“The debate continues, whether it’s in business or competitive sport: How much of one’s performance is based on physical ability, and how much of one’s performance is based on mental acuity? Perhaps Yogi Berra said it best when he explained, ‘Baseball is 90 percent mental, and the other half is physical.’ From where I sit, the view’s a little different. I believe the degree to which one performs and the level of success one achieves is 100 percent mental.
Why? Because the mind is in control of the body.
This is not my opinion—it is scientifically verified by those who have studied the brain-mind complex for decades. Your brain is your software, your body the hardware. Simply put, your body does what your brain tells it to do or what your brain thinks your body is capable of doing. …
In fact, talent and experience alone will never lead to a sustained high level of performance—especially at the elite level in any given field.
The problem with this approach is that everyone is talented and has years of experience at the elite level. Who then performs the best when the advantages of talent and experience are mitigated?
The answer is simple: the person whose mind is an asset, not an obstruction. The competitive advantage at the highest level is overwhelmingly mental, not physical. I see this every day.”
~ Dr. Stan Beecham from Elite Minds
I absolutely love mental toughness books by sports psychologists and peak performance coaches.
I mean, it’s pretty much impossible *not* to be fired up after reading one of their books.
For example: If this kind of quote doesn’t make you sit up straight and pay attention to what you believe about yourself, I don’t know what will: “What you believe about yourself and your world is the primary determinant of what you do and, ultimately, how well you do it.”
One of our members recommended this book. It’s fantastic.
Stan Beecham is a sports psychologist who has worked with many of the world’s elite athletes. As per the title of the book, he tells us that it’s their MINDS that make the difference in sustained high levels of performance—creating a competitive edge and maximizing success. (Get a copy of the book here.)
As always, the book is packed with Big Ideas.
And, as always, I’m excited to share a few of my favorites we can apply to our lives TODAY, so let’s jump straight in!
P.S. Check out our collection of Notes on some of my favorites, including: How Champions Think by Bob Rotella, The Champion’s Mind by Jim Afremow, Unbeatable Mind by Mark Divine, The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler, Overachievement by Jon Eliot and Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron.
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