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Secrets of the World Class
Steve Siebold is a "world class" guy who has written a "world class" book about how to turn mediocrity into greatness. Here's what he had to say: "Starting in 1984, I spent every free moment conducting interviews with champions, reading their books and studying everything I could get my hands on about psychology of peak performance. My friends said I was obsessed. They were right. This book is the result of my 20-year obsession."
Steve is an internationally recognized expert in the field of peak performance and mental toughness. He's spoken to many Fortune 500 companies and other companies around the world. Also, he was recently on the Larry King show and the Today Show sharing what he has learned in his search for the keys to greatness.
Here's a small sampling from 27 highly motivational chapters: * Champions are driven by emotional motivators * The great ones chose discipline over pleasure * Middle class vs. world class * The great ones believe they cannot fail...they can only learn and grow * The great ones take responsibility * Champions have an immense capacity for world class concentration * Common sense is the foundation of high performance * The great ones make the complicated simple * Champions are driven by a world class belief system
"If you're totally satisfied with your life, don't bother to read this book. However, if you wish to be more than you are...if you wish to be great at what you do, this book can change your thinking...thus, your life!" Mac Anderson Founder, Simple Truths
Steve is an internationally recognized expert in the field of peak performance and mental toughness. He's spoken to many Fortune 500 companies and other companies around the world. Also, he was recently on the Larry King show and the Today Show sharing what he has learned in his search for the keys to greatness.
Here's a small sampling from 27 highly motivational chapters: * Champions are driven by emotional motivators * The great ones chose discipline over pleasure * Middle class vs. world class * The great ones believe they cannot fail...they can only learn and grow * The great ones take responsibility * Champions have an immense capacity for world class concentration * Common sense is the foundation of high performance * The great ones make the complicated simple * Champions are driven by a world class belief system
"If you're totally satisfied with your life, don't bother to read this book. However, if you wish to be more than you are...if you wish to be great at what you do, this book can change your thinking...thus, your life!" Mac Anderson Founder, Simple Truths
110 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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231 people want to read
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December 18, 2017
Jolts you awake. Sums up his previous books so forcefully that I took a month off discovering I lack the maturity to apply what the 1% bravely do. To every Michael Jordan and Shahrukh Khan out there: Mad respect for your joie de vivre.
Notes:
------------
“World class wealth begins with world class thinking.”
“Champions have an immense capacity for sustained concentration… and blocking out anything or anyone who threatens that focus.”
“World class leaders know the secret to motivating themselves and others is discovering what they will fight for when the going gets tough… Since the masses lack this mental clarity, and have no reason to suffer, they quit as soon as the pain kicks in.”
“Champions program their subconscious mind to believe their visions, dreams and ideas are truths… If you change the meaning of the event, you automatically change the way the brain responds. Meanings are truths which can be altered. This gives world-class performers ultimate control over their lives.”
“We have to live today by what truth we can get today, and be ready tomorrow to call it falsehood.” - William James
“Average people have a world view that says being comfortable with who and where they are in life is the key to happiness. The great ones have a world view that says happiness is learning, growing and becoming… You’re either growing or dying. Stagnation does not exist in the universe.”
“Everyone is running and operating their lives at their current level of conscious awareness.” - Carlos Miranda
“Champions develop world class beliefs long before they become champions… perfecting their competencies until other people label them 'champion'. Not swayed by amateur opinion, they push forward aggressively.”
“When professional performers set a big goal, they are expecting a fight, and their past experience has preconditioned their mind for battle… They err on the side of over-practicing and over-preparing.”
“Champions believe if you remove the adversity, you remove the victory. While average people choose the path of least resistance… the great ones continue to push themselves mentally and physically to the point of exhaustion. Only then will you see them in rest and recovery situations.”
“Train yourself to see the good in adversity, and your fear of future challenges will dissipate.”
“When average performers have had enough for the day and call it quits, champions are usually just getting started.”
“Discipline… it’s the ability to stay the course and complete promises you’ve made. The fulfillment of these promises builds confidence and self-esteem, which eventually leads champions to believe anything is possible. It’s a habit and self-fulfilling prophecy built into one… The world class sees it as the ultimate power-tool to performance.”
“Generally speaking, the higher the leadership position, the greater and deeper the leader’s self-trust must be.”
“You’ve got to set a time-table and act.” - Lee Iacocca
“Creativity and fear cannot co-exist… Fear and scarcity have no place at this level of thinking… The most powerful belief performers operating at this level possess is that they cannot fail. They can only learn and grow. With their potential in front and their fear behind them, champions are able to move beyond the boundaries of competition and create what the masses believe is impossible.”
“Creative people rarely need to be motivated. They have their own inner drive that refuses to be bored. They refuse to be complacent. They live on the edge, which is precisely what is needed to be successful…” - Donald Trump
“Professional performers attempt so many things over the course of their lifetimes that their mental growth rates are staggering compared to the masses.”
“While amateurs avoid risk at any cost, the great ones are always looking for opportunities. They are willing to fail their way to success… This belief makes pros very dangerous performers.”
“Champions have programmed themselves to disengage the fear and move full-speed ahead. The middle and lower class are amateurs at failing. They are so afraid of it, they only attempt goals they know they can reach.”
“World class people are not more generous. They simply believe they’ll never run out of resources, and that the world operates from total abundance. Giving is easy when you believe the source of supply is unlimited… and attracts more.”
“The great ones always expect to win, regardless of what they’re up against.”
“The advantage of programming is that it is guaranteed to happen, whereas experience may or may not occur.”
“All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen.” - J.F. Park
“Middle class performers operate like there is an endless amount of time in life... The world class is extremely sensitive to time... The present moment is all any of us have... The only time amateur performers develop a sense of urgency is toward the end the day, week, or before they go on vacation… Don’t hesitate. Pursue your dream boldly and fearlessly. It may be later than you think.”
Class Hacks :
-----------
“The middle class competes. The world class creates.”
“The middle class sacrifices growth for safety. The world class sacrifices safety for growth.”
“The middle class is frustrated. The world class is grateful.”
“The middle class is boastful. The world class is humble.”
“The middle class believes its vision only when it sees it. The world class knows it will see its vision when it believes it.”
“The middle class believes problem-solving stems from knowledge. The world class believes problem-solving stems from will.”
“Middle-class consciousness is what most of us are born into. World-class consciousness is what’s possible.”
.
Notes:
------------
“World class wealth begins with world class thinking.”
“Champions have an immense capacity for sustained concentration… and blocking out anything or anyone who threatens that focus.”
“World class leaders know the secret to motivating themselves and others is discovering what they will fight for when the going gets tough… Since the masses lack this mental clarity, and have no reason to suffer, they quit as soon as the pain kicks in.”
“Champions program their subconscious mind to believe their visions, dreams and ideas are truths… If you change the meaning of the event, you automatically change the way the brain responds. Meanings are truths which can be altered. This gives world-class performers ultimate control over their lives.”
“We have to live today by what truth we can get today, and be ready tomorrow to call it falsehood.” - William James
“Average people have a world view that says being comfortable with who and where they are in life is the key to happiness. The great ones have a world view that says happiness is learning, growing and becoming… You’re either growing or dying. Stagnation does not exist in the universe.”
“Everyone is running and operating their lives at their current level of conscious awareness.” - Carlos Miranda
“Champions develop world class beliefs long before they become champions… perfecting their competencies until other people label them 'champion'. Not swayed by amateur opinion, they push forward aggressively.”
“When professional performers set a big goal, they are expecting a fight, and their past experience has preconditioned their mind for battle… They err on the side of over-practicing and over-preparing.”
“Champions believe if you remove the adversity, you remove the victory. While average people choose the path of least resistance… the great ones continue to push themselves mentally and physically to the point of exhaustion. Only then will you see them in rest and recovery situations.”
“Train yourself to see the good in adversity, and your fear of future challenges will dissipate.”
“When average performers have had enough for the day and call it quits, champions are usually just getting started.”
“Discipline… it’s the ability to stay the course and complete promises you’ve made. The fulfillment of these promises builds confidence and self-esteem, which eventually leads champions to believe anything is possible. It’s a habit and self-fulfilling prophecy built into one… The world class sees it as the ultimate power-tool to performance.”
“Generally speaking, the higher the leadership position, the greater and deeper the leader’s self-trust must be.”
“You’ve got to set a time-table and act.” - Lee Iacocca
“Creativity and fear cannot co-exist… Fear and scarcity have no place at this level of thinking… The most powerful belief performers operating at this level possess is that they cannot fail. They can only learn and grow. With their potential in front and their fear behind them, champions are able to move beyond the boundaries of competition and create what the masses believe is impossible.”
“Creative people rarely need to be motivated. They have their own inner drive that refuses to be bored. They refuse to be complacent. They live on the edge, which is precisely what is needed to be successful…” - Donald Trump
“Professional performers attempt so many things over the course of their lifetimes that their mental growth rates are staggering compared to the masses.”
“While amateurs avoid risk at any cost, the great ones are always looking for opportunities. They are willing to fail their way to success… This belief makes pros very dangerous performers.”
“Champions have programmed themselves to disengage the fear and move full-speed ahead. The middle and lower class are amateurs at failing. They are so afraid of it, they only attempt goals they know they can reach.”
“World class people are not more generous. They simply believe they’ll never run out of resources, and that the world operates from total abundance. Giving is easy when you believe the source of supply is unlimited… and attracts more.”
“The great ones always expect to win, regardless of what they’re up against.”
“The advantage of programming is that it is guaranteed to happen, whereas experience may or may not occur.”
“All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen.” - J.F. Park
“Middle class performers operate like there is an endless amount of time in life... The world class is extremely sensitive to time... The present moment is all any of us have... The only time amateur performers develop a sense of urgency is toward the end the day, week, or before they go on vacation… Don’t hesitate. Pursue your dream boldly and fearlessly. It may be later than you think.”
Class Hacks :
-----------
“The middle class competes. The world class creates.”
“The middle class sacrifices growth for safety. The world class sacrifices safety for growth.”
“The middle class is frustrated. The world class is grateful.”
“The middle class is boastful. The world class is humble.”
“The middle class believes its vision only when it sees it. The world class knows it will see its vision when it believes it.”
“The middle class believes problem-solving stems from knowledge. The world class believes problem-solving stems from will.”
“Middle-class consciousness is what most of us are born into. World-class consciousness is what’s possible.”
.
August 21, 2020
This book is about ridiculing the middle class consciousness, which inherently prevents them from ascending to the world class, a.k.a the exuberantly wealthy. The supposed purpose of this book is to change the way the 'masses' think about wealth and giving them the tools to alter their behaviour to achieve it. That is far from what this book actually provides.
This book reads like a pompous exercise of a wannabe philosopher. Siebold uses statements as facts and the statements are half-baked at best. This book tries hard at selling its "how to become great" message, but it fails spectacularly. Siebold doesn't provide examples of great people, or how to become one, rather he obfuscates by trying to kill the art of writing by throwing buzzwords around to try and confuse you to the point.
The writing is bad, like very bad . Please refer to the garbage I have provided in the quote:
Like, what is this? What is he trying to even say? I'm more confused by the absolute lack of context in the preceding text. It's the prefect combination of bad writing, amateur philosophy and the use of buzzwords to confuse you, all rolled into one.
At a certain point, Siebold just becomes a middle-class basher and a 1% suck-up. He goes as far to state, as a fact, that the status of those in the middle/working class is a result of a mental failing-- they have not been able to think their way to prosperity because they lack the imagination and ability to do so. He never, even once, addresses the socio-economic issues that may prevent someone from moving up social classes. I understand the purpose of this book is to denigrate the people outside of the 'world class' to change their behaviour, but it comes off as very tasteless.
"Remember, they prefer to operate in a state of mild delusion" he says referring to the middle-class. It seems Steve Siebold was in a state of mild delusion when he wrote this book.
If there was one word I think could describe this book it would be: yikes
This book reads like a pompous exercise of a wannabe philosopher. Siebold uses statements as facts and the statements are half-baked at best. This book tries hard at selling its "how to become great" message, but it fails spectacularly. Siebold doesn't provide examples of great people, or how to become one, rather he obfuscates by trying to kill the art of writing by throwing buzzwords around to try and confuse you to the point.
The writing is bad, like very bad . Please refer to the garbage I have provided in the quote:
" The secular philosophy is that performers are able to access more of their brains when they are operating in this altered state of consciousness. The spiritual philosophy says that performers have raised their rates of vibration to the same frequency as the force that created the universe. While champions' belief in the source of power varies, they all know that the process begins with emotional motivation"
Like, what is this? What is he trying to even say? I'm more confused by the absolute lack of context in the preceding text. It's the prefect combination of bad writing, amateur philosophy and the use of buzzwords to confuse you, all rolled into one.
At a certain point, Siebold just becomes a middle-class basher and a 1% suck-up. He goes as far to state, as a fact, that the status of those in the middle/working class is a result of a mental failing-- they have not been able to think their way to prosperity because they lack the imagination and ability to do so. He never, even once, addresses the socio-economic issues that may prevent someone from moving up social classes. I understand the purpose of this book is to denigrate the people outside of the 'world class' to change their behaviour, but it comes off as very tasteless.
"Remember, they prefer to operate in a state of mild delusion" he says referring to the middle-class. It seems Steve Siebold was in a state of mild delusion when he wrote this book.
If there was one word I think could describe this book it would be: yikes
May 7, 2023
One of those books that just confirms to me that I am on the right path and in the right mindset.
December 26, 2022
Not my kind of book. If you are a person that believes in competition and you're constantly thinking of winners and losers and you need to crush those losers to achieve your personal goals and define yourself, then this may be your book and should stop reading here.
The book starts with the subtitle: "Turning Mediocrity into Greatness". Right off the bat, we're faced with the dilemma of a fundamentally insecure, yet pretending to be secure, view, that says "we must strive because we're not good enough" and if we do, we'll become part of the world class.
The whole idea of separating the world between winners and losers and defining yourself, by how you fare against others is a sure precursor of narcissism. And the book is peppered constantly, in every paragraph, with mentions to these "factual" distinctions:
"The masses ... Champions...Average performers...the great ones...champions" -- and I am looking just at one page - 14 in this case.
"The middle class ... the world class...the great ones... true genius...Amateurs...Amateurs...great business leaders...Champions" - looking at page 94.
If you add up all these mentions and their surrounding stage setting, the book contents would shrink significantly.
Paradoxically, there are a bunch of good points, but they are shot as directives as "Champions DO this", with no backing evidence or support of any kind, just the "trust me because I have been doing this for 20 years" that the author mentions at the beginning. It is thus difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Examples are:
Page 18: "The great managers and leaders of the future will know more about their people than ever before. They'll know their emotional hot buttons as well as the essence that makes them tick" - ok.
Page 14: "The great ones know the conscious mind functions most effectively on fact, while the subconscious can be programmed with truth. Since the subconscious is unable to make the distinction between fact and truth" -- ??? Hmmm... really? The subconscious is so simple? No need to read many books then.
Page 22: "School is never out for champions. The more they learn, the more they realize how much they don't know" -- ok, but any thinking person, with a growth attitude has similar conclusions.
All in all, this book seems pretty bad and mostly because it starts from the wrong premise: Comparing yourself to others and defining yourself based on that. If you were able to remove that and switch it to a book of comparing yourself to yourself, it would be more valuable. For example, on pages 42, 43 a topic titled "World class vs middle-class" there's a whole list of compared behaviors Bad (middle class) vs good (world class). The list is good, but would be much better if would have been worded as "MY" possible good/better behaviors.
I think there are much better books that get you much farther with more lasting effects to achieve your goals and are not constantly harping that you should compare yourself to others (thus putting them down) which is unnecessary. just to name a couple:
- The compound effect -- If all you want is to get better habits that will cause growth overtime.
- The Silva Mind Control Method -- if you fancy focused meditation.
- The Code of the Extraordinary Mind -- if you are willing to question everything in your quest for growth.
The book starts with the subtitle: "Turning Mediocrity into Greatness". Right off the bat, we're faced with the dilemma of a fundamentally insecure, yet pretending to be secure, view, that says "we must strive because we're not good enough" and if we do, we'll become part of the world class.
The whole idea of separating the world between winners and losers and defining yourself, by how you fare against others is a sure precursor of narcissism. And the book is peppered constantly, in every paragraph, with mentions to these "factual" distinctions:
"The masses ... Champions...Average performers...the great ones...champions" -- and I am looking just at one page - 14 in this case.
"The middle class ... the world class...the great ones... true genius...Amateurs...Amateurs...great business leaders...Champions" - looking at page 94.
If you add up all these mentions and their surrounding stage setting, the book contents would shrink significantly.
Paradoxically, there are a bunch of good points, but they are shot as directives as "Champions DO this", with no backing evidence or support of any kind, just the "trust me because I have been doing this for 20 years" that the author mentions at the beginning. It is thus difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Examples are:
Page 18: "The great managers and leaders of the future will know more about their people than ever before. They'll know their emotional hot buttons as well as the essence that makes them tick" - ok.
Page 14: "The great ones know the conscious mind functions most effectively on fact, while the subconscious can be programmed with truth. Since the subconscious is unable to make the distinction between fact and truth" -- ??? Hmmm... really? The subconscious is so simple? No need to read many books then.
Page 22: "School is never out for champions. The more they learn, the more they realize how much they don't know" -- ok, but any thinking person, with a growth attitude has similar conclusions.
All in all, this book seems pretty bad and mostly because it starts from the wrong premise: Comparing yourself to others and defining yourself based on that. If you were able to remove that and switch it to a book of comparing yourself to yourself, it would be more valuable. For example, on pages 42, 43 a topic titled "World class vs middle-class" there's a whole list of compared behaviors Bad (middle class) vs good (world class). The list is good, but would be much better if would have been worded as "MY" possible good/better behaviors.
I think there are much better books that get you much farther with more lasting effects to achieve your goals and are not constantly harping that you should compare yourself to others (thus putting them down) which is unnecessary. just to name a couple:
- The compound effect -- If all you want is to get better habits that will cause growth overtime.
- The Silva Mind Control Method -- if you fancy focused meditation.
- The Code of the Extraordinary Mind -- if you are willing to question everything in your quest for growth.
July 31, 2023
Don't judge a book by the amount of pages!!! This little book was powerful!! I am so glad I read this.
It will make me continue to work on being the best version of ME!!! I am my own competition.
This book is all about being the best version of yourself. Get out of your own way!! This is a powerful must read. You must apply discipline to succeed in life. No matter how you cut it, discipline will help you move mountains in your life.
I surely appreciated the referrals to other excellent books that I will be reading in the future. Champions are continuous learners. You never can learn too much.
It will make me continue to work on being the best version of ME!!! I am my own competition.
This book is all about being the best version of yourself. Get out of your own way!! This is a powerful must read. You must apply discipline to succeed in life. No matter how you cut it, discipline will help you move mountains in your life.
I surely appreciated the referrals to other excellent books that I will be reading in the future. Champions are continuous learners. You never can learn too much.
May 13, 2022
Creating inner motivation and drive, aa well as building within self, a mental toughness...are the large themes of this short book. Small things can be powerful, a ghost pepper, a stick of dynamite...and this book. 📗
December 8, 2017
Great quick read and excellent guide for a leader to discuss with their team. Pick one "secret" per week or month.
February 17, 2018
very concise and full of great references
August 21, 2021
I am a simple man, and therein lies my potential
- paul StoltzFus
- paul StoltzFus
January 16, 2022
Good motivational book
June 4, 2024
Great quick read for a mindset refresher. Highly recommended.
Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 1, 2011
I bought this book for Zach, but decided to read it myself.
I did think the leading someone through the Introspective Process could be a helpful tool (for my business and as a parent):
First question: Tell me what you really want out of life more than anything else. (Goal should be to make the person comfortable enough to answer you in terms of how they feel rather than how they think).
Once they begin to explain their feelings, follow up with:
-What exactly do you mean by that?
-What does that look like?
-Why do you feel that way?
-Tell me more about that...
-Why is that important to you?
-What does having that mean to you?
I did think the leading someone through the Introspective Process could be a helpful tool (for my business and as a parent):
First question: Tell me what you really want out of life more than anything else. (Goal should be to make the person comfortable enough to answer you in terms of how they feel rather than how they think).
Once they begin to explain their feelings, follow up with:
-What exactly do you mean by that?
-What does that look like?
-Why do you feel that way?
-Tell me more about that...
-Why is that important to you?
-What does having that mean to you?
December 14, 2014
This is an excellent book to have lying around in areas where you may have a few minutes to read. Each chapter is short enough to read in a few minutes and powerful enough to ponder for the rest of your day. There is an action step for each chapter.
December 30, 2020
Secrets of the world class features the mental toughness secret on how to tackle the world championship challenges when it comes to the competitors all over world. World class wealth requires the world class of thinking.
June 27, 2012
Succinct summary of years of study about greatness. He loves Arbinger principles almost.as much as I do. I'm going to re-read it and take good notes.
November 2, 2013
Thoroughly inspiring. Every page a mantra. And, as a graphic designer, I truly loved the "been through a war" book design. Beautiful!
February 25, 2014
I loved this book - very motivational and inspiring..
Going to implement what I learned into life.
Going to implement what I learned into life.
February 27, 2015
Thought provoking statements on how to achieve excellence
September 5, 2015
This is a MUST read for anyone that wants to be World Class!
Read
December 31, 2017Interesting approach to reminding the reader that if you are not dead, there is time to "get 'er done."
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews