Instant Motivation: The Surprising Truth Behind What Really Drives Top Performance

by Chantal Burns

'This will change how you see everything'

Linda Swidenbank; Publishing Director, Time Inc (UK)

 

'Reveals the vital difference between how we really think and how we think we think'

Rory Sutherland; Vice Chairman, Ogilvy & Mather

 

 This book will change how you think about what drives you to succeed. Groundbreaking new research  reveals how your state of mind holds the key to your motivation, success and happiness. 

 

Compelling evidence combined with inspiring stories and insights will unlock a powerful new mindset that will instantly boost your performance and open your eyes to what it really takes to excel.

 

'If you want to power-up your performance, read this book'

Shaa Wasmund, author of Stop Talking, Start Doing

 

'Genuinely transformational'

Josh Krichefski, COO MediaCom

 

'Compelling'

David Pugh-Jones, Global Creative Director, Microsoft

 

'Life-changing!'

Sophie Hearsey, Editor, that's life!

 

'Highly recommended!'

Karl Marsden, Managing Director, Shortlist Media Ltd

 

'Deceptively powerful'

Stuart Taylor, CEO Kinetic Worldwide

 

 

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2015

Reviews

[Will Once · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's hard to know where to start with this one.

I normally like to find at least something to praise in every book I review. There is usually something worth reading in every book. Somewhere. For someone.

But I'm really struggling to find anything positive to say about this book.

For one thing, it's almost entirely devoid of content. The "surprising truth behind what really drives top performance" turns out to be nothing more than "motivation comes from within". That's it. It takes an age to get to that point, then we get example after example of the same point and then ... I started to lose the will to live.

Then we have the "ground-breaking research". Which is nothing more than a single survey that the author carried out. The survey asked for people's opinion about topics such as motivation, stress and thinking. Hardly earth-shattering and the responses were fairly predictable.

But then the author does something weird. She quotes the survey when it confirms her point of view. That's understandable. But she also quotes exactly the same survey when it doesn't justify her opinions - when the vast majority of people say the exact opposite of what she is saying Because, apparently, that "proves" that people don't understand the amazing fact that she has worked out.

That is very convenient research which can prove you right whatever it says!

Then we have very one-sided lists where her way of thinking has dozens of positives and the alternatives have dozens of negatives. Which is also a bit convenient

Throw in some mumbo jumbo from a character called Sydney Banks about the three principles of Mind, Consciousness and Thought. Which don't seem to fit with any conventional theories of neuroscience or psychology.

If we compare with a book that does have extensive and varied research - say one of Malcolm Gladwell's books or "Design for Happiness" by Paul Doran - and we see this book for what it is. Enough material for a magazine article, at best, that has been padded out to make a book. There is no ground-breaking research, there is no astounding secret. This isn't instant motivation.

Sorry, but no. One star. Not recommended.

[Gina Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book in 3 sentences/summary:

All feelings we have are the result of our thoughts in the moment.

These thoughts and feelings are all entirely internal and not caused by external factors.

To shift your feelings in the moment, you need to change your thoughts.

My impressions:

Instant Motivation is a book perfect for those who love understanding and re-training their own mind. It highlights the role of our thoughts and how they impact how we feel. Covering everything from anxiety, to fear, confidence, success and even pain.

It then uses certain principles to help you monitor and reframe your thoughts to adjust how you feel in any given moment.

It’s a heavier read, but worth every bit of time you spend reading it.

Should you read it? (who would benefit from this): 

If you struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, focus, stress, motivation etc. This book is for you!

What I personally got from the book:

I absolutely love learning how the mind works so this was a joy to read and pretty exciting too. Understanding how we function and process thoughts means that we can ultimately adjust how we navigate life, there’s no better knowledge than that.

[Han · Rating 1 out of 5]

Essentially this is just a very long blog post with a click baity title. If you've never looked into mindfulness or done any CBT then this might actually be a very approachable book but for me it was 16 chapters too long.

Basically it says whatever thought your having is affected by your emotions at the time. Ever find yourself in a flow state have a great idea then as you come out of that state your feelings start to cloud that idea until eventually you decide it's stupid and forget it.

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, on a subject dear to me. But as I've already read quite a few books on the principles behind Thought Mind and Consciousness, this was more of a repetition for me. Definitely recommend it to those new to the understanding of what creates our experience, and curious about top performance!

[Ravi Raman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrible title, but a good book :)

Particularly relevant for coaches who approach their work from a “three principles” perspective. Easy to skim. Relevant for business audiences as well. I’ve read many books covering the “three principles” so much of what I read here wasn’t new, but it was a nice refresher.

[Gareth Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful

I really enjoyed the metaphor of inside-out thinking, and how thought is the driver of action. I would recommend this book to anybody who feels like their environment controls them, and they have no power to change that.

[Theut · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mah. Qualche idea buona (semplice buon senso?) riproposta a più riprese. Molti esempi che vanno sempre nella stessa direzione e che non spiegano la teoria illustrata poco prima. Dimenticabile.

[Alireza Hejazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instant Motivation offers the simple formula of performance as the ongoing cycle of “Thought–Feeling–Behavior.”

[Felipe Bernardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well articulated, for those interested in a deep and academic exploration of our states of mind and it's relationship with work performance, this is for you.

[Laura Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel this book is very repetitive and struggled to conclude any valuable take away.