This is a book review of former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb’s most recent book, “The Power of Thought.”

The average person in today’s society is simply that—average. Many of us recognize that and aspire to be more like the hulky, kitted-out tier-one operators sporting beards and dusty gear, archetypes of masculinity and strength. Those individuals make it through the relentless rigors of training to become the elite of the elite in combat arms. The sharp end of the spear. Finally, one of those archetypal warriors has revealed how we average folks can improve to be more like them.

When I was a professional fighter, a promoter told me, “People are paying to watch you do things that other people can’t or won’t.” I was, indeed, average. I gave as good as I got, but never quite pierced that level of domination needed to win a belt or fight on a bigger stage. I trained as hard as any other professional athlete. I felt as intelligent as anyone I’d ever faced. Yet something nagged me. No matter how much I had prepared myself, something that I later learned was called “internal dialogue” grew louder as the day of a fight approached. I couldn’t shake it. I suppose it would be like a world-class sniper deployed forward with eyes on, and then his trigger finger froze. Unable to finish the job. I had no idea what was wrong with me.

There were things I didn’t understand about myself or the process that takes place in our brains that separates us from improvement and success. Even if someone had told me, “Hey, it’s all in your head,” I wouldn’t have understood. As a coach, I was able to figure out some of these things and recognize patterns in others, but it still wasn’t a functioning tool in my life.

Brandon Webb’s “The Power of Thought” codifies the answer to this struggle, giving readers a plan for mastering the single most powerful tool of success in anything that requires one to succeed beyond average. I related a lot to Brandon’s early life and so will many of the readers. As a Navy SEAL, he found a way to live up to the expectations and to exceed them. He went from a fledgling Navy recruit to a combat-experienced SEAL—often behind a sniper rifle, which requires complete and total belief in your ability and training. He then revamped the SEAL sniper training course with the things he learned along the way about the power of thought.

Navy SEAL sniper at work

Brandon also shares the downs of post-military life, reflecting on how things careened out of control. Essentially, he experienced a loss of everything near and dear to him, and then he proceeded to climb his way up the ladder of success and to the forefront of a successful multimedia company.

A person might think individuals like these lead charmed lives. I have thought that in the past. As stated, the majority of readers will find the stories resonate and relate to their current station in life. You need not be a prospective SEAL or SOF candidate to benefit from Webb’s experience. If you constantly find yourself stuck, or a day late and a dollar short, the core principles that he explains will help change the way you conduct your internal dialogue.

This book is a powerful reference tool to change your mind and set about achieving those things you want in life. Sometimes, having a successful, loving relationship with your spouse and children is a challenge, but it is every bit as important as wearing the trident or scroll. In each case, people’s lives are on the line. Do yourself a favor and read “The Power of Thought.”

Dan Tharp is the author of “Task Force Intrepid: The Gold of Katanga,” and “Highway to Hell.”