On the first day, you feel great. New clothes, new sneakers, new trainer, a 20-session pack of boot camp classes... new everything! The workout is tough. You’re out of shape. But it’s fun. You drag yourself to the mirror afterward and say, “I’m doing this!”

The second day... There’s soreness in body parts that you didn't know could be sore. Your body is reminding you how long it’s been since it worked this hard. The second-day workout kicks your butt. Combined with the day one fatigue, it’s even harder. But you push through, and you’re still excited about this new experience. It’s only the second day, after all. A new car still smells new on the second day. You drag yourself home and say to yourself (with a bit less enthusiasm), “I’m doing this!”

The third day... Things are...different. You snooze your alarm a time or two. Your workout sneakers feel like they're made of cement. At the gym, you barely acknowledge the happy, bubbly front desk attendant. You don’t want to hear your trainer’s words. Your body and mind are not feeling this discipline thing right now. You seriously consider quitting this whole getting-in-shape scheme. You remember that you’re still within the 10-day no-questions-asked cancellation period for the gym. Your discipline (or lack thereof), is saying (loudly), "allow me to reintroduce myself!"

The Third Day isn’t confined to the gym or to sports. It’s any situation where you know there’s work ahead of you, and you question if you’re willing to be fully present and do that work. The Third Day is any situation in which you don’t quite feel like it and aren’t so excited to work - but there is work to be done. And you are responsible for getting it done. The Third Day is the decision that you make at that moment.

The question this book answers: how do you bring yourself to give and produce your best when you least feel like it? Your answer determines whether you'll be a pro or an amateur - regardless of your job title.