Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

Enjoyed listening to LIFE IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT by Dr. Bob
Rotella, written and read by the author . . . he is a sports psychologist
who believes talent, as it is usually defined, only plays a secondary
role in determining our fate . . . what's more important is something
he coins as "real talent," a combination of character, attitude and
devotion that makes greatness possible.

Best of all, Rotella contends that anybody can develop such real
talent--and he gives some ideas for doing so in this book.

One key is to choose a career doing something you love or
develop the ability to love what you do.

In addition, he shares such other valuable tidbits as the
following:

* People who are successful surround themselves with people
who support their dream.

* Half an hour or so is enough time to discuss what happened
at work. After that, it is up to you to make sure your spouse enjoys
the evening.

* People with real talent compete primarily amongst themselves. Their
quest is to see how good they can get.

* Don't waist your enthusiasm or passion for a company that won't
appreciate it. But if you're a manager, you must appreciate what
people can do for you and your organization.

Okay. Not great. Nice feel good book, but not much in terms of practical application of psychology.

This was a great book! It's easy to read and one that you won't want to put down. Bob Rotella is an inspiring writer! It's nice to know what "real talent" is!!! I recommend this book to EVERYONE!