The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World
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NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB MUST READ The definitive book on excellence: a practical guide to creating, contributing, and actualizing your potential amid the craziness of modern life, from bestselling author Brad Stulberg "An absolutely beautiful book."—Steve Kerr, nine-time NBA Champion; Coach of the Golden State Warriors and Team USA Whether you are practicing guitar, pushing your limits at the gym, leading a team, honing a craft, studying medicine, or giving yourself the time and space to finally write that book, the pursuit of excellence is a big part of what makes life worth living—and it is for all of us. Unlike "pseudo-excellence," which is about hustle culture and hacks, genuine excellence is about challenging yourself in worthwhile endeavors, focusing on what matters most, and expressing the unique qualities that make you who you are. Too often, we get caught up in convenience and distraction to the detriment of our true potential. The good news is that we can set ourselves on a better path, one that includes more aliveness and resonance, more connection to self and others. Here, Stulberg finds convergence between modern science, age-old philosophy, and daily practice to explain that we are wired to strive for excellence—it is what we are here to do, core to our humanity. Yet our environment often works against us. The path he shares to reclaim excellence means learning about:Defining, living, and working in alignment with your values
Cultivating focus and concentration
The power of prioritizing consistency over intensity
Building durable confidence
The connection between mastery and mattering
Developing the courage to care deeply
Designing environments that support excellence
Selecting goals based not just on what you want to achieve, but on who you want to become
Overcoming the traps, pitfalls, and barriers to excellence including alienation, chasing a never-ending supply of dopamine, and addiction to external validation and the opinions of others
Applying the principles and insights of excellence to one's organizations and communities
At its core, excellence is a deeply-fulfilling process of becoming—the best performer, and person, you can be. Read more
Editor's Take
Amazon and Goodreads reviewers are broadly positive about The Way of Excellence, with several readers praising its practical, thoughtful take on excellence and modern life. Some Goodreads reviewers mention caveats, saying the book adds less new material on the topic than they expected, while still finding it worthwhile overall.
Independent book-review sites echo that split: one review calls it an easy 5/5 and highly recommended, while another says it may be less useful for readers looking for a strict how-to manual. A separate review source highlights that the book resonates as a guide for purpose, contribution, and sustainable growth in a chaotic world.
YouTube results also surfaced real videos directly about the book, including a discussion titled The Way of Excellence with Brad Stulberg and review/summary videos focused on the title.
Price History
Specifications
| Publisher | HarperOne |
| Publication date | January 27, 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 304 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0063385945 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0063385948 |
| Item Weight | 1.43 pounds |
| Dimensions | 6 x 0.93 x 9 inches |
| Best Sellers Rank | #5,621 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #9 in Stress Management Self-Help #13 in Business Decision Making #14 in Decision-Making & Problem Solving |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (889) |
