Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life

Book Review: While this might seem like a book about performance, it's truly a guide to living—exploring the choices we make each day in our lives. Although the book draws on experiences with athletes and high achievers, its principles apply just as well to individuals beyond the world of sports. Simply put, the world around us mirrors our inner state; if our mindset is lacking, no amount of sheer determination will permanently break unhealthy habits or negative thoughts over time. This is a highly practical book, it does not deal in abstract mindset concepts, but specific areas we can pay attention to in our daily life, such as how we respond to stress, how we manage fear, and when we act from ego. The book places significant emphasis on awareness, a vital subject that is frequently neglected in other self-development literature. It has a very calm, balanced tone. The content avoids being preachy or overly enthusiastic. While basic concepts may be repeated, the content presents them in varied ways that effectively enhance the learning process. I also like that it does not promise to solve all your life problems overnight. It is clear that the change must be internal. Some may consider this insufficiently structured or lacking a step-by-step format. It is a matter of what you are expecting out of a self-improvement book. Overall, I liked it. It was a worthwhile read for those looking to improve more than just their actions, but also their mindset and the motivations behind them. Less about chasing success, more about becoming the kind of person who does.

Like most folks who picked up this book I was watching the Eagles vs Packers 2025 NFL playoff game last January when the TV crew featured wide receiver AJ Brown reading a book, this book, on the sidelines. This could have easily been a "why is he reading a book on the sidelines! Get your head in the game!" moment of admonishment, but the commentator instead deferred to his boothmate former NFL quarterback Tom Brady who cheered AJ Brown on, and said "I'm gonna have to pick that up!" It was a special moment and it went viral.. I texted my Bro's widow out in LA about the moment and that I had just ordered the book for me and her son, my nephew, and how proud my Brother would have been. The book is excellent. It's a one stop shop book for anyone that wants to stop living small, living in fear and living inside their own ego. It's a book that eschews the commercialism of prosperity theologists and there's no sales pitches in this (beyond how to further follow his program at the end of the book). You'll find yourself wearing out highlighters, because there's so much good info packed in here. You'll be like me and dog earring pages like crazy so you can go back to them. This book should come in a three pack: the book, a journal to write your thoughts and a 365 day devotional that distills the books ideas/ideals/quotes into daily portions. It's that good and that powerful. I'm a glacial reader and it took me over a year of stops and starts to get through it. But I'm so glad I did. Now I have to go back, like AJ Brown suggests, and reread it, again and again. So if you want to become the best version of yourself or know someone who could use this book, no matter how old they are - high school and above - then get this book, read it, do the exercises in the book as you go and repeat. Enjoy!

What I loved most about this book was its gently subversive gospel. The pages are full of scripture, but there’s no proselytizing. Those who have ears to hear will recognize the words, but they’re presented so authentically as the way the author lives and thinks and perceives the world that it’s inviting, not preachy. And, best of all, because Murphy’s psychology is inseparable from the gospel, a Christian reader (like me) has many eye-opening moments of “Oh!!! So THAT’s how you live it out. I see!”

As someone who enjoys self-improvement books, I really loved Inner Excellence. The book gives powerful advice on training your mind, staying focused, and finding peace while working toward your goals. It was inspiring, easy to follow, and full of meaningful lessons I can apply in everyday life.

I bought this book because I was watching an NFL football game and AJ Brown of the Eagles came off the field and picked up this book and started reading it. I along with the game announcers was stunned by his action but it led me to purchase the book. I can’t say that a lot of the material you’ll find in the book is groundbreaking. What I will say is that Jim Murphy writes in a way that’s very accessible and he aligns his theories with tangible real world examples. One of the best parts of the book are the questions at the end of each chapter following a summary. They get you to think about your life and how you can go beyond the day-to-day to pursue a bigger vision and greater meaning for how you live and work with others.

Truly an amazing literary work! This book has been an amazing resource for me on my quest of self-mastery. I recommend anyone considering this book to get it!! Thank Me Later!! Well done Jim Murphy👏🏽👏🏽

In "Inner Excellence," Jim Murphy delivers a profound exploration of personal development that transcends typical self-help literature. As someone who has completed the audiobook and plans to revisit it immediately, its impact is both immediate and lasting. The book's core strength lies in its practical wisdom about mindfulness and present-moment awareness. Murphy doesn't just theorize about being present; he demonstrates its transformative power through his personal journey and compelling case studies of others who have embraced his methodology. One of the book's most valuable contributions is its thorough examination of limiting beliefs and how they shape our experiences. Murphy provides insightful frameworks for identifying and overcoming these mental barriers, drawing from his extensive experience working with high-performers across various fields. The authenticity in his writing is evident as he weaves his own life experiences throughout the narrative, creating a genuine connection with readers. What sets "Inner Excellence" apart is how Murphy has synthesized various success stories into actionable insights. The book doesn't just tell you what worked for others; it guides you through understanding why these approaches work and how to adapt them to your life. His method, refined through years of practical application, offers a comprehensive approach to personal growth that feels both accessible and profound. I found the audiobook format particularly enhances the experience, as the concepts about presence and mindfulness take on an immediate, practical dimension when absorbed through listening. Each chapter builds upon the previous ones, creating a cohesive framework for personal transformation that becomes more apparent with each revisit to the material. For anyone seeking to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and break through self-imposed limitations, "Inner Excellence" offers a thoughtful, well-structured path forward. Murphy's blend of personal insight, practical methodology, and real-world examples creates a compelling guide that merits multiple readings to absorb its wisdom fully.

I truly enjoyed reading Inner Excellence and look forward to reading more of Jim’s books. Oh, and I’ll be rereading this also

Inner Excellence is a must read for everyone that wants to increase performance and enjoy life at the same style. The mixture between strategies, tactics and stories grapped my intention untill the end. Especially the stories of Jim himself and the athletes he worked with is so inspiring. Can't wait for next books to come from Jim Murphy.

Really interesting and motivating book. Bringing everything to your heart and soul. Well worth a read.

Wish I had read this book years ago. As it says, it’s not a book you read it once and leave it there. I go back several times a week to re read certain portions. Truly one book that has had impact a big impact on me.

muito bom e excelente , livro que faz refletir no que realmente importa e, paradoxalmente, nos faz aproximar ainda mais do sucesso.

Un livre à avoir dans sa bibliothèque et à relire régulièrement jusqu'à l'intégration complète de ces principes. Je remercie aux gens comme lui qui partagent leur expérience et passent leur vie à faire des recherches pour donner à l'humanité des livres comme celui-ci.