The Fearless Mind: 5 Steps to Achieving Peak Performance

by Craig Manning, Dallin Bradford (Narrator)

Life is a performance, whether you're on the field, in the courtroom, or running a household. But many of us, when asked to perform, are overcome by fear.

In The Fearless Mind, sports psychologist Dr. Craig Manning teaches you how to beat mediocrity and embrace greatness. Overcome your fears, expel anxiety, build confidence, and become a high-performing individual no matter what your field.

Audible Audio

Published February 8, 2021

Reviews

[Sophie Wilhelmsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hateeee to give this book 2 stars. 5 star ideas and 2 star authoring and application to the real world. 5 stars but only if you're a tennis player.

I read the bad reviews before and thought people were being dramatic about there being too much tennis talk but wow. The ideas are so good but too much time was spent talking about the (tennis) examples and not nearly enough time talking about the actual ideas or how non-athletes could apply them. Also the organization of the book was confusing and hard to follow.

Craig Manning, if you're reading this, please write a new book and make it more like your sport psychology class at byu. Thank you

[Andrew Bonney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I have been trying to break a five-minute mile for years, yet I have been unable to do so. My record is now 5:02 (set in October). I know that I am physically capable of getting a 4:55 - my speed workouts attest to this ability, as does my lack of exhaustion and the feeling that I have more in the tank at the end of my mile time trials. I think the final hurdle to me accomplishing this goal is a mental one, so I read this book for help.

I did appreciate the principles Manning lays out in this book, including 1) when performing, do not think about the past (can trigger guilt) or future (can trigger fear) but only the present; 2) set goals that build your confidence and gradually expand your abilities (sounds stupidly simple but changed the way I do my speed workouts so I am building confidence rather than just pushing myself); and 3) verbally tell yourself that you can accomplish the task (feels silly but is effective). I will be incorporating these into my running routine next year with the goal of finally conquering the 5:00 beast.

To be honest, this book was not very well written, and the stories were not that engaging. It perhaps was as long as it should be, but the content could have been more captivating. I debated between a 3 and a 4 but because it is a BYU coach, I gave him a 4 (#gocougs).

[Lynette Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heard Dr. Manning speak to an audience of hundreds of family caregivers on some of his principles of peak performance and I was very impressed. His book highlights very important lessons for anyone wanting to achieve higher levels of performance (although it may be best suited for a competitive tennis player with many tennis references I am less familiar with).

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book! I wished it was as easy as he made reaching goals sound! But some great steps and encouragement!

[Martin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well progressed and enjoyable.

[Duke McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me want to play tennis more than anything

[Grace Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

helping me fix my mind!!