As we end the year, I just wanted to take a moment to give a shoutout to three excellent books I’ve just finished (and highly recommend).

I read 100+ books each year but deliberately focus on powerful books just before the New Year to get my head straight. I must be honest and let you know I had little expectations from these but was pleasantly surprised and impressed.

1: Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff

I loved this book. It was back to the Jon Acuff of old and was excellent. If you are an audiobook fan, I highly recommend hearing Jon read the book, as his sarcasm and wit shine through. If you can’t be bothered to read the book, ask yourself: are my thoughts true, helpful, or kind? I will go out on a limb and guess they are NOT. Buy yourself a late Christmas present and change your thinking and your life.   

2: Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deana Kastor

This book is a must-read for you if you suffer from imposter syndrome or self-doubt. Deana’s ability to clarify her journey (from young champion to struggling professional runner and beyond) will help you overcome the doubts nagging at your soul as you chase your dreams and goals. Kastor does a fantastic job of helping you understand ways to change your thinking, quit living in fear, and be the champion you are capable of becoming.

3: How Champions Think: In Sports and in Life by Dr. Bob Rotella

Warning, there is A LOT of golf talk in the pages, but other than that- this book is filled with many decades of experience leading elite people to be the best they can be. If you don’t mind the golf talk, pick this book up and apply the lessons within to your life. It is NOT only for sports professionals.

The cadre in Special Forces training repeatedly told us that our mind is our greatest weapon. Many of you reading this spend copious time maintaining and improving your physical selves, but give your mental game little time or effort.  

Change the “soundtracks” playing in your mind. The ones telling you that ’23 will be worse than ’22 or that you are doomed to stay in the job you hate. That transition will be too tough. That you are destined to remain deep in debt. That your marriage has to keep suffering.   

When you change them, you will start to let your mind run free and think like a champion.  

See what I did there?

DOL,

Scott…