Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
How to Think Neutrally and Gain Control of Your Life
It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad with Andy Staples is a self-help book that shares powerful lessons on the importance of mindset, and the impact it has on our success and happiness in life. It offers practical strategies and tools to develop a winning mindset and overcome obstacles.
Do you remember the last time life caught you off guard? Perhaps you became emotional, reactive, or even judgmental. What if there were a way to navigate these situations with more clarity and less emotional baggage? Enter the concept of neutral thinking – a mindset free from biases and judgments.
Imagine you’re Russell Wilson, one of the NFL’s top-tier players. Picture a crucial playoff game. The stakes are high, the pressure is mounting – and then, suddenly, you throw multiple interceptions. The crowd gasps and the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But instead of spiraling into negative self-talk or becoming paralyzed by fear, you reset. This reset doesn’t mean you ignore the mistakes or brush them under the rug. Rather, you acknowledge them, and you understand that the past can’t be changed. But the next move, the next pass, the next decision – that’s entirely up to you.
Russell embodies this art of neutral thinking. No matter the turbulence of the past season or personal challenges, he kept his eyes on the present moment, understanding that dwelling in the past or worrying about the future doesn’t serve his current game. It’s a mindset that acknowledges reality but doesn’t let emotions dictate the course of action.
Here’s another example: astronauts are masters of neutral thinking, too. Remember those famous words “Houston, we've had a problem”? Well, on April 14, 1970, the crew of Apollo 13 did have a problem. During the mission, an accident occurred in one of the service module’s oxygen tanks, compromising the spacecraft’s sources of power and oxygen. Stranded in space, facing dire circumstances, panic and despair could have easily taken over. But these astronauts, along with their ground-control team, exemplified the art of how to stay calm and practice neutral thinking. They tackled one problem at a time, acknowledging the severity of the situation, but not letting emotions cloud their judgment. This mindset allowed them to ingeniously craft solutions on the fly, ultimately saving their lives and ensuring a triumphant return to Earth.
So how can you apply their wisdom to your daily life? First, understand that emotions aren’t your enemies. They’re signals, indicators of something deeper. Neutral thinking isn’t about burying those emotions – it’s about recognizing them and not letting them drive the car. To help yourself in these situations, pause and take three deep breaths before reacting. This simple act can help shift your perspective from emotional to neutral, allowing for clearer decision-making.
Secondly, it’s vital to remember that every moment offers a new choice. No, you can’t change what happened five minutes ago, but you’re in full control of the next five minutes. Whether you’re gearing up for a big presentation, navigating personal relationships, or just deciding what to eat for dinner, taking a neutral stance can make the decision clearer and less fraught with unnecessary baggage.
In essence, neutral thinking is your compass in the stormy seas of life. Embrace it, practice it, and watch as you navigate challenges with newfound clarity and purpose.
It Takes What It Takes (2020) unveils the transformative power of neutral thinking. Dive into real-world examples and practical strategies that teach you to navigate life’s challenges with clarity. Gain control, harness your mindset – and watch your world shift.
It Takes What It Takes (2020) is a book that explores the power of mindset in achieving success, both in sports and in life. Here's what makes this book worth reading:
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of It Takes What It Takes?
The main message of It Takes What It Takes is to focus on what you can control and adopt a neutral thinking mindset for peak performance.
How long does it take to read It Takes What It Takes?
The reading time for It Takes What It Takes varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is It Takes What It Takes a good book? Is it worth reading?
It Takes What It Takes is worth reading as it provides practical strategies to improve performance by focusing on what you can control.
Who is the author of It Takes What It Takes?
The author of It Takes What It Takes is Trevor Moawad with Andy Staples.