If This Book Found Me, Maybe It’s Meant to Find You Too
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson , Ph.D. with Lou Aronica
Oh wow, here we go again. I’m excited for this one considering this book was the ONE that lit the fire under my a**.
A book that I found (or more so, found me) in a clearance section for ONLY $3.
Ken Robinson offers insights into how each and every one of us is uniquely ourselves and has something different to offer to our ever-evolving world. Also, Robinson references multiple famous figures throughout the book and how they found their Element, ranging from Mick Fleetwood, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Meg Ryan, Matt Groening, etc.
What Is the Element?
“The meeting point between natural aptitude and personal passion.”
Robinson describes the term the Element to mean “the place where things we love to do and things we are good at come together.”
To be in your Element, you feel like your most authentic self. You connect with something that is foundational to your self-identity, purpose, and well-being.
The Formula for Finding Your Element
Robinson states that the Element has two main features — aptitude and passion — and two conditions for being in it — attitude and opportunity.
Aptitude – the natural ability to do something.
Passion – an intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
Attitude – personal mental position, a feeling, or emotion toward a fact or state.
Opportunity – a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
Robinson creates a formula/sequence…
I get it → I love it → I want it → Where is it?
Why It Matters
“I believe it is essential each of us find his or her Element, not simply because it will make us more fulfilled but because, as the world evolves, the very future of our communities and institutions will depend on it.”
Imagine a world where everyone focused on what lights their soul on fire (in the best way possible).
To be in your Element depends on finding your own distinctive talents and passions.
Why Most People Haven’t Found Their Element
Robinson says the main reason is our limited conception of our natural capacities.
Limitation #1: In our understanding of the range of our capacities.
I feel… no, I KNOW a lot of people are unaware of the powers that they hold within themselves. This ranges from imagination, intelligence, feeling, intuition, spirituality, etc. We are ALL capable of amazing things; however, if you don’t recognize it within yourself, how else do you expect others to?
Limitation #2: In our understanding of how all these capacities relate to each other holistically.
When you realize that everything, ranging from your mind, body, feelings, and relationships, is operating interconnectedly, it begins to make more sense.
Limitation #3: In our understanding of how much potential we have for growth and change.
Life is not linear. Life has its ebbs and flows. We too have seasons just like the Earth, and while there is Spring and Summer to blossom in the sun, there is also Autumn and Winter where we can let go of what no longer serves us and prepare for our next season.
Just like flowers, we need to prune the parts of our lives that are no longer working to make space for growth and change… to allow the new life in.
The Education System’s Role
“Our current education system systematically drains the creativity of our children.”
Most schools primarily focus on logical learning, not to say that it’s not important to learn the basics, however, we all have two sides of our brains: logical and creative. Both need exercise.
With education systems focusing mainly on logical learning, students are left with unexplored abilities and interests.
Instead of rating how intelligent you are, instead rate how you are intelligent. (Read that again if you have to.)
Creativity and Imagination
“Finding and developing our creative strengths is an essential part of becoming who we really are. We don’t know who we can be until we know what we can do.”
Before anyone says “I’m not creative,” please stop right there. You just need to exercise the creative side, which looks different for everyone.
“One of the enemies of creativity and innovation, especially in relation to our own development, is common sense.”
When it comes to creativity, it literally doesn’t have to make sense. Some things are better left alone the way they are instead of trying to make sense of it.
“Imagination is not the same as creativity. Creativity takes the process of imagination to another level by putting the imagination to work.”
AKA bring it to life somehow someway, I always tell people who have these amazing ideas to write them down, that’s the first step to having an imaginative idea come into creative fruition.
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
Robinson quotes William James:
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitude of mind… If you change your mind, you change your life.”
I mean, pretty self-explanatory and if there’s one thing I vouch for it’s changing your perspective on things, that’s what got me out of the gutter and definitely a surplus of others.
Being in the Zone
Robinson speaks of being in the zone which is “to be in the heart of the element and tap into a primal source of energy.”
When you’re operating from your Element and are in the zone, time flies, and instead of feeling drained, you feel more alive because of it.
“The more alive we feel, the more we can contribute to the lives of others.”
YUP! How do you expect to pour from an empty cup? You can’t! That’s why it’s best to focus on yourself so that you’re able to show up for others with your best foot forward.
The Right Tribe
“Finding the right tribe can be essential to finding your Element.”
When you have interests and hobbies, there’s nothing better than finding a community with others that you share those interests in common. This brings a newfound sense of richness by being able to bounce ideas off of each other, sharing and comparing techniques, and of course the shared enthusiasm for said interest.
“Sometimes the people closest to your and their image and expectations of you are the real barrier. Sometimes the obstacles are not the particular people you know but the general culture that surrounds you.”
I get it. People have an image of you and perceive you a certain way, what this person might think or say? I’m here to tell you, if you are passionate about something, the ones that see you for you shouldn’t have a problem or be bothered by you operating from your Element. Somewhere along the way, I flipped the switch in regards to what people think of me (EX-People pleaser here) to what I think of myself and what God thinks of me. Imagine you’re at the end of your life and you didn’t follow your heart because you were scared of what others might think? People have their own stuff going on, they don’t care what you’re up to, at least not before something new comes up that they fixate on. So live to your full potential and the person you are meant to be, the person you’re called to be.
The Role of Mentors
“Finding our Element often requires the aid and guidance of others. Mentors often appear at opportune times.”
Robinson outlines four roles of a mentor:
Recognition – seeing your spark.
Encouragement – keeping you from self-doubt.
Facilitating – offering guidance and next steps.
Stretching – pushing you past your limits.
Making Time for Your Element
I could only imagine people and their limiting beliefs saying, “Oh well, how do you expect me to just drop everything and pursue something that doesn’t make me money?” First off, you don’t have to drop everything. Set aside time every day or every other day to dive into what lights you up, this small change will feed something in you that’s probably been starved your whole life. Before you know it, you’ll be making the time for those 60 minutes (or however long) of creative flow, and it can very well “enrich everything else you do.”
This doesn’t mean you have to quit your 9–5 and pursue your passions full throttle, unless that’s what you want. I know if there’s a will, there’s a way. Not everyone necessarily wants to or should “capitalize” off their Element. The point is to pour into something that’s yours, that lights you up, so you can light up the world with your passion.
You can have all the money in the world and still feel empty if you’re ignoring an inner calling. Some prefer the stability of a corporate job, and that’s OKAY! All I ask is that you make sure you’re happy and appreciated wherever you are, and that you make time outside of work to create something of your own. When you see a vision of yours come to life, you’ll feel proud... and before you know it, a new idea will surface for you to pursue.
Most of us scroll on our phones for hours, consuming things that don’t benefit our higher selves. My hope is that something here resonated enough to make you want to pursue your Element and bring it to light in the 3D, first for yourself, then for the world.
Final Challenge
Ask yourself this question:
“If left to my own devices—if I didn’t have to worry about making a living or what others thought of me— what am I most drawn to doing?”
I challenge you to find YOUR Element.
One step at a time… don’t worry about what’s 10 miles ahead.
✧ From my <3 to yours,
Chérie