The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything
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With a crackling wit and a deep humanity, (Ken Robinson) urges us to ignore the naysayers, bypass the crowd and find the place where our talents and desires intersect (Daniel Pink, Author Of A Whole New Mind )
A book that lightens and lifts the minds and hearts of all who read it (Susan Jeffers, Author Of Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway )
Happiness really is within your grasp (Guardian )
The Element gives you the feeling that all is possible if we dig deeply within ourselves, using our imaginations and curiosity (Vidal Sassoon ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
A book that lightens and lifts the minds and hearts of all who read it (Susan Jeffers, Author Of Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway )
Happiness really is within your grasp (Guardian )
The Element gives you the feeling that all is possible if we dig deeply within ourselves, using our imaginations and curiosity (Vidal Sassoon ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. It is here that people feel most themselves, inspired and able to achieve at their highest levels.
In this ground-breaking book, world renowned creativity expert Ken Robinson identifies a crisis in education and business: whether it's a child bored in class, a disillusioned or misused employee or someone who feels frustrated but can't quite explain why, too many people don't realize what they are capable of achieving.
Through stories of people - like Vidal Sassoon, Ariana Huffington and Matt Groening - who have recognized their unique talents and been able to make a successful living doing what they love, Robinson argues that age and occupation are no barrier and explains how it is possible for each one of us to reach our element.
With a wry sense of humour, Ken Robinson inspires us, above all, to reconnect with our true self - it could just change everything.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I realy enjoyed Sir Ken Robinson's book which is highly readable and talks about the concept of finding one's true calling in life (which he says, is the point at which one's talents overlap with one's highest passions - 'the Element'). This he does, through the telling of people's stories. It is inspiring stuff for those who want to believe the quote from Confucius - "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life". The book introduces the topic wonderfully although readers should be aware that there is little within the book about how to actually go about pursuing your dreams, although I am sure this was intentionally outside the scope of the book (for that I'd refer people to Marcus Buckingham's excellent book 'Go put your strengths to work' and his video podcast with Oprah which is free on iTunes).
My one gripe (which is minor), is that the stories are all about immensely successful people (e.g.Paul McCartney, Matt Groening) which are amazing but it might of been nice to see a few 'real people' stories where people successfully pursued their passions and found happiness but weren't necessarily world beaters. If anyone interested in the book hasn't yet seen Sir Ken's TED talk I'd thoroughly recommend that you view in on YouTube.
My one gripe (which is minor), is that the stories are all about immensely successful people (e.g.Paul McCartney, Matt Groening) which are amazing but it might of been nice to see a few 'real people' stories where people successfully pursued their passions and found happiness but weren't necessarily world beaters. If anyone interested in the book hasn't yet seen Sir Ken's TED talk I'd thoroughly recommend that you view in on YouTube.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Hi,
I'm writing this review because some people here seem to have bought it thinking it was a self-help manual. I guess the title is a little misleading.
What it is is a collection of anecdotes about people who have found their element - a passion for doing something that makes an hour feel like five minutes. To get an idea of what this book is about, do a web search for Ken Robinson. He's done two presentations for TED.com (Technology, Education and Design) and a fantastic animated presentation about our current education systems and the crisis that's been facing them for the past 30 or so years.
This book will give you marvellous insights what creativity is and into the lives and life-changing moments in creative people's lives. Just don't expect it to give you step by step instructions on how to find your element because there aren't any - everyone is different and everyone finds their element in a different way, sometimes by a very round-about route. If you understand this book, you'll know what you have to do.
I hope this helps! :)
I'm writing this review because some people here seem to have bought it thinking it was a self-help manual. I guess the title is a little misleading.
What it is is a collection of anecdotes about people who have found their element - a passion for doing something that makes an hour feel like five minutes. To get an idea of what this book is about, do a web search for Ken Robinson. He's done two presentations for TED.com (Technology, Education and Design) and a fantastic animated presentation about our current education systems and the crisis that's been facing them for the past 30 or so years.
This book will give you marvellous insights what creativity is and into the lives and life-changing moments in creative people's lives. Just don't expect it to give you step by step instructions on how to find your element because there aren't any - everyone is different and everyone finds their element in a different way, sometimes by a very round-about route. If you understand this book, you'll know what you have to do.
I hope this helps! :)
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having seen Ken Robinson's talks on TED, I felt motivated to check out his book. I found what he had to say was both entertaining and inspirational, and I felt inclined to find out more.
Well, what of the book? I can suppose why many people gave it 4 and 5 stars. We all enjoy a good story. I do, and at first I did genuinely find the stories interesting and inspirational, but here the author uses a story to put forward even the smallest idea. By the time I was half way through I felt myself getting weary. The point itself seemed lost.
But there aren't just success stories. There are other kinds of stories, some of which really seem like digressions for the sake of a story, until at last it arrives on a wispy point, a brief bridge before, god help me, another story. I'm sorry to say there's little substance to this.
I loved hearing the Author speak on TED and in this book he describes speaking as his personal 'element', he explains that when you're in your 'element', time seems to slow down. This could explain how he got the bulk of this 288 page book's message in to a 20 minute talk.
If you are happy to read lots of stories about people finding their inspiration, get this book. If you are looking to be pointed toward finding your own inspiration, don't bother.
Well, what of the book? I can suppose why many people gave it 4 and 5 stars. We all enjoy a good story. I do, and at first I did genuinely find the stories interesting and inspirational, but here the author uses a story to put forward even the smallest idea. By the time I was half way through I felt myself getting weary. The point itself seemed lost.
But there aren't just success stories. There are other kinds of stories, some of which really seem like digressions for the sake of a story, until at last it arrives on a wispy point, a brief bridge before, god help me, another story. I'm sorry to say there's little substance to this.
I loved hearing the Author speak on TED and in this book he describes speaking as his personal 'element', he explains that when you're in your 'element', time seems to slow down. This could explain how he got the bulk of this 288 page book's message in to a 20 minute talk.
If you are happy to read lots of stories about people finding their inspiration, get this book. If you are looking to be pointed toward finding your own inspiration, don't bother.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A bit of a disappointment
I watched Ken Robinson's speech in TED and I was thrilled and thought I needed to learn more, so I bought "The Element". Read more
Published 1 month ago by sarevilon
book in good condition
the actual book itself is in very good condition.the cover however is not.bought it as a present but now don't know if i should remove the cover as it does look really old. Read more
Published 1 month ago by jo
sheer brilliance
For people reluctant to self-help, as I am, this is quite different, although it might look like one of those titles. This book is for everyone to read, I believe.
Published 2 months ago by Arbusto
Never have I read so many words that said so little
Okay, first of all I will own up. I only managed to get about half way through this drivel and then I gave up so I cannot claim to reading it all (I had become far too angry to do... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dozza
dissapointed
dont bother reading the book see the lecture instead. In life Ken is a much better and inspiring speaker.
Reading the book. I felt quite bored and uninspired. Read more
Reading the book. I felt quite bored and uninspired. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. S. Joseph
A little disappointing
I was really looking forward to reading this after seeing Ken give a lecture but I must admit to being quite disappointed and frustrated. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Leigh West
Brilliant brilliant brilliant.
Inspiring, well written, easily digestible, interesting and littered with interesting personal stories. Exactly what you'd expect from Ken Robinson. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kelly
How to actually find your passion
Ken Robison is a great speaker and you should see his TED talks if you haven't already. A lot of people posting reviews of The Element love the stories but are left frustrated by... Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. Halfacre
Is this book right for you?
Like many people, when I saw Sir Ken Robinson's first video on Ted.com I was inspired. He seemed to get right at the heart of the problem with present day education and his focus... Read more
Published 6 months ago by J. Hamlyn
Never too late
This book really made me think. I like his videos on TED but this made me see how much we waste if we don't take the time to give ALL kids the chance to find their real potential. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Special Needs teacher
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