Book SummaryHow Champions Think, by Bob Rotella

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of How Champions Think

What's the secret to extraordinary success? We often think it's luck, talent, or skill, but sports psychologist Bob Rotella argues that people achieve excellence because of their mindset. In How Champions Think, Rotella explains that champions share similar ways of thinking that set them apart: They nurture a positive self-image, break down ambitious dreams into realistic goals, and learn to grow from setbacks. By adopting the mental habits of a champion, you can unlock your full potential and achieve excellence in whatever you...

How Champions Think Summary Part 1: Adopt a Positive Self-Image

Rotella writes that to become exceptional, you must first change how you view yourself and adopt a positive self-image. He explains that your mindset—the way you view your abilities and the beliefs you have about the world—affects how successful you’ll become. It can either hold you back or empower you to further your skills, overcome difficulties, and achieve ambitious goals.

(Shortform note: Rotella argues that a positive self-image is pivotal for success, but why exactly do you view yourself the way you do? In Psycho-Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz explains that your self-image is a reflection of how you interpret your experiences. For example, if you win an award, you might feel proud or you might feel guilty that you didn’t deserve it. Which of these two reactions you have is largely influenced by the opinions and beliefs of others, especially when you were young, Maltz writes. However, Maltz asserts that your self-image is subjective—it isn’t a reflection of objective reality, and you can change it to be more positive by practicing...

How Champions Think Summary Part 2: Work Diligently to Achieve Your Ambitious Dreams

A positive mindset sets a good foundation for achieving excellence in any field, but it’s not enough by itself. Excellence requires hard work—you must master your skills by engaging in quality practice and staying committed to your goals, and then perform at your best by letting your subconscious mind take over.

(Shortform note: Other experts agree that there’s no shortcut to exceptional success—you must prepare yourself to put in the necessary hard work. In The 10X Rule, Grant Cardone gives advice on how to do so: Assume every endeavor you undertake will require 10 times more time, effort, and resources than you expect. This way, you’ll be ready to deal with unexpected challenges. If it turns out to be easier than you expected, you’ll still be happy with the result.)

Engage in Quality Practice

You can’t achieve your ambitious dreams through wishful thinking alone. To turn your dreams into reality, you must put in quality practice to develop your skills.

(Shortform note: What’s the difference...

How Champions Think Summary Part 3: Grow From Challenges and Setbacks

Just as important as maintaining a positive attitude, training your skills, and trusting in your subconscious mind is learning how to overcome setbacks and challenges. Rotella writes that to be exceptional, you must learn not only how to bounce back after failure but also how to glean lessons from it. You can do this by learning to value the process over the outcome, letting go of your mistakes, and finding the right people to support you.

Value the Process, Not the Outcome

To ward off disappointment and persevere in spite of failures, you must see the process of pursuing your goals as more important than the outcome, Rotella writes. Exceptional people pursue their goals fully recognizing the possibility that they may not attain them. They find joy in the process of striving for their goals, rather than in the promise of external rewards or recognition. This mindset ensures that you give it your all and persist even when you face obstacles that might prevent you from getting the outcomes you desire.

You can be more process-oriented by creating two lists of goals: One for training and one for performance. Both lists should be process-focused. So, for example,...

Shortform Exercise: Activate Your Subconscious Mind

According to Rotella, activating your subconscious mind allows you to perform at your best, whether you’re giving a speech or playing a competitive match. Consider ways you can quiet your conscious mind and let the quality of your training shine through.

Think of a recent time you had to put your skills to the test and felt like you could have performed better. What were you consciously thinking about at the time? Did you feel pressured or doubt your skills?