two books and a memoir
Read a book ya dingus.
If you’re like me you spend a lot of time either on the computer, on your phone, or watching shows and Netflix for days. I easily get caught up in scrolling through my Instagram feed, catching up on Facebook and Twitter and next thing you know an hour has passed, or maybe 2, and I'm watching random cat videos.
It’s really important to disconnect from those silly devices, so why not pick up a real book and learn a little something today, or just get lost in a good read.
I’ve got 3 of my newest/favourite books coming right at ya.
1. RELENTLESS: From Good to Great to Unstoppable - Tim S. Grover.
This book is bad ass. It’s written by Tim, a trainer who worked with Michael Jordan, Kobe, Bryant, Dwayne Wade and the like. I’m not a basketball person, but I seriously love this book. It’s brutally honest at times, blunt, and it’s got that gritty language that makes me want to go to the gym as soon as I read a chapter. He writes about the traits shared by the most intense competitors in business, sport and life and what separates them from mediocrity, or greatness even. He works with the elite, and describes exactly what those people have done to get there.
There are 3 categories of people to him.
Coolers. Closers. And Cleaners. (Good. Great. Unstoppable.)
Coolers follow the leader, they mediate the play, but can never take over the game. Closers get the job done, but seek attention and credit; for them accolades = success. Cleaners are never satisfied, never. They are continually setting new goals every time they reach their best, continually redefining their greatness. Who do you want to be?
Need motivation? Give it a read, it won’t disappoint.
2. Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence - Gary Mack
This book is written by another professional in his field Gary Mack. This guy is a leading sports psychology consultant working with many athletes and teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. He shares a lot of stories of athletes he has worked with who are struggling with some aspect of their game and what they have done to overcome that. As well, he describes the mentality of the athletes who are great and how they approach their sport.
The book is quite small with short chapters. My recommendation wouldn’t be to read it cover to cover, but rather to read a few chapters and write notes on what is important or relevant to you. There’s something to be learned from each chapter, but the information provided can be repetitive. As much as this is about sports, the take aways lead to personal development and a good read for strengthen our mental abilities.
3. Wave - Sonali Deraniyagala
This book is completely unrelated to sports, but something that I picked up when I was at chapters the other day. First of all, it’s a heavy memoir about loss and grief. It’s not for the faint of heart and I can only manage to read it a few chapters at a time. It is so real.
The opening chapter is a recount of December 26, 2004, when a tsunami engulfed the city of Sri Lanka, and with it taking Sonali’s entire family. Her husband, 2 sons and her parents all taken from her that day. This book is a recount of that day and the 7 years since their death.
I haven't finished this book, and cannot relate to the situations Sonali has experienced, but it is a beautiful read about struggle, coming to terms with the reality of our situations and finding a place in our hearts for those things we have lost when maybe all we want to do is put them out of our minds.