Customer Reviews

The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The "Art of Possibility" deeply resonated with me. Creating value by managing risk and uncertainty has been the core of my life's journey. It has been filled with complexity, tension, and dissonance...but it has also been filled with the discovery of possibility and meaning. The Zanders have done a real service in framing the "how" of possibility with their examples and practices.

This gem of a book will be useful not only in managing one's life, but also in helping other's to create their great life stories. The answers to core questions like "which game of success will I choose to play?","will I choose to be a contribution?", and "do I take myself too ___seriously?" are keys to a life of joy, meaning, and fulfillment.

Can you see the work of art within you? Within others? Or are you focusing on the facade? Who is winning the battle between the caculating self and the central self? Are you vulnerable or are you permeable? What is here now? And what do you want to do from here? Get yourself this book and engage in THE joyous adventure of opening up to your possibilities.

I met Benjamin Zander several times, as the company I work for had him present at several leadership type meetings. He had a profound impact on my life. I went from thinking that I worked for an insurance company, to working for a company that helps to keep people healthy and living full lives. His ideas appear simple, almost child-like, yet they make total and complete sense in the big-bad grown-up world. Taking these simple steps lets you live a more joyous, purposfull life. I highly recommend this book, and if you ever get a chance to see Zander, whether conducting a symphony, or discussing his philosophy, please take the chance...it will be inspiring!

I can only imagine spending time with this couple. Perhaps, say, meeting them at a dinner party. The conversation goes something like this:
Rosamund: "Tell me about yourself."
Guest: "Well, I was born in Boston."
Rosamund: "Now, put that in the context of ME."
Guest: "Well, you live in the Boston area."
Rosamund: "That's right. I've got my act together. In fact, I've got my act together more than anyone else in Boston."
Benjamin: "Well, let's talk about me in Boston. I conduct kids orchestras."
Rosamund: "That's right, that allows us to pronounce general platitudes about life, management, love, and self esteem."
Benjamin: "You know, I wasn't always this perfect."
Rosamund: "Benjamim, shut up. I asked our guest to put his comments in the context of ME."

This was one of the most useless and unbearable books I've ever read. I kept reading, to the bitter end, just to see if it stayed as bad as it started. It did.

What a waste of paper and ink.

There's just never enough time in the day to get through all the books in that stack beside my bed, but every so often I come across one that moves me so much, that it in turn deserves to be moved to the top of that stack.

"The Art of Possibility" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander is one of those books.

This book is part philosophy, part creativity, part business coaching, and part common sense. It shares stories of a world of possibilities if only we shift our focus -- it's not even a BIG shift -- just small things anyone can do to dramatically improve not only their lives, but the lives of those with whom we interact.

Each chapter begins with an outline of that section's idea, moves into stories demonstrating that concept from both Rosamund and Benjamin, and then closes with ways to put the concept into action. My favorites so far are "Give Everyone an A", "Rule #6", and "BTFI". My thanks to the Zanders for giving us a book that not only deserves to be at the top of everyone's reading stack, but deserves to be slipped right back into the stack to begin its cycle back to my hands to read again and again.

Based on their experiences, the authors show us that inspiration does come from every-day events. The book invites you to see life from a different perspective, if you wish so.

This book gave me simple but amazing insights in areas where I was so used to being stuck, I hardly believed there could be a solution - and there was and the insights continue to come.

A perfect book written by a perfect duo.

They provide professional insights to enhance our personal life and personal insights to improve our professional life.

Conductor Ben works closely together with Consultant Rosa to create wonderful chemistry hence leave us with loads of inspiration and encouragement.

Words really cannot explain how I love this book and adore the authors.

If it touches my heart and opens my mind, I believe it will do the same to anyone too. Don't miss the chance to embrace the treasurable possibilities in life and grasp this book now!

How many times do you find a book that you want to read just a little bit of every day, so it doesn't end? "The Art of Possibility" is one of those books. This book provides insight as well as inspiration into leadership.

The book calls us into a world of opportunity. It illustrates how, with simple shifts in our view of life, we can open ourselves up to our own excellence. Another key learning from this book is that we are shown that when we empower and see the greatness of others, we increase our effectiveness as leaders.

"The Art Of Possibility" is a pleasure to read and it provides a new way we can look at our work and lives right away. This book is worth reading more than once.

This book reminds me of "Who moved my cheese?", though it's relatively longer. With outstanding stories and practices, such as "giving an A (to all those aspirational)" and "rule number six (dont take yourself so goddamn seriously)", the authors had put something important but easy to remember concepts into the readers mind, which certainly help them a lot in getting the right perspective/mind/means in dealing with most daily life problems. Can be a classic. Shouldnt be missed by those regular readers of self help/improvement books.

A wise book about transforming yourself
and others. I went to a lecture of Benjamin Zander in Holland
and enjoyed it every bit. He practices what he preaches.
Great inspirator.