Sources for The Practicing Mind by Thomas M. Sterner
Publisher & Official Previews
The New World Library (publisher) product page for The Practicing Mind provides authoritative details a 168 page paperback shariqedu.com. It displays the cover image (shown above) and sells both formats (paperback ~$16.95, eBook ~$12.99) and even offers a “Preview Book” feature. The publisher’s description of the book (emphasizing process over product) appears on this site, matching summaries on other platforms shariqedu.com
Google Books offers a Limited Preview of the 2012 edition. Its listing confirms the publication details (New World Library, Apr 12, 2012, 168 pages) The Free Book Shop and shows selected pages (title page, table of contents, index) in the preview mode The Free Book Shop. Readers can browse the available excerpt, but the full text is not fully viewable without purchase or a library.
Online Retailers (Purchase)
Barnes & Noble: The book is sold as both paperback and eBook. B&N’s site (and other retailers) lists the eBook at $12.99 and the paperback at $16.95 Practicing Mind. (Amazon and Apple iBooks have similar listings.) These listings also include sample excerpts (“Read an excerpt”) and confirm the page count and ISBNs Practicing Mind.
Google Play (Play Books): Google’s store offers the eBook edition for $9.99 Practicing Mind. Clicking through (outside of our interface) shows a preview of the first pages and allows purchase. (For example, a link on Google Books shows “Buy eBook – $9.99”Practicing Mind.)
Library and Digital Lending Platforms
Internet Archive / Open Library: The Internet Archive holds a “print-disabled” scan of an earlier edition (Bringing Discipline and Focus into Your Life, 2005) by Sterner, which logged-in users can borrow Practicing Mind. Open Library (archive’s lending project) lists the 2012 edition with “Edition Availability: 1”Practicing Mind, indicating one digital copy available for loan. In practice, a free account on archive.org/OpenLibrary lets users borrow the eBook for limited time.
Hoopla, OverDrive, etc.: WorldCat’s catalog entry shows that many public-library e-services carry this title. For example, Hoopla Digital has it “Instantly available”Practicing Mind, and there are direct OverDrive links as well Practicing Mind. (EBSCOhost and 3M Cloud Library also appear.) Thus, patrons at participating libraries can borrow the eBook through Hoopla, OverDrive (including apps like Libby), and similar services, typically using a library card.
Each of the above sources is legitimate. The publisher and Google Books provide official previews, retailers (BN, Google Play, Amazon, etc.) allow purchase, and library platforms offer digital borrowing. We found no legal free PDF; only unauthorized sites (not cited here) claim full downloads.
Sources: Official publisher page Practicing Mind; Google Books listing shariqedu.com; Barnes & Noble product page Practicing Mind; Internet Archive/Open Library catalog archive.orgopenlibrary.org; World Cat library links (Hoopla/Over Drive) Practicing Mind. Each link above leads to a publicly accessible listing or preview of The Practicing Mind.
Practicing Mind
“The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life”
It explores how developing awareness, discipline, and focus through mindfulness can enhance your performance, reduce stress, and lead to personal mastery in any area of life.
📘 Book Overview
Title: The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life
Author: Thomas M. Sterner
Genre: Self-help, Psychology, Personal Development
First Published: 2006
Publisher: New World Library (updated editions also published later)
Pages: Approximately 150
Language: English
🧠 Main Concepts & Themes
1. The Power of Practice
Sterner emphasizes that mastery in anything comes from consistent, mindful practice, not from instant success or talent. Enjoying the process instead of obsessing over the goal helps reduce anxiety and increases performance.
2. Mindfulness in Action
He introduces mindfulness as a way to bring your full awareness to the task at hand. By doing so, you:
Improve focus
Reduce distractions
Experience more joy in everyday actions
3. Process vs. Product
Most people focus only on the result (product), which leads to frustration. The book encourages a shift to process-oriented thinking, where the act of practicing becomes rewarding in itself.
4. Inner Dialogue and Self-Awareness
Your inner voice plays a huge role in shaping your behavior and mood. Sterner teaches how to observe thoughts without judgment and gently guide yourself back to the present moment.
5. Patience and Discipline
Discipline is not harshness; it is about being consistent, gentle with yourself, and willing to learn from the journey, especially during mistakes.
✍️ Key Takeaways
“Progress, not perfection” – growth comes from steady effort, not sudden leaps.
Be a “witness to your thoughts” to regain control over your mind and actions.
Set small, intentional goals and avoid multitasking to maintain clarity.
Repetition with awareness builds confidence and long-term mastery.
Being in the moment makes tasks more enjoyable and effective.
🔑 Quotes from the Book
“We don’t practice something because we’re good at it. We practice something to become good at it.”
“You must learn to love the process, not just the product.”
“The practice IS the path.”
🧘♂️ Benefits of Applying This Book
| Benefit | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Better Focus | Enhances attention and reduces mental noise |
| Reduced Stress | Less worry about results, more peace in action |
| Consistent Progress | Promotes discipline through repetition |
| Greater Self-Compassion | Encourages non-judgmental awareness |
| Improved Performance | In sports, music, work, or creative pursuits |
🎯 Ideal For:
Students looking to improve concentration
Musicians, athletes, or creatives mastering a skill
Professionals facing burnout or stress
Anyone seeking mindfulness in daily routines
📥 Free PDF and Resources (Search Links)
To find the full text, summaries, or audiobooks, you can search these resources:
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The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
