Читать книгу Relentless Success - Todd Stottlemyre - Страница 6

FOREWORD

Right away the title, Relentless Success, gets your attention. Relentless is not used often enough as a key to winning. Success is a lot about perseverance through difficulties from beginning to end and onto the next challenge.

This book goes way beyond one catchy word in the title. Todd has developed a 9-point system to success that combines traditional tools with others that emphasize the realities of competing in today’s dynamic environment.

The strength of this formula for your success is that each component is explained and combined with Todd’s life lessons and experiences. Todd’s journey from childhood through professional baseball and business success can be divided into 5 stages.

Stage 1 – Growing up in a loving environment created by outstanding parents and brothers that was filled with learning experiences.

Stage 2 – The heartbreaking illness and death of his brother, Jason. The effect transformed Todd into a prolonged period of sadness, anger and guilt.

Stage 3 – These negative qualities impacted every aspect of his life, especially his athletic efforts. He competed with a reckless abandon with his anger barely in check. In the midst of a game he would often self -destruct if any spark ignited him.

Stage 4 – The road to regaining a positive and productive mental approach towards all parts of his life. The importance of mentors with an excellent example of Harvey Dorfman and his challenge to control his mind.

Stage 5 – Attaining a championship mentality, actions and sustained success in his personal and professional lives. Todd’s decision to share his action plan with you and others.

My credentials for recommending Relentless Success are the coincidence of getting to know Todd during the last 3 stages of his journey. At first, as an opponent, then as a teammate. As a member of the Oakland A’s, we competed against Todd’s Toronto Blue Jays from 1988 to 1994. Every time Todd pitched against us, we were aware how hard he was coming after us and how close to the edge he was in terms of maintaining his mental edge. His last year with the Blue Jays (1994), we noticed a more composed pitcher that we felt was explained by more maturity.

Then in 1995 into the 1997 seasons, we benefitted from the pitcher and person in Stage 4 that was regaining control of his mind. He completely became a respectful teammate and leader on and off the field. During this time together I learned a part of how and from whom he was pulling it together.

Once he finished his career with other teams and went into business, I was aware of how well he was succeeding. Stage 5 is well underway. Until I read Relentless Success, I did not know all the specifics of the process. I do now and so can you!

Tony LaRussa