The Practicing Mind

Great book to keep you focused and very thoughtful.

I bought this book on recommendation from a friend. I enjoyed this book and found it helpful to develop better focus with tasks and life in general each day. The more I practised the more focused I became, no surprise there as where attention goes energy flows. It did not put me off that the author speaks about golf and I will keep this book on my bookshelf to read again from time to time. Best to go with the flow with this book and just let it unfold.

As a procrastinator and a bit of a dreamer I am finding this short book incredibly helpful. Thomas Sterner uses his own life story as a musician, piano tuner, parent and student to present an effective and rather liberating approach to practice. I say liberating because because Sterner advises using a detached, non-judgemental approach to practice feedback which, paradoxically perhaps, makes it easier to keep yourself happily immersed in the practice process. I was lucky enough to go skiing a couple of weeks ago, which can be frustrating because I've been a few times over the years but never frequently enough to get really confident. This time I quite naturally started using the Practicing Mind approach on my pre-ski-school day, polishing my turns on some relatively easy runs, and by the time I got into class I was turning mindfully and correctly even on slopes which would have rattled me in the past. To my astonishment, I was literally applauded by our ESF instructor after one descent, for practicing and assimilating her tips. If you read this and want to take it further by following up Sterner's hints about the helpfulness of meditation, I'd recommend Martin Borosen's "One Moment Master" for absolute beginners, and Martine Batchelor's "Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits" to follow that. If you are wondering whether you could make this part of a corporate culture, there's a surprising amount of overlap with another book I happened to read recently, Mike Rother's "Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results".

6 months later, and I'm rereading this book, as it's so good, I don't want to miss any concepts. The main theme is to become process orientated not goal orientated. Forget the end goal, and only consider it now and again - focus on the process instead. He teaches you to break down tasks into the smallest, most simple tasks - and then do them slowly. The paradox is that you'll probably get the work done in half the time. This is true. You'll start breaking down tasks into smaller tasks and "shunting" items into place before you even consider you've started the project. Because you forget the end goal, and treat the process as key - the process becomes a pleasure and you do make huge strides forwards in all organising work and projects. But beware the snide comments, as you start to get things right first time, every time.

This is the first review that i write. The book is easy to read, not complicated thoughts, straight to the point, as the truth always is (our thoughts about the truth is another thing). I can sense that if people follow in a daily basis the advice that the author has given, not gurus, not spiritual trips, not crazy stuff is needed. Read this book and put the simple advice in practice. i guess most of my early dreams didn't materialise because i didn't follow what the author share with us. But i am not death yet. :) Thanks Thomas Sterner

Book is to small, tiny and it doesn't match with it's price. Letter are too crowded, small no proper paragraph means formate is not good. It doesn't look like based on science and logic rather than Author's own past stories.

I searched for a book to help with controlling my thoughts, particularly in relation to panic. What I got was a book that helps in this area and every other area of my life, from work to social confidence. It teaches me that every skill comes with practice and reminds me that the things I posses won't make me happy. I'd definitely recommend it. A relatively short read but perfectly formed!

This is an absolutely excellent book—distils a great deal of wisdom which will resonate deeply with anyone who has battled with their nature to try and be more consistent in working towards their goals. Particularly of interest perhaps to those who have very long term goals where the metrics are imprecise and where progress can feel fleeting, e.g. language learning or mastery of a musical instrument. I cannot recommend this volume enough!