That's Outside My Boat

The sportscaster and New York Times–bestselling author shares a mantra for success that changed his life—and can change your business.

When veteran television announcer Charlie Jones got assigned to the hinterlands of Olympic broadcasting to cover rowing, canoeing, and kayaking, he serendipitously discovered a powerful philosophy for focused living: That’s Outside My Boat.

He learned that Olympic rowers never let anything outside their boat prevent them from achieving their goals. Wind, rain, sun, lane assignments, and broken oars were outside their boat, and therefore, simply did not exist. Here, Jones, with coauthor Kim Doren, shows how the world of business—and all aspects of life—can greatly benefit when this same perspective is applied. The book uses the power of the personal example to show how deciding what’s important and focusing on it fosters success. Bob Wright, vice chairman of General Electric; Terry Bradshaw, NFL broadcaster and TV personality; Jack Kemp, codirector of Empower America; Liz Dolan, former Nike corporate vice president; and many other business leaders apply this philosophy to their own experience in That’s Outside My Boat—a powerful tool for business and for life.

“A veteran TV announcer finds in Olympic rowing a metaphor for focused living and working.” —Publishers Weekly

“An Olympic-size lesson in focus.” —Inc.