Maslow and the Maserati

The Pursuit of More

Seduced by the siren song of a consumerist, quick-fix society, we sometimes choose a course of action that brings only the illusion of accomplishment, the shadow of satisfaction.

– George Leonard, Aikido Master

Freedom is costly. In order to be truly free, we must conform to a certain discipline, face our fears, and connect with our true selves. The pursuit toward real success and long-term fulfillment is a risky one. Obstacles of materialism, consumerism, and instant gratification confront us every day. They create a seductive numbness that inhibits a rich inner life. As we gradually adapt to the world and its definition of success, we become enslaved to our performance, lose our freedom, and if we’re not careful, our selves. 

It’s a scary view, the risky path of our true dreams. We get comfortable in the easier route of less risk, less failure, and more self-indulgence. We don’t like to look at that thorny path of possibility, it’s not comfortable. It’s easier to give in to that part of our mind that wants instant gratification and temporary pleasures, to cover up the bigger, scarier picture of what we really want—the sacred moments that come from feeling truly alive. So we end up chasing success, or chasing numbers, or things, or money, as a substitute for the deep need to feel grounded and fulfilled, using our God-given talents.

We’ve all had times where everything seems to flow, sacred moments, when we’re caught up in the action in the midst of a great performance. When you do glimpse those sacred moments, for a split second at least, you wish you had the courage to pursue this path with all your heart. And you can. It’s just that often we’re so hard on ourselves, amplifying all our failures and regrets, that we neglect to see what’s still possible, a life centered and connected, one that empowers others.

This book is to help you capture those moments. We’ll look at how top Olympians and world-class performers train years for an event that may last less than a minute. We’ll see how they are able to stay in the moment and perform their best, under incredible pressure. Then we’ll establish how you can do the same, whether you’re an athlete or executive, regardless of your sport or profession.

It makes sense if you think about it. We all want essentially the same things: we want great experiences and to be a part of something; we want to love and laugh and be successful. It’s human nature. But each of us also has a mind that entertains negative thoughts, produces desires that hurt us, and creates beliefs that limit us. This all occurs in a mind that has never really been trained to manage the one thing that everything hinges on: our thoughts.

In the pursuit of extraordinary performance it’s easy to succumb to anxiety and pressure, because so much is out of your control. When you learn to be fully engaged in the moment, however, then you can perform your best and love the competition. Every performance, presentation, or business meeting is an opportunity to learn, grow, and vividly experience each moment. You will find, as you take this journey with me, that extraordinary performance is a subset of extraordinary experience.