W. Timothy Gallwey

This is the third book in the "Inner Game" series that I have read.

The author is an accomplished tennis player and tennis coach. The Inner Game of Tennis was the first in the series and the first I read. It was also clear that it was the book and subject matter which was the most finely-honed regarding the "inner game method."

Next, I read the The Inner Game of Golf. Although it too was helpful and provided some insights, it was clear that the author was less comfortable in the context of show more golf rather than tennis. It was also clear that the "inner game" method, as it applied to golf, was less rigorously tested.

Now, we come to The Inner Game of Work. The author seems even further removed from his original "inner game" method, less comfortable in applying it, and, therefore less successful.

Some of the driving principals of the "inner game" are the following:
1) Each person has a Self 1 and a Self 2
2) We perform our best when we allow the Self 2 (think inner child) to perform and not let Self 1 (think overly critical coach) get in the way
3) The best way to do this is to perform in a state of nonjudgmental awareness

(This is grossly oversimplifying, but will do for the purpose of this review.)

In this book, there is some cursory discussion regarding Self 1 vs. Self 2. There is also some discussion about nonjudgmental awareness (in chapters regarding focus of attention and practice of focus), but much of the rest of the root principles of the "inner game" are obfuscated or missing when put in the practice of work.

To its credit, the book gives some ideas about how to undertake nonjudgmental awareness in your work activities by identifying important variables on which to focus; gives the reader a reminder that they should control their flow of work, not let their flow of work control them; and to remember that THEY are the CEO of their work-product and, therefore, control how to distribute the scarce resources that are inherent in any work/personal/family life.

The author determines that "mobility" is a very important aspect of happiness in one's work life. For him, mobility means the ability to change or adapt. Not exactly a new concept. Certainly not among those providing advice to people in the modern workplace.

There is also a chapter suggesting that one should redefine work. Essentially, one should realize that in addition to being paid for performing at work, they are also given the opportunity to learn and maybe even enjoy their work.

I find these two concepts (mobility and redefining work) to be a difficult re-framing of the issues presented. I would imagine that a reader who finds themselves in a job with little freedom to become "mobile" or with little opportunity to learn or enjoy their work would find that these concepts are neither very applicable nor comforting.

In all, aside from the problems I have listed below, this is not a bad read on improving one's work life. It is probably more suited to managers and others in leadership positions. As a matter of fact, I have chosen to review about four of the chapters with young, recent college graduates who work for me. While this is not a perfect book for work happiness, I hope it will get them thinking early about how to have long, happy careers and make decisions with that in mind.

*70* show less

Col Cook had this on his list of recommended books when I checked in to 8MCD in 2024. Finally got around to reading it in January 2026. Listened to it on Audible on a drive from Ft Worth to Austin for the MAC Summit. This book challenged me most as a dad and how I can change my approach with the boys in how I coach and teach them. Although the book uses tennis as the example, it was very easy to picture the lessons he was teaching in numerous other ways. Specifically for me, I pictured how I show more was teaching the boys to develop their skills in baseball. Would like to get a hard copy of this one so I can go back and reference key parts of this book to read and re-read. Definitely recommend for other coaches and dads and will probably listen to this one and read again. show less

I hadn't expected a Zen book, but here we are. This book is short and to the point, and presents a couple of very good takes on not-just-tennis. It applies at the very least to every physical activity *and* anything that works like a competition. The insights on physical activity have been immediately helpful for me in everyday life, and the thoughts on competition will do the same once I've had time to think about them for a bit. Highly recommended.

Though this book is short, I had a very hard time finishing it. Much of it is geared to orchestral players and I play a solo instrument, although I could see how some of it would apply to anyone. I couldn't get into doing any of the exercises, but his points about eliminating the interference from critical, judgy "Self 1" are well taken. Should probably have just skimmed it instead to extract the few nuggets.