INNER EXCELLENCE: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible life Paperback – May 1, 2020

As a Psychiatrist and retired LTC in the USARMY, as well as a coach in elite performance, It is an honor for me to recommend Inner Excellence. Jim Murphy has done something VERY special here, crafting a book that is really a blueprint to unlock and elevate the mind in order to allow mastery as a means to achieve ultimate human potential. This book is thoughtful, clear and effective in describing the mindset that one can build, brick by brick, to not only allow access to amazing performance in any task, but also as a path to Mastery of the self and a path to deep joy and a full life. This is not only a great book from a mental health standpoint, it a great book to build mental strength and resiliency. This is truly a must read for anyone interested in the idea of selfless actualization. Jim....thank you.

On January 12, during the NFC Wild Card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, TV cameras captured a surprising moment: Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was seen reading “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy on the sideline. The media quickly picked up on this, making headlines about an athlete reading during a high-stakes game. However, after reading Inner Excellence myself, I can understand exactly why Brown chose that moment to engage with the book.While many people are aware that sport psychology exists, few realize that it is still a relatively young field, with a limited body of research and established guidebooks. Although Jim Murphy is not a sport psychologist by title, his experience as a professional athlete and his deep exploration into performance and mindset have made “Inner Excellence” a valuable resource for those of us working in performance psychology. His insights help validate and reinforce many of the practices and theories already being implemented in the field.Murphy writes in a way that is accessible and relevant to anyone seeking to achieve excellence, not just athletes, making this book a worthwhile read for a wide audience. For me, Inner Excellence is a keeper—it’s earned a place right next to my well-worn copies of John Wooden’s writings and Carol Dweck’s Mindset (a reference my students will definitely appreciate).Dear Mr. Murphy,If you happen to be reading this review—as you’ve mentioned you often do—I want to personally thank you for writing Inner Excellence. As a former Division II athlete, a retired high school varsity coach of 20 years, and a recent doctoral graduate in performance psychology from GCU, I’ve spent a significant part of my life helping others pursue excellence, both on and off the field.Your book has been a powerful reminder and reassurance that I’m guiding my clients in the right direction. The principles and insights you share not only align with the theories I’ve studied and applied, but they also offer a refreshingly practical and grounded perspective that resonates deeply with athletes and performers alike.Thank you for the work you’ve done—and continue to do—for those of us in the field of performance psychology. Your words have had a real impact.

I am stealing this quote from another reviewer with my comments below it -- "On January 12, during the NFC Wild Card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, TV cameras captured a surprising moment: Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was seen reading “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy on the sideline. The media quickly picked up on this, making headlines about an athlete reading during a high-stakes game. However, after reading Inner Excellence myself, I can understand exactly why Brown chose that moment to engage with the book."Me too. I bought this book almost as a joke, to play along with the spike in sales after the sideline incident. Why not help an author with an additional sale.Turns out, joke was on me. I decided to open it and give the first chapter a chance to catch me, to move me, to convince me. What a wonderful journey this book and its exercises have been for me personally. I've used techniques, routines, breathing exercises, etc. with desired impacts. I've incorporated major pieces of this work into how I show up at work every day. But of all the lessons of this book, the journey to self-actualization is something I've taken most to heart. My view is I was already on that journey...but this book really showed me two reasons why it would prove ever elusive: ego and fear. Highly recommend this book if for no other reason than through its processes and exercises, it offers you a (Be prepared) realistic mirror of self and what you really need to change to improve your performance.