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The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life
By Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander
The lure of this book's promise starts with the assumption in its title. Possibility—that big, all-encompassing, wide-open-door concept—is an art? Well, who doesn't want to be a skilled artist, whether in the director's chair, the boardroom, on the factory floor, or even just in dealing with life's everyday situations? Becoming an artist, however, requires discipline, and what the authors of The Art of Possibility offer is a set of practices designed to “initiate a new approach to current conditions, based on uncommon assumptions about the nature of the world.”
If that sounds a little too airy-fairy for you, don't be put off; this is no mere self-improvement book, with a wimpy mandate to transform its readers into “nicer” people. Instead, it's a collection of illustrations and advice that suggests a way to change your entire outlook on life and, in the process, open up a new realm of possibility. Consider, for example, the practice of “Giving an A,” whether to yourself or to others. Not intended as a way to measure someone's performance against standards, this practice instead recognizes that “the player who looks least engaged may be the most committed member of the group,” and speaks to their passion rather than their cynicism. It creates possibility in an interaction and does away with power disparities to unite a team in its efforts. Or consider “Being the Board,” where instead of defining yourself as a playing piece, or even as the strategist, you see yourself as the framework for the entire game. In this scenario, assigning blame or gaining control becomes futile, while seeking to become an instrument for effective partnerships becomes possible.
Packed with such examples of personal and professional interactions, the book presents complex ideas on perception and recognition in a readable, useable style. The authors' combined, eclectic experience in music and painting (as well as family therapy and executive workshops) infuses their examples with vibrant color and sound. The relevance to corporate situations and relationships is well developed, and they don't rely on dry case studies to do it. Indeed, this book assumes the emotional intelligence and desire to engage of its reader, promising access to the rewards of that door-opening notion possibility in return.
Alison Moore Smith is a 60-year-old entrepreneur, who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 39 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons.
It sounds like a great book, Alison. Right now, though, I’m trying to finish reading my dad’s personal history, Glenn Beck’s “An Inconvenient Book”, “The House of Seven Gables” and “Mere Christianity”. Then there are the read aloud novels the girls and I are working on. (Currently, “Abel’s Island”.) We have started way too many books this year and we’re trying to finish everything we’ve started. So far we’ve finished “The Forgotten Carols”, “A Christmas Carol”, “The Children of Noisy Village” and numerous picture books. We’re trying to finish the one I said we’re working on and then “Jane of Lantern Hill”, then “Hitty: Her First Hundred Years”. After we finish all of those, we’ll be caught up and I’ll buy this book. I just wanted you to know it is on my list. 🙂
Alison~
I read this book several years ago (published in 2000) after a friend, who happens to be a psychologist as well, recommended it. As I recall, I found it very easy to read & extremely intriguing. Particularly from the standpoint of the marriage & partnership of the authors, one (Benjamin) a conducter for the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra & the other (Rosamund) a skill psychotherapist & artist. I found the fusion of their two worlds & along with their insights to be unique & refreshing. It is a good read for anyone & especially for anyone whose mind is open to change. Good pick, I will probably re-read it at your prompting. Have to dig it out of the stack of books to be shelved!!!
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Interesting 🙂
Kristen, of course this is optional reading! Enjoy the other books you’ve got. I’m getting a hoot out of “An Inconvenient Book.” I’m on the chapter about oil right now. Fits right in with the conservation thread, below.
I just ordered this month’s book a few minutes ago. But all who are reading, please jump in with some ideas presented! I’d love to get started thinking about it. I’ve been really working on my goals this week and am excited for “the possibility” for 2008 to be a year of serious change in my life.
Started reading this last night. Got a little bogged down in the introduction, but the last bit is worth a read.
Now I’m in the first chapter that discusses perception. Some good insights.
Comments on the following quotes?
This book just did not pick up huh… Must be all the effort is being put forth into resolutions instead of reading 😉
Huh?
So far, I’m fining the book interesting but unnecessarily obtuse. I’m finding Rosamund much more readable than Benjamin.
Sorry, to clarify I meant that nobody is really taking time to discuss it, I don’t know if they are reading it, but in past book clubs you have doen I notice more traffic and comments. That was what I meant by my comment.
OK, so who recommended this book? It was one of you, and I can find out! There should be at least TWO of us slogging through it!
Now that I’ve said that, once I got past the intro and the first two explanatory chapters, I’m quite enjoying it. I’m on “Giving an A.” Anyone else?
FYI, I’m still reading and quite enjoying the book now. Now whoever recommended it and isn’t here, you just ‘fess up now. I can hunt you down!
I recommended it. I was looking forward to reading it. Now that it happened, I have other things on my mind right now.
Sorry.
Well, Silver, if you have any input, I’d love to hear it. I’m kind of wandering around alone in here! 😥
I’ll try to get to it, Alison. I promise.
Two more days until the month is over and then a new book…. :devil:
Have you decided on a new book? I have another idea, which is JUST an idea, and I’m still open to suggestion. In honor of the prophet, how about Gordon B. Hinckley’s biography? And although The Coming of the Lord by Gerald Lund is a doctrinal book, it had me right on the edge of my seat all the way through it. (I only fell off once.)
You know, I tried. I guess I’m just not intelligent enough. I didn’t want to admit that, but hey. I didn’t really get what they were trying to say in the book for this month, so I gave up.
FWIW, Sam just finished the book (he’s ahead of me) and really enjoyed it.
davidson, how far did you get? Skip the first couple of chapters. Slow going there.