Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Winner's Mindset

Rate this book
What separates Winners from everyone else?

In September 2015, Shane Watson, one of cricket's greatest allrounders, was contemplating retirement. At 34, he was still in great physical shape, but his form had deteriorated following a tragedy the year before. Mentally, he was in the darkest hole of his life.

A chance meeting with IndyCar champion Will Power changed everything, prompting Shane to work with world-renowned mental performance coach Dr Jacques Dallaire. It was a decision that would reshape his life.

Watson discovered the keys to a consistent mental process that gave him access to his skillset once more. Across his career he'd had many glimpses of the right mindset but had so often sabotaged himself as he lacked the understanding, tools, and blueprint to repeat them. Watson would go on to dominate global T20 cricket, testing his new mental process against the best players in the world.

In The Winner's Mindset, Watson shares the secrets that helped him tap into his skillset at will. Using his own in-game experiences, scientific methodology and an easy-to-understand mental skills framework, he makes you performance ready for every situation, eliminating stress and anxiety. Whether you're a cricketer or simply seeking success in life, you'll learn universal techniques that apply to any performance arena.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Paperback

36 people are currently reading
124 people want to read

About the author

Shane Watson

23 books7 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
22 (32%)
4 stars
24 (35%)
3 stars
20 (29%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
6 reviews
October 8, 2025
If I ask you one strategy that you apply to keep your mental health on track what it would be? May be travel for some, reading is another popular one, yoga or meditation is a go to option for many. Some prefer tuning into their favourite music or spending quality time with family & friends. Solutions too many but problem is the same. Managing a healthy mind is equally important these days along with a healthy body. Our generation goes through enormous stress to thrive in an extremely competitive world. Some of those stresses are unavoidable whereas some are self induced. Alarming to see the kind of stress even teenagers are going through these days. But is joining a yoga centre or consulting a doctor a viable long term solution to the ever increasing threat of mental health issues?

Recently the news came from the UK about former English cricketer Graham Thorpe ending his life after a long battle with depression. Many other sportspeople or celebrities have shared their experiences of fighting with this silent killer of modern generation in recent times. We talk about it in social media, in our colleague circles or with close friends. As per WHO report, in 2019 around 970 million people across the globe were living with a mental disorder. But still the enigma of mental health issues is not as easily acceptable in our society like any other health related matter. Lot of times we have witnessed people making fun of it which is nothing but sheer ignorance & lack of knowledge. It is high time that our education system starts including knowhows of this sensitive topic to create awareness which will help people to speak about it or fight against it with lot more confidence.

Ever wondered how a sportsperson who seems to be mentally so tough while performing on the field can too fall prey to his own mental puzzle. Yes they can as they too go through the same emotions like any other common person. But what is interesting is most of them find a way to tackle it in their own way. Their discipline, mental toughness & perseverance helps in overcoming this hurdle like another match on the field. It should be another responsibility of modern day leaders to be extra careful in managing their as well as team members' mental fitness. Stats already showing that stress becoming a major hindrance in productivity growth at workplaces all over the world. Hence we are already on a sticky ground and a collective fight is the need of the hour. Our today's book review is apt to address this issue. The book becomes more significant as it comes from one of the sportsman who had seen highs & lows in an eventful career.

Read the full review https://dipakmohanty.blogspot.com/202...
Profile Image for Debabrata Mishra.
1,669 reviews44 followers
June 3, 2024
In " The Winner's Mindset" by Shane Watson offers an incisive exploration of the psychological fortitude requisite for transcendent performance, drawing from his illustrious cricket career and transformative personal journey. This tome delineates the oft-overlooked cerebral machinations that demarcate the victorious from the vanquished, accentuating the indispensable nature of mental acuity in the quest for excellence.

His narrative commences with a candid recounting of his nadir—a poignant juncture where he contemplated retirement, beleaguered by an attenuated form and a dismal psychological state exacerbated by personal tragedy. It was serendipity, manifested in a chance encounter with IndyCar champion Will Power, that precipitated his rendezvous with the esteemed mental performance coach, Dr. Jacques Dallaire. This pivotal moment catalyzed a profound metamorphosis in his approach to mental conditioning.

The crux of his treatise lies in the elucidation of a structured mental process that facilitated the reclamation and consistent deployment of his prodigious cricketing prowess. Watson, previously ensnared in a cycle of sporadic peak performances and self-sabotage, elucidates how a lack of a coherent mental framework precluded sustained excellence. Through methodical engagement with Dallaire's methodologies, he forged a robust mental toolkit, enabling him to obliterate the psychological barriers that had hitherto impeded his performance. The narrative is imbued with an authenticity that engenders credibility, fortified by his demonstrable resurgence in the competitive crucible of global T20 cricket.

One of the most salient features of his methodology is its emphasis on stress and anxiety amelioration. By demystifying the psychological underpinnings of performance-related stress, he empowers readers to harness their cognitive resources optimally, thereby mitigating the deleterious effects of anxiety. This aspect of the book is particularly germane in contemporary society, where the omnipresence of stress necessitates efficacious coping mechanisms.

In conclusion, it stands as a beacon of enduring wisdom, advocating for a cerebral approach to performance that is as methodical as it is profound. This is a tome that will undoubtedly be lauded for its sagacity and transformative potential for years to come.
Profile Image for Drishty.
509 reviews8 followers
April 23, 2024
The winner's mindset by Shane Watson is an insightful exploration of mental toughness and its role in achieving peak performance.

Shane Watson, a highly successful Australian cricketer, shares his journey and the lessons he learned from his career playing for Australia and various T20 franchises around the world. A key turning point for Watson was a chance encounter with IndyCar champion Will Power, which opened his eyes to the importance of mental training.

In this book, Watson provides a comprehensive guide on how to harness mental strength to unlock one's true potential. He discusses a variety of techniques that different athletes use to stay focused and maintain peak performance. For instance, Viv Richards chewed gum to concentrate, while Glenn McGrath and Michael Clarke sang songs in their heads to maintain focus during extended periods.

Shane Watson's narrative is both relatable and practical. He describes the unique methods he has implemented in his own life, drawing from his extensive experience in professional cricket.

The book introduces intriguing concepts such as the ACT Model, Performance Equation, and rules of the mental road, which serve as helpful tools for readers seeking to improve their mental game.

A remarkable aspect of this book is its accessibility. It is a lucid read and can be completed in a single sitting, making it suitable for a wide range of readers, from sports enthusiasts to individuals looking to boost their mental resilience.

This book offers valuable advice on overcoming negative thoughts, maintaining focus, controlling emotions, managing expectations, and developing a positive perspective. It’s a practical guide for anyone aiming to reach their full potential, whether in sports or everyday life.

Overall, this book is a compelling read for those interested in mental training and personal growth. Shane Watson’s insights into the mental aspects of high-level sports are applicable to various aspects of life, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking to enhance their mental toughness and performance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lakshit Singhal.
19 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2024
Shane Watson has had a successful international career playing for Australia as well as for various franchises in the T20 leagues across the globe. A chance encounter with IndyCar champion Will Power made him realize the importance of mental training, which he was quick to incorporate in his cricketing journey. This book is his attempt to decipher the techniques using which we can train our mind to unlock our skillset and unleash the best version of ourselves.

The author shares techniques to deal with challenges we face in everyday life - not getting distracted by our negative thoughts, focussing on the task at hand, controlling our emotions, managing expectations, importance of perspective etc. You know you are capable of achieving something but don't know how to. This is exactly what the author aims to help you with through this book.

Different cricketers have used different techniques to train their mind and achieve optimum performance. Viv Richards used to chew gum to stay focussed whereas McGrath and Clarke used to sing in their head to concentrate for longer periods. Watson has carved a unique narrative around these techniques which makes the book more relatable and practical.

The book is a lucid read and can be finished in a single sitting. Several exciting new concepts such as the ACT Model, Performance Equation and rules of the mental road pique your curiosity as a reader.

The book lacks flair that characterizes Watson's batting. It also gets theoretical at times. And not all topics might be interesting for you. But it is a worthwhile read overall.
Profile Image for Arushi Kulshreshtha.
203 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2024
The Winner’s Mindset is a non fiction book of around 280 pages which mainly focus on mindset of a person. This is a self help book and is beginner friendly.

Some of the key insights from the book are :

When we obtain any skill, right mindset is one of the important thing to have.
We can control our unconscious mind but not conscious mind.
A proper focus is must required to achieve the results by being present in the present moment otherwise you may fall into anxiety which can affect your results.
Shane Watson’s ACT model : Calm, Correct Focus, Smart, Reacting , Feeling arrogant & Aggressive
Perform GAP( Good, Average , Poor) analysis after every work to understand your development better.

If you are someone who needs to get mind exercise or training, this book is a step by step guide. The way it is written is amazing. Shane has given some examples of his journey that how he developed a better mindset. He even shared some real examples related to cricket. If you are a cricket fan, I bet you are going to be engaged with the book. It will feel like author himself is talking to you. The book is fast paced and good for beginners who are reading non fiction books.

Profile Image for Taisiia Biri.
5 reviews
October 31, 2025
If you’re a cricket enthusiast, The Winner’s Mindset by Shane Watson offers an intimate and revealing journey into the mental battles of one of Australia’s top all-rounders. The book is deeply rooted in the world of professional cricket, and almost every insight, story, or reflection is framed within the context of the game—its challenges, pressure, and the constant pursuit of excellence.

Watson writes candidly about his struggles with confidence, form, and mental clarity throughout his career. He delves into how he overcame those obstacles using sports psychology, breathing techniques, mindfulness, and mindset shifts.

However, for readers unfamiliar with or uninterested in cricket, this book may feel inaccessible or even boring. The terminology, references, and examples are heavily cricket-centric, and the broader lessons on mental resilience are so closely tied to match performances, batting techniques, and selection anxieties that they may not translate well outside the sport.
Profile Image for Aashu Kandoi.
Author 4 books7 followers
August 30, 2025
This one pleasantly surprised me with it's content. Finally, a noteworthy cricketer spoke about the mental aspect, that too, while sharing his personal experience. You must read this one irrespective of whether you are a sportsperson or not. I am absolutely sure you will thank me for recommending it. This one has quietly slid into my top 5 book list. Happy Reading. Happy learning;)
Profile Image for Ambarish Ramasubramanian.
62 reviews
September 27, 2024
One of the greatest books I have ever read. Insights by the Cricketing Genius "Shane Watson" will amaze you to the fullest and create the deepest impacts within you. This book is indeed powerful and enjoyable, especially for a Cricket fanatic like me. Thank you Shane Watson for this wonderful book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.