What is *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?* about?

*Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?* by Ben Hunt-Davis and Harriet Beveridge chronicles the British Olympic rowing team’s journey from underdogs to gold medalists at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It distills their success into actionable strategies like obsessive goal-setting, teamwork, and eliminating distractions, framed around the central question: “Will this action contribute to our ultimate goal?” The book blends sports storytelling with practical frameworks for personal and professional growth.

Who should read *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?*?

This book is ideal for athletes, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking peak performance strategies. Its principles on goal decomposition, resilience, and team dynamics apply to anyone tackling ambitious projects or organizational challenges. Leaders managing high-stakes teams or individuals navigating career transitions will find its actionable advice particularly valuable.

What are the key concepts in *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?*?

Key concepts include: - **The Four-Layer Goal System**: Split objectives into “crazy,” “concrete,” “control,” and “everyday” layers to bridge long-term vision with daily actions. - **The Core Mantra**: Evaluate every decision by asking, “Will it make the boat go faster?” to maintain focus. - **Bouncebackability**: Cultivating resilience after setbacks. - **Eating the Elephant**: Breaking overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.

How does *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?* help with goal-setting?

The book advocates dividing goals into four tiers: 1. **Crazy Goal** (long-term vision) 2. **Concrete Goal** (measurable milestones) 3. **Control Layer** (identifying influenceable factors) 4. **Everyday Actions** (daily habits). This system transforms abstract ambitions into executable steps, as demonstrated by the team’s Olympic preparation.

What is the “bullshit filter” in *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?*?

The “bullshit filter” refers to rigorously eliminating non-essential tasks or distractions that don’t align with core objectives. Inspired by the rowers’ strict focus on boat speed, it teaches readers to prioritize actions that directly advance their goals while discarding superficial efforts.

How does *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?* approach teamwork?

The book emphasizes alignment through shared purpose, psychological safety, and role clarity. The Olympic crew’s success hinged on trusting each member’s expertise and committing to collective accountability. Teams are advised to establish non-negotiable rules and regularly review progress.

What are memorable quotes from *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?*?

- **“It’s riskier not to take risks”** (prioritizing bold action over complacency) - **“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”** (tackling large goals incrementally) - **“Get the crocodiles before they get you”** (proactively addressing obstacles)

How does *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?* compare to *Atomic Habits*?

While *Atomic Habits* focuses on micro-behaviors, Hunt-Davis’s book emphasizes macro-goal structuring within high-stakes environments. Both advocate incremental progress, but *Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?* adds a team-performance lens and crisis-management strategies absent in Clear’s work.

Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Olympic-Winning Strategies for Everyday Success - Second Edition

Ben Hunt-Davis & Harriet Beveridge

2.67(3 Reviews)

Overview of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Olympic gold medalist Ben Hunt-Davis reveals the transformative question that propelled his team to victory: "Will it make the boat go faster?" Now a business performance bible with a 3.97 Goodreads rating, it's reshaping how organizations achieve impossible goals through laser-focused decision-making.

Choose how it's told

One book. Many ways to hear it.

Same ideas from Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?. Pick the voice, depth, and pace that fits you. Switch anytime.

Chapter 1

The Olympic Dream: From Underdogs to Champions

What does it take to transform a team of "leftover" rowers into Olympic gold medalists? In September 2000, Ben Hunt-Davis and his crew did exactly that, defying all expectations to win gold in the men's coxed eight at the Sydney Olympics. Their journey wasn't about innate talent or luck-it was about relentlessly asking one simple question: "Will it make the boat go faster?" This revolutionary approach has since influenced countless organizations, from British Cycling's "marginal gains" philosophy to corporate boardrooms worldwide. Even Richard Branson has cited the book as instrumental to his business thinking. What's most remarkable about this story isn't just the gold medal victory, but how a group of supposedly "not good enough" athletes systematically dismantled every assumption about what it takes to win at the highest level.

Chapter 2

The Power of Purposeful Goals

Clear goals are the foundation of all achievement. When Ben Hunt-Davis and his crew decided to win Olympic gold, they understood that effective goals need four distinct layers. At the top sits the "Crazy Layer"-the bold, emotionally engaging aspiration that pulls you forward. For them, this was Olympic gold, something that seemed almost impossible after their disappointing seventh-place finish at the 1998 World Championships. Beneath this sits the "Concrete Layer," which transforms dreams into measurable outcomes. The crew didn't just want to "do well" at the Olympics; they needed to row 2,000 meters in 5:18 or faster. This specificity eliminated ambiguity about what success looked like. The "Control Layer" focuses on what's within your power to achieve. Rather than obsessing about competitors, the crew concentrated on their own performance metrics-stroke rate, power output, and technical execution. This kept them from wasting energy on factors beyond their influence. Finally, the "Everyday Layer" breaks goals into daily processes and methods. The crew's training sessions, nutrition plans, and recovery protocols weren't random activities but deliberate steps toward their ultimate goal. Without passion, goals become mere chores. Without specificity, they remain pipe dreams. The crew discovered that their simple question-"Will it make the boat go faster?"-served as the perfect compass for all decisions. When faced with late-night party invitations, dietary temptations, or training modifications, this question cut through confusion and provided immediate clarity. What makes this approach so powerful is how it puts you in the driver's seat toward outcomes you genuinely want. By consciously setting layered goals, you not only increase your chances of success but also make the journey more enjoyable. Each small achievement becomes a stepping stone, creating opportunities for growth and learning along the way. The crew didn't just win gold-they transformed themselves through the process of pursuing it.

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? lights up in real time.

Chapter 3

Fueling the Fire: Sustainable Motivation

Motivation isn't just about feeling inspired-it's about keeping moving toward your goal even when inspiration fades. Ben Hunt-Davis describes motivation as "like a badly trained Labrador-enthusiastic at first but quick to wander off." The reality of Olympic glory isn't magazine covers and medal ceremonies; it's 5 a.m. wake-ups for six years straight, painful training in cold boat sheds, and missing countless social events while consuming 7,000 calories daily. Without genuine belief that your goal is both worthwhile and possible, your motivation will vanish at the first sign of difficulty. This is why the crew developed eight powerful strategies to stay motivated through years of grueling preparation. First, they cultivated deep belief in their goal. This wasn't blind faith but conviction built on evidence of progress and potential. Second, they made the journey entertaining through camaraderie and humor, turning even the most brutal training sessions into opportunities for connection. Competition provided another powerful motivator. Ben admits he desperately wanted to beat rivals who had dismissed him, using their doubts as fuel. They also deliberately created hunger by working odd jobs while training and saving for years for things others got easily, reminding themselves of their commitment. Vivid daydreaming about success-not vague fantasies but intense, frequent visualization-kept their goal emotionally present. They would imagine the feeling of crossing the finish line first, the weight of gold medals around their necks, and the pride of standing on the Olympic podium. Perhaps most importantly, they made training non-negotiable by "flicking the switch" that transformed workouts from optional activities into absolute requirements. This mental shift eliminated the energy-draining question of "Should I train today?" By creating measurable milestones with specific rewards and using the ten-minute rule (committing to just ten minutes to overcome inertia), they built a motivation system that carried them through the inevitable low points. These strategies didn't just keep them going-they progressively moved them up the motivation scale from mere "survival mode" to being "massively fired up" when it mattered most. The crew understood that motivation isn't something you either have or don't; it's a resource you can systematically cultivate and strengthen.

Chapter 4

Building Unshakeable Belief

Self-belief accelerates success by creating a virtuous cycle: believing you can succeed makes you more likely to take effective action, which produces results that reinforce your belief. The Olympic crew discovered they needed four essential beliefs working together-like four wheels on a bus-to maintain momentum toward their goal. They called this framework DICE: Deserved (believing you deserve success based on your work), Important (connecting your goal to deeper values), Can do (confidence in finding solutions), and Exciting (genuine passion that creates fire in the belly). When all four beliefs are strong, they reinforce each other; when any one falters, progress becomes difficult. Rather than passively hoping for confidence to appear, the crew actively hunted for useful beliefs from three fertile sources. First, they mined personal memories for evidence of capability, like Ben's unexpected second place at trials as a seventeen-year-old. Second, they studied role models who demonstrated what was possible, such as the small Australian double that won Gold through technical brilliance rather than physical dominance. Third, they employed powerful metaphors and analogies, comparing their momentum to a stone rolling downhill, gathering speed with each small improvement. The crew strengthened these beliefs through two key strategies: repetition and emotional depth. They constantly reminded themselves of reasons why they would win, keeping a written list and discussing them regularly, especially under pressure. They also harnessed powerful emotions like anger and the desire to avoid humiliation as catalysts for action. Ben practiced bench pulls daily for two years after an initial embarrassing performance, transforming that emotional memory into determination. What's particularly striking is how deliberately they approached belief-building. Rather than leaving self-confidence to chance or hoping for a magical "breakthrough," they treated belief as a resource to be cultivated through specific practices. With solid evidence, emotional connection, and consistent repetition, beliefs become the bedrock for sustained performance. The positive side of this approach is building strong beliefs; the equally important negative side is using "bullshit filters" to guard against limiting beliefs that would otherwise derail their progress. Like properly inflated tires on a car, strong beliefs aren't optional extras-they're essential components for reaching your destination.

Get more out of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Get daily insights from 100K+ lessons
Words light up in sync with the audio
Your library saved on every device

Chapter 5

Filtering Out the Noise

Without effective "bullshit filters," negative thoughts and interpretations drain energy and derail performance. The Olympic crew discovered that these filters weren't just nice to have-they were essential for protecting their progress toward gold. Negative beliefs create poor performance through a predictable chain reaction: information enters our brain, we interpret it negatively, this creates negative feelings, which lead to poor decisions and ultimately poor results. Worse still, these negative interpretations strengthen over time, carving deep neural pathways until opinions feel like universal truths. Like adult literacy students who've internalized years of being called "stupid," we can accept unhelpful perspectives as unchangeable facts. The crew developed four powerful strategies for building effective bullshit filters. First, they learned to avoid unhelpful conversations with negative people-what they called "Don't talk bollocks to Basil." Ben respected Steve Redgrave but ignored his opinions about their crew: "He might as well be my mother's stepmother's grandmother's aunt." When forced to interact with "Basils," Ben would listen passively without engaging, change the subject, or simply walk away. Second, they accepted facts while challenging negative interpretations. They never denied reality-like losing the 1996 repercharge-but rigorously questioned what those facts meant. They recognized that opinions, even from coaches or teammates, were just interpretations, not universal truths. Their filter was simple: "Will it make the boat go faster?" If not, they challenged the bullshit until it lost power. Third, they actively sought better interpretations. Losing to the Russians in 1996 could mean "we're not good enough" or alternatively "we know what we need to improve." Both interpretations make logical sense, but they drive completely different results. The crew deliberately chose useful interpretations by asking "How will this make the boat go faster?" Finally, they transformed negative comments into emotional fuel. When people made disparaging remarks, Ben would be outwardly polite while internally thinking "I'll show you." One crew member even kept a special box where he'd write down things people said that angered him, opening it before races to fuel his determination. These filters didn't just protect them from external negativity-they also guarded against their own doubting inner voices. While we can't change facts, we absolutely can change our interpretations of them, choosing those that accelerate us toward our goals rather than those that hold us back.

Chapter 6

Taking Control of Your Destiny

"Today is going to be a good day, because I'm going to make it a good day." This simple statement from Kiwi sculler Rob Waddell contains profound implications about personal agency-that we can choose to make things happen rather than waiting for external forces to determine our experience. Research by psychologist Martin Seligman demonstrates how people can be trained into helplessness when they believe they lack control. The Olympic crew refused this mindset, instead adopting the "WRITE" framework for taking action: Open the Wardrobe door (recognize your power), See the Rainbow (appreciate different options), Choose the Iguana (make active decisions), Take the first step, and Put some Effort into it. The wardrobe metaphor comes from a businessman who spent a night in what he thought was a tiny hotel room, only to discover the next morning that he'd been sleeping in the children's annexe of a luxury suite. Simply "opening the wardrobe door"-realizing how much power we actually have-can transform our experience. Our language often reveals whether we see ourselves as powerful or powerless, and challenging limiting assumptions is key to accessing our full potential. We typically underestimate not just our power but also our choices. "Seeing the rainbow" means appreciating the different routes available to achieve our goals. The crew challenged conventional wisdom about training methods-choosing specific high-intensity workouts over traditional circuit training, or training at Ely instead of altitude camps. When facing problems, we often fall into black-and-white thinking, missing the rainbow of options available. Making an active choice feels completely different than feeling obligated. Like choosing a meal at a restaurant versus being forced to eat pickled iguana, actively deciding to do something eliminates the need for complaining. The crew viewed everything about rowing as a choice-even the unpleasant parts-which connected them to their reasons and eliminated resentment. Taking that first step is crucial but often feels hardest. Like hesitating before jumping into a cold swimming pool, we delay action even when we know we'll enjoy it once we start. The "ten-minute rule" helps overcome this inertia-committing to just ten minutes of work gets the ball rolling without feeling overwhelming. Finally, real results require genuine effort, not just going through the motions. The German champions were so exhausted they couldn't stand to receive their medals, while third-place British crews celebrated energetically. Jurgen's saying "When all is black; one more" reminds us of our untapped reserves of energy that become available when we fully commit.

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? lights up in real time.

Chapter 7

Building a Championship Team

What separates a random group of colleagues from a high-performing team? The Olympic crew transformed from a "rubbish team" in 1998 to gold medalists in 2000 through two fundamental strategies: establishing a common goal and agreeing on team behaviors. A powerful team goal requires three elements: mutual desire (everyone wants it for personal benefit), mutual reliance (everyone plays a vital role), and measurability (clear metrics for success). Unlike sales teams where individuals often compete against each other, the rowing crew all wanted gold medals, though for different personal reasons-pride, money, proving others wrong. Understanding individual motivations is crucial; what rewards one person might horrify another, as illustrated by an "Employee of the Month" award that mortified a shy recipient. Every team operates by rules-the difference is whether these are unconsciously adopted or deliberately agreed upon. After their disastrous '98 World Championships, the crew created explicit rules that everyone signed up to. These weren't abstract values but practical behaviors that made their everyday boats go faster. The rules were crew-developed, specific (like their definition of "separation" in rowing), constantly discussed to ensure alignment, simplified over time (eventually becoming just "Will it make the boat go faster?"), and fully understood by everyone. High-performing teams must effectively handle common challenges. When someone appears incompetent, the solution isn't immediately dismissal but getting specific about what they're struggling with and providing targeted support. For commitment issues, the crew defined clear behavioral expectations rather than judging intentions-like arriving fit for training and doing full chin-ups. With difficult feedback, they normalized it as valuable information by giving it continuously so issues never grew large. For interpersonal conflicts (which were common in the cramped boat), they focused on respecting competence rather than likeability, using their "don't talk bollocks to Basil" rule to maintain productive communication. When team composition changed, they took time for proper integration, assuming nothing and ensuring common understanding. When team rules are developed collaboratively, they create massive buy-in and become self-policing, reducing emotional conflicts and fostering mature conversations focused on making the boat go faster. This approach minimizes wasted effort while maximizing motivation, creating a framework where success becomes not just possible but inevitable.

Chapter 8

Process Over Outcome: The Secret to Sustainable Success

The key to winning isn't focusing on winning itself-it's focusing on the process that gets you there. Coach Martin's engineering background taught the crew this counterintuitive truth: concentrate on perfect strokes, devastating rhythm, strong mindset and teamwork rather than obsessing about gold medals. This process-driven approach breaks down into three essential parts. First, get curious about the recipe-identify variables that impact performance, just as Delia's cake recipes allow even novices to bake well. The crew meticulously analyzed what factors contributed to boat speed, from technical elements like hand position to psychological aspects like focus and confidence. Second, focus attention on specific elements-the crew planned what to concentrate on for each training period, with daily learning goals rather than mindlessly accumulating mileage. This deliberate practice accelerated their improvement far beyond what random repetition could achieve. Third, measure success by how well you executed the process, not just results. The crew learned to evaluate performance by feel during races when coaches couldn't help them. At Hazewinkel Regatta, they focused solely on rhythm rather than medals and performed brilliantly-some crew members were so absorbed in the process they didn't even realize they'd medaled until afterward. This approach not only increases chances of success but enables faster learning and consistent improvement. We often fixate on results-meeting deadlines, closing sales, getting feedback-while losing sight of what actually produces those results. By directing our attention to key variables without self-criticism, our performance automatically improves. Since victories are fleeting, measuring ourselves by our understanding and execution of process creates consistent, repeatable success. Being process-driven establishes a winning streak that builds momentum for continued achievement. This doesn't mean ignoring outcomes entirely-the gold medal remained their ultimate goal-but rather understanding that the surest path to that outcome was through mastering the process that would get them there.

Get more out of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Get daily insights from 100K+ lessons
Words light up in sync with the audio
Your library saved on every device

Chapter 9

Building Momentum Through Small Wins

How do you close a nine-second gap with competitors when that represents the difference between first and seventh place in world-class rowing? The crew's answer: "How do you eat an elephant? One spoonful at a time." After their soul-crushing 7th place finish at the 1998 World Championships, the crew developed six key strategies for building momentum (BEHTED): Believe in better, Eat the elephant one spoonful at a time, create daily Habits, Tell it how you see it, Experiment, and Don't make the same mistake twice. They maintained blind faith that improvement was always possible, drawing confidence from past experiences showing untapped potential. Like James Dyson revolutionizing vacuum cleaners or Stelios creating EasyJet, they believed there had to be a better way. This "blind faith" resembled the conviction of inventors and innovators who see potential where others accept the status quo. Rather than trying to leap from poor to brilliant performance, they focused on becoming "slightly less crap" each day, creating daily habits that drove them forward like a car gaining momentum after the initial difficult push. They adopted what British Cycling's David Brailsford would later call "the aggregation of marginal gains"-the philosophy that if everyone improved by just 1%, the cumulative effect would be phenomenal. Building momentum requires consistent effort-the first push is hardest, but once moving, it becomes easier to maintain. Missing daily habits, even for seemingly valid reasons, creates a slippery slope-you can't make up for missing daily habits with one-off extra efforts, just as you can't fool the dentist by flossing for eight hours before an appointment. To make the boat go faster, the crew needed absolute clarity about their current reality. They highlighted what worked, named issues directly, and gave each other constant feedback. Ben explains: "When someone was having a difficult conversation with me I knew whatever they were telling me would help me to win. Feedback is just information." Inspired by Thomas Edison's 3,000 experiments to create the light bulb, the crew embraced experimentation within their process-driven approach. They systematically tested variables, celebrating both successes and failures as progress. With only 24 months to prepare, they couldn't afford to repeat mistakes. After each session, they asked two simple questions: "What's working?" and "What do we need to do differently?" In just two years, they transformed from being 7th place and nine seconds too slow to becoming Olympic champions. They achieved this by believing in their untapped potential, valuing small daily improvements, creating consistent habits, and making experimentation safe and acceptable. Their journey demonstrates how building momentum through incremental progress can lead to extraordinary transformation-a lesson applicable to any challenging goal.

Chapter 10

Embracing Change and Building Resilience

Change is inevitable, but successful people don't experience fewer setbacks-they simply handle them better. The crew's approach to change involves building a launch P.A.D: Prepare before setbacks occur, Accept them when they happen, and Do something to turn the situation around. Preparation means anticipating potential setbacks before they occur. The crew would have "what if?" conversations, like planning their response if Redgrave's crew lost their race. They also maintained a healthy support network with different types of supporters: constructive challengers, unconditional cheerleaders, sympathetic peers, and those who could provide perspective. When change happens, acceptance strategies help process setbacks constructively. Making temporary excuses creates emotional distance from failure, protecting your confidence while you regroup. Viewing setbacks as temporary rather than permanent helps maintain resilience-like the Spanish language distinction between permanent states (ser) and temporary conditions (estar). Being "bloody-minded" taps into emotional drivers like passion or righteous anger that fuel perseverance. The final stage is taking action. Don't let one setback ruin your day-get over it! If you're worried enough to do something about a problem, then there's no need to worry; if you're not working on it, you clearly aren't that worried. Brian Muller's powerful concept of "controlling the controllables" means devoting your limited time, energy and headspace only to things within your control, and letting go of everything else. After setbacks, take time to reflect: Might this happen again? How can I prevent it? Am I happy with how I handled it? What lessons can I take forward? The crew's habit of talking extensively after every training session-asking what went well and what they'd do differently-was crucial to their success. Feeling low when things go wrong is actually a good sign-it means you care enough about your goal to achieve it. Building resilience just makes that low period shorter and, paradoxically, useful. Preparation helps avoid obstacles altogether or minimize their impact. Accepting setbacks means looking for upsides rather than dwelling on downsides. Taking action, controlling the controllables, and learning from experience creates a resilience launch PAD that speeds you back toward your goal.

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? lights up in real time.

Chapter 11

The Gold Medal Mindset

What separates Olympic champions from everyone else isn't just physical ability-it's their approach to risk, decision-making, and execution under pressure. The crew's journey culminated in a dramatic decision just 25 hours before their Olympic final: to abandon their usual pacing strategy and sprint from the start-a seemingly reckless choice that was actually one of their easiest decisions. We often skew our risk assessment by focusing only on change while ignoring the risks of maintaining the status quo. Every decision carries risk, but we tend to exaggerate potential negative outcomes. When Ben's crew entered regattas, they risked losing-but not entering guaranteed losing. Similarly, pitching to clients risks rejection, but not pitching guarantees no business. Fear isn't a stop sign but a message that often gets lost in translation. The churning stomach and sweaty palms before an important event aren't telling us to stop-they're saying "prepare thoroughly and get support." Ben would throw up most mornings in Sydney, prompting his teammates to say "Great, he's ready!" Winning means doing something different. Though research shows we look to others for behavioral guidance and consider it risky to deviate, the crew's experience demonstrates we should be guided by our goals, not others' actions. Sarah Webb's sailing crew won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by adopting the opposite strategy to competitors-avoiding penalty points rather than pushing for race wins. We're never certain of the "right" decision-there are usually just different useful options. When uncertain between choices, the crew would ask "What will make our boat go faster?" Using your goal as a guide maintains momentum when you're stuck. The crew worried they wouldn't push themselves hard enough, so their sports psychologist shared extreme examples of human resilience, like gymnast Shun Fujimoto who competed with a fractured kneecap at the 1976 Olympics. While not a model for sanity, this illustrates how humans can do far more than they believe possible. Ten days before the Olympic final, their sports psychologist gave them a framework describing four types of risks: risks we can afford to take, risks we can't afford to take, risks we can afford not to take, and risks we can't afford not to take. This framework helped them decide to sprint from the start-a risk they couldn't afford not to take if they wanted gold. The most conservative person is taking as many risks as the adrenaline junky-just different types. Once we recognize that risk is unavoidable, we can channel our energies into figuring out which risks are worth taking to achieve the goals we're passionate about.

Chapter 12

Making Your Boat Go Faster

The crew's strategies for Olympic success translate remarkably well to everyday challenges. Whether you're running a business, leading a team, or pursuing personal goals, several key principles emerge from their journey: Simplicity cuts through confusion. The question "will it make the boat go faster?" provided immediate clarity for every decision. What's your version? Perhaps "Will it make me happier?" or "Will it grow the business?" Having a single, powerful question eliminates the paralysis of overthinking and keeps you focused on what truly matters. Controlling the controllables eliminates wasted energy. How much stress would disappear from your life if you focused only on what you can influence? This doesn't mean ignoring external factors, but rather channeling your limited resources toward areas where your actions can make a difference. Talking transforms performance. The crew spent significant time discussing everything, even when it challenged sporting culture norms. These conversations weren't just idle chatter but structured dialogues about what worked, what didn't, and what needed to change. Who do you need to talk to make your boat go faster? Emotions provide rocket fuel when properly channeled. Ben used anger, irritation, and passion as emotional energy rather than suppressing these feelings. What are your emotions trying to tell you? How might they serve as catalysts for action rather than obstacles to overcome? Challenging assumptions reveals new possibilities. The crew questioned everything, from training methods to race strategies, refusing to accept "that's how it's always been done" as a valid reason. What stories have you convinced yourself are true? What truth are you pretending not to see? Finding value in every situation creates resilience. The crew found useful interpretations of every situation-rain or shine, victory or defeat. How can you make looking for usefulness a habit? This doesn't mean toxic positivity but rather a pragmatic search for how any circumstance might serve your ultimate goals. The journey from being "not good enough" to Olympic champions wasn't about dramatic transformations but consistent application of these principles. Each small decision, guided by their core question, gradually accumulated into gold medal performance. Whatever your definition of success, these strategies provide a framework not just for achieving your goals, but for enjoying the journey along the way.

★★★★★

You made it to the end of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Loved by 1M+ learners

“23 days in and I have used it every single day. It is part of my daily habit now.”

jayallen

Key Themes in Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

marginal gains
performance mindset
goal layering
elite teamwork
decision making clarity

Quotes from Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Will it make the boat go faster?
Without passion, goals become mere chores.
Motivation [is] like a badly trained Labrador.
Competition provided another powerful motivator.
Self-belief accelerates success.

Characters in Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Ben Hunt-DavisOlympic gold medalist and co-author
Harriet BeveridgeExecutive coach and co-author

About the Author

Ben Hunt-Davis MBE, Olympic gold medalist and co-author of Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?, is a leading authority on high-performance teamwork and goal-driven leadership. His 2000 Sydney Olympics victory with the British men’s rowing eight—the first in 88 years—inspired the book’s core philosophy of prioritizing actionable results.

A sought-after keynote speaker, Hunt-Davis has delivered transformative talks in over 30 countries and co-founded the consultancy Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? Ltd, which applies Olympic-winning strategies to corporate leadership.

Harriet Beveridge, executive coach and TEDx speaker, blends neuroscience, comedy, and business acumen to help leaders thrive under pressure. Her MSc in psychology and mental health neuroscience informs the book’s practical frameworks for decision-making and resilience. Beveridge’s BBC Radio 4 appearances and corporate training programs amplify her reputation for turning complex theories into actionable steps.

Together, their bestselling book—endorsed by figures like Sebastian Coe and Dame Kelly Holmes—has become a modern classic in performance psychology, praised for its relatable storytelling and evidence-based techniques. The third edition adds fresh insights on navigating today’s fast-paced professional landscapes. Hunt-Davis also authored Stay Away from the Buttercups, chronicling his South Downs athletic journey.

Download Summary of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Get the Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Users also liked

Burn the Boats

Matt Higgins

Boost!

Michael Bar-Eli

Leadership Strategy and Tactics

Jocko Willink

The Making of a Leader

Tom Young

Swim!

Walter Bond

Chasing Excellence

Ben Bergeron

Pursuit of Excellence

Ryan Hawk

How to Decide

Annie Duke

FAQs About This Book

Discover more

LEARNING PLAN

The High-Performance Manager's Playbook

This playbook is essential for new and mid-level managers struggling to balance execution with strategic leadership. It provides the tactical tools needed to shift from doing the work to driving results through others and protecting deep work.

2 h•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The High-Growth Leadership Playbook

In fast-scaling environments, traditional management often leads to burnout and missed deadlines. This playbook is designed for high-growth leaders who need to shift from tactical oversight to strategic empowerment to sustain team performance. It provides the psychological and behavioral tools necessary to build a self-sustaining, high-energy culture.

2 h•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Build Unshakable Decision Confidence

This plan is designed for leaders and high-performers who feel drained by decision fatigue and constant second-guessing. By merging neural debugging with structured systems, it provides a practical framework to turn intuition into a reliable, high-speed asset.

1 h 12 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Action Taker’s Blueprint

This blueprint is essential for high-achievers who struggle with the gap between intention and execution. It provides a science-backed framework to overcome biological resistance and is ideal for anyone looking to transform sporadic effort into sustainable, identity-based habits.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Power and winning

This plan is designed for ambitious professionals and leaders who need to navigate complex competitive landscapes. It provides the psychological tools and strategic framework necessary to command authority and achieve consistent victory in any field.

5 h 46 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The High-Performer’s Blueprint for Healing

This blueprint is designed for ambitious men and high-achievers who feel hindered by internal stress and past cycles. It provides a strategic bridge between emotional healing and professional peak performance, making it essential for leaders who want to excel at home and in the boardroom.

2 h•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Unshakable: The Mistake-Proof Mindset

This plan is essential for athletes who struggle with performance anxiety or the tendency to dwell on errors. It provides the mental tools needed to transition from self-doubt to instinctive, high-stakes execution.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Lead from the Front

This plan is essential for coaches and team captains struggling with inconsistent execution or leadership fatigue. It provides a blueprint for transforming individual accountability into a scalable, peer-led culture that sustains high performance.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

Start your learning journey, now

Chapter 9

Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

OverviewOverview of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Olympic Dream: From Underdogs to Champions

The Power of Purposeful Goals

See every word as you hear it

Fueling the Fire: Sustainable Motivation

Building Unshakeable Belief

Get more out of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Filtering Out the Noise

Taking Control of Your Destiny

See every word as you hear it

Building a Championship Team

Process Over Outcome: The Secret to Sustainable Success

Get more out of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Building Momentum Through Small Wins

Embracing Change and Building Resilience

See every word as you hear it

The Gold Medal Mindset

Making Your Boat Go Faster

You made it to the end of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Key Themes in Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Quotes from Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Characters in Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

About the Author

Download Summary of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Users also liked

FAQs About This Book

What is Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? about?

Who should read Will It Make the Boat Go Faster??

What are the key concepts in Will It Make the Boat Go Faster??

How does Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? help with goal-setting?

Discover more

1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

One book. Many ways to hear it.

The Olympic Dream: From Underdogs to Champions

The Power of Purposeful Goals

See every word as you hear it

Fueling the Fire: Sustainable Motivation

Building Unshakeable Belief

Get more out of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Filtering Out the Noise

Taking Control of Your Destiny

See every word as you hear it

Building a Championship Team

Process Over Outcome: The Secret to Sustainable Success

Get more out of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Building Momentum Through Small Wins

Embracing Change and Building Resilience

See every word as you hear it

The Gold Medal Mindset

Making Your Boat Go Faster

You made it to the end of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

Users also liked

Discover more

Overview of Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?