Finding Your Element

By: Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica

Narrated by: Ken Robinson

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sir Ken Robinson's groundbreaking book The Element introduced listeners to a new concept of self-fulfillment through the convergence of natural talents and personal passions. The Element has inspired people 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.

©2013 Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica (P)2013 Tantor

WILL INVOLVE SOME WORK... BUT WORTH IT

Would you consider the audio edition of Finding Your Element to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure. This is the first time that I have felt the need for the printed version. Unfornately, as of date, the book is only available in hard back.

What other book might you compare Finding Your Element to and why?

This book has many parallels to many spiritual teachings, from which the author occasionally quotes, but it is your choice as to whether you see finding your element a spiritual jouney or merely a way of finding the right career path for yourself or a child.

Which scene was your favorite?

All the exercises are valuable tools and I loved the personal stories of how some people found their element.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

What makes you happy? When are you at your happiest. This would have been suprisingly difficult to answer before completing just three of the exercises - now it just seems so obvious!

Any additional comments?

If you are like me, you are an audible subscriber because you prefer to listen to books whilst you are on the move. With this book however, if you really want to Find Your Element, you are going to have to sit down to listen and have certain tools available ( the author suggests these at the begining of the book) Because of this I went to buy the printed copy but I didn't like the hardback version as it can't be manipluated in the same way as a paper back. So it is a little frustrating to listen to questions asked and to do the exercises given whilst constantly pausing and rewinding. That said - that is what I am prepared to do as, having only completed three of the ten exercises I can already see a pattern and have noticed a shift in my behaviour as a result! Inpatient as I am, I listen to the book on the move and then when I come home, and I have time alone UNDISTURBED! (that is essential), I re-listen to the chapters and do the exersises.

My Headline stated that this book involved some work - that may just be me!. My personality type does not predispose me to sitting down with, pens, paper, coloured pens, vision boards etc.. but I strongly believe that the outcome will be worth that extra effort. No doubt, some people will not find this 'work' at all :-D

48 of 51 people found this review helpful

Struggled to finish

Not the nuts and bolts of action or transformation I expected. Far too much storytelling for my taste.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Explore who you are.

Any additional comments?

I picked up this title to see if it would be good for my niece who is entering her final year of high school and is finding the prospect of the future vague. Although Ken tells you out front that reading the book won't necessarily give you a clear vision he takes you through some exercises that help you explore yourself in his uniquely inspiring way. Although I listened to this book through Audible I'd recommend having a hard copy so that you can easily reference the exercises.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

very interesting!!

What did you love best about Finding Your Element?

I found this to be very helpful. I am in transition as I approach retirement age.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Finding Your Element?

There are a lot of great ideas to find your way into a new life.

What about Ken Robinson’s performance did you like?

I liked listening to him.. pleasant.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Finding Your Element?

I know I am an artist. I'm finally going to BE what I have longed for all these years.

Any additional comments?

If you are unsure as to your true calling in life he has many steps to find your direction

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Great Insight and Great Principles

Great book, but helps to have a pen handy. Also, try to listen to at home because of the written work recommended at the end of each chapter. I listened while driving and couldn't write down some really good points. Loved the book!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent

Great read. I wish there were downloadable worksheets to accompany the audio but the content was exactly what I was looking for.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

For any stage in life

This was far better than I had expected. At 53 I have had a variety of "occupations" and tho have enjoyed all of them and learned from each one. I have not had one that I can truly say I was passionate about! This book has given me some ideas on things to try, and also insight on myself! I enjoyed the narrators delivery and his accent!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent - enough said.

Any additional comments?

This book was actually recommended to me and although not even in my interests I found this book remarkable and eye opening. I intend listening to again to cover what I may have missed. Well worth the credit or purchase

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Every Parent and Teacher Should Read This Book.

If you could sum up Finding Your Element in three words, what would they be?

Paramount Forward Thinking

What was one of the most memorable moments of Finding Your Element?

On how we absolutely need to change the way we teach and direct our kids. They are all full of greatness and we are trusting in a broken system to enhance their lives. People are more complex than a simple industrial school system. We are not even getting close to tapping their true potential.

Have you listened to any of Ken Robinson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, this does not fall short. He does a great job of presenting his thoughts.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

their are more to us and we need to be more responsible to help pull out the greatness in our kids and truly help them on their journey to find their element.

Any additional comments?

Great thought provoking book. Ken Richards really pushes some hot buttons that make you think.

11 of 14 people found this review helpful

Not really for me

What did you like best about Finding Your Element? What did you like least?

This book may be a good match for a young person trying to find his or her way in life. As a midlife career-changer, however, I find the advice trivial and obvious, and the exercises childish. I gave up cutting things out of magazines & pasting them into collages around about the age of 10.

43 of 63 people found this review helpful