Life is Not a Game of Perfect: Finding Your Real Talent and Making It Work for You [Hardcover]

Dr. Bob Rotella (Author), Bob Cullen (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 1999

Most people think talent is genetically determined. Either you can sing or you can't. You get calculus or it's beyond you. You have what it takes to succeed -- or you don't.

The truth about human performance is far more encouraging, says Dr. Bob Rotella in "Life Is Not a Game of Perfect." Dr. Rotella, the bestselling author of "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect" and "Golf Is a Game of Confidence, " believes that talent, as conventionally defined and measured, plays a secondary role in determining one's fate. Far more important is "real talent, " a combination of character, attitude, and devotion, which makes greatness possible. And the good news is that anyone can develop real talent.

As always, Dr. Bob Rotella speaks from experience. He has made a career of helping people chase and catch their dreams. His authority as a sports psychologist is well known. Golfers from Tom Kite to David Duval to Pat Bradley have relied on him to help them break through to triumphs on the PGA Tour. But Bob Rotella's practice extends beyond the sports world. He is a consultant on performance enhancement to leading businesses such as Merrill Lynch, General Electric, and PepsiCo. He has worked with successful people in businesses ranging from law to entertainment.

From hundreds of clients and countless students, Dr. Bob Rotella has learned what works. In "Life Is Not a Game of Perfect, " he shares what he has learned and what he teaches his clients. Real talent, he explains, is "brilliance of a different sort." It is the nerve to choose a career doing something you love or the ability to learn to love what you do. It is courage, persistence, and determination. It is the ability to handle failure and honor commitments.

Whether you think so or not, real talent is within your grasp. In "Life Is Not a Game of Perfect, " Dr. Bob Rotella will help you make it a decisive element in your life. He can show you how to identify and cultivate the qualities that lead to success, prosperity, and happiness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Tom Scott Co-President, Nantucket Nectars We all have the ability to succeed -- we're born with it. Too often, that ability is hidden behind fear and misplaced reliance on traditional theories and paths. Doctor Bob teaches us how to re-find that ability and how to use it. I apply it to work, to sports -- to all aspects of life. -- Review

About the Author

Dr. Bob Rotella was the Director of Sports Psychology for twenty years at the University of Virginia. His reputation grew there as the person champions talked to about the mental parts of their game. His clients include champions from all sports, like LeBron James; in golf world talents such as Tom Kite to Graeme McDowell. A writer for and consultant to Golf Digest, he lives in Virginia with his wife, Darlene.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (April 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684842866
• ISBN-13: 978-0684842868
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #892,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific book, July 20, 2000

By 

Dave Hendrickson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life is Not a Game of Perfect: Finding Your Real Talent and Making It Work for You (Hardcover)

This book is about making the best of your abilities, whether you're a graduate of an Ivy League school or Podunk State University. I wish I'd read this book when I was in my teens.

I'll be buying copies for young people that can use this to develop "real talent." I consider it a near-perfect graduation present.

As an aside, I could not disagree more with the earlier review that complained about overachieving and getting burned out. I didn't consider Rotella's approach to be a burnout one at all. If you've found what you love to do, then becoming really good at it is not a recipe for burnout, but rather satisfaction. It sounds like the sour reviewer burned himself oout at something he didn't really love, or couldn't learn to love.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This stuff really works!, July 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Life is Not a Game of Perfect: Finding Your Real Talent and Making It Work for You (Hardcover)

As tough as it is to imagine, Bob Rotella's teachings on life are just as effective as his now-famous teachings on golf. This book is a good, quick read, but its impact will be felt on you long after, IF you take to heart the lessons imparted and integrate them into your life. Just as he's lowered many a handicap, Doc's lessons on the importance of free will are key to understanding the essence of "real talent"; it's not about being a workaholic, thank God...

24 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Golf he probably knows..., December 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Life is Not a Game of Perfect: Finding Your Real Talent and Making It Work for You (Hardcover)

But this book is somewhat scatterbrained. About 60% is correct, 20% is so-so and 20% is a recipe for disaster. When he is focused on "how to do better than the next person in a competetion" his advice is of the type that will help you do better. But the essence is "work harder than the next guy". Ok, do that. Then the next guy does the same. Eventually, one of you is working 22 hour days and the other drops from an ulcer or heart attack. (Been there, done that)

Some of his basic ideas are correct, mainly that free will determines many things in life, many more than innate talent. He does identify some good role models and others who are poor role models. However, he tends to wonder off into topics where he has little or no expertise (a good editor could have done wonders here...reducing the book by 30-40% would have added 1 or 2 stars to the rating).

Anyway, for those who are chronic underachievers, the book may be of some value. For those who have gone the overachiever route and seen the toll it takes, well you would probably do like I did and put the book down about halfway to 2/3 through and go sound the alarm.

One thing that is not surprising, this book is listed as "very popular at Merrill Lynch". He is very complimentary of one particular Merrill VP workaholic in the Washington DC area.