The Game Plan

"Steve Bull is a true expert in his field. Anyone interested in winning will profit from his experience and knowledge." —Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff "Steve Bull’s ideas and techniques will equip anyone in business with a game plan for acquiring the winning edge." —From the Foreword by Michael Vaughan Mental toughness goes hand in hand with success and yet it is often misunderstood. True mental toughness is about preparation, resilience, control, risk management and above all execution. So, how do you utilise this elusive but critical attribute? By starting with a “game plan.” The Game Plan is about winning. More importantly, it’s about you winning. It’s about how you can create a personal performance environment that enables you to deliver at the crucial times. The Game Plan explores different types of mental toughness and examines how each one can give you the platform for significantly increased levels of self-confidence and resilience. Learn the easy-to-apply lessons that have created an environment of success for a host of world-beating performers in the business world and beyond. Imagine being able to apply a winning performance mindset to everyday work situations such as: Making presentations razor sharp Wowing new clients Being in control during performance appraisals Staying cool during even the most hectic and pressurized days Maintaining your self-belief even when things go wrong Making the right decision at the right time. Read and learn from The Game Plan and you will have at your fingertips a robust strategy to give you the edge over your closest competitors and the very best chance of success.

Acknowledgements ix Foreword xi 1 Beginning with the Ashes in Mind 1 2 What is this Thing We Call Mental Toughness? 9 3 Turnaround Toughness 29 4 Critical Moment Toughness 47 5 Endurance Toughness 73 6 Risk Management Toughness 117 7 The Winning Environment 143 8 Perspectives from the Front Line 159 9 Finalizing Your Game Plan 173 Notes 193 Index 199 Contacting the Author 203