You Already Know How to Be Great by Alan Fine

Title:  You Already Know How to Be Great
Author:  Alan Fine
Publisher:  Portfolio / Penguin
Publication Date:  October 14, 2010
Format:  Hardcover, 256 pages
Age Group:  Adult, Non-fiction

Summary from Goodreads:

A bold new approach to performance by one of the top coaches in the country. In trying to improve-on the playing field, in the office, or even at home-most people seek out new information to get to the next level. They read a book, attend a class, or hire an expert to give them an edge. But Alan Fine, an accomplished tennis, golf, and executive coach and a renowned authority on peak performance, believes that this "outside-in" method is precisely what's holding you back from doing your best work. He's found the biggest obstacle to improved performance isn't not knowing what to do; it's thinking too hard about what you already know. The tips and tools designed to help you get ahead can actually interfere with your ability to focus. Fine reveals his simple and proven approach to achieving breakthrough performance. It starts with reducing the interference that blocks your potential through an amazing process called G.R.O.W. (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward). No matter who you are or what you do, You Already Know How to Be Great will help you eliminate what is standing in the way of your goals. 

I found You Already Know How to Be Great a pretty easy read considering it is non-fiction and often seemed aimed at people in the business world.  It is written in a very conversational tone and Mr. Fine uses a lot of examples to illustrate his points.  I found these examples very helpful to understanding the concepts he was discussing.

Chapters are split into shorter sections and there are many text boxes along the way with great information to back up what Mr. Fine is saying.  He also gives reflective questions at the end of each chapter which can be used to think through the ideas on a personal level.

I have already used his G.R.O.W. process to think through an issue that was overwhelming me and I have been able to break it down to a more manageable level.  Although I have not solved it completely, I am seeing measurable progress which is more than I had before reading this book.

The only thing that I did not like about this book, and I think it was mainly because I was not expecting it, is the focus on coaching others.  Based on the title and description, I thought this would be a book on finding a way to reach my own personal goals.  While that is certainly one component of this book, it felt like there was a greater focus on helping other people to reach their potential by guiding them through this process.

This review is based on a paperback Advance Uncorrected Proof copy, sent to me for review by InsideOut Development.  All opinions stated here are entirely my own.

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