INNER EXCELLENCE: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible life Paperback – May 1, 2020

I have always been a big reader on a variety of topics to expand myself. When I discovered Inner Excellence, I added it to my reading list thinking it was just another self-help book. My wife had an Irish uncle who was a character and you couldn't help but love him dearly. I like to read the preface about the author and all the notes to get a sense of who they are.To me, books consist of wrtten words and unwritten words and thoughts. The better your understanding of this, the better your chance of understanding what the author is trying to convey. And as I started reading this, I could feel the author and the heart that was put into this book. because of this I learned some techniques of mixing principles for a new outcome. I am very big on the heart because the brain/mind can do the things they do best, but it can sabotage your success. Consequently, this book taught me to focus on different points for the betterment of all involved. I have always believed in expectations, but once you have them, forget them. I believe the Universe has a method to help you add their magic to achieve an even better result for you and those around you. I have always believed in excellence, not perfection, and this book has some of the best tools to develop your excellence. It was a welcome surprise for me and will be integrated into my lifestyle. Thank you Jim Murphy!

I'm so grateful to Jim for writing this book - I always felt like the very best at the top had a different perspective on competition and performing at their peak and this book confirmed that belief. The way that the best oftentimes look at a situation is so different than how we're normally told to interpret a situation (with our ego and fear driving the majority of our actions) - learning how to flip this to focus more on mastery and love is a really unique perspective that isn't talked about enough. In our western world it feels like we focus too much on the end result and outcome, when in reality that's really a by product and not the main thing we should be focusing on. Thanks for writing this book and putting this message out in to the world!

On January 12, during the NFC Wild Card game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, TV cameras captured a surprising moment: Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was seen reading “Inner Excellence” by Jim Murphy on the sideline. The media quickly picked up on this, making headlines about an athlete reading during a high-stakes game. However, after reading Inner Excellence myself, I can understand exactly why Brown chose that moment to engage with the book.While many people are aware that sport psychology exists, few realize that it is still a relatively young field, with a limited body of research and established guidebooks. Although Jim Murphy is not a sport psychologist by title, his experience as a professional athlete and his deep exploration into performance and mindset have made “Inner Excellence” a valuable resource for those of us working in performance psychology. His insights help validate and reinforce many of the practices and theories already being implemented in the field.Murphy writes in a way that is accessible and relevant to anyone seeking to achieve excellence, not just athletes, making this book a worthwhile read for a wide audience. For me, Inner Excellence is a keeper—it’s earned a place right next to my well-worn copies of John Wooden’s writings and Carol Dweck’s Mindset (a reference my students will definitely appreciate).Dear Mr. Murphy,If you happen to be reading this review—as you’ve mentioned you often do—I want to personally thank you for writing Inner Excellence. As a former Division II athlete, a retired high school varsity coach of 20 years, and a recent doctoral graduate in performance psychology from GCU, I’ve spent a significant part of my life helping others pursue excellence, both on and off the field.Your book has been a powerful reminder and reassurance that I’m guiding my clients in the right direction. The principles and insights you share not only align with the theories I’ve studied and applied, but they also offer a refreshingly practical and grounded perspective that resonates deeply with athletes and performers alike.Thank you for the work you’ve done—and continue to do—for those of us in the field of performance psychology. Your words have had a real impact.

As a Psychiatrist and retired LTC in the USARMY, as well as a coach in elite performance, It is an honor for me to recommend Inner Excellence. Jim Murphy has done something VERY special here, crafting a book that is really a blueprint to unlock and elevate the mind in order to allow mastery as a means to achieve ultimate human potential. This book is thoughtful, clear and effective in describing the mindset that one can build, brick by brick, to not only allow access to amazing performance in any task, but also as a path to Mastery of the self and a path to deep joy and a full life. This is not only a great book from a mental health standpoint, it a great book to build mental strength and resiliency. This is truly a must read for anyone interested in the idea of selfless actualization. Jim....thank you.

After experiencing one of the darkest seasons of my life—wrongful termination, a crumbling marriage, foreclosure, and multiple ER visits—I found myself drowning in uncertainty and emotional pain. Inner Excellence became a lifeline I didn’t know I needed.This book didn’t just offer words—it offered tools. Tools to endure, to reflect, to breathe through the chaos one moment at a time. Since November 8, the day my life turned upside down due to retaliation and injustice, I’ve been in survival mode. But Inner Excellence gave me more than survival. It gave me clarity. Purpose. And the courage to believe that even though I’m not yet where I’m meant to be, I’m on my way.To the author: thank you. Your words have helped keep me living—literally—moment by moment.Highly recommended for anyone facing adversity, searching for meaning, or fighting to reclaim their voice.