The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World

by Brad Stulberg

The Way of Excellence has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Productivity, Personal Development, Philosophy, Psychology

Audible Audio

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on performance, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness, Master of Change, and co-author of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, among many other outlets. He serves as the co-host of the podcast "excellence, actually" and is on faculty at the University of Michigan. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Follow him on Instagram and Threads @Bradstulberg and X @Bstulberg

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

He makes some good points but honestly, it felt like an extended Hallmark card. And he kept repeating the same things over and over how important it is to show up how important it is to have community how important it is to etc. etc.

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Derivative. Could have been a TEDTalk. Combines maybe a dozen of the main concepts from self-help/improvement books over the last 15 years into a summarized long-form article. First half on theory is the best part.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a good, thoughtfully constructed survey of ideas that are popular in the personal development space. The author is eloquent and intentional in how it’s presented and the ideas build nicely.

My criticism is that there was little added to the topic by this book. The myriad examples were all familiar ones and I would have appreciated some freshness in the stories that supported his points.

My favorite parts were ones I had saved on Instagram already. I wish more of those bangers (like the idea of your identity being like a house) had filled the book.

The chapter on rest was excellent and presented a framework that was both original and helpful.

Overall a decent read and I have recommended it to others with a few caveats.

[Jake Grogin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been a 10 page Article

[Lindsey Hein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad does such a great job researching and sharing good news about how we can indeed pursue excellence without overdoing it. I love his work and will always read his books!

[marissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t want to be too harsh but if you’re claiming to be an expert in excellence enough to write a book about it- I’m going to be a tough critic.

Overall you can tell it’s written from a white male perspective in that he brings nothing new or groundbreaking- just pulling other people’s quotes into one place. He won’t stop brining up weightlifting and how much he loves to write and exercise, but the book isn’t about you guy, it’s supposed to be about “the way of excellence”. Also he quoted Jerry Seinfeld twice—of all the people you can quote, really?? And then towards the end brought up Caitlin Clark getting drunk with her teammates after a loss as an example of “community.” Like what?? There were a few good things I could pull from it but overall would not recommend.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust me, I'm not shooting for anything resembling "True Greatness", but this book has some good practical advice on getting focused in this attention economy.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book’s exploration of striving for excellence. I initially equated excellence with perfection, but the author makes it clear that the two are not the same. Excellence is about pursuing what truly matters to us, guided by our values and goals. While it can look different for everyone, this book thoughtfully covers the foundational elements of a satisfying life.

If you’ve read self-help books before, some concepts may feel familiar, but I still took away a great deal that I plan to apply to everyday life. My biggest takeaways were the importance of getting clear on my values and goals, practicing discipline in my actions, being patient with the time growth requires, embracing the process and curiosity, and putting myself out there more to build community.

If you’re looking for an inspirational yet practical book that helps simplify what’s truly needed to achieve personal growth, I’d definitely recommend this one.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

[Connie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will be thinking about for a while. Stulberg includes various testimonies of excellence, and practical steps to achieve excellence in your life, without it becoming all-consuming. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to make the most of their time and talents.

[Alexandra Bro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Brad Stulberg’s books, follow him on social media, and listen to his podcast. I love the way he talks about excellence, progress, and caring, and this is my favorite book of his. Thank you for writing this. Please continue.

[Samuel C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another book that could’ve been a Twitter thread. No one to blame but myself.

[Eric Nehrlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Stulberg’s perspective because he put into words some things I had been feeling but couldn’t fully describe as somebody who has spent my life in the pursuit of excellence across a number of activities, and who has experienced the aliveness and joy that Stulberg describes as a biological imperative.

The reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is that this book is not going to be useful to somebody seeking a how-to guide for excellence. It is more of a philosophical musing on the characteristics of excellence, and the foundations on which excellence can be built, and is thus more abstract and less tactical than many books. I found myself skimming through much of the second half of the book as it was too general to be helpful.

[Chip Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Headline for this review is required

I follow this author on Insta for his wholesome, non-toxic takes on physical fitness and personal development that cuts against a lot of the manosphere BS. This book is pretty full of that same content - relatively practical, grounded advice about how to consistently work and aspire towards excellence. Probably missing a bit of the secret sauce of storytelling and humour that makes a book like this more fun, but still a good read.

[Gary Duszynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author delivers an outstanding gift to any reader blessed to read this gem! Everyone wants to be excellent but few feel they have what it takes to get there. Brad Stulberg provides the guide and insight to enable you to make the most of your hopes, fears and dreams to make one’s life the best it can be as you define it.

[Jan Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

No new concepts yet a great review of what we need to achieve some of our goals. At the very least become better people. I liked the chapter summaries for a quick review and to spark motivation when needed.

[Scott Monnard · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a of 'result-driven' society, this book reaffirms that we should be consumed with a 'process-driven' process instead.

[Abby Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The theme of excellence as “involved engagement in worthwhile pursuits that support your values and goals” was a good invitation to consider and define what my values and goals actually are and take ownership of pursuing them on purpose.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit ironic that a book on excellence is so mediocre. It’s fine. Just not EXCELLENT.

[Sean McGorty · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There are seeds of excellence in all of us. Our work is to discover which ones respond best to nourishment.”

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️s. 27/100. A good read but nothing insanely groundbreaking.

[Mihaela C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, not great. But sometimes that’s the point — light, comforting, and an easy escape when you don’t want to think too hard. Would recommend for a lazy weekend or a long flight.

[SLAM]

DNF. Not compatible

[Jeff Purdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Brad writes to provide wonderful insight into how to strive towards excellence. Some of his best work yet.

[Mike Dennisuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid effort from Brad Stulberg. I’ve read quite a bit on the subject and I have personal experience of coaching young runners (and being a runner myself for much of my adult life). Brad does not uncover any new ideas about the pursuit of excellence but he has a great way of drawing it all together. This was an inspirational listen while working out.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend to my fellow runners, musicians and anyone else striving.

[Mark Moloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this - honestly, the clarity that he was worked hard to create in this book was truly inspiring. Reminded me of “Atomic Habits”.

[Jason Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Stulberg writes with passion and craft. The message in this book is clear, simple, and important. I enjoyed all of Brad’s insights - I slowed down getting through this book because I was taking so many notes.

At the end of the day, pursuing excellence is simple but not easy. There are no magic hacks or quick fixes. As Brad writes, there is no such thing as an overnight breakthrough. But by reading this book, you can come away with lots of little practices that you can incorporate into your life that will make you better at whatever you do. But more importantly, they will help you feel fulfilled in your pursuits.

[Chad Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way of Excellence is one of the best books I’ve read in quite some time. The main reason is the fact that it is an all encompassing guide to what true excellence looks like in your life. It isn’t a one size fits all prescription, but there are some universal truths that are applicable to everyone. This is a book I will be recommending to anyone who has any desire to better themselves.

[Matthew Vandermeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Way of Excellence is the rare performance book that slows you down in order to move you forward. Brad Stulberg reframes excellence as an infinite game (a lived process, not a finish line) where the work is to keep showing up, learning, and growing.

What stayed with me most is his definition of excellence as “an energizing process of growth and becoming… We are made to move toward excellence as a tree is made to move toward the sun.” The book is deeply researched yet genuinely practical, grounded in routines, patience, and process over outcomes. My biggest takeaway: don’t hide behind complexity…consistency is the point. The path is the goal.

If you care about performing at a high level without burning out or losing yourself, this is a five-star, must-read manual for building a life that is both excellent and genuinely your own.

[Jung]

"The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World" by Brad Stulberg reframes excellence as something far more grounded and sustainable than the dramatic, all-or-nothing pursuit we often imagine. Instead of treating excellence as a distant finish line or a rare trait reserved for elite performers, the book presents it as a deeply human way of engaging with life. It argues that excellence is not about short bursts of intensity or external validation, but about consistently aligning your actions with what truly matters to you. In a world full of distractions, pressure, and burnout, this perspective offers a calmer, more enduring path to both achievement and fulfillment.

At its core, the book defines excellence as the intersection of mastery and meaning. Humans are biologically wired not just to survive, but to grow, improve, and contribute. This natural drive shows up in our desire to learn new skills, refine existing ones, and pursue goals that feel worthwhile. The journey toward excellence follows a familiar progression - from not knowing what you don’t know, to struggling with awareness, to practicing deliberately, and eventually to reaching a level where skill becomes second nature. This process is often uncomfortable, but it is also deeply satisfying because it reflects something fundamental about how humans are built.

Beyond biology, the book highlights how excellence addresses many of the psychological struggles of modern life. Feelings like burnout, emptiness, and disconnection often arise when our daily actions drift away from our core values. When we repeatedly choose short-term comfort over long-term meaning, we create internal conflict. Excellence, in contrast, brings alignment. By engaging deeply in meaningful work - whether in a career, relationships, or personal growth - we experience a sense of grounding, purpose, and clarity that cuts through the noise of a chaotic world.

To walk this path, the author emphasizes a set of essential mindsets. The first is care - the willingness to genuinely invest in something that matters. Caring is risky because it makes us vulnerable to failure and disappointment, but it is also what makes the journey meaningful. Focus is another critical mindset, especially in an age where attention is constantly fragmented. Developing the ability to concentrate deeply, even for short periods, becomes a powerful advantage. Discipline follows, bridging the gap between intention and action. Rather than waiting for motivation, those who pursue excellence act first, allowing motivation to emerge from consistent effort.

Confidence, as described in the book, is not about arrogance or blind belief. It is built through evidence - through showing up, doing the work, and gradually proving to yourself that you can handle challenges. Alongside this is what the author calls 'gumption,' a mix of enthusiasm and resilience. It allows you to stay engaged over time, accepting that there will be ups and downs while continuing to move forward.

While mindsets shape how we think, habits determine how we act. The book stresses that excellence is built through consistent behaviors rather than occasional bursts of effort. Thoughtful goal setting provides direction, but goals should serve as guides, not obsessions. Routines help translate those goals into daily practice, though they must be personalized rather than copied from others. Consistency is perhaps the most important habit of all - focusing on showing up regularly rather than performing perfectly. Instead of chasing peak performance, the emphasis is on raising your baseline, ensuring that even your average days contribute to progress.

Equally important is the habit of renewal. Rest and recovery are not optional; they are essential for sustaining long-term effort. Activities like walking, spending time in nature, connecting with others, and getting adequate sleep play a crucial role in maintaining both physical and mental well-being. Curiosity also emerges as a powerful habit, helping you stay engaged over time by reframing challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles to avoid.

As the journey continues, the book introduces broader practices that support excellence over the long term. One key idea is accepting trade-offs. It is not possible to excel in every area of life simultaneously, and trying to do so often leads to burnout. Instead, life can be approached in seasons, where different priorities take focus at different times. Another important practice is valuing community. While self-improvement often emphasizes individual effort, relationships provide support, perspective, and meaning that no achievement can replace.

Failure and patience are presented as unavoidable companions on this path. Setbacks are not signs of inadequacy but necessary parts of growth. Similarly, meaningful progress takes time, often longer than we would like. What sustains effort through these challenges is joy - the ability to find satisfaction in the process itself rather than postponing happiness until a distant goal is reached. Celebrating progress through small rituals of completion helps reinforce this mindset, allowing you to appreciate how far you’ve come instead of constantly chasing what’s next.

In conclusion, "The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World" by Brad Stulberg teaches that excellence is not something you achieve once and for all, but something you practice every day. It is less about extraordinary moments and more about ordinary actions done with intention and consistency. By aligning your efforts with your values, balancing discipline with rest, and embracing both struggle and joy, you create a path that leads not only to success but also to a deeply satisfying life.