1% Better: Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can Too

Business coach Nik Nikic’s motivational debut chronicles the remarkable journey of his son, Chris, the first person with Down syndrome to complete the IRONMAN triathlon. Nikic describes the physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges Chris faced as a child, revealing that concern for his son’s future became the impetus to explore his capabilities. Growing increasingly frustrated by others’ “realistic” limitations for his son, Nikic became convinced that physical and community activity could improve Chris’s quality of life. To help his son realize his potential, Nikic encouraged Chris to write down his dreams and began to implement the gradual improvement approach he used in business to coach his son—describing it as “developing good habits as the building blocks for progress over time.” For instance, he began Chris’s athletic training with only one squat, one sit-up, and one push-up. By increasing the regimen by one repetition each training session, Chris was able to do 200 of each exercise only a year later. Nikic also provides insight into making the training with his son a shared adventure. Nikic’s inspirational guide will appeal to those preferring to trade the popular “no pain, no gain” philosophy for an effective, motivating alternative. (Oct.)