Introducing The Price of Becoming​

(Plus, how you can help)

Today, I have an exciting announcement: After years of research and writing, my 4th full-length book will launch soon...
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It's called The Price of Becoming: The Compound Practices of High Performance. It will be published on July 21, 2026.
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I believe The Price of Becoming is the most comprehensive and practical guide on how you can understand the power of compounding habits and put them to use for your life (both professionally and personally). The book draws on proven behavior change ideas and explains them in a way that is simple (but not easy) to apply. It also includes lots of new stories and insights that I've never written about before. If you enjoy my work and think you might buy the book when it comes out, it would mean a ton to me if you pre-order it now. Pre-Orders are a really big deal. They help determine the book’s placement in bookstores, online, and they tell my publisher that they need to print a ton so we don’t run out (like we have in the past when people waited til launch week to buy it).
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​I'm writing today to ask for your help. For 11 years, I have shared podcasts and essays for free on LearningLeader.com, and now I need your help to spread the word about the book.
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If you are interested in supporting the book, here are 4 ways you can help:

1) Pre-order the book: The biggest thing you can do to help is to order a book now. (And if you know someone who would appreciate the book, I would be extremely grateful if you ordered one for a friend or family member too.)
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​2) Be Part of the Book Launch Team: If you'd like to get a copy of the book before the official launch date and be part of the team to help promote it, reply to this email.

3) Introductions: If you know someone in the media or someone who has a platform that reaches a lot of people (think: podcasts, email newsletters, TV, etc.) and you'd be willing to introduce us, respond to this email.
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​4) Bulk orders: If you are a leader on a team or in an organization and would like to consider buying copies of the book for each member of your group, reply to this email. We've created bonuses (like private Zoom calls with your team or in-person keynotes) for bulk orders.
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Remember Ramit Sethi's book-buying rule. "If you're considering buying a book, even for 2 seconds, then buy it. If it has one life-changing idea, then it's definitely worth it."

Thank you so much. I am so excited about you reading The Price of Becoming. I'm certain it will change your life if you read it and implement the ideas in it. I can't wait to share it with you.

Ryan
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​P.S. I asked a few friends to read an early version of the book.
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Here's what they said...
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​“I've sat across from countless interviewers — Ryan Hawk makes the rest of them look lazy. The Price of Becoming is what happens when someone spends a decade asking better questions than everyone else and writes down the answers. This is the best leadership book of the year. If you want to understand what high performance actually requires, start here.” -- Scott Galloway, Professor, NYU Stern, NYT Best-Selling author

"Having led in environments where preparation, discipline, and trust determine outcomes, I found The Price of Becoming deeply authentic. Ryan Hawk captures a truth familiar to those in uniform: excellence is earned through consistent effort, accountability, and the willingness to stay uncomfortable long after others stop.”- General Stan McChrystal (U.S. Army, Ret.), four-star general and bestselling author of Team of Teams.

"I knew Ryan Hawk was serious when he interviewed me. His preparation was exceptional, his curiosity genuine. In combat sports, you see who did the work and who didn't. There's nowhere to hide. Ryan brings that same ruthless clarity to excellence in any arena. The Price of Becoming shows exactly what the best do differently. Not the motivational speech version, but the actual daily practices they won't compromise on. If you're serious about your craft, read this book.” - Ariel Helwani, Multiple-time MMA Journalist of the Year​
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"Excellence isn’t a moment, it’s a pursuit. It’s thousands of small decisions, executed with care. In The Price of Becoming, Ryan Hawk shows that greatness is built in the details, in the daily practices that quietly compound over time." - Will Guidara, NYT Best-Selling author of Unreasonable Hospitality & former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park (#1 restaurant in the world)​
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I think you'll enjoy it just as much as they did. I'd be extremely grateful if you preorder the book for yourself or a friend.