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To purchase this book, please visit one of the following links-
Amazon.com
Barnes and Nobles
Harvard Business School Press
The passionate energy permeating The Art of Possibility is a true force for every reader for self-development and life fulfillment.
—Klaus SchwabThis is a wise, uplifting and important work, a seamless blend of insight and inspiration, personal revelations, and stories drawn from the worlds of art, psychology, business and politices. —Doris Kearns Goodwin
The Zanders' book of practices has made my life one of the infinite possibility. Each day, since reading it, has been perfect. The implications for corporate and political life are extraordinary. —Warren Bennis
I truly want everyone to read this book-it opens us to the treasures of our great human capacity for creativity. —Margaret J. Weatley
A reviewer, 23 year old musician from PA, April 30, 2001, Quite possibly the most applicable book I've ever read! This book is abosolutely amazing. Not only does it apply to my field, music, but it has helped me out in my everyday life as well. The intricacies and personal attention the Zanders have given to each and every detail are so real, human, and can make connections with the most puzzling of people! Definately an instruction book for life!
Suzan (suzan.vebe@att.net), April 5, 2001, A DEFINITE BESTSELLER!!!!! This is the most important book you will read this year. I love this book. Passionately written, the Zander's will help you open up a world of endless possibilities. If you only read one book this year, make it this one!!!
Kevin Hoctor (kevin@hoctor.com) January 4, 2001, An eye-opening read! Ben and Roz Zander tell us that 'it's all invented' and show that many of the limitations we put on our lives are barriers that we build and as such are artificial. This book blows away those barriers and gives us simple tools to learn new ways of approaching lives and people in our lives. I feel invigorated, excited, enthused and energized after reading this book. It is an easy read with lots of stories of how these lessons have helped others. I would recommend this book to anyone feeling stifled or limited in his or her life. You will find that you can change the game and affect your life in an incredibly positive manner. This book has had an amazing affect on how I view the future of my own life.
Michelle L. Heath (msouli@aol.com), a writer, of a self-help book., October 17, 2000, This Book Hit Me Like A Ton Of Bricks! When I could finally stop crying and get myself together I was able to read on and finish enjoying the book. I grew up poor with a poverty mentality. I reinvented myself and am a new person. But, in many ways I was not sure what I had done. The Art of Possibility showed me what I did!!! I made my own rules, changed my entire paradigm of the world behind my eyes. If this book does not become a best seller then poor marketing not this book will be the reason!! My friend Daniel bought me this book and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.
October 16, 2000, Great Performances for Everyone! '. . . The objective of this book is to provide . . . the means to lift off from . . . struggle and sail into a vast universe of possibility.' Benjamin Zander is the conductor of The Boston Philharmonic and is well known for his orchestra's passionate performances. Rosamund Stone Zander is an executive coach, family therapist, and private practitioner who brings enormous psychological perspective to enhancing human behavior. They have written a fascinating book in which they alternate as voices in sharing principles and examples in the form of compelling stories. They have striven to make what they share ' . . . simple, not easy.' The idea is to help you create in yourself and in others 'transformational' improvements. They share a series of perspectives designed to improve your understanding of what and where the potential is. First, humans tend to focus on very few things, missing most of what is going on around them. By shifting focus, you will see many opportunities for the first time. Much of this book is designed to do that for you. You will visit our old friend the nine dot square and be reminded that connecting all of the dots in four lines without lifting your writing instrument from the paper requires you to go outside the box that we mentally draw at the circumference of the dots. Be careful about your assumptions! They can fence you in! Second, measurements can cause us to focus too narrowly on where we are today and encourage scarcity thinking -- the glass is half empty. The Zanders encourage thinking about the glass as half full, citing the well-known perspective of optimism as being empowering. This can help you 'step into a university of possibility.' I like to call this pursuing the ideal practice. Third, if you assume that people will do well and help them see how they can, they will. Mr. Zander gives every student an A in his class, and simply requests that the student write a paper to tell what they will do to deserve the A. This gets the students focused on excellence, and takes away the tension that harms accomplishment. Fourth, as a mindset, think of your role as 'being a contributor.' 'You are a gift to others.' How could that change what you do? As someone who thinks that way now, I find it a very useful perspective, and was glad to see it in the book. Fifth, lead from any chair. This is a reference to involving everyone. Mr. Zander asks his players to write down how he could improve practices and peformances, and pays attention to the suggestions. Sixth, follow rule number six. That rule is to 'lighten up.' Seventh, be present to the ways things are. Many of us are disconnected from reality. By re-touching it, we can see more possiblities. Eighth, give way to passion. Going with your strong feelings allows you to be more authentic, and to go to new heights of accomplishment. Ninth, light a spark. See you role as creating a spark of possibility to be lit that others can see. Tenth, be the board of the game you are playing. This makes it easier to see how you can make a difference. Eleventh, create a vision that generates 'frameworks of possibility' for others. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous 'I Have a Dream' speech is cited. Twelfth, tell the WE story. Focus on being inclusive and considering what is best for all. Move from I to We, as the Coda to the book encourages. Each section has exercises you can use to deepen your understanding of the principles and to help you practice, in order to create greater skill. The principles are similar to those in many other books about improving performance and creativity. What is different about the book are the unique ways that the principles are expressed, the exciting examples in beautiful stories from music and business that will be new to you (as they were to me), and the passion with which the Zanders write. I would love to hear them do this book on an audio cassette! Both do public speaking, so you may get a chance to hear them. Can we ever get too many great inspirational stories and reminders to live up to our potential rather than our pasts? I don't think so. This book will reignite your passion for making a larger and more positive difference. It will make you more human as you do so. After you have finished the book, consider where your passion, gifts, and influence can combine to all you to most effectively live these principles. Consider that as a calling for at least some of your leisure time. If you are lucky, you can find some way to make that a primary calling for your working hours, as well. But find that place, and spend as much time as you can there!
