Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Most people have experienced pre-performance jitters, whether they come before a date, an exam or a business presentation. But rather than spend mental energy trying to quash this reaction, Eliot says, they should stay focused on the task at hand, remaining confident in their abilities in order to rise to what the subconscious recognizes as a momentous occasion. Unlike other performance enhancement guides that prescribe specific techniques, Eliot has one broad goal—”getting your mind ready to perform”—and freely admits everyone will need to find an approach to what he calls “the Trusting Mindset” based on their unique passions and commitments. He does present compelling examples from his own career as a performance consultant as well as other tales from the worlds of business and sport. When Eliot encourages readers to think like Yogi Berra, he isn’t talking about embracing paradox but about a tenacious focus on fulfilling your dreams despite “realistic” criticism from peers, and he drives the point home further by comparing Berra to Michael Dell and Virgin CEO Richard Branson. Though the hard-headedness of his approach is at odds with much conventional wisdom, his upfront conversational tone makes his advice not just palatable but convincing. Even if they don’t achieve superstar results right away, readers from all walks of life should find it easier to hone their concentration and work a little harder.
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Product Description
Were you ever advised to “just relax” before making a big speech? Or to focus on learning from your mistakes at work? In Overachievement, John Eliot, a rising star in the field of perfor-mance enhancement, says that these and many other traditional strategies are not only ineffective, but may actually hurt your ability to excel. Much of the conventional wisdom about performance enhancement—including visualization and trying to achieve “flow”—is simply wrong.
Eliot explains the latest research into why goal setting, relaxation, visualization, stress management, and flow just don’t work for most people. And he offers his own counterintuitive and unconventional concepts—“Definitely Put All Your Eggs in One Basket,” “Think Like a Squirrel,” and “Butterflies Are a Good Thing”—that will not only make you better at what you do but will also teach you to thrive on pressure, not just endure it.
Overachievement is based on Eliot’s cutting-edge work with clients such as Merrill Lynch, Olympic athletes, top surgeons at the Texas Medical Center, and musicians like Dave Matthews. Mixing scientific insights with real-world stories of people who achieved more than they ever thought possible, this powerful book will help readers achieve consistent success on the job, on the playing field, or in any stressful situation.
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