discover what lies within

I am reading Sir Ken Robinson's newest book, Finding Your Element: How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life.

"The Element is where natural aptitude meets personal passion." 
- Sir Ken Robinson

The New York Times bestselling author of The Element gives readers an inspirational and practical guide to self-improvement, happiness, creativity, and personal transformation.

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.

It is a wonderful, inspiring, thought provoking book. The whole family should read it together and do the exercises together. Amazing!

Having had two children go through the PYP Exhibition Programme, I am wishing that this book had come out sooner. I highly recommend it for all PYP exhibition teachers to read. 

Some big questions from the book to consider:

• What have been the most important influences and turning points in your life?
• Which aspects of your life engage you most?
• Which ones engage you least?
• Do you know what your Element is?
• Do you know what direction you want to move in?
• What would you like to do that you haven't tried yet?
• Why haven't you?

"Finding your Element is about discovering what lies within you and, in doing so, transforming what lies before you." 
-Sir Ken Robinson

The poet Anaïs Nin once said, "I don't see the world as it is: I see it as I am."