Brad Stulberg

Steve Magness

What Makes Great? A few common principles drive performance, regardless of the field or the task at hand. Whether someone is trying to qualify for the Olympics, break ground in mathematical theory, or craft an artistic masterpiece, many of the practices that lead to great success are the same. In Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg, a former McKinsey and Company consultant and journalist who covers health and the science of human performance, and Steve Magness, a performance scientist and coach of world-class athletes, team up to demystify these practices and demonstrate how everyone can achieve their best. The first book of its kind, Peak Performance combines the inspiring stories of top performers across a range of capabilities—from athletic to intellectual to artistic—with the latest scientific insights into the cognitive and neurochemical factors that drive performance in all domains. In doing so, Peak Performance uncovers new links that hold promise as performance enhancers but that have been overlooked in our traditional ways of thinking. The result is a life-changing book in which you will learn how to enhance your performance by optimally alternating between periods of intense work and rest; priming your body and mind for enhanced productivity; and developing and harnessing the power of a self-transcending purpose. In revealing the science of great performance and the stories of great performers across a wide range of capabilities, Peak Performance uncovers the secrets of success, and coaches you on how to use them. If you want to take your game to the next level, whatever "your game" might be, Peak Performance will teach you how.

Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success

Peak Performance

Timeo Williams

Excellent. Provides theory with practical applications. Also, flows well with Cal Newport's Deep Work in that focusing on one thing at a time, not multitasking, is necessary. 

Other notables:

Start meditating
Stress and rest. Work/Study hard then rest well. This is crucial and applies to mental and physical activities.

Jowanza Joseph

I took a lot away from this book. I have a long list of things I want to try and to improve on. Unfortunately, the way the book presents all these ideas is a bit contrived and I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the advice.

Lance Willett

This book describes three key principles underlying sustainable peak performance:

1. Stress + rest = growth. The scientific cycle of growth and development.
2. Develop optimal routines and design your day. Prime yourself for peak performance and daily productivity.
3. Harness the power of purpose. The power of purpose is a performance enhancer.

The power of mindset is important: how you view something fundamentally changes how your body responds to it. As in: “Pain is mandatory; suffering is optional.”

“The best work harder... but also rest better.” Mindfulness meditation, walking breaks, social activities. Be brave enough to take breaks. Sleep is productive and the last hours when getting 7-9 sleep hours are high ROI. 

A stat that jumped out at me: 27% of American workers regularly put in work hours between 10pm and 6am, and 29% of American workers do at least some work on the weekends.

The best performers leave nothing to chance. The are not only consistently great, they are also great at being consistent. The routine itself doesn’t matter (you’ll need to set up your own personal one); it’s the act of sticking to it even when you don’t feel like it.

Living out your purpose is the best feeling in the world.

(Read from local library in November 2018.)

Jeremy Cote

I thought that this book was fantastic. I started the book many months ago and had to return it due to the library wanting the copy back. However, this time around I was able to speed through the book. It was definitely worth the wait. The principles in the book are sound, and both Brad and Steve work hard to make the ideas directly applicable to our lives.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The only thing I found a bit annoying were the block quotes that were spread throughout the book. I hate those, since they take up a lot of space, yet don't tell me anything new. That's just a comment about the formatting though.

If you're interested in performance, this book is for you. Also, if you like the ideas in this book, it's worth checking out the Peak Performance newsletter that they write every week.

Rina

Nick Nikolov

Dana Paduraru

"A transfixing book on how to sustain peak performance and avoid burnout" —Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Option B, Originals, and Give and Take "An essential playbook for success, happiness, and getting the most out of ourselves." Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive and The Sleep Revolution "I doubt anyone can read Peak Performance without itching to apply something to their own lives." —David Epstein, New York Times bestselling author of The Sports Gene A few common principles drive performance, regardless of the field or the task at hand. Whether someone is trying to qualify for the Olympics, break ground in mathematical theory or craft an artistic masterpiece, many of the practices that lead to great success are the same. In Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg, a former McKinsey and Company consultant and writer who covers health and the science of human performance, and Steve Magness, a performance scientist and coach of Olympic athletes, team up to demystify these practices and demonstrate how you can achieve your best. The first book of its kind, Peak Performance combines the inspiring stories of top performers across a range of capabilities—from athletic to intellectual and artistic—with the latest scientific insights into the cognitive and neurochemical factors that drive performance in all domains. In doing so, Peak Performance uncovers new linkages that hold promise as performance enhancers but have been overlooked in our traditionally-siloed ways of thinking. The result is a life-changing book in which you can learn how to enhance your performance via myriad ways including: optimally alternating between periods of intense work and rest; priming the body and mind for enhanced productivity; and developing and harnessing the power of a self-transcending purpose. In revealing the science of great performance and the stories of great performers across a wide range of capabilities, Peak Performance uncovers the secrets of success, and coaches you on how to use them. If you want to take your game to the next level, whatever "your game" may be, Peak Performance will teach you how.

Peak Performance Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success

Reviews