort zone and my risk aversion.And use your resources to defeat them(using power up and allies). Is well written and easy to follow, I loved the stories and the importance of the quests.I love that because of her personal tragedy, she personalized it.I never thought playing a game could change people lives. The game you choose will stressed you, challenge you and because of it - you will grow, improve your psychological flexibility-the confidence of knowing that you have the ability and confidence to resolve your problems .

I loved reading this and it was done really well. The book is very easy to follow and has clear psychological concepts that are excellent for building up your mental health and being vibrant. Great story and psychological distinctions about an extraordinary Psychologist. I highly recommend for Gamers, NLP people or anyone who's trying to SHIFT their Way of Beingness or Be Healthy. It's for people who are trying to fight off depression or anything in life to live on the next level.

Me gustó especialmente su filosofía de la vida es juego y el vocabulario lúdico que propone que lo cambia todo. Las propuestas prácticas que hace están basadas en artículos científicos y en experiencias propias y de miles de personas, una combinación que hace la lectura estimulante y cercana. Por momentos se me hizo demasiada información pero creo que le sacaré todo su partido en que lo vuelva a leer.Felicidades a la autora !!!!

L’argomento, l’approccio e lo stile di scrittura, chiaro e scorrevole nonostante sia obiettivamente un librone (grande di formato e piccolo di carattere, c’è di che leggere!), fanno di questo un testo interessantissimo e con molto spunti. Scritto con solide basi scientifiche (la bibliografia è immensa!) e intervallato da curiose “quest” da portare a termine, è un libro da regalarsi e da regalare. Consigliato, assolutamente!

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Very interesting ideas, research and experience of the author. My warm recommendation

Antes de este libro entendía los juegos como una evasión y, en cierto modo, una forma de perder el tiempo. Ahora, gracias a Jane, todo ha cambiado. Este libro explica porque los juegos son una herramienta muy potente, no solo en situaciones médicas sino, sobre todo, en la vida diaria.Lo que, a veces, desde una cierta perspectiva es dificil o imposible, desde otra perspectiva es fácil, realizable, incluso en ocasiones, inevitable. Cambiar a la perspectiva de los juegos en nuestra vida diaria nos dá ese punto de optimismo y confianza necesarios para recuperar el control de nuestra propia vida, incluso cuando parece que todo esta en contra.Fantástico libro y denso, que hay que leer varias veces para extraer todo lo que puede dar. Y, por supuesto, pasar a la acción, sin la cual nada sirve. Y fantástica la labor de Jane, documentando exhaustiva y rigurosamente el sistema SuperBetter.¡Libro imprescindible!