my therapist recommended this. it was aight. a bit repetitive and basic, but I appreciated some of the illustrative stories in it.

Can't remember a single, stand-out lesson from this book. Barbara Sher is a much better option in this genre.

I really enjoyed this book mainly for the stories and the coda. The writing style confused me at times but it was mostly an "easy" read. I think I would recommend this to my family and friends. It also makes me want to read more about conductors because that sounds like that would be interesting.

great book

An inspiring look at what life CAN be like, I enjoyed this motivational text very much. Zander's real-world examples make the book easily applicable to anyone's life. I particularly liked the chapter on how to contribute. I intend to apply the concept of contribution to our nightly dinner table conversation, in addition to our classroom climate. "How did you contribute?" is such a global statement, that it's sure to receive a wide range of answers. At the same time, the understatement of CONTRIBUTION is heard loud and clear. In today's times, I can think of no other greater message to deliver to young minds.

Favorite Passages:
THE PRACTICE
The practice of this chapter is inventing oneself as a contribution, and others as well. The steps to the practice are thse:
1. Declare yourself to be a contribution.
2. Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, transforming conflicts into rewarding experiences. (p. 59)
Naming oneself and others as a contribution produces a shift away from self-concern and engages us in a relationship with others that is an arena for making a difference. Rewards in the contribution game are of a deep and enduring kind, though less predictable than the trio of money, fame, and power that accrue to the winner in the success game. You never know what they will be, or from whence they will come. (p.63)

A great bibliotherapy read.