In life, many of the decisions we make are more akin to playing a “Loser’s Game” rather than a “Winner’s Game.” This concept, explained by Simon Ramo in his 1999 book Extraordinary Tennis for the Ordinary Tennis Player, contrasts two types of tennis: amateur (Loser’s Game) and professional (Winner’s Game). In amateur tennis, 80% of points are lost due to unforced errors. You win by avoiding mistakes and letting your opponent make them. In professional tennis, the focus shifts: 80% of points are won by executing incredible shots. Winning is about skill, precision, and playing aggressively.

Ramo’s insight extends beyond tennis—it can be applied to many areas of life, especially in health, relationships, and career. Most of life’s challenges are actually “Loser’s Games.” In these scenarios, success doesn’t come from making dazzling moves or seeking out complex, trendy solutions. It’s about avoiding errors, sticking to the basics, and showing up consistently.

When it comes to health, for example, we often fall prey to the allure of the latest fitness or nutrition fads. Social media and celebrity endorsements fuel our desire to try the next big thing—whether it’s a trendy diet, cutting-edge workout, or the newest supplement. While some of these may offer short-term results, long-term health is built on the fundamentals: eating whole, unprocessed foods, staying active, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. These simple, reliable habits aren’t glamorous, but they consistently produce the best outcomes over time. In this case, the “Loser’s Game” is about sticking with what works and avoiding unnecessary complexity.

The problem is, as humans, we’re naturally drawn to complexity. In social settings, for instance, people often gravitate toward the person with the most exciting, complex answers—especially when discussing topics like health, investments, or personal development. If you mention that you eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly, you might be met with indifference. But if you talk about using the latest health trend or cutting-edge technology, people are more likely to engage and listen. It’s easy to get caught up in this allure of complexity and feel that the simpler, more reliable paths are somehow less impressive or less interesting.

However, the truth is, the fundamentals usually win in the long run. You don’t need to have an elaborate, complex strategy to succeed—you just need to focus on the basics, avoid mistakes, and show up consistently. In life, this often means playing the “Loser’s Game,” where you avoid unforced errors and focus on doing the simple things well.

As you approach the idea of working on your own health, it’s a good time to reflect on the game you will be playing. Are you chasing complexity and getting distracted by shiny new strategies, or are you focusing on consistency, reliability, and the fundamentals? Success in health, isn’t about making perfect moves or trying to impress others with flashy solutions. It’s about staying in the game long enough for the power of compounding to work its magic through helping you develop strong habits and practices around everyday health actions.

Play the Loser’s Game, and you’ll often end up winning in the end. The Hello Community session is designed to help you win.