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Books
Introducing the Outwork Book Club
The Outwork Book Club is a book review series covering the main idea, summary, top quotes, and ideas for taking action meant to improve your performance and life
The Outwork Book Club is a book review series for my publication on living a High-Performance Lifestyle.
The books featured for this series are generally non-fiction books in the personal and professional development space. However, any book that advances ideas for high performance, specifically in business, fitness, and psychology, can be covered. The written word is still the most powerful form of communication on the planet. The rise of digital media has many saying otherwise, but reading is still more powerful for generating insights and producing change.
“If people knew how hard I worked to gain my mastery, it wouldn’t seem wonderful at all.” — Michelangelo
I aim to reference the most impactful books ever written by the most distinguished authors. These authors are high performers in their own right, and many are masters of their craft.
When high-level entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, performers, athletes, fitness experts, fighters, and military elite take the time to write a book, we should cherish the opportunity to read it. These insights may make us better by association. Their words may give us motivation and inspiration. But most important, what they write provides us with a playbook — actionable methods, routines, instructions, and tactics to live our lives and reach the next level.
“Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
— Frank Outlaw, 20th Century American Writer
That is their primary intent when writing a book. To help others achieve the same success or become the best version they can be.
They believe that human potential is limitless. They have adopted an abundance mindset. They see the world with optimism and positivity and believe that anyone can become better, regardless of their circumstances, no matter how dire. The Outwork Book Club is intended to bring to light as many of these books and high performers as possible. If I write a story about Angela Duckworth’s research on grit or Carol Dweck’s notion of a growth mindset, which helps shape a reader’s thoughts and behaviors, I consider my time and effort well spent.
“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.” — Angela Duckworth
These stories also improve my abilities and help to sharpen my skills as a reader, writer, and thinker. To reference one of the most influential writers in the space of high achievement, James Clear, action is the only thing that matters. This is true for teaching and learning.
According to Clear, it is not the students sitting in the classroom learning. It is the teacher, the person giving the lecture and engaging with the material that is learning. To get better in any way, we must apply the information. We must perform the task. We must teach the class to learn the lesson. We must do the thing to have the power.
“The teacher learns more than the student.
The author learns more than the reader.
The speaker learns more than the attendee.
The way to learn is by doing.” — James Clear
At the end of every story for the Outwork Book Club, you will see a section dedicated to taking action.
This is where we can alter the course of our lives. We become better, change, adapt, and evolve if we only decide to commit to the process. My goals are endless. The path that I have chosen never ends. I am committed to the long-term and playing what Simon Sinek describes as an infinite game.
“Infinite-minded leaders understand that “best” is not a permanent state. Instead, they strive to be “better.” “Better” suggests a journey of constant improvement and makes us feel like we are being invited to contribute our talents and energies to make progress in that journey.” — Simon Sinek
All stories featured in the Outwork Book Club:
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Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Threads (@outworkchief) for updates, or visit my coaching website at trainoutwork.com. I also provide free fitness and nutrition advice on Twitter by tagging me. This story contains affiliate links which means I get a portion at no extra cost.