Above All Else

I happened on this book by accident from a "Customers Also Bought" link, and I'm so glad I did. It is one of the most inspiring and helpful books I've ever read. It is great reading--riveting, moving, inspiring. I underlined many sentences of this book, and I plan to reread it a few more times. There is a lot to absorb. The book is part memoir and part training guide.

Whereas many books tout the benefits of visualization or the magic that happens in the "flow" state, Brodsky-Chenfeld offers step-by-step instructions for visualizing and a 4-stage process for getting into flow. And those are just two examples in a carefully structured and sequenced plan of action for achieving your best performance. He also gives smart and insightful advice on teamwork. Brodsky-Chenfeld's training techniques have evolved to maximum effectiveness over the many years that he has coached sky-diving teams (again, world champions) and also businesses.

As a writer with 30 books in print, I am jealous: I do not think I could ever write a book as wonderful as this.

Dan's book is an extreme testimonial to the relentless and unfailing human nature of hope, and one man's ability to overcome any barrier to achieving his lifelong passion. What sets the book, and its author apart, is Dan's ability to clearly articulate his strategy for success so that it can be applied to anyone with any passion and any goal. He speaks from the heart and engages us on a journey to the true meaning of commitment and sacrifice. You'll be entertained, inspired and re-energized about going after your passions.

This is a remarkable book from beginning to end. And it's about a real man, not a mythical figure, but an average man of vision and courage who had the audacity to dream big and refused to quit in spite of what the world was offering in the way of adversity.

Dan, your book came out right after my near-fatal scuba accident and your story landed in my lap when I needed it most. Believe it or not your story was instrumental in getting me back into life … and back in the sky. It's a must-read for anyone who is frozen in fear, which can apply to ANY area of life and not just skydiving.

Part I of Above All Else is a very exciting & real book. The great thing about this book is that by telling us how he was able to realize his dreams we are provided with a framework for realizing our own dreams. It shows us that finding the path to our dreams is very possible without sacrificing our values if we make the right choices. It may not be a straight path and there are no guarantees you'll get to the end of it, but you'll be headed in the right direction and ultimately you'll find yourself as a better person in a better place. This is an inspiring, often funny story that every young and young-spirited person will enjoy and will benefit from reading.

As if the inspirational Part I wasn't enough, Part II is a 90-page wholly unique and self-contained instructional manual for competitors. In it, Dan gives competitors (a term he doesn't limit to sports competitors) the philosophy and instructional framework for competing against themselves and others to achieve peak performance. He describes the benefits of visualization, the path up the performance curve, and how to repeatedly improve your performance by making your best your average.

A miraculous survival, a difficult recovery, a spiritual perspective, and it is supplying you with ideas for your own life from page one. Make sure to have a notebook available!

Dan not only tells a beautiful story, he provides a unique and effective framework for how to think about achievement. Though others address the same topic, no one feels as genuine or grounded in true life experience.

I had never read a book from cover to cover in just one day. Dan's book was the first. I couldn't put it down … The book arrived at a very important time being in the middle of a very demanding and challenging military course. My determination and desire to complete the course were wavering and the book led me to ask questions of myself that are posed by Dan when deciding whether to pursue very challenging goals. The Military has its own formula for leadership but when it comes to achieving very demanding goals in themselves, determination and desire is generally left up to the individual. I found myself using some of the techniques discussed in the book on course; visualising the 4 Cs – Calm, Communicate, Control and Confidence. The techniques helped tremendously and also helped me to better analyse the cause of mistakes when the team made them.