It Takes What It Takes: How to Think Neutrally and Gain Control of Your Life

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 1,693 ratings

Price: 16.53

Last update: 12-22-2024


About this item

Performed by Trevor Moawad with a foreword written and read by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson

From a top mental conditioning coach - "the world’s best brain trainer" (Sports Illustrated) - who has transformed the lives and careers of elite athletes, business leaders, and military personnel, battle-tested strategies that will give you tools to manage and overcome negativity and achieve any goal.

He knows how to win. More, he knows the many ways - subtle, brutal, often self-inflicted - we lose.

As the most trusted mental coach in the world of sports, Trevor Moawad has worked with many of the most dominant athletes and the savviest coaches. From Nick Saban and Kirby Smart to Russell Wilson, they all look to Moawad for help finding or keeping or regaining their competitive edge. (As do countless business leaders and members of special forces.)

Now, at last, Moawad shares his unique philosophy with the general public. He lays out lessons he's derived from his greatest career successes as well as personal setbacks, the game-changing wisdom he's earned as the go-to whisperer for elite performers on fields of play and among men and women headed to the battlefield.

Moawad's motivational approach is elegant but refreshingly simple: He replaces hardwired negativity, the kind of defeatist mindset that's nearly everybody's default, with what he calls "neutral thinking". His own special innovation, it's a nonjudgmental, nonreactive way of coolly assessing problems and analyzing crises, a mode of attack that offers luminous clarity and supreme calm in the critical moments before taking decisive action.

Not only can neutral thinking raise your performance level - it can transform your overall life. And it all starts, Moawad says, with letting go. Past failures, past losses - let them go.

"The past isn't predictive. If you can absorb and embrace that belief, everything changes. You'll instantly feel more calm. And the athlete - or employee or parent or spouse-who's more calm is also more aware, and more times than not...will win."

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.


Top reviews from the United States

Jauwan Scaife
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024
Really nice book with practical life advice and info
Ken M. Middleton
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful read
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
As someone who recognized the change in Florida State football and Georgia football over the years, I have to think the concept of neutral thinking is real.

Great read that walks you through how to implement in life.

Definite must read to see if it could be the missing step for you.
Gary Chupik
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid and Enjoyable to Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2020
There’s a lot to say about this book by Trevor Moawad. As a mental trainer myself, I can say that his work and methods have been highly practical and effective for me.

What I appreciate about “It Takes What it Takes” is that it’s proven and practical stuff. While some reviews are critical of his lack of “white paper research” or lack of quotations from psychology journals, I can say first hand that there is an abundance of fluffy pseudoscience that passes for psychology these days. In fact, I’ve read dozens of sports psychology articles that I couldn’t believe got published in a reputable journal. Also, the pop-psychology that is passing for legitimate psychology is embarrassing. In fact, many people who call themselves “sports psychologists” are not. They are people with psychology degrees that say they’ve majored in some type of sports related, tangential field, but, the most have had very little actual “mental performance” training. In fact I know many “sports psychologists” who simply have had nothing more than a psychology degree. It’s the industry’s dirty little secret. So, for all the “lack of research” bashing, I’d be cautious about that. To be fair, there are many fantastic and reputable sports psychologists and their work is outstanding.

The ultimate compliment is to be invited back again to speak and work with an organization because of your effectiveness. It’s clear that Trevor is “striking the chord” with many teams, programs, coaches, and players. I’ve heard him speak and heard coaches dialogue about his work glowingly at the collegiate and pro levels.

While his use of some foul language might be a turnoff to some, and that’s fair, the challenge to be consciously aware of our mindset is very helpful.

I’d have to say my 2 favorite aspects of the book were:

1. The practical mindset challenges and shifts that can take place in us. He does a great job of building those out (negative/neutral/positive).

2. Trevor’s transparency about some major, challenging events of his life. The moments he got personal gave meaning to the concepts because he lived them out himself. I respect those leaders who walk the talk.

Overall, while I hear some of the criticisms, the value of this book far outweighs the criticisms. Definitely worth the read. It would be hard to NOT get some very long-term, practical tools to live and perform by in this book.
EMunsaka
4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2023
Well written and incredibly helpful book. Suited for forward thinkers and how to navigate challenges. Definitely recommend for everyone who is relentlessly chasing passions
Christian R. Ward
5.0 out of 5 stars It Takes What It Takes clears the clutter
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2023
I picked up this book after my divorce left me hurt, shocked and confused about how I got to this place in my life. Even worse, I didn't know how to move forward or even if I wanted to. Though Moawad's sports analogies will not resonate with everyone, his ability to break things successful people--athletes or not--down to basic building blocks helps immensely. I was critical of myself, wondering why I hadn't moved on and felt better. Instead, Moawad's message of doing the work, of focusing on the best elements of process--instead of just outcome--helped me gain some badly needed momentum toward healing. I was able to give myself a break and show up for myself by doing the best next thing for me. It takes what it takes is a message I'll carry with me forever.
Romano Koen
5.0 out of 5 stars What a book
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2022
With this book Trevor Moawad has taken his expertise in coaching top athletes and condensed it into a rather engaging read.

He avoids telling the reader to be positive and focuses instead on looking at the situation realistically, acknowledging that one has a choice in the behaviours one can engage in and then behaving in the ways that will help one realize the desired outcomes. Trevor has included very candid accounts of how he dealt with the changes in his life, his failures and successes, the effect his coaching has had on his clients how some of them managed to take the skills he taught them beyond their careers in sports and change the trajectory of their lives. He acknowledges those who never really needed his training and gives a little case study of some folks who could have benefitted from the application of these principles. Took me a few days to get through but well worth the read for me. Chapter 10 was particularly useful for me but this entire book has been of great value for my personal study in self improvement and I will be adding it to my annual reading list.
Salina
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for neutral thinking
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023
Such a remarkable book with tips for neutral thinking. It's not a feel good, motivational type story, but a get your mind in the right place to deal with things book.
lefty
3.0 out of 5 stars jock talk and the f-word get real old real fast.
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2021
Unnecessary cheap vulgarity gets real old. The author evidently never learned it pays to be a gentleman even when among gentlemen. I expected more professionalism.

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