His post:
This class we are using a wonderful book called The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander. It has been a wonderful read so far and this week the class has gone over chapters 1-4 of the book. I wanted to discuss and share a few areas and items that really struck home with me in these opening chapters starting with a little blurb by Benjamin in the Intro chapter.
Ben discusses a cello lesson when he was 11 in which after trying three separate times on a passage he grew frustrated and put down his bow. His teacher, and elderly man, gave a sarcastic quip about young Ben not being able to learn the piece the THREE minutes he had worked on it. This is one of those facets of life that I feel either gets glossed over or just isn’t picked up on by some folks. Everyone pursuing something they wish to do must practice in order to master the skills and improve – even those who are naturals for a particular talent. I never thought I could draw, and certainly know that I couldn’t ‘doodle’ out a picture on a napkin that was inspiring or amazing. However I ended up at one point in my life in life drawing classes – to better understand physiology and aid my sculptures. I grew to love drawing and found that with time and effort I produced quality pieces that I was ‘mostly’ happy with. I didn’t have the knack of a five-minute sketch – but over a few hours I could happily work and refine the image I was trying for. It took practice, hours and hours of drawing and gestures, to get to a point where I ‘could draw’. Practice – it really makes anything possible.
Ok back on task! The book opens by discussing perceptions and how we view the world through our own set up mind filters and preconceptions. It was a great bit and through it you really get an appreciation for ‘why’ kids are in their own little world and maybe a bit of inspiration on how to handle that with positive reactions and responses.
The start of the book had some very interesting discussions on measuring vs possibility. Discussions on the world of measurements and how it is one of the driving forces in our lives, measuring success, grades, etc and pushing to end up ‘better than you were’. Our world is a filter of measuring things, comparing them to other things or our selves, or contrasting things to highlight the differences. Then it moves onto a slightly different view with possibility and even better – how to work the two together in balance to have a better life.
‘A’ eye opener of a chapter follows, the moment it started with the ‘1/3 get C’s to the discussion of mastery and performance. Grades are part of our measuring and comparing world. They key part of the discussion for the chapter isn’t necessarily grades – but the fact that the competitive aspect of them can strain us. Giving an A as the chapter says is not a “gradingism” but more a thought process. You can give A’s to everyone you meet in life: it is more about helping them make the most out of their life even as doing so helps make the most out of yours. It is a great chapter and one that encapsulates how by being the best person you can be can help others be their best as well.
So the start of this book has been an inspiration, far from being the ‘text’ I expected from our discussions of copyright laws and publishing. I am happily continuing my trip through the pages of this book and will certainly be picking up some copies to share with friends and family.
My comments:
Lionel,
It's great to see how others are being affect by the book. I have been inspired as well and I am looking forward to what insights I will be finding helpful and thought provoking.
Great thoughts on how practice gets glossed over. I agree! I see it as well in many aspects with my job and in coaching young athletes. Without the time and commitment that practice requires, it is hard to achieve any real success whether it is in academics, art, or sports. I often start a new season with a simple question to my eager new athletes, "Do you want to win?", without fail they will, of course, say yes. I tell them, that is great because we are all on the same page. Now, I go on to ask, "Are you willing to let me help you do what it takes to win?" This is a little more than they expect and requires them to go behind wanting to win and now actually thinking about how and what it will require to achieve their goals. I found many of the insights in the book to apply to many areas of my life and I am truly enjoying it.
Very well written post.
Jim Farmer
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