Most people have experienced pre-performance jitters, whether they come before a date, an exam or a business presentation. But rather than spend mental energy trying to quash this reaction, Eliot says, they should stay focused on the task at hand, remaining confident in their abilities in order to rise to what the subconscious recognizes as a momentous occasion. Unlike other performance enhancement guides that prescribe specific techniques, Eliot has one broad goal—"getting your mind ready to perform"—and freely admits everyone will need to find an approach to what he calls "the Trusting Mindset" based on their unique passions and commitments. He does present compelling examples from his own career as a performance consultant as well as other tales from the worlds of business and sport. When Eliot encourages readers to think like Yogi Berra, he isn’t talking about embracing paradox but about a tenacious focus on fulfilling your dreams despite "realistic" criticism from peers, and he drives the point home further by comparing Berra to Michael Dell and Virgin CEO Richard Branson. Though the hard-headedness of his approach is at odds with much conventional wisdom, his upfront conversational tone makes his advice not just palatable but convincing. Even if they don’t achieve superstar results right away, readers from all walks of life should find it easier to hone their concentration and work a little harder.

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