It Takes What It Takes

It Takes What It Takes Plot Summary

Introduction

Have you ever noticed how your mind seems to work against you at critical moments? When facing pressure or making important decisions, the internal dialogue that floods your consciousness can either propel you forward or hold you back. This mental battleground is where champions are made or broken - not just in sports, but in business, relationships, and every aspect of life. The distinction between successful people and those who struggle often isn't talent, resources, or luck - it's their relationship with their inner voice. While many of us have been taught to "think positive" during difficult times, this approach often falls short when reality doesn't match our affirmations. What if there were a more effective way to harness your mental strength? A method that doesn't deny negativity or artificially inflate positivity, but instead embraces a powerful middle ground that elite performers have been quietly using for decades. This neutral thinking approach acknowledges reality while maintaining focus on what matters most: the next action, the next behavior, the next step forward.

Chapter 1: Embrace Neutral Thinking, Not Positive Thinking

Neutral thinking represents a revolutionary shift in mental conditioning that has transformed the performance of elite athletes, military special forces, and business leaders. Unlike positive thinking that often denies reality or negative thinking that spirals into self-defeat, neutral thinking accepts what has happened while maintaining focus on what comes next. The concept crystallized through Trevor Moawad's work with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. In the 2014 NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, Wilson had thrown four interceptions - a disastrous performance by any standard. With just over five minutes remaining and his team down 19-7, Wilson faced a pivotal moment. Rather than dwelling on his mistakes or trying to convince himself that everything was fine, Wilson embraced neutral thinking. "We can still win this game!" he called out to his teammates. "Let's go! Four minutes and fifty seconds!" Wilson understood that the past was irrevocable, but it didn't have to dictate what happened next. This mental discipline allowed Wilson to lead two incredible touchdown drives, ultimately winning in overtime with a perfect pass to Jermaine Kearse - the same receiver involved in his fourth interception. When later interviewed by Bryant Gumbel on HBO's Real Sports and asked if he thinks about poor performance during games, Wilson replied simply, "No, I don't. I think about one play at a time. Let's go. Let's keep it going." This exemplifies neutral thinking's core principle: each moment has its own history and life. Another powerful example emerged during the 2018 Rose Bowl, when Georgia's football team found themselves down 31-17 to Oklahoma at halftime. Coach Kirby Smart, who had integrated neutral thinking into the team's mental conditioning, told Moawad, "I'm having a very difficult time staying neutral right now, bro." Yet he quickly refocused, acknowledging that "the first thirty minutes and the last thirty minutes are two distinctly different events." Rather than demanding his players become superhuman, Smart simply reminded them to be the players they'd been all season. Georgia ultimately won 54-48 in double overtime. To practice neutral thinking in your own life, start by recognizing the three distinct states of any situation: what has happened, what is happening, and what will happen. Don't pretend the past didn't occur, but don't let it dominate your present either. When facing a setback, acknowledge it clearly without judgment, then immediately refocus on the specific actions you can take now. This approach works whether you're facing a business presentation, difficult conversation, or personal challenge. Remember that emotions are simply another form of bias - your brain trying to sneak influence into your thinking. By stripping away these biases through neutral thinking, you can access undistorted truth and make clearer decisions under pressure. The past isn't predictive unless you allow it to be.

Chapter 2: Recognize the Illusion of Choice

When it comes to achieving true excellence in any field, the concept of "choice" takes on a surprising dimension - it becomes an illusion. This powerful insight has transformed the performance of elite athletes and can revolutionize your approach to success in any area of life. Vince Carter, who has sustained an extraordinary NBA career well into his forties, illuminated this principle during a conversation with Moawad in 2015. When asked about the choices athletes make, Carter's response was striking: "Of course choice is an illusion. There was no way I'd still be in the NBA in my late thirties if I'd done everything I wanted to do. I did what was demanded." Carter's longevity stems from disciplined choices that many players aren't willing to make - arriving at training facilities by 6:30 AM, carefully monitoring his diet, avoiding dunking unnecessarily to preserve his knees, and performing additional workouts after games when others are heading home. This conversation sparked Moawad to formulate what became known as "The Illusion of Choice" - a concept he later presented to Nick Saban's Alabama football team. The message was clear: "A lot of times we feel as if we have choices to make about where we want to go and WHAT IT TAKES to get there. The REALITY is that what it takes to succeed is not REALLY a choice." The team that embraced this mentality went on to win the national championship that season. The distinction between options and choices is crucial here. Options are decisions without meaningful consequences - whether to watch Netflix or Hulu, or what to have for dinner. True choices are the decisions that genuinely matter, determining your trajectory. Do you go to sleep at a reasonable hour or binge another season? Do you prepare for tomorrow's presentation or scroll through social media? These aren't really choices if excellence is your aim. Nick Saban later reinforced this message to his players, saying: "They all think they have this illusion of choice. Like 'I can do whatever I want to do.' But the fact of the matter is... if you want to be good, you really don't have a lot of choices, because it takes what it takes." After the team won the national championship, Saban reflected: "I told the players, 'I know after fourteen games you guys don't feel like practicing anymore. But are you going to choose to do what you want? Or are you going to choose to do the things you need to do to accomplish the goal that you have?' And they did it." To apply this principle in your own life, first identify your true aspiration - not just what you want, but what you're willing to work for. Then honestly examine the behaviors required to reach that goal. The path to excellence is narrow and specific. While you don't need to live like an Olympic athlete, you must recognize that the behaviors leading to success aren't optional if the outcome matters to you. Remember that every day you're competing - whether against others or your previous self. By embracing the illusion of choice, you free yourself from the mental burden of constant decision-making and align your actions with your aspirations. Excellence isn't about occasional heroic efforts; it's about consistent, correct choices that accumulate into extraordinary results.

Chapter 3: Stop Verbalizing Negative Thoughts

The human mind absorbs negativity seven times more easily than positivity - a psychological reality with profound implications for performance. Yet many people underestimate how significantly their spoken words amplify this effect. When you verbalize negative thoughts, you give them exponentially more power over your mind, behavior, and outcomes. In 2007, Trevor Moawad began implementing this principle with Nick Saban's Alabama football program. The team had talent but lacked the right mindset. Rather than immediately pushing positive thinking, Moawad made a simpler bet: What if players just stopped saying negative things out loud? This seemingly small change became a cornerstone of Alabama's mental approach as they built a dynasty that would win five national championships. One player who embodied this transformation was cornerback Javier Arenas. Before Alabama played Texas for the 2009 national championship, a reporter asked Arenas if being overlooked in high school recruiting fueled his motivation. His response demonstrated perfect neutral thinking: "I don't think about who didn't recruit me, because that's negative thinking. That's playing mad. I don't think about that. I think about the opportunity and the advantage I've taken so far and how long I'm going to continue to take advantage of it." Rather than dwelling on past slights, Arenas focused on his present opportunities. The science behind this approach is compelling. Research consistently shows negative thinking impairs cognitive function, decision-making, and performance. A 2018 study in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that "dampening appraisals" - telling yourself something is too good to last or that you don't deserve it - increases sadness and decreases happiness. A 2014 study in Neurology linked higher levels of cynical thinking with increased dementia risk. Perhaps most sobering are anecdotal examples like Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, who famously said nineteen days before the 1986 World Series, "The nightmares are that you're gonna let the winning run score on a ground ball through your legs" - precisely what happened in the fateful Game 6. To implement a verbal governor in your own life, start with awareness. Notice how often you verbalize negative thoughts about yourself, others, or situations. Challenge yourself to go twenty-four hours without speaking any negative thoughts aloud. This doesn't mean you won't have negative thoughts - they'll still cross your mind - but by stopping their verbal expression, you dramatically reduce their power over you. When someone asks "How are you?" resist the urge to respond with complaints. Instead of saying "I'm exhausted" or "This project is impossible," try neutral statements that acknowledge reality without amplifying negativity. Think of this practice as a psychological diet - just as eliminating unhealthy foods is the first step to better nutrition, eliminating negative verbalization is the first step to better mental conditioning. Remember that negative language about others or circumstances ultimately affects you most. By governing what comes out of your mouth, you create space for solutions rather than problems. As you practice this skill, you'll notice improved relationships, clearer thinking, and better outcomes across all areas of your life.

Chapter 4: Create Your Own Mental Ad Campaign

The most powerful marketing campaign in your life isn't created by Madison Avenue - it's the one you create for yourself through your internal dialogue. This continuous stream of thoughts shapes your identity, influences your behaviors, and ultimately determines your outcomes more powerfully than any external influence ever could. When Trevor Moawad first stood before the Florida State football team, he asked players a simple question: "How many of you over the course of a day find yourself talking to yourself through an internal voice?" Only about a quarter raised their hands. Moawad then addressed the others: "Those who didn't hold that hand up are probably asking themselves, 'I don't know. Do I talk to myself?'" The team erupted in laughter as they recognized the truth - we all talk to ourselves constantly, whether we realize it or not. This internal dialogue functions like an advertising campaign for your own life. Consider how effectively external advertising works - most people can instantly recall jingles like "Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions—on a sesame-seed bun!" Yet your internal advertising is far more influential. Moawad explains that external influence affects us on a one-to-ten scale, while self-influence operates at ten-to-one. Your words about yourself matter ten times more than anyone else's words about you. Nike's iconic "Just Do It" slogan exemplifies the power of neutral messaging. Created by Dan Wieden in 1988, the slogan doesn't promise anything good will happen if you "do it," nor anything bad if you don't. It simply commands action without judgment, allowing individuals to fill in their own meaning. This neutral approach helped transform Nike from trailing Reebok to becoming the dominant athletic apparel company worldwide. Russell Wilson demonstrates this principle at the highest level of sports. Before every game, especially in high-pressure situations like Super Bowls, Wilson runs an internal ad campaign focused on specific neutral statements that center his mind regardless of external chaos: Great fundamentals Great balance Be engaged These simple phrases create a powerful internal focus that drowns out distractions, doubt, and even the roar of 70,000 fans. Wilson understands that his mind can hold only one thought at a time, and he chooses carefully which thoughts to entertain. To create your own effective mental ad campaign, begin by identifying neutral statements that describe both who you are and the behaviors you want to embody. These aren't wishful affirmations but truthful assessments of your capabilities and commitments. For example, if you're preparing for a presentation, your internal campaign might include: "I've thoroughly researched this material. I've practiced multiple times. I speak clearly when I focus on one point at a time." Experiment with your internal messaging during everyday tasks. Try the number-finding exercise Moawad uses with clients: search for sequential numbers while someone watches silently, then while someone actively tries to distract you. Notice how external inputs affect your internal dialogue and practice maintaining your focus despite distractions. Remember that your brain is producing between 60,000 and 120,000 thoughts daily. By consciously directing these thoughts through a well-crafted internal ad campaign, you become the most powerful advertiser in your own life.

Chapter 5: Visualize Success Through Neutral Statements

The human mind struggles to distinguish between what is real and what is vividly imagined - a psychological principle that elite performers harness through strategic visualization. Yet the most effective visualization isn't about positive fantasy; it's grounded in neutral statements that reflect reality and reinforce specific behaviors. Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson exemplifies this approach. Before the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Johnson created what he called his "danger zone" - a series of neutral statements that would loop through his mind during races: Keep my head down. Pump my arms. Explode. I'm a bullet. These weren't empty affirmations but precise technical reminders based on thousands of hours of training. When Johnson stood behind the starting blocks for the 200-meter final, these statements focused his mind amid overwhelming pressure. The result? A world record time of 19.32 seconds and one of the most dominant Olympic performances ever. The power of neutral visualization was demonstrated to Trevor Moawad at age eight when his father, a pioneer in self-help education, asked him to imagine biting into a lemon. As young Trevor winced at the imaginary sourness, his father asked, "But I thought you said dreams weren't real, son. If they weren't, then how could you taste the lemon?" This lesson showed how our minds respond physiologically to vivid imagery. This science extends beyond sports. In 2013, before Florida State's football team faced a crucial game against Clemson, Moawad showed players video comparing their focused preparation before a previous victory against their distracted approach before a loss. This concrete visualization helped them understand how their behaviors directly influenced outcomes. Florida State went on to dominate Clemson 51-14 on their way to a national championship. The key distinction is that effective visualization isn't fantasy - it's mentally rehearsing behaviors you've already developed through training. Before working with NFL draft prospects, Moawad would create visualization sessions where players would mentally walk through every aspect of their upcoming performance, from arriving at the stadium to executing specific techniques. This mental rehearsal activates the same neural pathways as physical practice. In 2018, Michael Johnson faced perhaps his greatest challenge when he suffered a ministroke at age 51. Drawing on the same mental techniques that won him Olympic gold, Johnson visualized each small step in his recovery. "I will make a full recovery," he told himself. "And I'm going to do it faster than everybody else." True to form, Johnson recovered much faster than doctors expected. To implement neutral visualization in your own life, begin by identifying the specific behaviors that lead to success in your area of focus. Create simple, neutral statements that remind you of these behaviors. Then practice visualization that engages all your senses - see yourself performing these actions, feel the sensations, hear the sounds. This isn't daydreaming but mental training that prepares you for real-world performance. Remember that visualization alone doesn't create success. As Michael Johnson says, visualization works only when you've already put in the work to develop the necessary skills. The combination of proper preparation and strategic visualization creates a powerful foundation for performance under pressure.

Chapter 6: Build Self-Awareness Through Role Models

Self-awareness forms the cornerstone of personal growth, yet most people struggle to accurately assess their own capabilities and blindspots. One of the most effective paths to greater self-awareness is studying role models who have already achieved what you aspire to accomplish. NFL running back Fred Taylor's transformation illustrates this principle perfectly. Despite exceptional talent, Taylor struggled with injuries early in his career, earning the frustrating nickname "Fragile Fred." In 2002, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Moawad to help Taylor overcome these challenges. Initially resistant, Taylor viewed Moawad as management's spy rather than an ally. But as trust developed between them, Taylor became open to examining why he couldn't stay healthy for an entire season. Moawad guided Taylor through an assessment of what successful NFL veterans - those who had earned second and third contracts - did differently. They observed that these long-lasting players shared two key habits: they arrived at the training facility by 6:30 AM and ended each day with an ice bath. Taylor had been doing neither, instead "hanging out excessively" and neglecting proper hydration and recovery. These behaviors, combined with Taylor's explosive running style, had created the perfect conditions for injuries. Taylor was in what Moawad calls an "unconsciously competent" state - he could produce incredible performances but didn't understand how to maintain his body consistently. By studying successful role models, Taylor moved toward "conscious competence," where he understood exactly what his body needed and how to provide it. The results were remarkable: after implementing these changes, Taylor played 46 consecutive games without injury and went on to a 13-year NFL career with over 11,000 rushing yards. "Trevor and Chad didn't just save my career," Taylor later reflected. "They saved my life. I learned how to cope and move forward." Taylor had discovered that hope comes from being helpful to himself - from taking concrete actions that improve his situation rather than feeling helpless. This process works in any field. Moawad suggests identifying who in your environment consistently succeeds where you struggle. Instead of envying their results, study their behaviors. What time do they arrive at work? How do they prepare for important meetings? How do they handle stress or setbacks? The goal isn't to copy someone else's personality but to recognize effective behaviors you can adapt to your own situation. For maximum insight, create what Moawad calls a "360-degree perspective" exercise. Write your name and responsibilities at the top of a paper, then pass it among trusted colleagues or friends who add their expectations of you. When you receive the completed paper, you'll have an honest assessment of how others see your role and contribution - information that can highlight gaps between your self-perception and reality. Remember that self-awareness isn't a one-time achievement but an ongoing process. As your circumstances evolve, so must your understanding of yourself. The most effective people regularly reassess their strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors in light of changing conditions. As Taylor discovered, your next behavior determines your destiny more than your past performance ever will.

Chapter 7: Turn Pressure into Performance

Pressure isn't a burden to avoid but a privilege to embrace. This counterintuitive principle separates elite performers from everyone else, transforming moments of maximum stress into opportunities for breakthrough achievement. In October 2013, Florida State's football team traveled to face third-ranked Clemson in a game that would define their season. ESPN's College GameDay had spent the morning hyping the matchup, with 83,000 hostile fans packed into "Death Valley" stadium. The atmosphere was electric with pressure - exactly the environment where most teams collapse. Months earlier, Moawad had begun preparing the team for this moment through a summer program called "Mindset: The Game Plan We Install for Ourselves." In their first session, senior linebacker Telvin Smith had set the tone by circling previous losses on a whiteboard and declaring, "It ain't happening no more. I won't let it. Believe that." Throughout the summer, players studied the behaviors that led to past successes and failures, creating accountability among themselves. When game day arrived, Florida State didn't shy away from the pressure - they harnessed it. On Clemson's first offensive play, Telvin Smith forced a fumble that his teammate recovered. Two plays later, Florida State scored a touchdown. By halftime, they led 24-7 on their way to a stunning 51-14 victory that announced their arrival as the nation's best team. They would go on to win the national championship. This example illustrates what tennis legend Billie Jean King meant when she said, "Pressure is a privilege." Pressure exists only when something valuable is at stake - when your actions matter. The key is responding properly to that pressure by preparing thoroughly and then focusing only on the immediate task rather than the magnitude of the moment. Michael Johnson describes this mental state before Olympic races: "Imagine you're standing behind the blocks and the ultimate prize is there within reach and you're about to have the opportunity to grab it. In the next nineteen seconds, you're going to know whether you're successful or not. It comes down to two things: Are you prepared? Can you execute?" To transform pressure into performance in your own life, start by recognizing pressure's true nature. That squeezing feeling - whether before a presentation, difficult conversation, or major decision - indicates that you care about the outcome. Instead of trying to eliminate the feeling, channel it into preparation and presence. Moawad recommends approaching pressure situations on two levels. First, assess "Who am I now?" Make an honest inventory of your current strengths, weaknesses, and preparation relative to the challenge. Second, envision "Who will I be?" Create a clear picture of how you'll respond in the moment and what behaviors will give you the best chance of success. Elite organizations create environments that deliberately expose team members to pressure before the stakes become real. Nick Saban's practice methodology at Alabama, for instance, often creates more pressure than actual games. This "stress inoculation" builds confidence that carries into high-stakes situations. Remember that everyone faces pressure - what differs is how people respond to it. By preparing thoroughly, focusing on the process rather than the outcome, and embracing pressure as an opportunity to demonstrate your preparation, you transform potential anxiety into peak performance. As Moawad says, "The highest achievers actually embrace the opportunity to be exposed. Why? Because they've prepared for the moment."

Summary

The journey to mastering your inner voice is fundamentally about recognizing your tremendous power to influence yourself. Throughout this exploration of neutral thinking, we've seen how champions from Russell Wilson to Michael Johnson have transformed their performance by focusing not on what they feel, but on what they do next. As Fred Taylor wisely noted, "Routine looks like commitment. But commitment reinforces the routine." This reciprocal relationship between our choices, behaviors, and outcomes forms the foundation of lasting success. The core message is beautifully captured in one of the book's most powerful lines: "Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear a word you say." Your actions reveal your true character more than any words ever could. Today, take one concrete step toward neutral thinking by identifying a specific negative phrase you regularly verbalize and consciously stopping that habit for 24 hours. Notice how this small change begins to shift your mental landscape from judgment to action, from reaction to response. When you learn to put a comma where others place a period, you claim the power to write the next sentence of your story.

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Trevor Moawad

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