Summary of the book "The Art of Possibility" - By Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

Key Concepts in this book:

1. Assumptions are the foundation of your life.
2. You're driven by fear all of the time.
3. Making a difference, not achievement, is what leads to transformation.
4. People shine when their voices are valued.
5. By embracing what is already there, you can open the door to possibilities.
6. Use your passion to tap into the infinite energy of the cosmos.
7. Make the most of your potential by inspiring others to believe in themselves.
8. By letting go of your individuality, you can find mutually beneficial solutions.

Who can benefit the most from this book:

• Modern thinkers looking for new solutions to old problems.
• Seekers hoping for more abundance in their lives.
• Anyone interested in learning how to transcend their limitations.

What am I getting out of it? Invite opportunity into every moment of your life to transform it.

The fear of missing out is ingrained in Western culture. From our financial stability and career advancement to our personal relationships, we are all aware of the anxiety it causes.

All of these worries are fueled by a scarcity society that encourages people to compete for more riches, power, and influence. We're not happy with any of it. Despite this, we never pause to think about it.

What if, instead of playing the scarcity game, you elected to adopt an attitude of abundance? What impact would that have?

Step this way if you're looking for a more meaningful way to live. You can travel to the Universe of Possibility by mastering a few intelligent tactics.

• You'll learn why you can never see the world as it truly is.
• How blank pieces of paper altered an orchestra.
• And what strange objects individuals carried throughout the Middle Ages in this summary.

1. Assumptions are the foundation of your life.

If we're going to look at the art of the possibility, who better to start with than the master cubist painter himself, Pablo Picasso?

According to legend, a guy approached Picasso on a train and asked why he didn't portray people the way they truly were. Why did people's heads end up in strange shapes, with their eyes squished together? Picasso inquired as to what he meant, and the man produced a photograph of a woman from his wallet, claiming it to be his wife.

Picasso observed her and remarked, "She's really flat and little."

It's amusing to us now, but Picasso realized that our perception is hampered by our preconceptions. The snapshot may have depicted the woman's physical appearance, but it was not accurate.

The main point here is that your life is based on assumptions.

Humans have a three-step process for comprehending the world. Your senses first filter information from the environment that is relevant to your survival and feed it to your brain. Your brain then develops a simulation based on that data. Finally, as simulated by your brain, you have a conscious experience of the environment.

This means that your perception is constrained by your biology. The same can be said about other animals. Even if you were looking at a sunset, you couldn't see colour if you were a frog. A flower would appear to a bee as an ultraviolet pattern. You always perceive the world through an edited lens, no matter how impartial you attempt to be.

This opens up the door to new possibilities. When you recognize that you are viewing the world through a narrow lens, you might begin to question it. Assume you're working on a portrait. You might think it should be a true-to-life likeness of your subject. But consider the potential if that portrait represented something other than the brain's perception of a person's appearance. Encourage yourself to see things differently and, like Picasso, you'll come up with something completely unique.

Make it a practice to identify the assumptions you're making in order to uncover fresh options. Then consider what would happen if you broaden your scope. You might come up with innovative solutions to the problems you're having.

2. You're driven by fear all of the time.

What do you believe your subconscious motivations are when you get up in the morning? It could be attaining that work objectively, mastering that piano piece you've been working on, or simply doing your best for your family. But it might surprise you to learn what really drives your motivation - whatever it is: it's survival.

You were born into what the authors refer to as the World of Measurement, a place where everyday existence is defined by countless comparisons, standards, and grades.

Life is dangerous in the World of Measurement, and resources are scarce. Because we believe survival is a fight, it limits what we believe is possible.

The main point is that you're always motivated by dread.

Consider what it would be like to live in a world without scarcity measurement, danger, or dread. In such a world, the opportunity would be limitless and abundant, and we would no longer need to divide our lives into hazardous and beneficial categories. In fact, categorization would be impossible because of the lack of measurement tools.

In this universe, you might embrace everything while also sharing it with others. And because you'd have nothing to fear, you'd be free to embrace life in all of its magnificent forms, because the unknown would no longer be a threat. The Universe of Possibility, as described by the writers, is a domain of joy, inventiveness, and compassion.

The Universe of Possibility may sound like something out of a fairytale, but you've already been there. It's when you're entirely there and completely absorbed in something that you enter it. Consider a period when you were moved: you met your new newborn nephew for the first time; you were transported by a piece of music, or you were touched by an ordinary person's courage. You connect with something bigger than yourself in these moments. And when that happens, you are no longer a part of the World of Measurement.

The good news is that you don't have to wait for those rare opportunities to enter this universe. By keeping track of your thoughts and activities, you can transport yourself there at any time. Ask yourself, "What's influencing me?" on a frequent basis. What is it that motivates me right now? You'll eventually realize that fear is your constant stumbling block.

When you get to that place, you'll be able to laugh at your anxieties because you'll realize they're based on the scarcity illusion. Simply knowing this will assist you in leaving the World of Measurement behind.

3. Making a difference, not achievement, is what leads to transformation.

Imagine yourself on a beach with tens of thousands of starfish stranded on the sand. You notice a lady close. She's dumping them back into the ocean one by one. You think to yourself, "How senseless!" She'll never be able to save every single creature, after all. While this may be true, her acts make a huge difference in the lives of each starfish she saves.

It's all about how you see things. The two sides of the same coin are success and failure. We've been taught to focus on our accomplishments: receiving that promotion, winning a baseball game. However, we live in perpetual fear of failure as a result of our actions.

Consider the starfish instead. Refocus on what you can give rather than what you can get, and you'll discover that you can overcome your fears.

The main point here is that transformation comes through making a difference rather than from being successful.

The vicious loops of achievement and comparison are broken when you see your life as an opportunity to give back. When you're focused on contributing rather than competing, you can fully immerse yourself in the present – and stop questioning whether there's something else you should be pursuing. For example, instead of peeking over her shoulder to see if there's someone hotter at the bar, appreciate spending time with the person you're with on a date!

When you begin to perceive yourself as someone who can assist others, you cease to regard them as competitors. This not only makes you happy, but it also makes others happy because you're assisting them. You've both undergone a transformation.

There are only two steps to becoming a contributor. To begin, simply accept that you are one. Then, confident in the knowledge that you're a member of the Universe of Possibility and its endless resources, begin living your life in the spirit of making a difference.

You're no longer like the violinist who is determined to become renowned, according to the author. Instead, you've dedicated yourself to become the finest performer you can be, one who can lift people' spirits when they hear you play.

If you do this, the rewards will be far more significant and long-lasting than any amount of celebrity or wealth, since you'll be connecting profoundly with others – and that's what we all want.

4. People shine when their voices are valued.

Being a member of a professional orchestra has a certain allure — days spent practising with fellow musicians, nights spent in opulent concert halls driving audiences to tears.

The truth, however, is considerably different. An article on working for a symphony orchestra in the Spring 1996 issue of the journal Harmony showed something shocking: orchestral players were less satisfied with their jobs than prison guards.

What is the source of the musicians' dissatisfaction? Style of leadership Totalitarians are conductors. They want their every whim and instruction to be obeyed without question - a trait shared by many business executives.

The main point here is that valuing everyone's voice makes them shine.

The problem with disempowering a team is that it demotivates them, resulting in poor performance. Furthermore, being in a position of authority puts you at risk of becoming narcissistic.

Benjamin Zander, the author, had been conducting orchestras for over 20 years when he had this epiphany. Until that point, his sole concentration had been on himself: how would critics react to his work? Would it be well-received by his audience? And, more importantly, how good was he?

His personal accomplishments were always on his thoughts.

Zander began to wonder, though, what would happen if he stopped thinking about himself and instead focused on his bandmates. Before each rehearsal, he placed a white sheet of paper on each music stand and urged the players to write down their feedback - an unheard of practice in a profession where conductors are revered as infallible gods.

What Zander observed was that the musicians had a wealth of knowledge, particularly on the interpretation of the music. The level of his playing improved dramatically after he incorporated those insights into his conducting. His musicians got more immersed and involved, overjoyed at the prospect of being considered actual collaborators.

Try this strategy with your own team if you're a leader. Consider how much power you're willing to give your team so that everyone benefits.

We feel discouraged, frustrated, and disenchanted when our right to be heard is denied. You may achieve greater results and energize your team by creating an environment where everyone is empowered to lead, regardless of their position on the organizational chart.

Also, don't dismiss someone on your team who isn't performing well as incompetent. Consider what you're doing that's preventing them from achieving their goals.

5. By embracing what is already there, you can open the door to possibilities.

Consider the following scenario: You've just landed in Florida for a much-needed vacation. It's pouring, and the weather prediction predicts that it will continue to rain throughout the week. You can't believe how unlucky you've been. All you wanted was a week of swimming and sunbathing, but suddenly your vacation has been wrecked.

New opportunities exist if you commit to being present in the circumstances as they are rather than wishing they were different.

Okay, so you won't be able to go to the beach, but you might be able to finish that book or watch a movie. Perhaps you'll spend the entire day having sex! You can locate possibility by being present in your situation and conscious of your emotions.

The main message here is to embrace what is already there and open the door to opportunity.

Being present does not imply accepting hardships or injustices; rather, it entails being attentive about every event and paying attention to your reactions. You can see things from a different perspective when you do this.

For example, a horn player once apologized to Benjamin Zander for two misplayed notes in an otherwise outstanding performance. Zander was perplexed. The music would have been rigid and less moving if the player had been intent on getting every note correct. He didn't consider those errors as flaws, but rather as evidence of his love and involvement in the project, which resulted in a remarkable experience.

Practice these ways to become more present. First and foremost, don't get caught up in what "should" be. Getting upset over rain in an area where it is typically sunny will prevent you from exploring new opportunities. And focusing on just one unfavorable facet of your condition will prevent you from seeing the bigger picture.

Second, practice sitting with negative emotions. When you're experiencing intense feelings like loss or anguish, your natural instinct is to try to get away from whatever it is that's generating them. You can't, however, outrun your emotions. Instead, learn to ride them out, and you'll discover that they'll leave you alone once they've completed their task. Each time you practice, your resilience grows, which aids you in getting through the next time.

Finally, refrain from passing judgment. While the rain may be awful for your beach vacation, the farmers down the road may be in critical need of it. There's no need to categorize occurrences as good or terrible when you're present. Everything becomes a lesson to be learned from.

6. Use your passion to tap into the infinite energy of the cosmos.

Consider a period when you were completely invigorated. Perhaps you were engrossed in a pastime you enjoy, or you were interacting with someone with whom you have a strong bond. If you're like most people, you'll regard energy as a finite resource that you must fight to obtain and carefully manage.

But there is a power outlet available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that may provide you with infinite energy – and it's this: you can give yourself to passion when you're truly attached to something you love, not worried about success or losing out.

Making passion a habit will make that energy more and more accessible.

The main point here is to use your passion to tap into the infinite energy of the universe.

To surrender yourself to passion, you must take two steps.

First and foremost, figure out what's holding you back and then let go. Following one's passion could require defying social norms, such as sticking to a fixed job path. You could also be holding back to keep your composure. Passion, like falling in love, is wild and dangerous. When you let go, however, you'll begin to connect — to people and to all the energy that awaits you.

The second stage is to constantly give it your all. Embrace your enthusiasm. Imagine yourself as a channel for it to flow through, rather than something you create. As it travels through you and into the world in the form of something good, such as making great music, being there for your loved ones, or fighting for a cause you care about, it will be shaped by your unique talents and interests.

When a young pianist was performing in class, Benjamin Zander witnessed this phenomena in action. This sincere musician was well-versed on the piece, but his performance was mediocre. Zander recognized why as he observed him. The pianist sat stiffly erect and motionless while playing. Zander pushed him to adjust his weight from side to side when he performed, allowing the music to flow through him.

Both the artist and the music were transformed at the same time. As their hearts were touched, the audience gasped. They weren't paying attention to a technical execution any longer. They were going through an emotional journey that brought them closer to one other and to the music.

We begin to participate fully when we stop trying to be perfect and instead live from the heart. We hook ourselves into the universe's limitless energy supply at that point, allowing it to flow through us every second of the day.

7. Make the most of your potential by inspiring others to believe in themselves.

In the Middle Ages, starting a fire from scratch was difficult since you had to rely on flint or rubbing two sticks together. To keep a burning cinder alight, folks would carry it around in a metal box and give it bits of kindling all day. That way, they'd be able to start a fire whenever they wanted.

Every single person is a blazing cinder. You have the ability to repeatedly light a fire in the hearts of everyone you meet. You can kindle passionate fires everywhere and change people's lives if you accept that possibility.

The main lesson here is to use your potential to inspire others to believe in themselves.

Benjamin Zander has experienced the power of that spark before. He conducted the 80-piece Philharmonia Orchestra at a school event in London as part of an outreach program for impoverished pupils. Zander observed a ten-year-old youngster in the audience moving enthusiastically in rhythm with the music during the performance. He summoned him to the stage, handed him the baton, and invited him to lead the orchestra.

Zander had handed over the baton for Beethoven's Fifth Symphony's short concluding movement, certain that his musicians would not be thrown by their pint-sized guest conductor, Anthony. No matter what Anthony did, he wanted them to stoically work their way through the play.

But what happened next was unexpected. Anthony pushed himself into his position with zeal, inspired by Zander's example and driven by the prestige of being chosen from among thousands of kids. His zeal enthralled the musicians, who imitated his exuberant movements, and fanned the flames of his classmates' fires, who applauded at the conclusion of the piece. Anthony's spark fanned a blaze across the nation that night, as his performance was shown on the news, as people watched him command one of the world's most known orchestras.

You may have transforming encounters like this by perceiving everyone you meet as receptive to receiving your light. Before meeting Zander, Anthony had never seen an orchestra and had never heard classical music. Zander, on the other hand, did not see this as a hindrance; rather, he saw it as an opportunity to inspire.

Like the players in the orchestra, be open to receiving sparks from others. Passion has the ability to make relationships and urge more people to get involved because of its energy. Whether or not that cinder comes from you, each fire has the potential to start another.

8. By letting go of your individuality, you can find mutually beneficial solutions.

Conflict has a long history in history: nation against. nation, opposing political parties, and management vs. its workers. Resolving territorial or resource claims in a courteous manner sounds as far-fetched as the tooth fairy. You can, nonetheless, transcend these hostilities by utilizing possibilities.

As we've seen, potential thrives in an environment devoid of competition. There's no need for labels like "my" or "you" because there's no rivalry. Something beautiful happens when you let go of your personality. Suddenly, you have a new identity to embrace: "we."

The main point is to find mutually beneficial solutions by letting go of individualism.

When you stop focusing on your particular needs and problems and instead look at the big picture, "We" emerges. You consider a piece of music as a whole rather than each note on the stave. This broadens your perspective and prevents you from seeing the world solely through your own eyes. You can see what will benefit everyone and come up with solutions that aren't only about you.

A true "we" is more than a collection of people; it's a separate entity. That means there can't be any competition. There is no one to compete against if there is only one entity. Because there is only one united group, there are no winners or losers.

Start by looking for commonalities between groups, such as a shared history, common goals, or mutual needs, to help you move from the individual to the collective. Some of these links may be difficult to notice at first, so take your time.

Once you've done that, explain the group's story to help them develop a sense of "we." The tale weaved from all those intertwined threads. Individual labels can fall away as a result of giving voice to it, which reinforces a new, combined identity.

Finally, consider what is best for all. What are the desired goals for the group, and what measures are members willing to take to get there?

The "we" method allows everyone to participate in the solution. It succeeds because it brings people together rather than dividing them. And, despite all of humanity's history of violence, it is connection that our hearts yearn for.

The main lesson is that there is more opportunity in the world than we can grasp. Our survival instinct, on the other hand, gives us tunnel vision and prevents us from seeing what might be. When we see the difference between actual scarcity and the fear of losing out, we can let go of our urge to compete with others, knowing that we already have everything we need – and more. If you tap into this sensation of abundance, you'll be able to open the floodgates of potential, allowing you to pursue the passions that will give your life meaning.

Giving everyone an A-grade from the start is sound advice.

Consider how confidently you could build new skills, talents, and connections if you already knew you'd gotten an A for your efforts. Consider how you could change the lives of the individuals in your life if you did the same for them. Giving an A at the start of any relationship relieves others of their worry of disappointing you. As a result, they are able to fully actualize themselves without being hindered by external expectations.