October Read

Title: Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life

Author: Robinson, Ken

Call Number: 153.9 R662F 2013

Subjects: self-actualization (psychology); self-realization; creative ability in children

Number of Pages: 258

ISBN: 9780670022380

Book Description from amazon.com:

Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk video and groundbreaking book, The Element, introduced readers to a new concept of self-fulfillment through the convergence of natural talents and personal passions. The Element has inspired readers all over the world and has created for Robinson an intensely devoted following. Now comes the long-awaited companion, the practical guide that helps people find their own Element. Among the questions that this new book answers are:

• How do I find out what my talents and passions are?
• What if I love something I’m not good at?
• What if I’m good at something I don’t love?
• What if I can’t make a living from my Element?
• How do I do help my children find their Element?

     Finding Your Element comes at a critical time as concerns about the economy, education and the environment continue to grow. The need to connect to our personal talents and passions has never been greater.  As Robinson writes in his introduction, wherever you are, whatever you do, and no matter how old you are, if you’re searching for your Element, this book is for you.

My Read:

            The author uses questions to start almost every chapter except the first chapter and the last one. My assumption is those two are served as beginning and ending statement. Those questions, in my personal opinion, invite the readers to ponder upon the title of each chapter as readers leaf through the pages. Those questions served me well for my mind would be racing as I turned the pages asking myself trying to find answers of mine.

            The following is the chapter titles in the book:

Chapter One: Finding Your Element

Chapter Two: What Are You good At?

Chapter Three: How Do You Know?

Chapter Four: What Do You Love?

Chapter Five: What Makes You Happy?

Chapter Six: What’s Your Attitude?

Chapter Seven: Where Are You Now?

Chapter Eight: Where’s Your Tribe?

Chapter Nine: What’s Next?

Chapter Ten: Living a Life of Passion And Purpose

            According to the book, there are about just 20 % of the population who could claim they are happy. So when one reads the chapter five titled “What Makes You Happy?” one might wonder what. And here is what the author states 3 elements in happiness: position emotions, full engagement, meaning and purpose. Asked if I agree then my answer is a firm YES. Being positive enables a person to find bright side of any situation. Fully engaged allows a person to zero in on tasks and jobs; one’s attention and focus are clear and set. Living a life of meaning and purpose broadens a person’s perspective and makes personal affairs, good as well as bad, become small and trivial.

            After reading this book, I found another book called “The Element.” It’s the first book about finding the element By Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D. Both books invite readers to reflect their own lives and find the paths for self-actualization.

            Good luck!