SuperBetter

A revolutionary new self-help book by top flight game designer Jane McGonigal. After suffering a brain injury, Jane McGonigal came up with a game to help aid her recovery and battle the ensuing depression she experienced. Half a million people have now played this game to astonishing results: depression gone in 6 weeks in some cases and even terminal cancer patients reporting that playing the game gives them a sense of control over their own health. The book shows readers how to use these techniques to find strength and create positivity: readers can look to their own ‘power-ups’ which are little things they can do to feel better and tackle the hurdles in their own lives. This book provides simple step-by-step ideas that can be carried out in day-to-day life, helping you transform your life with a new flexible and reenergised mindset. In this book McGonigal uses her own story and those of others to expertly demonstrate how simple changes can result in dramatic life-affirming effects. And what’s more, she tells you how you yourself can lead a more “gameful” life.

Praise for Jane McGonigal: ‘A candy-crushing, genre-slaying read.’ Jennifer Senior, bestselling author of ALL JOY AND NO FUN ‘Hundreds of thousands of people have had their lives changed by Jane McGonigal’s SuperBetter program.’ Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of THE POWER OF HABIT ‘This book will make you stop and think, then get you to act.’ Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of DRIVE and A WHOLE NEW MIND ‘The facts are incontrovertible: following the SuperBetter rules makes people happier, more satisfied, less controlled by suffering, and stronger in their relationships with others. It really works.’ Amy Cuddy, associate professor at Harvard Business School and author of PRESENCE ‘Fascinating, ground-breaking.’ Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author of BETTER THAN BEFORE and THE HAPPINESS PROJECT ‘A revolutionary testament that game playing is for ANYONE who wants to change their life for the better.’ Stacy London, host What Not to Wear and author of THE TRUTH ABOUT STYLE ‘A innovative guide.’ James R. Doty, M.D., Professor of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine ‘This insightful book shows you how create the life of your dreams, using a gameful approach.’ Nilofer Merchant, CEO, Silicon Valley strategist and author of THE NEW HOW ‘Masterfully written and well researched, Superbetter is literally a game-changer.’ Marc Goodman, author of Future Crimes and Chair for Policy, Law & Ethics at Singularity University ‘SUPERBETTER is an amazing book that fuses psychology and play in an revelatory way.’ Felicia Day, creator of Geek and Sundry and author of YOU’RE NEVER WEIRD ON THE INTERNET (ALMOST) ‘SUPERBETTER delivers mind-boggling, science-supported, health-promoting knowledge and practical steps to bring more well-being into your life in a fun and engaging way.’ Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine and author of MINDSIGHT

New York Times bestselling author Jane McGonigal graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006 with a PhD in Performace Studies. She launched the self-help app SuperBetter in 2012 and has gone on to become one of the “Most Powerful Women To Watch” according to Forbes Magazine. She taught game design and game theory at UC Berkeley and the San Francisco Art Institute and is currently Director of Games & Research Development at the Institute for the Future and Teachers. She lives with her husband in San Francisco.