A review by michael_taylor
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life -- Master Any Skill or Challenge by Learning to Love the Process, by Thomas M. Sterner
4.0
The Practicing Mind is probably the closest a self help book is going to come to being tailor made for me. The author uses his life of practicing music to inform the writing of this book. The examples are very clear cut and in plain language. No room for misinterpretation here - be in the present moment and enjoy the process of practice. That's it. If you can do that then then everything else flows from that. I liked that he used examples from different areas of study to highlight his points (I'm not a golfer, but I understood what he was trying to communicate).
I was already following most of his advice regarding practicing an art form (keep a journal, being present in the moment) but I liked how he discussed applying that mind set to all aspects of life. If you think about everything as something to be practiced suddenly they aren't monotonous tasks anymore.
I only have two complaints. One is the nature of self help books. They can become repetitive fast. Especially in this case where the author tells you "Hey listen, I'm not re inventing the wheel here. Just do what I do". The second complaint is due to the format I listed to this in (audio book). The author does his own narration. And while he isn't terrible he also has a very calm, monotone voice. He sounds like the voice you used to hear on instructional video tapes on VHS in the 80 & 90s. You can become so present in his calm, droning voice that you catch yourself falling asleep while driving listening to this. Stay alive! Be present while READING this book in a quiet room that isn't flying down the highway.
I was already following most of his advice regarding practicing an art form (keep a journal, being present in the moment) but I liked how he discussed applying that mind set to all aspects of life. If you think about everything as something to be practiced suddenly they aren't monotonous tasks anymore.
I only have two complaints. One is the nature of self help books. They can become repetitive fast. Especially in this case where the author tells you "Hey listen, I'm not re inventing the wheel here. Just do what I do". The second complaint is due to the format I listed to this in (audio book). The author does his own narration. And while he isn't terrible he also has a very calm, monotone voice. He sounds like the voice you used to hear on instructional video tapes on VHS in the 80 & 90s. You can become so present in his calm, droning voice that you catch yourself falling asleep while driving listening to this. Stay alive! Be present while READING this book in a quiet room that isn't flying down the highway.