Make the Impossible Possible

One Man's Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary

De: Bill Strickland, Vince Rause

Narrado por: Bill Strickland

“Success is the point where your most authentic talents, passion, values, and experiences intersect with the chance to contribute to some greater good.”
--Bill Strickland

According to MacArthur Fellowship “genius” award winner Bill Strickland, a successful life is not something you simply pursue, it is something that you create, moment by moment. It is a realization Strickland first came to when, as a poor kid growing up in a rough neighborhood of Pittsburgh, he encountered a high school ceramics teacher who took him under his wing and went on to transform his life.

Over the past thirty years, Bill Strickland has been transforming the lives of thousands of people through the creation of Manchester Bidwell, a jobs training center and community arts program. Working with corporations, community leaders, and schools, he and his staff strive to give disadvantaged kids and adults the opportunities and tools they need to envision and built a better, brighter future.

Strickland believes that every one of us has the potential for remarkable achievement. Every one of us can accomplish the impossible in our lives if given the right inspiration and motivation to do so. We all make ourselves “poor” in one way or another when we accept that we are not smart enough, experienced enough, or talented enough to accomplish something. Bill Strickland works with the least advantaged among us, and if he can help them achieve the impossible in their lives, think what each of us can do.

Among Bill Strickland’s beliefs:

People are born into this world as assets, not liabilities. It’s all in the way we treat people (and ourselves) that determines a person’s outcome

The sand in the hourglass flows only one way. Stop going through the motions of living--savor each and every day. Life is here and now, not something waiting for you in the future.

You don’t have to travel far to change the life you’re living. Bill grew up in the Pittsburgh ghetto, four blocks from where he came to build one of the foremost job training centers in the world. He now speaks before CEOs and political leaders, church congregations and civic leaders. You only need to change your thinking to remake your world.

Through lessons from his own life experiences, and those of countless others who have overcome their circumstances and turned their lives around, Make the Impossible Possible shows how all of us can build on our passions and strengths, dream bigger and set the bar higher, achieve meaningful success and help mentor and inspire the lives of others.©2007 Alister, LLC; ©2007 John Boswell Management, Inc.; (P)2007 Random House, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

Acclaim for Make the Impossible Possible

“Passionate. Inspirational. Hopeful. Optimistic. Powerful. Compelling. And most important— it works . . . Here is the cure to what ails this country. Take it home. Read it. Then live it.” —Alan M. Webber, founding editor, Fast Company magazine

“Bill Strickland is a genius, because he sees the inherent genius in everyone. Bill’s ability to inspire hope is powerful, universal, and world changing. Make the Impossible Possible will show you how you can achieve even your wildest dreams. Bravo!”

—Jeff Skoll, first president of eBay, founder and chairman, Skoll Foundation

“We often hear the word inspire, likely allowing it to pass and not sink in our psyche.
However we often will never forget things that inspire us. A visit to see Bill Strickland's concept in Pittsburgh was one of those events for me. Now you can read about how he was driven to build it.” —Jim Hackett, President and CEO, Steelcase, Inc.

“Are you yearning to pursue what others say is an unrealistic or impractical dream? This is the book for you. By telling his remarkable story, Bill Strickland shows us that an impossible notion is just an idea nobody had the guts to try. With great flair and amazing range—you'll read about jazz, pottery, airplanes, even orchids!—he reveals how each of us can change our part of the world. Like the man who wrote it, this book is inspired and inspiring.” —Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of A Whole New Mind

“Bill Strickland could sell anything . . . Read this book and you'll understand why he is such an inspiration to practicing and aspiring entrepreneurs.” —James Heskett, Harvard Business School

PRAISE FOR BILL STRICKLAND AND MANCHESTER BIDWELL
“One of the most innovative social enterprise thinkers I have ever met. The ‘Strickland’ thought process is that of a highly trained jazz musician, coupled with a keen business sense . . . He is definitely one of my major heroes.”
—Quincy Jones

“The Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is a testament to the power of the arts to transform children’s lives. Its students learn much more than how to shape clay, take pictures, and appreciate jazz. They leave the Guild knowing that they have the potential and tools to become successful and productive citizens.”
—Hillary Rodham Clinton

Inspiring

I read this book as a part of an assignment for the school I am attending. I have to say.. I am so glad this crossed my path in life. Very inspiring and brought me back to a sense of what my purpose is in life… loved the audible and to be read by the author made it even more special. I felt like I could feel his story in my soul. Absolutely amazing!!

powerful! read entire book in one day. loved it!

Powerful! Read the entire book in one day. I feel more driven now than ever to continue to follow my dreams and make them reality. I hope to one day have a center in WA.

Ultimate inspiration

The only other book I've rated 5 stars is Steven Covey's 7 Habits for Highly Effective People. That got five stars because of the way it helped me shift my paradigm on life. This gets five stars because Bill Stickland's tale is the ultimate in inspiration. It's not preachy, it's not unrealistic even though at times you find yourself saying "Unbelievable!"

The story that sums up Bill's can-do message is a tiny one in the book: He wanted to get his pilot's license but couldn't afford the flight time. So, he found a plane for sale, offered to lease it to the flight school, got a loan from the bank based on that agreement and then used the hours the plane wasn't in use to log the hours to get his commercial license.

Simple but oh so effective. There are even better stories in his book and they all show you how YOU can make the impossible possible.

I'm going to end this review and go out to start achieving some dreams I've been keeping in the back of my mind now. Enjoy the read!

Loved it!

I really liked that Bill Strickland read the book himself & I found his approach to life to be refreshing. The world could use a few more Bill Stricklands!

Beautifully Inspirational

This is one of the most inspirational, motivational, & completely easy to listen book.
Truly proves anyone can acheive their goals and so much more....and that there are good people with warm hearts still left in this world.
Left me feeling inspired, happy, motivated, & appreciative of the things I have.