Author Terry Orlick, an internationally acclaimed sport psychologist, has helped hundreds of Olympic athletes maximize their performances and achieve their goals. In this third edition, Orlick presents his special insights and experiences to help you make the most of your potential. He also identifies the Seven Essential Elements of Human Excellence and provides a step-by-step plan for proceeding along your personal path to excellence.

Both practical and inspirational, In Pursuit of Excellence is a guide to daily living and motivation, as well as a road map to long-term achievement. Read it, use it, and winon and off the field.

If you've ever found yourself belaboring a performance error, regularly using negative self-talk or "choking" in those key situations... then this book is for you.

It does require a belief... the belief that mental training will work. "Belief is the mother of reality."


Mental Training for Sports and LIFE   November 11, 2005
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

This book has many useful tools not just for athletes but also for individuals seeking something for their everyday lives.

Best section I thought was on setting goals, the wheel of excellence, maintaining positive perspectives and outlook, and how to deal with distraction control, quest for consistency, etc etc.

These are all very important concepts not just for the athlete in training but also for everyday people seeking a goal or purpose in life, maintaining that path to success, and knowing how to deal with every day bumps and grinds and highs and lows.

Book talks about:
Setting a goal
Make commitment to that goal
And Initiate Action to accomplish your goals
and don't let distractions, criticism, or other people distract you from your path.

Sounds simple? But for most of us we really have to work on it! Takes lotsa work and discipline to know what you want, work to towards getting it, and not stray from distractions or criticism.


Great book, also an easy read   February 17, 2006
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

In college I took a sports psychology class taught by a practicing Sports Psychologist who coached Many NFL & PGA Tour players. This was one of out main books we used and it is still in my library today. As a collegiate athlete (baseball), I was able to easily apply the concepts to my own game. I don't know if it helped my physical ability, but mentally I was much more confident and focused.



In Pursuit of Excellence   June 6, 2000
 6 out of 33 found this review helpful

Me gustaria saber si existe una edicion en espanol del libro de Terry Orlick. Desde ahora muchas gracias


the best sports psych book   March 14, 2008
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

There are a lot of good books on mental training for athletes but I think Terry Orlick's stands out by carrying information that is insightful, well-rounded, very practical, beneficial to reducing anxiety, increasing focus on the task and, ultimately, performance.

As an Olympic medal winner who now manages a online sport psych shop (sportsmindskills.com) I've come across a lot of books on the subject and this is the winner!