That's Outside My Boat: Letting Go of What You Can't Control

by Charlie Jones, Kim Doren

Charlie Jones first heard the phrase that's outside my boat when he was broadcasting rowing for NBC Sports during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The rowers never let anything outside their boat bother them. Wind, rain, sun, lane assignments, and broken oars were outside their boat, and therefore, simply did not exist. These Olympians concentrated on what they could control and what would hopefully lead to an Olympic medal is in other words, what was going on inside their boat. After a few days of observing their incredible focus, Charlie began to understand their mindset. Like the rowers, he had complete control of everything that went on inside his boat at these Olympic games is announcing rowing, canoeing, and kayaking. This viewpoint allowed him to relax, do his job with enthusiasm, and to experience his most enjoyable Olympic Games ever. The philosophy of that's outside my boat is now a major force in Jones's life, as well as in the life of his coauthor, Kim Doren. After over a decade in the corporate world, Doren decided to follow her passion and change boats, which has led to the creation of their first three books, You Go Girl!, Be the Ball, and That's Outside My Boat. Jones and Doren have collected anecdotes from people of virtually all walks of life that reinforce the idea that focusing on what you can influence is what's inside your boat, allows you to relax, making for a less stressful, more positive, and ultimately more productive workplace and life.

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Shahul Andalib]

Optimism is the only sanity, focus what's on your bucket, everything else is outside your scope. Let things go, relax and enjoy the journey, no matter how stormy it will be or how competitive it might get. Situation cannot be controlled but reaction can definitely be. This book is made up of good radar to read real life inspiring stories.

[Harry Vinh]

Just a very pleasant anthology of 55 vignettes about how to let go of the uncontrollable.

[Phil Calçado]

Tell me about stretching a metaphor until it becomes silly.

The short stories are too short, often ending abruptly, and yet each one of them could be reduced to one paragraph without losing much.

It might be due to changing times, but there are plenty of racist undertones in the book. Plus, it keeps using the Nixon administration as good examples somehow?

[Hannah Stark]

Some great takeaways here but despite the brevity, wow did this over and overstate the idea. I understand why the stories were grouped the way they were but the similarities between stories made them run together. Still a good message to bring with me to life and work.

[Suzette]

Simple advice, but timeless and relevant for such a time like this.

[Pete Klein]

Great book.

[Kevin Hilsmier]

Good book and a fast read.

Nice collection of essays by credible people who illustrate how letting go of things outside their control led to better results. A little too formulaic in that every writer faced some adversity that was resolved by focusing only on what was "in their boat" or on things they could control. After the first 10 or so essays, they all start sounding the same. Still worth the small time investment to read them if only to reinforce the primary theme.

[Ilene]

I have learned that there are things in life over which we have little control. The are "outside our boats". Women, by nature, have a tendency to feel they are responsible to solve issues in the lives of the people they love. Some of those issues are beyond our control and we need to let go of the need to fix them or "our boat" becomes over-loaded!

[Pale]

The book had an interesting beginning but I found that the ideas were just being repeated over and over and as a result the book didn't grasp my attention till the end. I would classify it as a life changing read but it it fell short shortly after the first few pages.

[Mids]

I read a summary of this book at getabstract. Well the books you read and what you take away from them changes as you grow up, when you see more of the world , face challenges. Long story short, this book uplifted my spirits.

[Jim Noyes]

this was recommended, however it underwhelmed. There were a few good bstories, brief ut it was choppy (no pun intended), disconnected, no real point or purpose.