3 Sentence Summary
“It Takes What It Takes” by Trevor Moawad and Andy Staples asserts that top performance requires the right mindset. Talent, intelligence, and skills only go so far; what sets winners apart is mental conditioning. Moawad outlines his approach to achieving potential by training the mind, which is as important as training the body.
Summary Read Time: Less than 5 minutes
Actual Book Length: 272
First Published in: 2020
Key Lessons from The Book:
- It Takes What It Takes
- It Takes Neutral Thinking
- It Takes a Plan
- It Takes Hard Choices
- It Takes Verbal Governor
- It Takes a Negativity Diet
- It Takes an Ad Campaign in Your Brain
- It Takes Visualizing
- It Takes Self-Awareness
- It Takes Pressure
- It Takes Leadership
- It Takes Role Models
Below is the detailed yet quick summary of the book It Takes What It Takes covering each lesson:
Lesson 1 – It Takes Neutral Thinking
Moawad explains that our thoughts and emotions affect our behavior and results. He emphasizes the importance of thinking neutrally, which means not letting our emotions dictate our thinking. Moawad argues that we can control our thinking, and therefore, our behavior and outcomes, by focusing on neutral thinking. He outlines a four-step process for neutral thinking: Identify, Label, Reframe, and Repeat. Moawad suggests that by adopting this process, we can train ourselves to think neutrally and improve our outcomes.
Lesson 2: It Takes a Plan
Moawad emphasizes the importance of having a plan to achieve our goals. He argues that a plan helps us to stay focused and motivated, and it enables us to measure our progress. Moawad provides practical tips for creating a plan, such as setting specific goals, breaking down tasks into smaller steps, and creating a timeline. He also stresses the importance of having accountability and adjusting our plans as needed.
Lesson 3: It Takes Hard Choices
Moawad discusses the importance of making hard choices in order to achieve our goals. He explains that making hard choices requires us to prioritize our goals and commit to taking action. Moawad provides examples of hard choices, such as giving up a bad habit or leaving a comfortable job, and argues that these choices are necessary to achieve success. He also emphasizes the importance of taking action and not getting stuck in analysis paralysis.
Lesson 4: It Takes Verbal Governor
Moawad explains that our language and self-talk affect our behavior and outcomes. He argues that using positive and empowering language can improve our performance, while negative and self-limiting language can hold us back. Moawad provides tips for using verbal governors, such as using positive affirmations and avoiding negative self-talk. He also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our language and making a conscious effort to use positive language.
Lesson 5: It Takes a Negativity Diet
There is huge importance of reducing negativity in our lives. He argues that negativity can affect our thinking and behavior, and it can hold us back from achieving our goals. Moawad provides tips for reducing negativity, such as avoiding negative people and situations, focusing on positive news and stories, and practicing gratitude. He also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our own negativity and making a conscious effort to reduce it.
Lesson 6: It Takes an Ad Campaign in Your Brain
Moawad explains that we can train our brains to think positively and optimistically. He argues that positive thinking can improve our performance and outcomes, while negative thinking can hold us back. Moawad provides tips for creating an ad campaign in our brains, such as using positive affirmations and visualization techniques. He also emphasizes the importance of repetition and consistency in training our brains to think positively.
Lesson 7: It Takes Visualizing
Moawad discusses the importance of visualization in achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. He emphasizes the need to visualize not just success, but the specific actions and habits that lead to success. Moawad also explains the concept of mental contrasting, which involves visualizing both success and the obstacles that must be overcome to achieve it. He also provides practical tips for effective visualization and creating mental images that are vivid and impactful.
Lesson 8: It Takes Self-Awareness
Moawad explains the importance of self-awareness in achieving success and improving mental toughness. He encourages readers to identify their own strengths and weaknesses and to focus on the areas where improvement is needed. Moawad also discusses the benefits of mindfulness and meditation for building self-awareness and developing mental toughness.
Lesson 9: It Takes Pressure
Moawad explores the concept of pressure and how it affects performance. He explains that pressure is often self-imposed and provides strategies for reframing pressure as a positive force that can motivate and energize. Moawad also emphasizes the importance of preparation and developing a positive mindset in managing pressure.
Lesson 10: It Takes Leadership
Moawad shares the importance of leadership in creating a culture of excellence and developing mental toughness. He provides examples of effective leadership in sports and business, and emphasizes the need for leaders to be positive, supportive, and focused on the development of their team. Moawad also provides practical strategies for developing effective leadership skills.
Lesson 11: It Takes Role Models
Moawad discusses the importance of having positive role models and mentors in developing mental toughness and achieving success. He provides examples of effective role models and discusses the qualities that make them effective, including their ability to inspire and motivate. Moawad also encourages readers to seek out mentors and role models who can provide guidance and support in achieving their goals.
Lesson 12: It Takes What It Takes
In the final chapter, Moawad summarizes the key concepts and strategies discussed throughout the book. He emphasizes the importance of adopting a neutral mindset, developing a plan, making hard choices, controlling negative self-talk, and visualizing success. Moawad also encourages readers to continue to work on developing mental toughness and using the strategies discussed in the book to achieve their goals.
