19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really helped with my long distance, June 1, 2009
This review is from: 10-Minute Toughness: The Mental Training Program for Winning Before the Game Begins (Hardcover)
A friend recommended 10 Minute Toughness to help give me a mental edge while running. I had always wanted to run in marathons, but my breathing hindered me from running long distances. The centering breath and mental workout have really helped me mentally and physically. The plan is easy to follow, and it has now become second nature to me. I can run twice as far as I could a year ago. I am not a coach, but I highy suggest this book for coaches of all ages.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 10 for 10-Minute Toughness, November 13, 2010
This review is from: 10-Minute Toughness: The Mental Training Program for Winning Before the Game Begins (Hardcover)
Jason Selk has created a winner in this small book about developing mental toughness. While geared towards athletes, this book is for anyone who has a goal to improve in any area.
The entire 10-minute mental training consists of:
5 minutes with the mental workout
Centering breath 6-2-7
Performance statement
Personal highlight reel
Identity statement
Centering breath 6-2-7
4 minutes completing the Success Log after each event/practice/game
1 minute review of the previous Success Log before the next mental workout
Sounds easy, right? It is and it isn't. Although the book is small and less than 200 pages, it is one which should be worked through slowly and thoroughly. Selk advises the reader to really think through his/her answers to the questions. Take your time. It will be worth it.
The middle part of the book focuses on Goal Setting and Rewards. This is much more difficult than you may think. He asks, "What are your priorities in life? What are your short-term goals? Long term goals? Is what you are doing right now going to get you to your long term goals and still allow you to maintain your priorities in life? What are you willing to sacrifice?" Again, this reader advises you to take your time and think through these questions. Get a small notebook to write your answers...and be willing to revise them.
The final section of the book is the Relentless Solution Focus. Selk contends that there's always a solution. Think positively about what you want and don't focus on what you don't want or what is going wrong. Sounds easy again but it's much more complicated.
If the reader puts in the time to thoroughly read and do the exercises, then the daily Success Log will be a snap. It is not overly complicated, which is where many programs fail, in my opinion. Anyone can work this program for nearly any kinds of life or short term goals.
Jason Selk's accompanying website is also valuable. He outlines his program on it with short video clips and has loads of free downloads. This book is great for coaches of all kinds or just about anyone who wants to improve his/her performance in any field.
Even the relaxation and focusing breathing tool that Selk gives in the section will bring immediate results. I've even tried this while I was doing aerobic exercise on the treadmill and it immediately brought my heart rate and blood pressure down.
Another similar book is Finding Your Zone by Michael Lardon, M.D. It is a little more cerebral and idealistic but makes a good companion to the 10-Minute Toughness. However, if you can only buy one book, get the 10-Minute Toughness. I've already purchased an additional copy for a friend.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The `Missing Details' for all those "Achievement Books", July 16, 2010
This review is from: 10-Minute Toughness: The Mental Training Program for Winning Before the Game Begins (Hardcover)
In the last several years, we've been bombarded with books like `The Secret' and its ilk - all basically claiming that we can "manifest" what we want in our lives by simply holding the thought in our minds until it happens. Even Napolean Hill's classic `Think and Grow Rich' is similar in its relatively nebulous, goal-setting vagary as it instructs us to simply focus on a `product goal' - repeat a daily positive statement about the goal - and let the subconscious somehow "take over the details" in making it a reality.
If such ambiguity within the realm of achievement and `peak performance' has left you frustrated, you'll likely find Jason Selk's '10 Minute Toughness' just what you need to fill in the pieces of the puzzle. Whether your "game" is an actual sport, college exam, business negotiation, writing project... (anything), Jason helps you break a goal down from `product' to `process' and turn that goal into reality by creating a 10-minute daily "mental workout" for its achievement.
I was surprised to see an earlier review claiming the book is "long-winded." One of the things I loved about it is its brevity; Jason is concise and provides just enough examples within the field of sports. In fact, if you're looking to improve your performance in any athletic endeavor, look no further; `10-Minute Toughness' provides the mental tools you'll need.
While acknowledging that the book is about sport performance, I would have liked some examples from Mr. Selk in how he's used these techniques to improve performance in other contexts. He's worked with corporate teams, Fortune 500 companies, CEOs, etc.: Examples of translations to these realms of performance would have been nice. However, if one's "game" falls within these areas, a modicum of common sense in identifying one's performance levers will make the book applicable and highly effective. That said, I'd be first in line to purchase a follow-up book on applying the '10-Minute Toughness' techniques to contexts outside of athletics.
Bottom line: If you want to improve your performance in sports or any endeavor, '10-Minute Toughness' has your simple yet comprehensive mental formula. It provides clear and powerful instruction along with relevant examples. All necessary worksheets are in the back of the book as well. Highly recommended!
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