In an era dominated by curated Instagram feeds and the relentless pressure to present a “perfect” version of ourselves, the concept of self-improvement has become increasingly murky. We are bombarded with slogans promising to help us reach our “best selves,” yet these phrases often lack a roadmap, leaving us adrift in a sea of vague motivation.
Joseph Ariél Towne—actor, author, and high-performance coach—is pushing back against this culture of perfectionism. Having worked with everyone from award-winning creatives and Fortune 500 executives to elite-level athletes, Towne has spent years deconstructing what actually drives human performance. His new book, The Better Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting Better at What Matters Most, argues that the pursuit of “best” is a psychological trap. Instead, he posits that true, sustainable success is found in the pursuit of “better.”
The Philosophy of "Better" vs. "Best"
For many, the word "best" implies a finite destination—a peak that, once reached, must be maintained at all costs. This, Towne argues, is the core of the problem.
“The idea of being my best self or living my best life is a vague, catchy phrase that people throw around without giving a lot of thought to its meaning, or why it ultimately matters,” Towne tells M&F. While he is a recognizable face in Hollywood, having appeared in Isn’t It Romantic alongside Rebel Wilson and played the role of Sully in Decade of the Dead, Towne’s professional identity has evolved far beyond the screen. As a coach, he has spent decades observing the internal mechanisms that allow individuals to bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
“This book is an effort to get us to stop focusing on the idea of ‘Best,’” he explains. “Instead, it invites us to become better. Best is an outcome; better is a direction.”
By shifting the focus from an intangible, unattainable state of perfection to a consistent, directional movement, Towne aims to alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies goal-setting. He notes that while we celebrate "personal bests" in athletics—a faster 100-meter dash or a heavier squat—those moments are statistical outliers. They are fleeting. The real work of life happens in the long stretches between these peaks, and it is in those daily, incremental improvements that our character and outcomes are forged.
The Kaizen Influence: Compounding Small Wins
Central to Towne’s methodology is the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, or continuous improvement. This concept suggests that extraordinary, life-altering transformations are rarely the result of a single, lightning-bolt breakthrough. Rather, they are the byproduct of thousands of tiny, seemingly insignificant improvements stacked upon one another.
“The idea is that extraordinary transformation does not come from a single breakthrough but rather from thousands of tiny ones,” Towne explains. “The principle is less about the big improvements or the massive leaps, and more about getting 1% better today, then doing it again tomorrow. These little things compound over time.”
This approach addresses a common failure point in modern self-help: the "all-or-nothing" cycle. Many people approach their health and careers with the intensity of a crash diet or a New Year’s resolution, only to burn out within weeks. They overestimate what they can change in a day, but consistently underestimate what they can achieve over the course of forty days or four months. By focusing on the 1% improvement, Towne encourages a mindset that views consistency as the ultimate metric of success.
A Roadmap for Personal Evolution
The Better Mindset provides a practical framework for this philosophy, breaking down the abstract concept of improvement into actionable steps that anyone—regardless of their current station in life—can apply.
1. Focus on the Long Game
Towne is adamant about ignoring the filtered images of perfection that populate social media. He suggests that these images are not just unrealistic; they are detrimental to progress. By choosing to play the long game, individuals can find power in the accumulation of small, consistent wins. This shift in perspective requires a willingness to slow down, to see the value in compounding actions, and to accept that simple, steady progress is far more effective than erratic, intense bursts of effort.
2. The Power of Logging
Accountability is a cornerstone of performance, yet most people rely on "gut feelings" to track their progress. Towne advocates for the rigorous logging of efforts. Whether it is a food journal, an exercise log, or a reflection journal, the act of recording data provides a feedback loop that highlights where we are succeeding and where we are drifting off course. Scientific research supports this; for example, studies have shown that consistent journaling not only improves physical health awareness but also acts as a potent tool for mental clarity and emotional regulation.
3. Embracing the Discomfort of Growth
Perhaps the most significant barrier to improvement is the fear of failure. Many people avoid setting ambitious goals because the pressure of "being the best" makes failure feel like a moral failing. Towne frames this differently: doing something new is an act of bravery. It requires rewiring old habits and pushing past the comfort zone.
“I recognize that being challenged is part of the deal,” Towne says. “I love being challenged, in equal measure to the way I am supported.” He encourages readers to seek out environments—and people—that both provide support and demand excellence.
Environmental Engineering: Curating Your Surroundings
Towne’s work also delves into the often-overlooked role of the environment. He posits that our surroundings are essentially "marketing" to us every day, reinforcing either our old stories or our future aspirations.
“Remove the things that keep us stuck in old stories,” he advises. “Is your environment telling the story of where you have been, or where you are going?” By curating a space—both physical and social—that aligns with the direction of "better," individuals can reduce the friction required to change their behaviors. If your environment is designed for success, you don’t have to rely on willpower alone to stay the course.
Industry Reception and Implications
The theories presented in The Better Mindset have already garnered significant industry support. The book features a heartfelt foreword by former professional footballer and NBC Sports analyst Yogi Roth, and it has earned praise from high-profile figures such as actor Matthew Lillard.
While many of Towne’s high-performance clients prefer to remain anonymous, the universal appeal of his message is clear. He addresses a fundamental human desire: the need for a meaningful, sustainable way to grow without the crushing weight of perfectionism.
“Getting better is not for everyone,” Towne admits. “Some people like to stay comfortable. I don’t feel like anyone needs to do anything that isn’t for them, but I certainly feel like those committed to getting better over time are the people I want to do life with.”
Conclusion: A Magnetic Option for Everyone
The implications of The Better Mindset extend beyond the gym or the boardroom. By decoupling "success" from "perfection," Towne offers a democratic approach to self-improvement. It is a philosophy that does not care about your age, your gender, your current job title, or your past mistakes. It is entirely focused on the trajectory.
“If I value sustainable improvements over time, ‘Better’ becomes an incredibly magnetic option,” Towne concludes. “It doesn’t matter how many mistakes you have made or where you start. It matters where you finish.”
As we continue to navigate a world that prioritizes the "highlight reel," Joseph Ariél Towne’s invitation to embrace the quiet, steady work of getting better serves as a necessary and refreshing course correction. The Better Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting Better at What Matters Most is now available for pre-order, providing a timely guide for anyone looking to move beyond the vague promises of perfection and into the actionable reality of personal growth.
