Whether you are an elite athlete, a corporate executive, or someone simply looking to master their daily life, the pursuit of excellence is a universal calling. However, the path to greatness is often shrouded in myths of “natural talent” and “luck.”
In his transformative book, Called to Greatness: Your Personal Playbook for the Pursuit of Excellence, Alex Auerbach, Ph.D., strips away the mystery. As the Director of Wellness and Development for the Toronto Raptors and a seasoned performance psychologist, Dr. Auerbach provides a scientific yet deeply human roadmap for those who want to move beyond “good enough.”
This blog post provides a comprehensive summary and review of the book, breaking down the psychological pillars and actionable strategies that define the “greatness” Dr. Auerbach believes is within reach for everyone.
About the Author: The Mind Behind the Playbook
Before diving into the chapters, it is essential to understand the authority behind the words. Alex Auerbach, Ph.D., isn’t just a theorist; he is a practitioner operating at the highest levels of professional sports. His work involves helping world-class athletes manage the immense pressure of the NBA while maintaining peak physical and mental output.
His philosophy blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Positive Psychology, and Performance Science to create a holistic approach to human potential.
Part 1: The Qualities of Typical Performance
Understanding the Foundation of Consistency
In the first half of the book, Dr. Auerbach explores the traits that allow individuals to perform reliably. He defines “Typical Performance” not as mediocrity, but as the stable baseline required before one can leap toward peak performance.
Capacity: Expanding Your “Container”
Capacity is often misunderstood as sheer willpower. Auerbach defines it as the total amount of physical, emotional, and cognitive resources you have available.
- The Concept: Think of capacity as a battery. If your battery is small, you’ll run out of juice before the day is done, no matter how motivated you are.
- Key Insight: To increase capacity, you must strategically stress the system and then allow for recovery. This “stress-plus-rest” formula is the only way to expand what you are capable of handling.
Mental Strength: The Architecture of the Mind
Mental strength is the ability to maintain focus and composure when things go wrong. Auerbach differentiates this from “mental toughness,” which often implies “gritting your teeth.”
- The Architecture: It involves understanding your internal dialogue. Great performers don’t lack fear; they have a better relationship with it.
- The Strategy: Use “Self-Talk” and “Reframing” to turn a threat into a challenge.
Endurance: The Long-Game Mentality
Success is rarely a sprint; it’s a marathon of sprints. Auerbach explains that endurance is as much a mental faculty as a physical one.
- Pacing: Greatness requires the wisdom to know when to push and when to coast.
- Consistency over Intensity: Auerbach argues that doing the “boring” work consistently is what builds the stamina needed for the final “clutch” moments of any endeavor.
Flexibility: The Power of Agility
In a rapidly changing world, rigidity is the enemy of excellence. Flexibility, in the context of performance, is the ability to adapt your tactics without losing sight of your goal.
- Cognitive Flexibility: This is the ability to switch between different concepts or to think about multiple concepts simultaneously.
- The Playbook Tip: Don’t fall in love with your plan; fall in love with your objective.
Self-Regulation: The Steering Wheel
Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and manage your energy, emotions, and behaviors. It is the “governor” on an engine that prevents it from overheating.
- Emotional Regulation: Auerbach emphasizes that we cannot always control our first thought, but we can control our second thought and our first action.
- Tools: Mindfulness, controlled breathing, and physiological sighs are highlighted as “hacks” to reset the nervous system.
Part 2: The Principles of Peak Performance
Moving from “Good” to “Great”
If Part 1 is about the traits you need to cultivate, Part 2 focuses on the actions you must take. These are the active principles that Dr. Auerbach uses with elite athletes to bridge the gap between their average day and their best day.
Preparation: Winning Before the Start
Auerbach famously notes that “greatness isn’t something that happens to you; it’s something you prepare for.” Preparation is the process of reducing uncertainty.
- Simulation: The author encourages “mental rehearsals” and “stress-testing” your plans.
- Routine: A strong pre-performance routine cues the brain that it is time to switch into a “high-performance” state.
Immersion: Finding the Flow
Peak performance requires a state of “Deep Work” or “Flow.” This is the principle of immersion—being so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter.
- The Challenge-Skill Balance: To enter flow, the task must be slightly above your current skill level. If it’s too easy, you’re bored; too hard, and you’re anxious.
- Eliminating Distraction: In the NBA, this means “blocking out the noise” of the crowd. In your life, it might mean turning off notifications to focus on a critical project.
Adaptation: The Evolution of Excellence
The world is a feedback loop. Auerbach argues that those who reach the top are the ones who learn the fastest.
- The Feedback Loop: Performance $\rightarrow$ Assessment $\rightarrow$ Adjustment $\rightarrow$ Re-performance.
- Failing Well: Adaptation requires a growth mindset. You must view failures not as an indictment of your character, but as data points for your next attempt.
Energy Optimization: Managing the Battery
One of the most profound chapters deals with the transition from “Time Management” to “Energy Management.”
- The Four Dimensions of Energy:
- Physical: Sleep, nutrition, and movement.
- Emotional: Connection and positive affect.
- Mental: Focus and clarity.
- Spiritual: Purpose and alignment with values.
- The “Oscillation” Principle: We are designed to pulse. Peak performance requires high-intensity engagement followed by high-quality disengagement (rest).
Resilience: Bouncing Forward
Resilience is often defined as “bouncing back.” However, Dr. Auerbach introduces the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth.
- Bouncing Forward: True excellence involves using setbacks as a springboard to a higher level of functioning than existed before the crisis.
- Social Support: Auerbach highlights that resilience is rarely a solo sport. The strongest performers have “performance partners” or support systems that hold them accountable and lift them up.
Conclusion: We Are All Called to Greatness
Dr. Auerbach concludes the book with a powerful reminder: Greatness is not a destination; it is a way of being. It is not reserved for the 1% of the 1%. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, an artist, or an athlete, the “call to greatness” is simply the invitation to become the best version of yourself.
The book ends with a charge to the reader: Excellence is a choice you make every single day. By applying the qualities of typical performance and the principles of peak performance, anyone can write their own playbook for success.
What Message Does the Author Want to Convey?
At its core, Called to Greatness is an antidote to the “hustle culture” that leads to burnout. Dr. Auerbach’s primary message can be summarized in three core truths:
- Greatness is a Skill, Not a Gift
The author wants readers to realize that the traits we admire in “great” people—like focus, resilience, and discipline—are actually skills that can be trained. By breaking these down into the “playbook” format, he democratizes excellence.
- The Inner Game Dictates the Outer Game
While we often focus on the physical or technical aspects of performance, Auerbach conveys that the psychological architecture is what determines whether we crumble or soar under pressure. Your internal narrative is the most important script you will ever write.
- Sustainability is the Key to Peak Performance
Perhaps the most “human” message of the book is that you cannot be great if you are broken. By emphasizing self-regulation and energy optimization, Auerbach argues that true excellence is sustainable. You don’t have to sacrifice your well-being to achieve your goals; in fact, your well-being is the fuel for those goals.
Book Review: Why This Book Matters in 2026
In an era of “quick fixes” and “life hacks,” Called to Greatness stands out for its depth and scientific rigor.
What We Loved:
- The Playbook Structure: The book is incredibly practical. Each chapter feels like a coaching session, complete with “plays” you can run immediately.
- The “Typical” vs. “Peak” Distinction: This is a brilliant framing. It acknowledges that you can’t be “on” all the time, and it gives you permission to build a strong baseline before trying to fly.
- Empathetic Tone: Dr. Auerbach writes with the warmth of a mentor. He acknowledges the difficulty of the pursuit while remaining firm in his belief in the reader’s potential.
Who Should Read It?
- Leaders and Managers: To help their teams build capacity and resilience.
- Athletes and Coaches: For a modern take on sports psychology beyond “mamba mentality.”
- Students and Professionals: Anyone feeling stuck in a plateau who wants a structured way to level up.
Final Thoughts: Running Your Own Play
The beauty of Called to Greatness is that it doesn’t demand you become someone else. Instead, it asks you to look at your current capacity, your current habits, and your current mindset—and then it gives you the tools to expand them.
As Dr. Auerbach notes, the “pursuit of excellence” is exactly that—a pursuit. It is a journey that never truly ends, but one that offers the most rewarding life imaginable.
FAQs
Q1. Is this book only for athletes?
No, it applies to anyone pursuing excellence in any field.
Q2. Is the book practical or theoretical?
Highly practical with real-world examples.
Q3. What makes this book different from other self-help books?
It focuses on systems and behavior, not motivation alone.
Q4. Can beginners benefit from this book?
Absolutely. It meets readers at their current level.
Q5. What is the key takeaway from the book?
Consistency, self-regulation, and intentional practice create greatness.