The Art of Possibility

Okay I've written about Benjamin Zander before, but here's a book that he's written with his wife, Roz Zander, that's the kind of thing you put on your nightstand along with "If You Want to Write" by Brenda Ueland. Zander is really into turning the dynamics of achievement and expectations upside down, acknowledging the great creativity in everyone before they do anything, not after, so that whatever they do or create comes out as if from a person who is already creative, not someone who hasn't "proven themselves" yet. This is how he draws out performances from his musicians that are about the music, and about expressing something bigger than just the performance. Really important stuff about setting your compass and giving yourself a chance rather than judging yourself. Zander has spoken at TED, too, you can see his talk here.