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The Golden Rules: 10 Steps to World-Class Excellence in Your Life and Work
Bob Bowman, best known as the coach for the record-breaking run of Michael Phelps, is one of the most successful coaches in Olympic history. The Golden Rules is his motivational book about winning in all walks of life and what you have to do to get there. He presents ten key concepts that all people should live by. Inside, illuminated by spirited anecdotes, Bowman will teach you how to get gold out of every day by setting goals and getting motivated to achieve them. He will explain that taking risks is the key to success in any pursuit, and coach you on how you can become more risk-tolerant.
By following The Golden Rules, you will learn to visualise in order to achieve your goals, and that above all else, dedication to your training, your job, or whatever area it is you are seeking to triumph in is paramount for success.
By following The Golden Rules, you will learn to visualise in order to achieve your goals, and that above all else, dedication to your training, your job, or whatever area it is you are seeking to triumph in is paramount for success.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2016
154 people are currently reading
1800 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
October 15, 2018
This is a good book but what stops it from being great, in my opinion, is that what I feel keeps getting hammered into my head from it is Michael Phelps, swimming, and Olympics, not the principles themselves. I understand that this is a book written by a trainer of world-class swimmers, that he speaks honestly, that he speaks from his perspective, and that he uses the material of his life for this work. Perhaps it just wasn't the right deployment of these ideas for me.
The method that is the core of this book is boiled down to points, which Bowman writes about in order. I'll paste them at the end of my review.
This book reminded me of who I was and am. It's taken me across some bridges that I've been afraid of approaching this year, with the death of my grandmother, my inspiration for fitness, and the dissolution of my relationship. I've been thinking a lot about what I lost, how I got lost, and this book gave me a path back, identifying what I did right and what I should begin doing again.
Reminded me about that book by the marine I reviewed recently, especially the section in this book about the swimmers having to do the sugar cookie thing.
1. A champion sets a "dream big" vision.
1.1 Stake your vision on where you want to go
1.2 Use facts ( and your gut ) to plot your future
1.3 Suspend belief to see your vision
1.4 Don't just think about your vision. Think about it creatively
1.5 Put your vision down in writing
1.6 Your vision will provide the picture frame for future success
1.7 Your vision must engage you
2. Adopt an "all-in!" attitude, not a "get out!" one.
2.1 "All - in! " can turn long shots into legends
2.2 Seek to achieve, not to medal
2.3 Take the "Why not just try it?" approach
2.4 Move forward with positive energy
2.5 Do yourself a favour and avoid negative enthusiasm
2.6 Be sure to show off your all-in approach
2.7 When you go off course - readjust your approach
2.8 All-in brings out all the possibilities
3. Take risks - and then enjoy the rewards.
3.1 Life gets livelier by taking a risk now and then
3.2 All-in attitudes often make for very good gambles
3.3 Taking a risk can bring unexpected growth
3.4 To become risk-tolerant, you need to face up to uncertainty
3.5 Change your behaviour, it will change how you look at yourself
3.6 Getting used to risk prepares you for life's bigger challenges
4. Short-term goals lead to long-term success.
4.1 Get your game plan in place
4.2 Let short-term goals guide your game plan
4.3 Set progressive goals
4.4 Make goal-setting something you can't hide from
4.5 Learn from your goal-setting blunders
4.6 Earn the success you achieve. Your game plan will show you how
4.7 Be prepared to review your game plan and reset your goals
5. Live the vision every day.
5.1 Success becomes routine when you have a routine
5.2 Make a schedule - and stick to it.
5.3 Bring purpose to your pursuit every day.
5.4 Predictable performance depends on consistent effort.
5.5 Patience is a virtue when pursuing a goal
5.6 That said, you can also ramp up your pursuit
5.7 Apply a little pressure, it will go a long way
5.8 Look back over today, it will make tomorrow that more productive.
6. A team approach can inspire individual success.
6.1 Build a support team that will help you - as you help them.
6.2 Connect with the people who want to help. They're out there.
6.3 Find the like-minded to pull you through the toughest moments.
6.4 Avoid those people who will pull you down.
6.5 Help others believe in themselves
7. Stay motivated over the long haul.
7.1 On the dark days, convince yourself to stay in focus.
7.2 Make every day seem not like every day.
7.3 Find another passion to offset the grind that comes with your primary one.
7.4 Know what motivates people beyond their dream vision.
7.5 Inspire with immediate, not delayed, feedback.
7.6 Let your passion lead you, not get away from you.
8. Adversity will make you stronger.
8.1 Practice being uncomfortable.
8.2 Learn to deal with stress so that you can survive other challenges.
8.3 Visualise the good that can come from disappointment.
8.4 Cancellation should not be confused with failure.
8.5 At all cost, reduce your anxieties. Really, at all cost.
8.6 A comeback shouldn't be a solo venture.
9. When the time comes, perform with confidence.
9.1 When performing, don't forget the details.
9.2 Learn from past performances.
9.3 Stay focused. Repeat: Stay focused.
9.4 Do yourself a favour. Don't choke.
9.5 The best performance comes when you enjoy the moment.
10. Celebrate your achievement, then decide what's next.
10.1 Make the memory of your achievement memorable.
10.2 Plan for the question "What's next?" even before you are faced with answering it.
10.3 Keep a lookout for those who don't see "next" so easily.
10.4 Don't give up on giving second chances.
At the time of this writing, this list doesn't exist anywhere else on the internet. You have absolutely, positively, no idea how frustrating it was putting this thing together when the only thing I have is the audiobook. It was worth it though to have this be accessible to others.
The method that is the core of this book is boiled down to points, which Bowman writes about in order. I'll paste them at the end of my review.
This book reminded me of who I was and am. It's taken me across some bridges that I've been afraid of approaching this year, with the death of my grandmother, my inspiration for fitness, and the dissolution of my relationship. I've been thinking a lot about what I lost, how I got lost, and this book gave me a path back, identifying what I did right and what I should begin doing again.
Reminded me about that book by the marine I reviewed recently, especially the section in this book about the swimmers having to do the sugar cookie thing.
1. A champion sets a "dream big" vision.
1.1 Stake your vision on where you want to go
1.2 Use facts ( and your gut ) to plot your future
1.3 Suspend belief to see your vision
1.4 Don't just think about your vision. Think about it creatively
1.5 Put your vision down in writing
1.6 Your vision will provide the picture frame for future success
1.7 Your vision must engage you
2. Adopt an "all-in!" attitude, not a "get out!" one.
2.1 "All - in! " can turn long shots into legends
2.2 Seek to achieve, not to medal
2.3 Take the "Why not just try it?" approach
2.4 Move forward with positive energy
2.5 Do yourself a favour and avoid negative enthusiasm
2.6 Be sure to show off your all-in approach
2.7 When you go off course - readjust your approach
2.8 All-in brings out all the possibilities
3. Take risks - and then enjoy the rewards.
3.1 Life gets livelier by taking a risk now and then
3.2 All-in attitudes often make for very good gambles
3.3 Taking a risk can bring unexpected growth
3.4 To become risk-tolerant, you need to face up to uncertainty
3.5 Change your behaviour, it will change how you look at yourself
3.6 Getting used to risk prepares you for life's bigger challenges
4. Short-term goals lead to long-term success.
4.1 Get your game plan in place
4.2 Let short-term goals guide your game plan
4.3 Set progressive goals
4.4 Make goal-setting something you can't hide from
4.5 Learn from your goal-setting blunders
4.6 Earn the success you achieve. Your game plan will show you how
4.7 Be prepared to review your game plan and reset your goals
5. Live the vision every day.
5.1 Success becomes routine when you have a routine
5.2 Make a schedule - and stick to it.
5.3 Bring purpose to your pursuit every day.
5.4 Predictable performance depends on consistent effort.
5.5 Patience is a virtue when pursuing a goal
5.6 That said, you can also ramp up your pursuit
5.7 Apply a little pressure, it will go a long way
5.8 Look back over today, it will make tomorrow that more productive.
6. A team approach can inspire individual success.
6.1 Build a support team that will help you - as you help them.
6.2 Connect with the people who want to help. They're out there.
6.3 Find the like-minded to pull you through the toughest moments.
6.4 Avoid those people who will pull you down.
6.5 Help others believe in themselves
7. Stay motivated over the long haul.
7.1 On the dark days, convince yourself to stay in focus.
7.2 Make every day seem not like every day.
7.3 Find another passion to offset the grind that comes with your primary one.
7.4 Know what motivates people beyond their dream vision.
7.5 Inspire with immediate, not delayed, feedback.
7.6 Let your passion lead you, not get away from you.
8. Adversity will make you stronger.
8.1 Practice being uncomfortable.
8.2 Learn to deal with stress so that you can survive other challenges.
8.3 Visualise the good that can come from disappointment.
8.4 Cancellation should not be confused with failure.
8.5 At all cost, reduce your anxieties. Really, at all cost.
8.6 A comeback shouldn't be a solo venture.
9. When the time comes, perform with confidence.
9.1 When performing, don't forget the details.
9.2 Learn from past performances.
9.3 Stay focused. Repeat: Stay focused.
9.4 Do yourself a favour. Don't choke.
9.5 The best performance comes when you enjoy the moment.
10. Celebrate your achievement, then decide what's next.
10.1 Make the memory of your achievement memorable.
10.2 Plan for the question "What's next?" even before you are faced with answering it.
10.3 Keep a lookout for those who don't see "next" so easily.
10.4 Don't give up on giving second chances.
At the time of this writing, this list doesn't exist anywhere else on the internet. You have absolutely, positively, no idea how frustrating it was putting this thing together when the only thing I have is the audiobook. It was worth it though to have this be accessible to others.
March 4, 2021
Спортсменам
December 22, 2016
This is the book for all frustrated procrastinators with big ideas. Read it. Read it at least once a year!
I read the audiobook. It's a little quiet in parts so was difficult sometimes to hear on the subway. The speaker has a nice clear voice though and I could listen to it comfortably at x2 speed.
Favourite quotes:
"Get gold out of every day."
"How you do things is as important as what happens when they're done."
"The more you can sprinkle motivational practices into the regular vision quest, the easier it will be to keep the passion for the vision charged up."
"Sometimes we think multi-tasking makes us more impressive in the eyes of the world, but in reality, if we can't effectively manage our priorities and keep them at a manageable number, we end up working very hard but decreasing the quality of our work."
"Choking is the inability to perform under pressure owing to psychological, not physical, reasons. It afflicts people who are usually good with an activity until the moment becomes overly demanding. They let the environment overwhelm them. They lose sight of why they're there: to simply execute what they've studied or practiced. Instead they look ahead and become focused on outcome. They think, "What happens if I don't do this?" When you face a pressure situation, stay true to yourself and your plan. Remain in the present and do what you have worked weeks and months to perfect."
I read the audiobook. It's a little quiet in parts so was difficult sometimes to hear on the subway. The speaker has a nice clear voice though and I could listen to it comfortably at x2 speed.
Favourite quotes:
"Get gold out of every day."
"How you do things is as important as what happens when they're done."
"The more you can sprinkle motivational practices into the regular vision quest, the easier it will be to keep the passion for the vision charged up."
"Sometimes we think multi-tasking makes us more impressive in the eyes of the world, but in reality, if we can't effectively manage our priorities and keep them at a manageable number, we end up working very hard but decreasing the quality of our work."
"Choking is the inability to perform under pressure owing to psychological, not physical, reasons. It afflicts people who are usually good with an activity until the moment becomes overly demanding. They let the environment overwhelm them. They lose sight of why they're there: to simply execute what they've studied or practiced. Instead they look ahead and become focused on outcome. They think, "What happens if I don't do this?" When you face a pressure situation, stay true to yourself and your plan. Remain in the present and do what you have worked weeks and months to perfect."
physical_to-read_stack
December 20, 2017I received my copy free through Goodreads Giveaways.
March 27, 2020
Понравившиеся идеи из книги:
- Совершенство – это плод ежедневных усилий. Каждый день живите своей мечтой.
- Планируйте будущее, основываясь на фактах (и интуиции). Вам нужно представлять себе, куда вы хотите попасть, что вы хотите совершить, кем вы хотите стать в будущем.
- Сверхзадача дает смысл ежедневным усилиям, причину вставать каждое утро с постели и что-то делать. Она должна вдохновлять, восхищать, возбуждать эмоции, брать вас за душу и захватывать воображение.
- К сверхзадаче надо продвигаться постепенно, а не вприпрыжку. Последовательные шаги и промежуточные цели – вот что подготовит ваш мозг к борьбе с вызовами и ожиданиям. Каждая промежуточная цель, которой вы достигнете по пути к главной, придаст вам уверенности.
- Измените свое поведение, чтобы изменить самовосприятие. Действие должно быть выражением вашей сущности.
- Высокорезультативные люди в большинстве случаев записывают приоритеты и задачи на день, предсказуемо и контролируемо ими занимаются, а в конце дня обдумывают свои усилия, чтобы убедиться, соответствуют ли достигнутые результаты долгосрочным целям.
- Человек, который неэффективно расставляет приоритеты и не держит их число в пределах разумного, работает не только тяжелее, но и менее качественно.
- Достижение цели – это труд, время и везение. Успех в любом деле зависит от того, сколько качественного времени и усилий вы на него тратите.
- Наши цели притягивают других.
- В стремлении к своим целям и мечте вам совершенно необходим такой ингредиент, как страсть. Это сильный интерес, привязанность, которая начинает возникать, когда встречаешь то, к чему тебя тянет. Именно это часто отличает людей, добившихся высоких достижений, от простых мечтателей.
- В жизни периодически надо посвящать себя чему-то новому. Надо заново обдумать, кто ты такой, что ты делаешь и почему.
- Единственный способ сохранять энтузиазм и удовлетворение –это развивать новые интересы и навыки.
- Совершенство – это плод ежедневных усилий. Каждый день живите своей мечтой.
- Планируйте будущее, основываясь на фактах (и интуиции). Вам нужно представлять себе, куда вы хотите попасть, что вы хотите совершить, кем вы хотите стать в будущем.
- Сверхзадача дает смысл ежедневным усилиям, причину вставать каждое утро с постели и что-то делать. Она должна вдохновлять, восхищать, возбуждать эмоции, брать вас за душу и захватывать воображение.
- К сверхзадаче надо продвигаться постепенно, а не вприпрыжку. Последовательные шаги и промежуточные цели – вот что подготовит ваш мозг к борьбе с вызовами и ожиданиям. Каждая промежуточная цель, которой вы достигнете по пути к главной, придаст вам уверенности.
- Измените свое поведение, чтобы изменить самовосприятие. Действие должно быть выражением вашей сущности.
- Высокорезультативные люди в большинстве случаев записывают приоритеты и задачи на день, предсказуемо и контролируемо ими занимаются, а в конце дня обдумывают свои усилия, чтобы убедиться, соответствуют ли достигнутые результаты долгосрочным целям.
- Человек, который неэффективно расставляет приоритеты и не держит их число в пределах разумного, работает не только тяжелее, но и менее качественно.
- Достижение цели – это труд, время и везение. Успех в любом деле зависит от того, сколько качественного времени и усилий вы на него тратите.
- Наши цели притягивают других.
- В стремлении к своим целям и мечте вам совершенно необходим такой ингредиент, как страсть. Это сильный интерес, привязанность, которая начинает возникать, когда встречаешь то, к чему тебя тянет. Именно это часто отличает людей, добившихся высоких достижений, от простых мечтателей.
- В жизни периодически надо посвящать себя чему-то новому. Надо заново обдумать, кто ты такой, что ты делаешь и почему.
- Единственный способ сохранять энтузиазм и удовлетворение –это развивать новые интересы и навыки.
January 7, 2021
I really liked this book, so much so that I reread it and took notes. I love reading about the mindset and practices of successful people! Bob Bowman did not disappoint!
December 28, 2025
Como nadador amateur, el libro se siente menos como un manual para campeones olímpicos y más como un recordatorio de por qué entrenamos. Constancia, foco en el proceso y respeto por los detalles. No promete milagros, pero sí una mentalidad que hace que cada largo cuente, incluso cuando no hay podio a la vista.
August 20, 2021
Boring. You never get what the Golden Rules are since almost everything is about Michael Phelps' success. Bowman says at the end of the book that all the lights and cameras go into the athletes and not at all on their coaches. Well, on writting this book he made the same. The centre of this is about his swimmers and their accomplishments.
May 27, 2017
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
Good and helpful things here. Obviously not everything works for everyone but you can gather ideas on what works for you and follow the good advice given here as close as possible.
Good and helpful things here. Obviously not everything works for everyone but you can gather ideas on what works for you and follow the good advice given here as close as possible.
May 18, 2021
I couldn’t finish this book. Too much name-dropping (Phelps, Phelps, Phelps...). Also, Bowman keeps talk about how great he himself is, which is tiring to read.
July 24, 2024
Of course, Bob Bowman is a certified legend and perhaps the greatest swim coach of all
time. However, it’s clear that he’s not a natural writer and needed help to relate lessons in
swimming back to everyday life and business. However, I am beyond impressed with
how he fosters positive habits and routines in his life. Furthermore, it was enlightening
hearing about some of the swimmers who stood out to him as superstars in practice but
struggled in racing. It reminded me a lot of myself. I am also impressed to learn how well
Michael Phelps recovered from his low points in life. The perspective of this being
written pre-Rio 2016 is also very intriguing. Bowman has unparalleled confidence in his
process/swimmers and it shows. One of the coolest lessons in my opinion is having a
passion outside the goal you’re chasing. He noted that Angel (from France) loved
classical literature/learning and would often take classes for fun. He also highlighted his
passion for horse racing and Michael’s passion for golf. This process aged perfectly, as
Team USA had a stellar performance at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Overall, despite
its narrative nature, I’d recommend giving this book a try
time. However, it’s clear that he’s not a natural writer and needed help to relate lessons in
swimming back to everyday life and business. However, I am beyond impressed with
how he fosters positive habits and routines in his life. Furthermore, it was enlightening
hearing about some of the swimmers who stood out to him as superstars in practice but
struggled in racing. It reminded me a lot of myself. I am also impressed to learn how well
Michael Phelps recovered from his low points in life. The perspective of this being
written pre-Rio 2016 is also very intriguing. Bowman has unparalleled confidence in his
process/swimmers and it shows. One of the coolest lessons in my opinion is having a
passion outside the goal you’re chasing. He noted that Angel (from France) loved
classical literature/learning and would often take classes for fun. He also highlighted his
passion for horse racing and Michael’s passion for golf. This process aged perfectly, as
Team USA had a stellar performance at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Overall, despite
its narrative nature, I’d recommend giving this book a try
December 19, 2020
This is the first book - borrowed from the library - that I actually read twice. I picked this up cos I had an interest in swimming and Michael Phelps (no shame here hey). In the book, not only was Michael Phelps mentioned heaps of times understandably, I was also thrilled to read about other noteworthy swimmers like Alison Schmidtt - she was a legend to watch during the Olympic Games. The good mix of swimmers mentioned here as well as the gruelling routine put forward by author Bob Bowman puts my own "routine" to shame.
The book also dwells albeit briefly on Michael Phelps' DUI as well as him being caught with a bong on photograph; it paints an incredibly humane picture of him which I love because hey, who doesn't make mistakes at 19 years old ? It elaborates a lil more about how he came back from adversity and shut out the external noise (ie the media having a field day about his blunders) - these I find to be incredibly useful because, Live and Learn. Before moving Onward and Upward.
I'd want to re-read this again. :)
The book also dwells albeit briefly on Michael Phelps' DUI as well as him being caught with a bong on photograph; it paints an incredibly humane picture of him which I love because hey, who doesn't make mistakes at 19 years old ? It elaborates a lil more about how he came back from adversity and shut out the external noise (ie the media having a field day about his blunders) - these I find to be incredibly useful because, Live and Learn. Before moving Onward and Upward.
I'd want to re-read this again. :)
February 1, 2023
The Golden Rules by Bob Bowman is one of many books I had planned to read in the near future which all correlate to the idea of bettering ones self either physically or mental for the challenges ahead which for my case is the topic of getting better as aa volleyball player. This book has excellent ways of impressing one with ways to grow in whatever they are trying to do even if the focus is on swimming the broadness of the tips and rules can be applied to all aspects of life which I caught as incredible writing. A focus in this book is where you can train your mind and mental just as much as your body and in some cases its the best thing you could even do for your goals. I took many of these tips(rules) to heart and believe they have changed the way I will approach my training going forward which makes me a better version of myself than I previously was or thought I could achieve. I would recommend this read to many athletes or anyone who is doubting their own strength to give you one last push to try for your dreams.
February 16, 2024
Ce livre est dédié aux personnes qui sont ouvertes d’esprit et veulent tout mettre en oeuvre pour réussir et atteindre leurs objectifs, quel qu’ils soient.
Passant un concours important, ce livre m’a apporté la positivité et l’ambition dont j’avais besoin pour le passer plus sereinement. Je me suis retrouvée dans certes règles que j’applique déjà : le vison board, conscientiser son projet et visualiser notre réussite. « C’est associer son objectifs à chaque entraînement »
Bien que j’applique déjà certaines règles, j’ai aimé en apprendre de nouvelles et avoir de nouvelles perspectives. Le petit plus était dans les anecdotes de Bob Bowman et Michael Phelps, me permettant d’enrichir ma culture sportive.
« Votre vision doit être source d’inspiration. Elle doit vous stimuler et vous émouvoir »
« Le seul handicap dans la vie est une attitude négative »
Et d’autres règles d’or encore… À vous d’aller chercher le suivante si la curiosité et l’envie d’être à 100% dans vos objectifs vous y poussent.
Passant un concours important, ce livre m’a apporté la positivité et l’ambition dont j’avais besoin pour le passer plus sereinement. Je me suis retrouvée dans certes règles que j’applique déjà : le vison board, conscientiser son projet et visualiser notre réussite. « C’est associer son objectifs à chaque entraînement »
Bien que j’applique déjà certaines règles, j’ai aimé en apprendre de nouvelles et avoir de nouvelles perspectives. Le petit plus était dans les anecdotes de Bob Bowman et Michael Phelps, me permettant d’enrichir ma culture sportive.
« Votre vision doit être source d’inspiration. Elle doit vous stimuler et vous émouvoir »
« Le seul handicap dans la vie est une attitude négative »
Et d’autres règles d’or encore… À vous d’aller chercher le suivante si la curiosité et l’envie d’être à 100% dans vos objectifs vous y poussent.
April 10, 2023
Behind the scenes of Michael Phelps' phenomenal Olympic success is Bob Bowman, the man who has coached Phelps since age 11. This book is a coaching memoir where Bowman shares some of the rules he believes will lead to excellence in all areas of life. I can't imagine the kind of discipline and work it talkes to become an Olympic swimmer (or the coach of Olympic swimmers), but it does imspire me to pick up some slack and raise the bar in a few areas where I fall short of my potential.
"Notice what comes first? Attitude. You cannot achieve anything, I believe, unless you bring the right attitude to the pool, to the classroom, to the office—even to the family room."
"We were not chasing medals...we were chasing excellence."
“Success becomes routine when you have a routine.” (And Phelps' routine in the years leading up to the 2004 Olympics included practicing 365 days per year, even Christmas Day!)
"Notice what comes first? Attitude. You cannot achieve anything, I believe, unless you bring the right attitude to the pool, to the classroom, to the office—even to the family room."
"We were not chasing medals...we were chasing excellence."
“Success becomes routine when you have a routine.” (And Phelps' routine in the years leading up to the 2004 Olympics included practicing 365 days per year, even Christmas Day!)
April 11, 2022
As you can imagine, this book is great for motivation. Michael Phelps's swim coach, Bob Bowman, shares his Method to help put you in the right place for success, whether it be at school, in the sports world, or in business. The ideas presented are as timeless as they are perhaps obvious. Don't get me wrong... I'm not saying I disliked the method or his writing style, but, I didn't find anything extraordinarily profound.
I found myself nodding in agreement with him at many points, and certainly cheering for The Method to work as he relayed it to his athletes. However, I believe this book would be far less compelling if Bob Bowman did not have many extreme examples from Michael Phelps's career in the pool. YMMV.
I found myself nodding in agreement with him at many points, and certainly cheering for The Method to work as he relayed it to his athletes. However, I believe this book would be far less compelling if Bob Bowman did not have many extreme examples from Michael Phelps's career in the pool. YMMV.
June 20, 2021
Breezy read. Got a glimpse of the challenges that a coach to world class athletes face - how him as a coach deals with different characters of athletes, kept the athletes' excitement alive to perform consistently and align the athletes' focus on target. He coached world class athlete namely Michael Phelps and others. This narratives remind us that athletes are human, faces emotional breakdown, ups and downs motivation. Coach not only motivate, but crafting game plan towards the goal of the athlete. Good read to gain good coaching perspectives. And for self motivation to keep up the effort in reaching life target
November 24, 2017
*I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway*
While the book will be good for people who want to see more of the background of Michael Phelps, the "rules" Bowman has come up with (and based the book around) are very generic "give everyday your all" type statements, and don't really offer anything new or original.
It would have been much more interesting if it had been written just as an autobiography, rather than trying to be a self-help book.
While the book will be good for people who want to see more of the background of Michael Phelps, the "rules" Bowman has come up with (and based the book around) are very generic "give everyday your all" type statements, and don't really offer anything new or original.
It would have been much more interesting if it had been written just as an autobiography, rather than trying to be a self-help book.
July 10, 2023
I listened to the audio. It’s interesting how I am transported back to my memory of events as he uses them to illustrate his various points. Nothing in his Golden Rules feels revolutionary; just good, solid advice that I feel are common sense to coaches. I do, however, feel inspired by his timeline. I do wish to help my swimmers become great, and I realize how much more of my career I have before me. There is so much more for me to learn and do.
February 7, 2020
The author comes across as a real jackass, but the guidance and principles seem very solid, and hearing them through the lens of his work with Michael Phelps was entertaining. Could have benefitted from both a better editor and a better proofreader, but all-in-all a good pick if you like performance psychology stuff.
May 18, 2022
Bob Bowman est le fameux entraineur de Michael Phelps . L'homme qui a battu des records en remportant plusieurs médailles d'or lors des JO . Bowman explique dans ce livre tous les parcours et l'effort nécessaire pour atteindre un tel succès . Comment il compte aider physiquement et surtout psychologiquement les nageurs à remporter des médailles .
July 28, 2022
I have a new appreciation for Michael Phelps now, but not for Bowman or this book. Bowman puts other peoples lives personal lives on display for his own gain. The majority of the book isn’t your story to tell Bob.
Also, I’m not sure who they had edit this but there were SO MANY grammatical errors it made it a pain in the ass to read. Very sloppy.
Also, I’m not sure who they had edit this but there were SO MANY grammatical errors it made it a pain in the ass to read. Very sloppy.
January 9, 2026
Bob generously offers insights into how his coaching evolved from apprentice to master coach and how his system of goal setting, application, self-discipline, self-reflection, and pivoting applies to achieving most any worthwhile goal. The book offers important insights for the novice coach and the aspiring master coach. It was an enjoyable and easy read.
Well done and thank you, Coach!
Well done and thank you, Coach!
November 18, 2019
I just couldn't get past the Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps content. I think the book would serve a much broader audience if it eased off that element and frankly, the helpful steps are also pretty trite. Just wasn't for me.
August 25, 2020
Great read. I was kind of stuck between 4 and 5 stars. I don't have a reason to dock any stars, but it's not in my BEST BOOKS EVER list either. So 5 stars it is! Got plenty of highlights out of it, too.
December 27, 2020
This is common sense. I would borrow it from the library and not purchase this. Bottom line: practise with intention , have discipline, be hard working and again when you practise check for mistakes to rectify and practise till you make it perfect. Common sense, right?
October 3, 2021
Not all of us may be graced with such a high performing coach in our daily lives, but at least this book allows us to understand and read about the principals for us to coach ourselves. Fantastic book and fascinating to understand how the greatest Olympian of all times operated.
August 16, 2023
Key lessons include the difference between aiming for a gold medal vs aiming for a world record time, the importance of not letting creative endeavors start to feel like daily drudgery, and how to prepare to execute during clutch, high-pressure moments
April 29, 2025
As a swimmer and Michael Phelps fan, I really enjoyed this book for its insight into the stories and structure behind his success. However, if you're not a fan or a swimmer, you might find it less compelling, as many of the ideas have been explored in other books
December 29, 2017
Solid book on how to do great things. The method of the greats is summarized as effort. Constant effort and this book is yet again, a proof of that.
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