Reading List
Here is a collection of books that will not only impact your athletic performance in a variety of ways, but other areas of your life as well.
Auto/Biography
Quiet Strength: The Principles, Priorities, and Practices of a Winning Life by Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy is full of insightful wisdom that applies to the athlete and non-athlete alike. In his autobiography, he covers his time growing up in Jackson, Michigan, all the way through winning the Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts. I highly recommend this book, because he inspires you and shows you that you can succeed on your own terms.
Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography by Lou Holtz
This is a great book written by legendary coach, Lou Holtz. In it, he covers his time starting out in football, his coaching career, etc. He also has a lot of insightful wisdom for athletes, coaches, and people outside of athletics. Definitely a must read book. Also, check out my advice for athletes based on my reading of this book.
Sport Psychology
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
Our attitude has an enormous impact on how we deal with the challenges we face in life. This book will teach you how to examine your attitude, fix it if necessary, and how to approach challenges and setbacks positively. That will help us strive to reach new levels of performance.
The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey
While this is a short book that has tennis in the title, don’t let that fool you. This book is full of useful information that will teach us how to directly step our game up to the next level. This book has had a huge impact on how I view athletic performance.
Strategy
The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene
We typically associate sports with war. One player or team doing battle against another. Sports are wars in many ways, and since that’s true, it is important we know how to properly fight our opponents. This book will teach us how.
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
In sports there are constant attempts of one side trying to gain power over the other. This is vitally important, as the side who can control the opponent can win the competition. This book will open your eyes to the different ways your opponents try to achieve power over you, how you can stop them from doing so, and how you can turn the tables back on your opponent.
In sports and life we are constantly dominated by fear. Fear of losing to our opponent, fear of not preparing hard enough for competition, fear of criticism. This book will teach you all the different ways fear impacts your life, and how to overcome it.
Other
How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler
Our time is valuable, split between our sports, academics, work, and relationships to name a few. When we read, we have to get the most out of our reading the first time, to maximize our time. Adler teaches us how to do just that.
