Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success Hardcover – June 6, 2017

I admit it. I’m a sucker for books on productivity and improving performance. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve looked for ways to improve my own productivity and performance. I’m not an athlete. I’m an author, ghostwriter, and book writing coach. My purpose is to help other people discover and create great business books. That’s what I want to be fit for, and productive at.I don’t know how many books on improving performance and productivity I’ve read over the years, but I’m sure it’s over 100. As a result, when I read a new book, I’m not looking for some grand secret that no one has yet discovered. I’m looking for a fresh presentation of some things that I already know. I’m also looking for a tip or two about how I can change my behavior to do better. Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with The New Science of Success delivers on both of those.The authors introduce themselves and the book by telling the story of how they both achieved significant levels of performance and success early in life, then had that all come apart. They made their first connection online and shared their individual stories with each other. Here’s how they describe what happened next.“What started out as a two-person support group morphed into a close friendship, followed upon a shared interest in the science of performance. We became curious: Is healthy, sustainable peak performance possible? If so, how? What’s the secret? What, if any, are the principles underlying great performance? How can people like us – which is to say just about anyone – adopt them?”Here’s the core truth that this book builds on.“The key to strengthening your biceps – and, as we’ll learn, any muscle, be it physical, cognitive, or emotional – is balancing the right amount of stress with the right amount of rest. Stress + rest + growth. This equation holds true regardless of what it is that you’re trying to grow.”That’s not new. Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz wrote an excellent book about that basic principle almost 20 years ago. The title is The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal.Stulberg and Magness build on that core truth in the three sections of their book. Section one is about the growth equation. Section two is what they call “priming” and discusses optimizing your routine. The third section is about developing and living out your purpose.What makes this book different is contained in one of the quotes above. The authors aren’t just after peak performance. Lots of people write books about that. They’re after “healthy, sustainable peak performance.” That difference from other books is important and significant and why I thought this was a great book.This is the kind of book that repays reading straight through. Sure, you can jump around from topic to topic, but the organization is perfect for a straight-through read.Every few pages, the authors summarize their key points in a section called “Performance Practices.” This is great for helpful review. They even go further by putting a recap of all the performance practices toward the end of the book.In A NutshellIf you’re looking for solid advice on improving your performance at anything in a healthy and sustainable way, Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with The New Science of Success is the book for you. It’s well-researched and well-written.

Peak Performance explores the science behind high achievement, breaking it down into key themes—stress as a growth driver, focus, flow, mindset, and motivation. The book makes a strong case against multitasking, backed by fMRI research, and highlights how our perception of stress shapes its physiological effects. One unexpected but useful topic: fatigue and recovery.For anyone new to these concepts, this is a solid introduction with plenty of actionable takeaways. That said, if you're already familiar with Csikszentmihalyi, Ericsson, and Carol Dweck’s work, much of this will feel like reinforcement rather than new insight.One practical shift for me is that while I already structure my days around deep work, I haven’t been intentional about priming rituals beforehand. Given the research on positive mood and cognitive performance, it makes sense to add a short check-in before deep work sessions—something I already do before coaching calls but hadn’t extended to focused solo work.Overall, a worthwhile read for those looking to optimize performance through science-backed strategies.

This is a lovely read. I've read quite a lot of work on peak performance, including titles such as as execution, executive toughness, grit etc. This book draws on authors' own experience as elite achievers; and it distills decades of research on performance at elite level to offer very simple and practical approaches to peak performance. There are many nuggets in this book. Some of the ideas are insights I already knew but which I took for granted. These include the co-reinforcing relationship between stress and rest, the importance of sufficient sleep, defining purpose, drawing motivation through transcending yourself, the power of routine, the regenerative force of giving, and mindfulness. I must say since I started reading this book and listening to audiobook (which is well narated) I have seen noticeable changes in my wellbeing and performance. I am also inspired to give more. It is one of the top 3 books I've read in this area. I'd recommend it to executives, writers, creatives, and those in sports.

One of the best reads on the subject of self-improvement I have ever read. All through the book, they give you practical advice and real life practices, as well as many insights into the common ground of peak performers that are very relatable and applicable to daily life. What many think is actually opposite to the truth when it comes to working harder equating to accomplishing more. The book reveals many case studies of a diverse range of peak performers and the common ground to peak growth and performance in any field is actually doing less work, but the work that is done is much more intense and focused. Rest is key. Many of the best in their field work only half days and take the other half off to enjoy life and fully recharge. This full recharge is what's missing in today's modern faced paced society that drives overtime and late work nights. The book goes into many things that you may never have even known are sapping your energy and suggests alternatives to really plug into your own custom daily cycle of action rest cycles. A book you will come back to again and again.