Why Neutral Thinking Is the Secret Weapon Top Performers Don’t Want You to Know

If you’ve ever been told to 'just stay positive' in the face of adversity, you might have felt a pang of frustration. After all, what if that positivity feels fake, forced, or simply out of reach? Trevor Moawad’s groundbreaking book, It Takes What It Takes, challenges the conventional wisdom of positive thinking and introduces a far more sustainable, practical approach: neutral thinking.

Neutral thinking is the art of seeing the world exactly as it is—no sugarcoating, no catastrophizing. It’s about acknowledging facts, accepting reality, and then choosing the next best action. This mindset has powered Super Bowl champions, Olympians, and Fortune 500 leaders, and it can power you too.

Moawad grew up in a household where mental conditioning was the family business. His father, Bob Moawad, was a pioneer in self-help, and Trevor became his 'science project,' learning from an early age how thoughts shape outcomes. But it wasn’t until Trevor worked with athletes like Russell Wilson that he saw the profound difference a neutral mindset could make when the stakes were highest.

What Is Neutral Thinking?
Neutral thinking is not about being emotionless or robotic. It’s about being accurate. When you make a mistake, you don’t spiral into negativity or try to pump yourself up with empty affirmations. You simply say, 'That happened. What’s next?' This approach is liberating because it removes the baggage of the past and the anxiety of the future. It puts all your attention on the present moment—the only place you can actually make a difference.

Why Elite Performers Swear By It
In the high-pressure world of sports and business, every second counts. Moawad’s clients—NFL quarterbacks, Olympic sprinters, CEOs—don’t have time to dwell on errors or get lost in wishful thinking. They need to reset, refocus, and act. Neutral thinking is their reset button. Russell Wilson, for example, famously used this mindset to bounce back from high-profile mistakes, leading his team to victory when others might have crumbled under pressure. The science backs this up: by focusing on controllable actions, athletes reduce stress and improve performance.

How to Apply Neutral Thinking in Your Life
Start by noticing your self-talk. Are you catastrophizing ('I always fail') or pretending everything is fine when it isn’t? Instead, try stating the facts: 'I made a mistake in the meeting. I can review my notes and do better next time.' This shift takes practice, but over time, it rewires your brain for resilience.

Common Pitfalls
Many people confuse neutral thinking with being passive or indifferent. In reality, it’s the opposite: it’s about taking action based on truth, not emotion. Others try to force positivity, which can backfire when reality doesn’t match their expectations. Neutrality is about honesty—the foundation of all real change.



Conclusion: The Power of the Present
Moawad’s message is clear: the past does not dictate your future. Every moment is a chance to choose your response, to act with clarity, and to build the life you want—one neutral thought at a time. Whether you’re aiming for a championship or just a better day at work, neutral thinking is the secret weapon you’ve been missing.

References: Psychology Today, Zach Ferrenburg, Bookey, Selected Reads