What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else - Training Camp

As a high school basketball coach and teacher, this book really resonated deep within. Gordon has the gift of challenging the ordinary individual to find a deeper purpose and meaning in this book. He is an extraordinary storyteller and communicator and I look forward to reading more of his books.

I love this book....it is only incidentally about a rookie's struggles to make the cut at an NFL training camp. On a much deeper level, it is the realization that life is not about achieving success but of seeking lasting significance - once again, Jon delivers a message which will have a life-changing impact on those who read it. Of his three books, this is his best - and "The Energy Bus" & "The No Complaining Rule" are phenomenal reads. I have three daughters (18, 15, 9) who are all reading it. The book (and it's message) is a true blessing.

Great book for employees and just for personal motivational reading.
He uses an analogy to get to his point. Even though I'm not a football fan, I truly enjoyed how the author tied the story in and the characters all were so very real.

Great read! very inspiring story. For anyone who strives to be great this is a perfect book. Have read 3 of Jon Gordon's books now (The Seed, Energy Bus, and Training Camp) and so far I am thinking this is my favorite.

Great read! very inspiring story. For anyone who strives to be great this is a perfect book. Have read 3 of Jon Gordon's books now (The Seed, Energy Bus, and Training Camp) and so far I am thinking this is my favorite.

A wonderful story about struggles and overcoming them, going from good to great and what it takes to get there!
A great encouraging book and one that everyone would want to read regardless of whether they play football, any other sport, another job.

This book will recharge and re energize you in all aspects of your life - in your work, your relationships, your family and your faith. Such an easy read that makes you think about how you've been living your life vs how you SHOULD be living your life! I would recommend this book to everyone, it is absolutely relatable to every single person and the life lessons it explores and discusses make so much sense you'll find yourself applying the principles of the best of best to every part of your life and wanting to share that message with the people around you!! Invigorating, refreshing and definitely a game changer!!!

The beginning grabs your attention, but as soon as the football action stops due to an injury, it is boring. The best of the best is mentioned too many times, and there was no "ah-ha" information. The characters are predictable, and the story line is weak. Where is the underdog? Everything falls into place with little set backs. One star!

When I began reading this.. I think I went through 13 capters..IN THE BOOK STORE!.. OVerall a pretty good book..the motivating points are simple, easy to follow and very effective. The later chapters about Faith were something this book could do without.. it almost brought about a sense that all the Self building you learn in the begining of the book turns out to be not good enough..and you need religion to be complete. What about Atheists or Agnostics or people of other faiths who want to follow the motivating parts of this book? Its worth a read/reread though..

The book presents 11 key principles. Ten of them are quite fantastic. Nothing magical; just the well-known principles you will find in HBR articles or books that are much longer without telling you more--brevity is one of the great strengths of this book, along with its brisk readability.

One of the principles, however, is essentially preaching the Christian religion and arguing that it is somehow integral to being the best-of-the-best. This is disappointing, for a number of reasons, the main one being that 90% of humanity, sadly, holds some type of god delusion. Thus, finding that the majority of the best-of-the-best also hold this delusion is not statistically significant--90% of beer drinkers at your local bar or any equally pointless, randomly sampled group will have the same correlation.

Even more disappointing, this religious thread is weaved throughout the book. So while *one principle* is almost purely Christian-religion-based, along with the *one chapter* that presents the principle, the theme also laces itself *through the remainder of the book*, which I found challenging as a devout anti-theist (not only do I believe there is no God, but I believe religion is inherently destructive to humanity, so I oppose theism).

If you are a Christian, or a generally religious person, you will find the religious nature of the book inspiring--the religious theme is nicely written if you buy into such nonsense. But if you are like me, and spent years breaking free of decades of brainwashing by Christianity, you might want to avoid this book.

Training Camp is an inspiring read. It contains key information for individuals to learn from, and valuable content for all those who find it difficult to climb over life’s hurdles. The fable outlines the life of Martin, a young NFL player hoping to be drafted for pro; the difficulties he faced growing up, the responsibilities he felt burdened with, and the internal wars he was battling. Martin depended heavily on his NFL career, considering it as the catalyst into a “new” fulfilling life, not just for himself, but for his family who were in dire need of income. His dreams and plans were brought to a halt when he was faced with an injury. A guardian angel however, in the form of his coach, took Martin under his wing. While on the sidelines, the coach kept Martin grounded, changed his perspective on the incident and advised the rookie of different traits that could help him become better not just on the field, but off the field. These traits would encourage Martin to uncover the fears that would be hindering his progress and would send Martin on his way to become the best of the best. As described by Jon Gordon these traits are not only applicable to sports, but can also be used in other career settings and team situations. I enjoyed reading this book and consider it a great read for anyone being faced with life’s hurdles, anyone with their back against the wall, and anyone who wants to change their circumstances to become the best.

This is a great book that everyone should read at least once. Jon Gordon had found a simple, passionate and meaningful story with likeable characters that can be applied to any life journey or business team. Really this book is as much about personal path, focus and commitment as it is about coaching, mentoring and leading.

For me personally this has come as a great reminder. A story that has rekindled a flame deep within rather than enlightened me to a new way of thinking...but that is the real power of the book. It might be the start of a journey or a revitalisation of your existing one. Life changing...yes...empowering...yes...but again you get out what you put in so be prepared to turn the mirror on your own journey as you read the pages.

I recommend this to anyone and everyone one. Not as a source of evangelistic enthusiasm but for that chance to look within and find your true purpose, belief and place within the great purpose for which we are here on this planet.

This book is my second favorite of the year. (Seth Godin's "Tribes" was my favorite.) Training Camp is a leadership fable. I happen to be a huge fan of leadership books written in fable form.

Training Camp follows Martin Jones, an undrafted rookie at an NFL training camp as he discovers himself, his purpose, and ultimately his career. His journey begins as Coach Ken takes him under his wing and gives him a Playbook on What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else. As we follow Martin through his journey, we learn what the best do better, and how to apply it in our lives.

Training Camp is an incredibly quick read - only a couple hours will do it - and well worth your time. Enjoy!

Okay, we've all read books about the underdog who rises to the top through sheer determination and hard work with the guidance of a special coach. We've seen the movies (ROCKY and KARATE KID come to mind) in which coaches inspire athletes to do more than they ever dreamed possible. Why do we love books and movies with this story line? Well, I think it's because we readers and viewers believe the best in ourselves is yet to come...if only the right coach discovers and hones our true talent. Read this book and let the words of Jon Gordon be your coach. Follow Martin, a RUDY-like aspiring NFL football player, who attempts to defy the odds to make his childhood dream come true.

Read it and you will be inspired. Live it and you will inspire those around you.

Jon Gordon knows how to get your attention and touch your life. This is another story that gives you the reason to have more faith and belief. It is all in the process and not the outcome. Be you best. Seize the moment. Greatness is a life mission. Leave a Legacy.