As a Transformational & Intentional Creativity Life Coach, I am a fan of self-help books.  Many are full of very insightful perspectives and insights that have shifted my thinking, and some have truly been a catalyst for significant healing in my life. And I’m not alone. It’s estimated that the self-help industry will reach $14 billion by 2025.  Despite my being a fan of self-help books, there is one thing that gnaws at me about many of them. Many of them overlook that we’re not all the same. They give cookie-cutter solutions versus giving tools or recommendations based on understanding who we are as individuals (i.e., what’s good for the goose is NOT always good for the gander). One book that I feel breaks this pattern is Dr. Taylor Hartman’s Playing Life to Win – A Game Plan for Self-Development (a wonderful companion to the book The People Code: It’s All About Your Innate Motive). Playing Life to Win is a personal development workbook that leverages the game of baseball as a metaphor for the game of life. It’s an easy read and an outstanding tool for personal self-development. 

4 reasons I like and recommend the book Playing Life to Win:

1. Its underlying theme is living life with greater intention. You can either be a spectator of the game, be a passive player of the game (I call this autopilot), or strategically play to win (I call it living intentionally). 

For example: Joe (a Color Code Yellow motivated by fun) has intentions to get fit in 2022, but so far, his behavior continues to be unhealthy eating. He is a couch potato five out of the seven days of the week.  He’s not living intentionally – or playing to win. 

1. The strategies for playing the game of life are customized by you (the reader) with your Color Code Driving Core Motive in mind and includes chapter inquiries and exercises.

For example: Joe’s reason for not living intentionally probably has to do with him following a fitness program that doesn’t align with his Driving Core Motive of fun. When Joe realizes he is driven by fun, he can define physical activity that is fun and feeds his need for socialization. A Color Code White personality would prefer to workout alone and go at their own pace. 

1. It’s a reminder that the game of life is not a solo proposition. The book asks, “Who is in your dug-out?” The translation: Are you surrounding yourself with people you trust and will provide candor on how you’re playing the game? I often share the Einstein quote, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” We all tend to approach life and our problems with the same thinking and behavior. Unfortunately, that certain way of thinking and behavior is often at the root of recurring problems. Until we change our thinking and behavior, we will continue to repeat it. Having trusted “tell it like it is” friends can give you direct observation of your thinking and behavior patterns that are getting in the way of you achieving the goals you have and ultimately living the life you want to live. 

For Example: Joe has tried to lose weight several times and failed, but this time he has a buddy, Chris (a Color Code Blue personality) who has observed Joe’s fitness ups and downs and will give Joe grounded insights by being sensitive to Joe’s feelings (tough love).

1. The numerous wake-up calls — this book hits hard on truth and responsibility. Two phrases he uses that jumped out for me are, “How honestly you align with truth determines whether or not you’ll get to second base (Dr. Hartman calls second base, “Getting Over Yourself”). And, “You are the reason life does/does not work.”

For Example: Joe’s previous attempts at weight loss: he blamed the personal trainer and another time he just could not find the time needed to make a difference. Yes, he could have very well had a bad personal trainer, but that’s not the complete truth, is it?  Joe used that as an excuse to stop working out. He gave up versus taking responsibility. He could have found another personal trainer or a different solution. Joe’s choices are the reason he’s not achieving his fitness and weight loss goals.

If you’ve already immersed yourself in The People Code and know your Driving Core Motive, strengths and limitations, wants and needs, and are looking to go deeper into your exploration of self-awareness, this book is perfect for you.    

Remember, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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Kami Pollvogt is a Certified Color Code Trainer and Transformational Life Coach. She is the founder of Change by Design – a creative personal and professional development company that seeks to teach others how to design their life with a greater awareness of self, purpose, and intention. She frequently partners with coaches in the Phoenix metropolitan area to bring Color Code and Intentional Creativity® to personal and professional development workshops.