"The Flinch" | by Julien Smith | 5*

This is a book about being a champion and what it takes to get there.  It’s about decisions, and how to know you’re making the right ones.

The author describes the flinch as “a reaction that brings up old memories and haunts you with them. It tightens your chest and makes you want to run. It does whatever it must do to prevent you from moving forward. Whatever form it takes, the flinch is there to support the status quo.”

Here are some tweet-sized quotes from the book:

Here’s the thing: the lessons you learn best are those you get burned by. Without the scar, there’s no evidence or strong memory.

If you do everything your parents’ way, you’ll never discover the truth.  You’ll never discover the edge.  You’ll never get the lessons you need.

Start doing the opposite of your habits.  It builds up your tolerance to the flinch and its power.

Straight-A student. Straight to college. Straight to work. Straight up the corporate ladder. Straight to the suburbs. Dang, you’ve been scared straight.

Ask yourself this: would your childhood self be proud of you, or embarrassed?

You’re only as strong as your weakest moments. Learn to reinforce those weak spots before they cut you down.

In times of stress, whatever pattern you’re used to taking emerges.

An acrobat isn’t born walking on his hands.

Most people don’t actually want to face the flinch; they just want to be in a movie about it. They want the glory, not the suffering.

If you aren’t willing to sacrifice your comfort, you don’t have what it takes.

Reading this book pushed my boundaries and expanded the horizons.  It challenged me to question, “What am I doing simply because it’s the status quo?”  I love the book, and it’s another Domino Project favorite.

You can make it a favorite too by downloading it for free!  This book is so important that the author refuses to charge for it.  I recommend you give it a ride and share your thoughts.

Question: Will you be downloading your free copy?  Why or why not?  Have you already read the book?  What do you think?  Click here to reply.