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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I checked this out of the library because I was looking for interesting audiobooks and the name caught my eye. It wasn't until I started listening that I recognized the author from a TED talk he had given a few years back- (If you haven't seen it, look it up. It is absolutely worth the 20 minutes.)
I found this book to be inspirational, entertaining, and intimidating- all at the same time. Robinson is a good storyteller, and the book is chock full of interesting anecdotes of both famous and not-so-famous people who lived happy lives because they found their element.
What is the element? Robinson says: "The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion." By finding and nurturing this quality, we can ignite our creativity, and bring more vitality and passion to our lives and to the world.
Robinson tells many stories of famous folk who are famous mostly because they found their passion early and were able to follow where that passion led. I found this part intimidating; how could I ever be like John Lennon, or Ray Charles, or Richard Feynman? He answered this question by many tales of not-so-famous folk, folk who discovered the element late in life, or who do work other than their passion to pay the bills. These people were particularly interesting, as it was very clear that the fact that they invested energy into their passion helped them with the other work in their lives that they were not quite so passionate about.
As an educator, he really stressed the importance of discovering and nurturing these passions in our youth. He points out that the jobs of the future may not have even been invented yet, and that teaching kids a set of facts will not necessarily prepare them for this unknown future. Rather, fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration can help them be ready for whatever the future brings.
I enjoyed this book as an audiobook. Robinson reads it himself, and his British accent made the stories all the more enjoyable.
I found this book to be inspirational, entertaining, and intimidating- all at the same time. Robinson is a good storyteller, and the book is chock full of interesting anecdotes of both famous and not-so-famous people who lived happy lives because they found their element.
What is the element? Robinson says: "The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion." By finding and nurturing this quality, we can ignite our creativity, and bring more vitality and passion to our lives and to the world.
Robinson tells many stories of famous folk who are famous mostly because they found their passion early and were able to follow where that passion led. I found this part intimidating; how could I ever be like John Lennon, or Ray Charles, or Richard Feynman? He answered this question by many tales of not-so-famous folk, folk who discovered the element late in life, or who do work other than their passion to pay the bills. These people were particularly interesting, as it was very clear that the fact that they invested energy into their passion helped them with the other work in their lives that they were not quite so passionate about.
As an educator, he really stressed the importance of discovering and nurturing these passions in our youth. He points out that the jobs of the future may not have even been invented yet, and that teaching kids a set of facts will not necessarily prepare them for this unknown future. Rather, fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration can help them be ready for whatever the future brings.
I enjoyed this book as an audiobook. Robinson reads it himself, and his British accent made the stories all the more enjoyable.
There were many points in this book where it felt too anecdotal. While there were many examples of exceptional individuals overcoming rigid systems, prejudices, and naysayers to discover their elements and achieve success, I couldn't help but think of the countless who stopped short. Then again, maybe we don't have to be exceptional to be a success. Perhaps all we need is something to strive for and to make us feel fulfilled in life.
From one of the world's leading thinkers and speakers on creativity and self-fulfillment, a breakthrough book about talent, passion, and achievement.
One of my favorites- I've listened to this a dozen times at least.
I love all the stories - all the famous people and how unconventional they were and still were able to accomplish their passions.
This is a must-read for anyone who feels like they don't learn the way everyone else does.
Everyone is different, and schools need to change the way they teach so they can connect with more children.
I LOVE THIS BOOK
One of my favorites- I've listened to this a dozen times at least.
I love all the stories - all the famous people and how unconventional they were and still were able to accomplish their passions.
This is a must-read for anyone who feels like they don't learn the way everyone else does.
Everyone is different, and schools need to change the way they teach so they can connect with more children.
I LOVE THIS BOOK
boring, and not what I was looking for. I'm glad I tried and can now remove it from my to read list tho
Changing for 4 to 3 stars. I read this a month ago and don't remember anything....
Wasn't exactly what I wanted. I' m glad these people found their element, but I didn't need a second book to learn how to find mine.
I can't rate this one because I didn't finish. I always like a good self-help, but this focused too much on other people's stories and not enough application of the principles. Inspiring as the stories were, I was looking for guidance in finding 'my element', which I did not get here. I really like Ken Robinson and his TED talks, but I couldn't get through the book. Maybe I was just not in the right frame of mind, so I'll try again another time.
I think it's actually a great critique on the educational system and how it can be demotivating and hamper us in adulthood, however I think it's way too filled with anecdotes and not actually helpful if you don't know what your element is. This book assumes you already know what you're interested in and love doing. I find that a lot of people I talk to don't always know.
I think this is one of those books that will increase or decrease in greatness depending on where the reader is in her life. Ten, even five, years ago me would have considered this revolutionary, powerful, and it is. But as I have already gone through a lot of the work of finding my passion, as I have negotiated through the things discussed in this book, as I have aligned what I am doing and what I want to do, many of the ideas shared here were reminders instead of insights. I would highly recommend it for someone who is wondering if maybe they can do something other than what they are doing, someone who has wandered a little and not yet found their path. For those who have done this work, it may be a good reminder of why.
Dr. Robinson is passionate about transforming the education system. He criticizes the current education system and the standardized tests that can’t measure really anything. The curriculum is something invented in the industrial revolution to prepare students to be factory workers. He is clearly passionate about spreading awareness and pushing to change the old traditional educational systems.
On the other hand most of the book is concentrated about how important it is that you find your element/passion because being in your element will drive you to do your best and also be happy and satisfied. The book contains a lot of stories of people who have made it. Every chapter has at least 3 or 4 stories. It is entertaining. Realistically I’m not really sure, the problem is that we only know about those made it and we’ll never know about those who followed their dreams and never made it. Some chapters were kind of boring or just common sense.
Summary:
Chapter 1: The Element
The Element is the meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion. Many people set aside their passions to pursue things they don’t care about for the sake of financial security. It is important find your element, where you fit. High achievers are often people who have found their element.
Chapter 2: Think differently
Intelligence is misunderstood. Intelligence is diverse and also distinctive, every human has some kind of intelligence. Creativity and intelligence are synonyms. Stories of Gordon Parks, Mick Fleetwood, and Bart Conner are examples. Mick’s parents for example let him leave school and follow his musical dream.
Chapter 3: Beyond Imaging
Creativity is applied imagination. Creativity involves generating new ideas, imagining different possibilities and considering alternatives. Stories
Chapter 4: In The Zone
When you’re in the zone, you do your best?
Chapter 5: Finding Your Tribe
Some people flourish when they’re around people of similar natures. Find people that bring your element in you
Chapter 6: What will they think?
Friends, family and culture may stop you from being in your element, again a lot of success stories of people who persisted against the pressure and never gave up. Paulo Coelho is one example who resisted his parents and became a writer.
Chapter 7: Do you feel lucky?
A lot of people turned bad events into events that made them stars, Chuck Close is one example. It is important to appreciate the things around you, this is how you’ll find opportunities everywhere.
Chapter 8: Somebody help me
A lot of people wouldn’t have become who they are if not for there for mentors. Mentorship can play a huge role in becoming who we are.
Chapter 9: Is it too late?
No. it’s not too late, a lot of people have only shined when they turned 50, 60 or 70. Don’t give up. As long as you keep your mind fresh and active you’ll be fine.
Chapter 10: For love or money
Chapter 11: Making the grade
This chapter is all about the traditional school systems, the crappy standardized tests and what we must do to transform those education system
On the other hand most of the book is concentrated about how important it is that you find your element/passion because being in your element will drive you to do your best and also be happy and satisfied. The book contains a lot of stories of people who have made it. Every chapter has at least 3 or 4 stories. It is entertaining. Realistically I’m not really sure, the problem is that we only know about those made it and we’ll never know about those who followed their dreams and never made it. Some chapters were kind of boring or just common sense.
Summary:
Chapter 1: The Element
The Element is the meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion. Many people set aside their passions to pursue things they don’t care about for the sake of financial security. It is important find your element, where you fit. High achievers are often people who have found their element.
Chapter 2: Think differently
Intelligence is misunderstood. Intelligence is diverse and also distinctive, every human has some kind of intelligence. Creativity and intelligence are synonyms. Stories of Gordon Parks, Mick Fleetwood, and Bart Conner are examples. Mick’s parents for example let him leave school and follow his musical dream.
Chapter 3: Beyond Imaging
Creativity is applied imagination. Creativity involves generating new ideas, imagining different possibilities and considering alternatives. Stories
Chapter 4: In The Zone
When you’re in the zone, you do your best?
Chapter 5: Finding Your Tribe
Some people flourish when they’re around people of similar natures. Find people that bring your element in you
Chapter 6: What will they think?
Friends, family and culture may stop you from being in your element, again a lot of success stories of people who persisted against the pressure and never gave up. Paulo Coelho is one example who resisted his parents and became a writer.
Chapter 7: Do you feel lucky?
A lot of people turned bad events into events that made them stars, Chuck Close is one example. It is important to appreciate the things around you, this is how you’ll find opportunities everywhere.
Chapter 8: Somebody help me
A lot of people wouldn’t have become who they are if not for there for mentors. Mentorship can play a huge role in becoming who we are.
Chapter 9: Is it too late?
No. it’s not too late, a lot of people have only shined when they turned 50, 60 or 70. Don’t give up. As long as you keep your mind fresh and active you’ll be fine.
Chapter 10: For love or money
Chapter 11: Making the grade
This chapter is all about the traditional school systems, the crappy standardized tests and what we must do to transform those education system