Stillpower: Excellence with Ease in Sports and Life
Beyond Words Publishing/Atria Books, June 2012
For years, athletes, coaches, parents, and organizations have searched for the secrets to optimum mental performance. However, in spite of a myriad of tools and techniques, success and contentment continue to be as elusive as ever, until now. Garret Kramer's Stillpower offers a revolutionary explanation for this predicament and provides a basic, yet dynamic, approach for the future. In an accessible style, Kramer reveals the innate principles behind consistent achievement and highlights the misalignment between the experiences of all performers and the strategies of the coaches, psychologists, and experts who are hoping to help them
Stillpower uses real-life examples to explore such questions as: What is "the zone" and what must we do (or not do) to get there? Why do we need to understand the difference between insight and intellect? Is goal setting really useful? Why doesn't willpower work? And why do the best mentors focus on a person's state of mind and not behavior? Virtually all of us -- athletes and non-athletes alike -- are looking outside of ourselves, trying to unlock the keys to happiness, freedom, and excellence with ease. Stillpower encourages us to look within to finally find the answers.
Hardcover | ISBN: 9781582703886 | Publication Date: June 2012
Reviews:
"Garret Kramer has overturned much of the conventional wisdom about coaching and performance . . . Stillpower is an insightful and profound book."
-- Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind
"A clear and quiet state of mind isn't just a key element in sports; it's also important in finance, relationships, and life. The principles introduced in this book apply to so much more than athletics."
-- Jean Chatzky, author of the New York Times bestseller Money 911
"In covering sports for more than twenty years, I am always looking for what separates the good athletes from the great ones. Garret Kramer looks outside the box when it comes to athletics . . . Stillpower is a must-read for someone serious about performance, or for the casual fan who wants to learn what really makes athletes tick -- on and off the field."
-- Ian Eagle, CBS Sports/YES Network/Westwood One Radio
"Stillpower is not just one of the best books on
improving sports performance ever written -- it is a must-read for
coaches and performers in any field of human endeavor. While you
work on your game or career, the ideas in this book will go to
work on you."
-- Michael Neill, author of Supercoach
"The brilliance of Garret Kramer's perspective is that he takes
the often complicated process of achieving one's best performance
and turns it into a direct, natural, and positive understanding .
. . Stillpower provides the simple, yet powerful message
the sports world has been looking for."
-- Sean Hutchison, US Olympic swimming coach
"As I reflect back on my personal quest to develop character
through the sport of football, I greatly identify with the wisdom
and principles of this book. Stillpower is a profound
playbook for the athletic and life journey. Garret Kramer shows us
that people become what they think in their heart, not in their
head."
-- Tyrone Keys, founder of All Sports Community Services,
Super Bowl-winning defensive end -- Chicago Bears
"Garret Kramer understands the importance of having 'your head
right.' Stillpower reveals the optimum mental functioning
of an athlete and the real source of that functioning. Under this
paradigm, individuals involved in sports will enjoy the
character-building benefits often promised by participation. Even
children will find athletics more enjoyable and, at the same time,
achieve high levels of success. I know this may all sound like a
tall order, but this book honestly offers that potential."
-- George Pransky, PhD
"I was first introduced to sports psychology in the 1970s when I
was playing professional baseball. Like all athletes, I was
constantly in search of that magical place called 'the zone,'
where the game slows down and pitches are suddenly easy to track.
Contrary to what most people think, however, finding your way to
'the zone' doesn't come from grinding or strength of will -- it
comes from another source. Stillpower reveals this
surprising source. If you're a serious athlete, coach, sports
parent -- in fact, anyone -- I strongly suggest you read what
Garret Kramer has to say about getting to the top of your game, on
and off the field."
-- Rick Wolf, sports psychology expert and host of THE
SPORTS EDGE, WFAN Radio, New York
"I first heard Garret Kramer speak in 2009, and I was instantly
intrigued by his message and approach to athletic mental
performance. Stillpower takes a unique perspective that
will challenge your traditional beliefs. If you keep an open mind
and really listen to what this book has to say, you will realize
how much easier and more positive life can be, and why the notion
of 'no pain, no gain' will never help in your pursuit of success."
-- Rob Naddelman, president of Baseball Factory
"The message introduced in this book is the reverse of any
mental strategy or technique that I have ever tried. Stillpower
has shown me that my thoughts and moods create my perceptions. So,
instead of being victimized by my circumstances, I determine my
own performance level -- no matter what is happening outside of
me. As a result of understanding the principles of thought and
consciousness, I now find myself in 'the zone' way more often.
Thanks to Garret Kramer I just had the best year of my
professional career."
-- Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators forward
