Part 1:
Choose three of these quotes and questions from the book to respond to from Ch. 5 & 6 of The Element:
Chapter Five -
P. 102 - "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?" Answer this.
P. 111 - What domain and field fit you best? Explain.
P. 113 - "Often breakthrough ideas come about when someone makes a connection between different ways of thinking, sometimes across different domains." Can you think of an example? (include a link if you can).
P. 116 - "Finding your tribe brings the luxury of talking shop, of bouncing ideas around, of sharing and comparing techniques, and of indulging your enthusiasms or hostilities for the same things." Where do you find your tribe? Who is in it? Explain what it's like when you're with them.
P. 128 - "Tribe membership as I define it here helps people become more themselves, leading them toward a greater sense of personal identity." Has this ever happened to you? Explain briefly.
Chapter Six -
What are the various 'barriers' that Robinson claims keeps us from finding our elements?
What barriers are keeping you from your element right now? Explain.
P. 139 - "When people close to you discourage you from taking a particular path, they usually believe they are doing it for your own good. There are some with less noble reasons, but most believe they know what's best. And the fact is that the average office worker probably does have more financial security than the average jazz trumpeter. But it is difficult to feel accomplished when you're not accomplishing something that matters to you." Thoughts?
What is the danger of 'group think'?
Part 2:
See if you can apply some of the main ideas discussed so far in The Element to people out there in the real world. List one or two examples and then briefly explain what concept from The Element they illustrate.
Thank you!
If I didn't have to worry about making a living and supporting a family, I think I would find a job somewhere in the medical field or something to do outdoors. I love the talking about the human body and also love the feeling you get when helping someone. It makes you feel so good to see how your work helped other peoples lives. If not the medical field, I would do something with the outdoors. I love being outside and would love to have a career that allows me to be outside all day.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. But why wouldn't a profession in the medical field or the outdoors provide a living for your family?
DeleteI think having a profession in one would provide a living for my family (I am going into the medical field), but that is still what I would do I didn't have to worry about making a living. I think that sometimes our passion, or what we would do if left to our own devices, matches up with a career where you can make a living. If money weren't a problem, I still would go into one of those fields because I love both. You have found your passion teaching, and still make a living for your family. And i think that if you didn't have to worry about making a living, you would still teach. You just found your passion where you can make a living, and sometimes your passion can allow you to make a living. Does that make more sense?
DeleteI think it is MORE difficult to feel accomplished when accomplishing something that doesn't matter to you. When accomplishing something that truly matters to you, it it gives you an awesome feeling that could even make you feel better about yourself. But i do think you can feel some sense of accomplishment when doing something that doesn't matter to you. It may be small but there could still be some there. I would say that it also wouldn't make you feel really good about yourself either. Overall, I would say that you can still feel a small amount of accomplishment in something that doesn't matter that much to you, but you will much better when accomplishing something that does mean something to you.
ReplyDeleteThe domain and field that fit me best would be math/technology and the engineering field. I love making something more efficient, or figuring out a much easier way to do something. I also like comparing ideas with a team, which is basically what engineering is.
ReplyDeleteThere will be plenty of opportunities for you in the flat world with that type of attitude! Love it.
DeleteIf I didn't have to worry about supporting myself and a family I would be an architect. The job market is terrible so I am not pursuing, but I love the combination of creativity and functional usefulness put into buildings. Also, seeing something develop from a drawing to something people can use everyday would be very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteThe limitations that are keeping me from my Element at the moment is the lack of resources available to me. Once I am in college I will be exposed to the equipment and information that will allow me to develop my Element, and find out if I will enjoy it as much as I think I will.
ReplyDeleteYes. College is an excellent time in your life to really fall in love with your passion. There will be moments when you feel like you're jumping through hoops as a freshman or sophomore and are working through your generals. But view them as an opportunity. You never know when you can apply one concept from a class like philosophy to something you come across in engineering and have a breakthrough.
DeleteRobinson states that the various ‘barriers’ that people face are known as three concentric “circles of constraint.” They include: personal, social, and cultural. Personal barriers could be one’s attitude, fear and anxieties, and also self-esteem within oneself. These can either hold a person back, or really help them excel with finding their element. Social barriers include the influence of parents and what they “think is best” and also from the people that a person chooses to be around. Without much support, it would be difficult to stick to an element. Lastly, cultural barriers are those thoughts and actions that are contagious throughout a group of people. They affect a person’s values and outlook and can also shape a person’s thought. All of these barriers play a role in the road to success or failure in finding a person’s element.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, it is difficult to feel truly accomplished after doing something that didn't matter to you. It will never bring that sense of joy and fulfillment that people strive for and find when they accomplish something that they've worked hard to achieve. It can also bring feelings of never being completely satisfied because you'll know that there has to be something more and rewarding that is out there for you. Once this is found, they'll be much more passionate about achievement and feel a lot better about themselves once it's reached.
ReplyDeleteSo . . . what accomplishments are personally meaningful to you and make you feel accomplished? How often do you experience these in school?
DeleteThe things that mean a lot to me! For instance, winning an intense basketball game that I worked my ass off during, and in school, receiving an A on something that I put a lot of hard work into. Outside of school and sports, I feel really rewarded and accomplished after I help people. This is why I hope to pursue a a career in nursing, because I think it will be very fulfilling :)
DeleteDangers of ‘group think’ allow other people's ideas and beliefs affect our own thoughts or decisions we make. If a friend of yours thinks something is uncool and the whole group agrees but you, often times a person won't admit to it because they don't want to stand alone and be judged for their beliefs. This behavior becomes contagious as well, so you may even think it is uncool after a while as well. For example, the book uses a family who didn't share their real feelings about going out to eat because they didn't want to be the party pooper of the group because everyone else supposedly wanted to go. But in reality, no one did, and they later realize and talk about it once it was too late. In other words, group think dulls an individual’s judgment on most things.
ReplyDeleteIf I never had to worry about paying the bills or what people thought of me, I would still pursue my passion of helping people. Ever since I was little I always loved to help people in any way that I could. My grandma was the person who first inspired me to help people because that's what she did. She was a nurse and she was able to help save lives everyday. It is because of her that I was able to find my passion, which is pursue physical therapy because it allows me to work with athletes and help individuals at the same time. Yes of course it is an average paying job, but when you love to help people as much as I do it doesn't matter how much money comes your way in the process. I believe this is what Ken Robinson is trying to get across in his book. Once you know your passion you shouldn't care about how much money you'll make or if people accept your choice. It is for you and only you, and that is the way I feel about my passion.
ReplyDeleteAlso, remember that you can help people in whatever profession you choose. There is always a need for volunteers. You might - gasp - volunteer to coach a youth hockey team. My wife coached youth sports for years and still has parents who commend her for this and the impact she had. Life abounds with rich opportunities to give back and help. Even if it isn't precisely your profession.
DeleteWhen I think about barriers keeping me from my element, no major ones come to mind. Everyone close to me, including my friends can totally see me as a Physical Therapist because it fits my personality so well. The only true barrier that is holding me back would probably have to be living in this small town. I am limited to what I can actually learn and experience about my element in this town. When I go off to college I will be able to learn more and experience more about it. I expect when I am in college I will love it as much as I do right now.
ReplyDeleteThen you know your element. Now go after it! You're lucky.
DeleteGroupthink often influences many of your important life decisions, especially in career choices. The group that you surround yourself with will try to push in one direction or the other, thinking they know what's best for you. The danger of this, is that it may push you away from your element and passion. The group may try to persuade you out of following your passion for pottery making, for example, and try make you go to business or Med school. They think they are doing this in your best interests, but it can often push you out of following your passion. They can often persuade you without you even noticing, and that is the real danger of groupthink.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I hate to admit it, but I got this quote from Nordine (it comes from general Patton, though, not Nordine) - "If everyone is thinking the same, then someone isn't thinking." Swim against the stream!
DeleteThat's interesting. So who (peers, teammates, friends, family)is in your tribe and where is it (school, practice, clubs, home)?
ReplyDeleteIf I didn't have to worry about supporting my family or what people thought of me I am most drawn to shopping, especially at the Buckle. I never get sick of shopping. I'm constantly online looking for new clothes and wanting to go to Grand Forks and see what is new there. I think that it'd be fun to be a sale consultant there. I could help other people find clothes and make good relationships with the customers that go there. I love being social so, if I didn't have to worry about the money aspect of working there, it would keep me social and having fun!
ReplyDeleteSomeone helping me find my personal identity has happened to me. The person in my "tribe" that helped me with that is my mom. I was talking about some drama that was going on with my friends with her and she was playing devils advocate with me. She said well go get some new friends if yours are making you so mad. It made me realize that I don't want to be the kind of person that gives up. I want to solve the situation that I am in head-on and work it out because I do have great friends and I love them.
ReplyDelete"...But it is difficult to feel accomplished when you're not accomplishing something that matters to you"
ReplyDeleteI kind of disagree with this in a way. If you work hard at something and put all of your time and effort into it you do feel accomplished even if it doesn't matter all that much to you. Like a math test. It only matters to me for that little bit of time and then the material has no use to me after, but if I get a good grade on it I do still feel accomplished. Something that really meant a lot to me, like a class that is engaging, will stick with me and will mean more to me than that.
Part 2: Mr. Reynolds is a great example of finding your Element. He loves his job and doesn't really consider it "work". He found his passion and loves his domain and field (Even if he makes fun of Nordine a lot).
ReplyDeleteAnother person who I think has found their Element is Mr. Zutz. I would bet that he loves waking up in the morning and coming to work as well. And I also think that he is in his "zone" while he is at work. Just talk to him, and you will know that he loves his job and the people he works with.
Chapter Five
ReplyDeleteP.102 - "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?" Answer this.
This quote is one that really stuck with me after I read the chapter. I have thought and thought about it over the days. I mean really, that is such a good way of trying to figure your your element. Over the last few days of my thinking I have came to find that if it were up to me, I would spend my time working in non profitable organizations who help children with cleft lip and palate’s in foreign countries. I have grown a great passion for helping people with clef lip and palates. Through my years of growing up with a cleft palate, I know how it feels to go through everything that a cleft lip and palate affected child must go though. My family has donated to third world countries ever since I can remember. I know money shouldn't be your passion, however, when my family can send money to third world countries and help affected children get surgery it makes me so happy. Knowing that we are giving them a second chance and life, and a brighter future just puts a smile on my face! In no doubt I would do this for no profit, and even if it costed me, I would still do it! Something like this I believe is my passion!
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P. 111 - What domain and field fit you best? Explain.
When I think about the domain and field that best fit me only a few things come to mind. The domain that I feel would best fit me is health care, and the field, pharmaceuticals. I feel that my domain and field fit perfectly along with what I would like to do in my life. This goes back to what I would do if I didn’t have to worry about making a living. I would love to help the affected in third world countries, and I believe that my domain and field would allow me to do just that.
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P.113 - "Often breakthrough ideas come about when someone makes a connection between different ways of thinking, sometimes across different domains." Can you think of an example? (include a link if you can).
When I think of breakthrough ideas I automatically think of the all mighty Apple Co. Apple also illustrates great examples of different ways of thinking through iTunes. Music would be virtually nothing if it weren’t for iTunes. iTunes has made music everything grate that it is today! iTunes reported that they sell an average of 116 songs every second! Imagine that? iTunes and music have simply combined to make some revolutionary.
Chapter Six
ReplyDeleteP.139 - "When people close to you discourage you from taking a particular path, they usually believe they are doing it for your own good. There are some with less noble reasons, but most believe they know what's best. And the fact is that the average office worker probably does have more financial security than the average jazz trumpeter. But it is difficult to feel accomplished when you're not accomplishing something that matters to you." Thoughts?
I have mixed feelings on wether or not I side with Robinson on this concept. I feel that it most certainly is more accomplishing doing what you love to do. However, I can remember times off the top of my head where I had that accomplishing feeling even when I was not doing something that really mattered to me. I don’t feel that it is difficult to feel accomplished doing something that your not crazy about doing. I’d day that it isn’t harder, rather lesser. The level of accomplishment you receive most certainly does depend on what your doing. Any accomplishment at all however only comes from your type of personality.
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Q. What is the danger of 'group think'?
A. I believe that the dangers of ‘group think’ are sadly the people around you. Like Judith Rich Harris I feel that the people you grow up with will most certainly form who you are as a person. Many people say that it’s one’s own decision on who they are in life. However, you don’t exactly have that knowledge of who you want to be when you young. From day 1, the people around you will form exactly who you are today.
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Q. What barriers are keeping you from your element right now? Explain.
A. I cannot completely say that I have found my exact element. I know partially what I want to do when I’m older, however, that doesn’t exactly mean that this will be my passion or element. It’s all about one’s experiences. One needs to first experience something in order for them to decide on wether it’s their passion or not. Right now, I would say the few things that hold me back from being who I look to be in the future are these: age, money, family. I state age simply because I feel I need to gain more experience and allow myself to grow up past the high school/college stage and then make an attempt to pursue my element. I simply state money because no matter how much you have, theres never really enough. If I could easily afford to travel to a third world country and live there for years I would, however, right now in my life that’s just something thats unrealistic. Finally I state family because of one main reason. As stated in the previous question, the people around you from day 1 will form who you are today, completely shows why family is so important. My parents and siblings all affected me, and who I am today. Leaving the people who formed me would be really hard, and again maybe once I grow up past the stage that I’m in now I will learn to move on, and attain what I want to.
Part two: A person that is really in their element is my sister Brittany. Out of high school, she knew exactly where she wanted to attend college, even though it's nine hours away from home, and also what she would be majoring in. She loves the school she's at and really works hard at her classes, especially those that pertain to fashion. She currently applied for the modeling director position for the Iowa State fashion show and received the role! This is for one of her classes, but to her, it's what she's dreamed of doing her whole life. The modeling director role requires an abundance of extra time and work that is needed, but she does it at will. It's not considered work to her, because she's truly in her element and passionate about what she's doing. She could spend endless hours working with this position out of pure enjoyment. Yesterday, for instance, she spent a total of 12 hours judging models and outfits that would be acceptable for the show. She was so fully consumed, that to her, she thought it felt like no more than 2 hours. When she's in her zone, all I have to say is you better look out because she'll take control.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of someone in their element I instantly think of Mr. Froiland. He is the smartest person that I have ever met and he's a teacher. Not saying anything bad about teaching as a career, but he and everyone else knows that he could be doing a lot more than teaching, yet there is nothing else he'd rather do. Money is not something that means a lot to him and I think it's really cool that he wants to share his knowledge and teach a bunch of high schoolers who might be quite a bit to handle at some times. I had my first class with him this year and, although it was very difficult, I'm glad I got to experience him as a teacher. I can only hope to be as happy as him while doing my job. He also has side jobs that he is passionate about too like music and helping with sports. He's told me stories about people telling him how much more he could do with his life and how much money he could be making and he didn't care what they thought. He doesn't care what anyone thinks, he only cares that he is happy and helping his students and faculty. He comes to school with a smile on his face and is always there to help whoever is in need. He is more than in his element, he goes beyond what his job requires. He is passionate and really wants to help his students and, in my opinion, Lincoln is lucky to have him to push his students for "mastery" and as a great attitude in the building!
ReplyDeleteCh. 6: What is the danger of group think?
ReplyDeleteI think the main danger is you lose yourself. Countless experiments make the point that subjects placed in a room full of people, all saying yes to something you would normally say no to, 9 out of 10 times go along with their groups majority vote. Most of us would cave under pressure and not want to be looked at weird. We lose our original thought.
P. 102 - "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?" Answer this.
Probably just sitting down and reading, listening to music, or sketching/painting. One thing I think I would honestly love to do would be going around the world and just sitting down and talking to people. To understand their life, their struggles. Step out of my own life for once and see through another's eyes, I might learn something about myself and my passions.
P. 116 - "Finding your tribe brings the luxury of talking shop, of bouncing ideas around, of sharing and comparing techniques, and of indulging your enthusiasms or hostilities for the same things." Where do you find your tribe? Who is in it? Explain what it's like when you're with them.
Oddly enough, it's where I currently work. My job and the people around me, help me to unwind and talk about my stress because it's usually my fellow coworkers same exact stresses. I feel like "Hey, oh my gosh. She's going through wanting to slap her boyfriend upside his head too! I'm not the only one!" All joking aside, it makes me feel at peace having others understand me and being able to throw out ideas that they actually respond to and appreciate.
Part II
A main idea Robinson discussed was barriers that hinder us from participating in our element. A real person with real problems would be a close coworker of mine, Steph. I've never really asked her what was wrong with her, but you're able to identify her abnormalities. I would say she has down syndrome perhaps, but one thing I'm most definitely sure of is her award winning smile and beautiful personality. She so hard working and funny and always, always has a positive attitude. Through her personal struggle, she works three jobs, pays bills on her house, iphone, and car, and even has time for a social life! How many of us can say the same? She reminds me so much of Chuck Close and his personal difficulty; how one can find what matters to them and pull through all the challenges of life. I am so proud of Steph and what she does, I wish I could have her all the time happiness and great strength.
P. 102 - "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 guess it'd be more like if I had the money to allow, I'd travel all over the world. I am so curious about so many other places in the world and have to see them. I am most determined to travel all over Europe, but I also think mission trips to Africa or Haiti or some place would be a great experience. I think helping people with so little would be so enriching. I love experiencing and exploring new things and places and would love to just travel everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe danger of "group think" is that it prevents people from taking what they actually want or think is right into consideration. They just want acceptance from the group as a whole and don't want to do anything to throw that off. Finding your element in a group that thinks for itself makes it that much more difficult. If there's something you want to do or try and the group doesn't think its cool, you get too scared to "swim against the tide" and do what's right for you.
ReplyDeleteBut it is difficult to feel accomplished when you're not accomplishing something that matters to you? I think in a job setting, doing something every single day that you could care less about would not make you feel accomplished even if you were being successful. But once in a while doing things that you don't really care for and surprise yourself with accomplishment makes you feel good. In your job though I think you should care about what your doing so you actually are giving it your all and enjoying it, and feeling accomplished all the time.
ReplyDeleteI think someone that is very in their element is Mrs. Reese. She works so hard for the choir and I guarantee she doesn't consider it work. She goes so far beyond whats required of her to make everything we do great. She's always arranging trips, artists, performances, sectionals, voice lessons at her house, jazz practices, to name a few, it just really never ends for her and I don't think she'd want it too. She has so much passion for what she does and doesn't settle for anything less, she loves it.
ReplyDelete