A few months ago, I received a copy of a crazy book. That’s what I thought when I read the introduction. Or should I say the author of the book was crazy?
Or even better, the author was extremely optimistic and his goal with this book was obviously non-achievable.
But I was so damn curious to find out more about the top 1% concept and started reading the book immeditately.
Trevor Blattner – Redefining The Top 1%
This book discusses advanced concepts of leadership and personal development.
It’s not an easy read, it’s not entertaining, and I found myself studying the concepts very carefully.
There is action involved and exercises that you may complete if you want to apply this knowledge successfully into your life.
Read it while you are 100% focused, calm, and away from distractions.
And then, read it again, at least 2 times.
The first read is only a warmup so you can really dive deep into the topics through the 2nd read.
Trevor Blattner’s Background
Dr. Trevor Blattner is the founder of Redefining The Top 1% and a leading thinker on Shepherd Leadership—a modern approach to leadership designed to encourage leadership that guides, supports, and uplifts.
With over 20 years of research, coaching, and expertise, Dr. Blattner has developed a model of leadership that breaks free of the antiquated and regressive notions of what it means to lead. His enlightened approach to leadership is based on behavioral science, personal experience building and managing a seven-figure business, and a strong commitment to personal values.
His family and his Christian faith are the most important priorities in his life. Consequently, all of his teaching is built on a foundation of character, morality, and Truth. His worldview guides his actions, and he strives to guide others down the same path in their own unique journey toward Shepherd Leadership.
Dr. Blattner lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with his wife, Ashley, and their three girls, Kate, Nora, and Lenna.
My mission is simple. I want to help current and aspiring leaders become role models worth emulating so that they can attract and build massively successful teams, families, and organizations. I want to help you lead with conviction and excellence. I do this because I have 3 daughters of my own, and I desperately want them to be able to live in a world filled with examples of Truth, justice, and virtue! I believe the most efficient way to do this is to develop leaders who will be the example and mentor others over time.
As an executive leadership and business coach, I help people understand that leadership is a choice that is made each moment, and that empirical evidence can guide us in knowing what choices will allow for the best outcomes over the course of a life and career. Through simple and practical behavior integration, I help people achieve and sustain powerful leadership environments and thriving enterprises.
The Book
The new book “Redefining the top 1%” by Trevor Blattner is quite unique, to say the least.
It’s all about helping you become a Shepherd Leader, one that cares.
This book is about personal transformation, transcending perceived limitations, and ultimately extreme success and generosity. This is a system, or a philosophy if you like, backed by scientific evidence that supports each of the behaviors.
Intro
The introduction is straightforward. The use of anti-depressants by Americans rose 400% over twenty years. And anxiety is at an all-time high as well. More and more people become miserable, hopeless, and suffer. There is a decline in life expectancy.
Trevor highlights…
The most fundamental duty of a leader is to prepare themselves to navigate both themselves and others through tumultuous and uncertain times.
Let me copy a part of the introduction here…
My core thesis throughout our time together will simply be that you must break away from the current trend of despair and self-destruction by becoming a leader of yourself and those around you. And not just any sort of leader, but a very particular type of leader. You must become a Shepherd Leader. In doing so you will find a valuable release and open the doors to growth and a sense of peace in your life.
Yes, you’re capable of reaching the top 1% in your field.
To do so, you must simply learn the systematic process of how to behave, think, and perform like similarly situated people.
We must take full responsibility for our own lives.
The top 1% philosophy is not just a set of “success principles”. It’s a series of steps that serve to build deep and profound character in your life and behavior.
One of the great secrets of success and achievement is to constantly connect your doing and your being, from moment to moment.
And to reach the top 1%, you must become a Shepherd Leader.
This is what this book is all about.
Chapter 1 – The Overview
Things became extremely interesting in chapter 1 – the top 1% – an overview.
Trevor names Alpha 1.0 the philosophy of which all humans are students. But Alpha 1.0 causes us to suffer from insecurity, indecision, inauthenticity, limitation, and desperation.
In order to escape the pain, you turn to distraction (i.e., alcohol, smoking, social media, television, pornography, or
whatever it is in your life). Alpha 1.0 owns you.
Trevor knows first-hand about it because there was about a decade of his life defined by his own anxiety, insecurity, self-doubt, and even self-hate.
He started studying personal development and success after reading the book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill at the age of 19.
But it took him about 10 years of continuous study in multiple different fields before the lightbulb really came on.
When he understood that all the different branches of science are interconnected along with the Laws of Achievement, his life was never been the same.
You must become a disciple of the Shepherd Leadership philosophy to be part of the Top 1%. Shepherd Leaders find self-respect, tap into dormant powers, feel their calling, and pursue it with everything they have.
No one is born a Shepherd Leader, but anyone can become one.
Then, Trevor discusses the “4 Levels of Personal Performance”.
Trevor studies neuroscience, quantum physics, performance psychology, success, and leadership. And over the last years, he was mentoring others through the process of understanding and implementing what he calls, Optimized Performance Protocols (OPPs). Throughout his study and interaction with students, he put a framework called the “4 levels of personal performance”.
The 1st level is Mayhem. At this base level, you’re in survival mode but unfortunately, for many people, this is the normal default level of performance. At this level, your immune system suffers, your ability to think clearly is impaired, you can’t do meaningful work.
The 2nd level is Mediocrity. Most people stay at this level for most of their lives. You’ll hear others saying to keep doing what you’re already doing, and that
you’re doing the best you can.
The 3rd level is Mission. To get here takes an immense amount of commitment, focus, and discipline because you’ve transcended the level of Mediocrity and you are clear on your goals and purpose. Your actions align with your overall life vision.
The 4th and highest level is Mastery. Everything you do happens predictably and fluidly. You have a deep understanding of an optimized environment, how to care for and control your mind.
The Shepherd Leadership Philosophy
This is a set of behaviors that are ideally cultivated in sequential order. The steps you take from Mayhem to Mastery are meant to be received in sequential order.
There’s also a handy diagram illustrating the various stages.
The first 2 behaviors focus on shifting from a state of chaos called “Mayhem” to the 2nd level of personal performance, known as “Mediocrity”. Behaviors three and four take you to a very high level of performance and leadership, namely into a defined “Mission.” And behaviors five and six are indicative of movement toward a “Mastery” level of leadership and performance.
But the true hallmark of “Mastery” is the spiritual component, which brings everything together in behavior number seven.
Trevor refers to Einstein that said: “you can’t solve a problem on the same level of consciousness where the problem was created.
So the question remains: How do you now take this awareness and understanding of the four levels of personal performance and the steps therein and apply them in a way that will supercharge your own personal achievement? The answer lies in the Seven Key Behaviors of The Shepherd Leader.
Now, the following exercise got me hooked immediately.
Imprinting revealed.
Trevor says…
We all wanted love or affection as a child. As we grew, we complicated things by creating a set of guidelines based on what type of person we would “need to be” in order to receive that love or
affection we desired. We refer to these guidelines (which we’re mostly unaware of) as imprints.
The problem is that many times people will spend their entire lives living by this imprinting they created subconsciously as a child, even if it is no longer beneficial to them as an adult today.
There are 5 questions that the author suggests you answer and keep them close as a reference as you read the rest of the book.
Chapter #2 – Behavior #1 – Embrace Radical Responsibility
According to modern science, we have the ability to become exactly who we desire to be. But the author underlines…it is your responsibility to take control of your life and mind, educate yourself, and learn the things that will allow you to design and build the life you desire.
Then Trevor discusses the set of gifts we were essentially born with. He gives numerous examples, like what Noah did, Moses, George Washington, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, David and Goliath,
Rocky, and Jesus.
He explains the concept of radical responsibility in detail. The shift occurs only within.
He refers to God, Adam, and Eve and how this example shows what happens when there is lack of responsibility.
He analyzes the root of our problems, the consequences of passivity, and why challenges are good.
He demonstrates the “Motivation Creation Method” and pushes you to answer the question…What am I willing to take radical responsibility for?
He clearly states what you must avoid, what is your energy generator, and he gives a pro-tip.
He shares the story of a young PhD student, Carol Dweck.
He discusses the concept of “The magic pill is really PIL (purpose in life)” and he layouts a 5-step approach to creating your PIL.
At the end of the chapter, there is an exercise with 7 questions and how to proceed in detail.
Chapter #3 – Behavior #2 – Recognize And Optimize Your Higher Self
He shares a quote by Leonardo Da Vinci and discusses the Primal Self. Another pro-tip comes next, personal performance manipulation.
Trevor says that our higher self is always under attack and how to deal with stress in 4 simple steps. He shares the “Quadrant Breathing” exercise in 5 steps.
He discusses powerful emotions and powerful results. He shares the “Emotional Resilience Continuum” diagram.
And now he shares a personal story. His battle.
He describes the 3-step process called higher-self redirect. Everything is energy and he shares a daily success diary.
We are introduced to the feedback system called the “Shepherd Leader Identity Loop” and there is a beautiful diagram as well.
He discusses the concept of “leveraging your prefrontal cortex”, what fear really is, and that we must avoid multi-tasking whenever possible.
At the end of the chapter, there is an exercise with 3 questions.
Chapter #4 – Behavior #3 – Choose Leadership And Manage Ego
He shares a quote by Adam Smith. He mentions that the world is in a leadership crisis, and the next generation of leadership.
He then shares another diagram, Alpha 1.0 vs Shepherd Leadership.
He shares the 4 Hallmarks of Shepherd Leadership, visual triggers for how to be, the big questions, the archetype, 3 categories of people, the case for humility, and the research of Bradley Owens and David Hekman.
How to make the decision, intense intentionality, and shares some key tips to automatize trivial decisions.
Chapter #5 – Behavior #4 – Strategically Design Your Reality
He shares a quote by Albert Einstein.
“Aren’t you in awe when you contemplate the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure behind reality? And this is the miracle of the human mind to use its constructions, concepts, and formulas as tools to explain what man sees, feels, and touches. Try to comprehend a little more each day. Have holy curiosity.”
The author discusses what happens when we shift our leadership methods and style from one centered on the self (ego) to one centered on the better good of all (the team).
He shares the concept of “Peeling back the curtain” and how you see the world.
There’s an energy transmutation pro-tip in 4 simple steps.
He discusses “Double-Slit Experiments”. What happened in the 1920s, what scientists discovered, the study of the British stomach cancer group in 1976, and more.
He underlines that our senses are limited: Newtonian vs Quantum Atoms.
He shares a diagram, the classical atom vs the quantum atom, old school vs new school.
He discusses again that everything is energy.
He shares the “String Theory”.
He analyzes that our genes are not fixed.
He shares what 3 eminent quantum physicists did,
He shares the 1st step to designing your reality, a morning success ritual routine in 3 steps, and how to allow yourself to imagine.
The next concepts that he discusses are the “Participatory Universe”, and Lose Yourself, where he illustrates the “Reality Creation Equation”.
He shares the “Obstacle of ‘Learned Helplessness” and a goal visualization pro-tip in 6 steps.
At the end of the chapter, there’s an exercise, your strategically designed reality.
Chapter #6 – Behavior #5 – Commit To Mastery
He starts with a quote by William Hutchinson Murray…
The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too…
Trevor dives deep into the world of mastery. The first topic is all about attaining mastery.
He shows you how to create separation, and gives a pro-tip on what makes you indispensable and irreplaceable.
He refers to Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology. He discusses his 3-step process.
He writes about genius and where it comes from. What brain studies and functional MRI technologies showed.
He goes deep into laying out the concept of getting into the “zone”.
He reveals the tremendous power of autonomy.
He shows you how to build your ladder.
He shares a pro-tip on skill enhancement.
He refers to the Godfather of Expertise: K. Anders Ericsson.
He shares another powerful pro-tip on how to eliminate distractions with 3 suggestions.
He shows you how to ritualize your work.
He shares work session hacks and 3 key things to build into any work session immediately.
He discusses ignition.
What happens with engraving and stealing.
He refers to Coyle and long-term practice.
He helps you embrace the struggle and reframe it.
He discusses brain circuitry and how to optimize your own.
He dives into the principles of deliberate practice. And he also shares valuable hacks in 5 steps.
He analyzes what happens when your brain exercises.
He explores how to grow through learning.
He shows the power of the strategic embodiment of repeated rehearsals.
He discusses when you’ll know that you’ve reached Mastery.
A beautiful illustration shows the “Mastery Process” in a practical way, easy to digest.
And of course, at the end of the chapter, there’s an exercise called the “Major Mastery Mission Completion”.
Chapter #7 – Behavior #6 – Relentlessly Invest In “The Big 3”
He starts with a quote by Seneca…
Then he reveals the research of Shawn Achor. It will take your breath away.
He discusses the concept of “Tribe” and what a Stanford University professor called Dr. Kelly McGonigal said.
He shares a pro-tip on emotional deposits.
He shows you how to transcend yourself.
He shares another powerful pro-tip on evaluating your current friendships.
How to use your tribe as your ultimate competitive advantage.
He reveals the 2nd prong of the Big 3, value-producing assets.
He shares an incredible pro-tip on investing in developing expertise.
He illustrates professionally the “Top 1% Wealth Pyramid”.
He reveals that you have to look at building wealth as a project.
He discusses your own education.
He shares the benefits of lifelong learning.
At the end of the chapter, there’s another amazing exercise, dropping into the zone.
Trevor dives deep into the world of mastery. The first topic is all about attaining mastery.
He shows you how to create separation, and gives a pro-tip on what makes you indispensable and irreplaceable.
He refers to Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology. He discusses his 3-step process.
He writes about genius and where it comes from. What brain studies and functional MRI technologies showed.
He goes deep into laying out the concept of getting into the “zone”.
He reveals the tremendous power of autonomy.
He shows you how to build your ladder.
He shares a pro-tip on skill enhancement.
He refers to the Godfather of Expertise: K. Anders Ericsson.
He shares another powerful pro-tip on how to eliminate distractions with 3 suggestions.
He shows you how to ritualize your work.
He shares work session hacks and 3 key things to build into any work session immediately.
He discusses ignition.
What happens with engraving and stealing.
He refers to Coyle and long-term practice.
He helps you embrace the struggle and reframe it.
He discusses brain circuitry and how to optimize your own.
He dives into the principles of deliberate practice. And he also shares valuable hacks in 5 steps.
He analyzes what happens when your brain exercises.
He explores how to grow through learning.
He shows the power of the strategic embodiment of repeated rehearsals.
He discusses when you’ll know that you’ve reached Mastery.
A beautiful illustration shows the “Mastery Process” in a practical way, easy to digest.
And of course, at the end of the chapter, there’s an exercise called the “Major Mastery Mission Completion”.
Chapter #8 – Behavior #7 – Be Still And Know
He starts off by helping us realize how to pursue happiness without limiting our brain’s potential.
He refers to Alexander Solzhenitsyn that described the modern crisis of human despiritualization.
He discusses beliefs and what to do with them.
He describes the war in the human heart.
He analyzes wisdom and how to use it as a strength.
He gives an amazing pro-tip: designated gatekeeper.
He discusses again the Primal Self.
And he shows you how to be still in 6 steps.
He proves why renewal is required.
He shares another powerful pro-tip on intentional time off.
He analyzes how to sleep for success.
Trevor dives deep into the world of mastery. The first topic is all about attaining mastery.
He shows you how to create separation, and gives a pro-tip on what makes you indispensable and irreplaceable.
He refers to Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology. He discusses his 3-step process.
He writes about genius and where it comes from. What brain studies and functional MRI technologies showed.
He goes deep into laying out the concept of getting into the “zone”.
He reveals the tremendous power of autonomy.
He shows you how to build your ladder.
He shares a pro-tip on skill enhancement.
He refers to the Godfather of Expertise: K. Anders Ericsson.
He shares another powerful pro-tip on how to eliminate distractions with 3 suggestions.
He shows you how to ritualize your work.
He shares work session hacks and 3 key things to build into any work session immediately.
He discusses ignition.
What happens with engraving and stealing.
He refers to Coyle and long-term practice.
He helps you embrace the struggle and reframe it.
He discusses brain circuitry and how to optimize your own.
He dives into the principles of deliberate practice. And he also shares valuable hacks in 5 steps.
He analyzes what happens when your brain exercises.
He explores how to grow through learning.
He shows the power of the strategic embodiment of repeated rehearsals.
He discusses when you’ll know that you’ve reached Mastery.
A beautiful illustration shows the “Mastery Process” in a practical way, easy to digest.
And of course, at the end of the chapter, there’s an exercise called the “Major Mastery Mission Completion”.
Chapter #9 – Going All In
He shares a quote by George Bernard Shaw.
He gives an overview again and he underlines that you had been exposed to a systematic set of consistent behaviors that, if out into practice with regularity, will bring you two powerful skillsets that will serve you in a variety of meaningful ways: mastery of self, authentic leadership.
And then he asks you one last question.
Final Thoughts
A very powerful book that’s absolutely interesting, intriguing, innovative, and looks at behaviors through the prism of leadership by unlocking the full potential inside us.
It’s a book to study and learn from on a consistent basis.
I recommend that you read it once just to get the concept in your head and then read it slowly and do all the exercises for maximum results.
Rinse and repeat for further mastery.
The book is not yet publicly available but you can get a copy of the book and some amazing bonuses both from Trevor, the author, and me by using the button below.
The 2 first official bonuses are:
The 22-page streamlined manifesto and the 4-video “Redefining the Top 1%” manifesto video series.
My bonus:
A free 1-hour business consultation session to discuss my “7 Ideals” methodology and what it can do for your business.
That’s it, another review has finished, here on Web Market Support. I am waiting for your comments and thoughts. Till next time.
Tasos Perte Tzortzis
Marketing Consultant, Creator of the "7 Ideals" Methodology
Although doing traditional business offline since 1992, I fell in love with online marketing in late 2014 and have helped hundreds of brands sell more of their products and services. Founder of WebMarketSupport, Muvimag, SummerDream.
I enjoy reading, arts, science, chess, coffee, tea, swimming, Audi, and playing with my kids.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. For more, information, I refer you to the disclaimer page.
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