On Mental Toughness

Shotton had an insatiable appetite for feedback—a quality I have seen in all the top business performers I have worked with. They have a particularly strong need for instant, in the moment feedback.

When an individual responds actively and constructively (as opposed to passively and destructively) to someone who is sharing a positive experience, love and friendship increase.

But when things go awry, business and sports superstars dust themselves off and move on.

Top sports performers don’t allow themselves to be distracted by the victories or failures of others. They concentrate on what they can control and forget the rest.

the main obstacle to achieving “the impossible” may be a self-limiting mind-set.

The only way to influence the outcome is by focusing on the things you have the power to control:

flagellation.

They drew a circle that shut me out, Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win, We drew a circle that took them in!

imagination is more important than knowledge.

Control and power can be asserted most effectively by slowing down the pace of the negotiation, actively leading counterparts into a constructive dialogue, and demonstrating genuine openness to others’ perspectives.

Focus simply means energy concentrated in the service of a particular goal.