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I listened to this wonderful book on a long drive with my husband and sister recently, and we all loved it. This title had been languishing on my to-be-read list for about fifteen years, when two fellow church members raved about it, and told me I would like it. They were right. I give it five stars and have recommended it enthusiastically to others before even getting this blog post done.

One of the co-authors, Benjamin Zander, was the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and his stories, which illustrate the points this couple is making, are interesting and memorable. His wife, Rosamond Stone Zander, is a therapist, and explains the reasoning behind the stories.

Listening to their ideas on audio is particularly good because not only do you get their enthusiastic and warm voices swapping off back and forth, but when Ben mentions a piece of music, the audio book seamlessly launches into a snip of the glorious sound he is referring to.

The structure of this book wraps around twelve strategies that they have found to encourage creativity and thinking in terms of possibilities instead of limitations. They encourage us to shift the way we see things, and to forsake a perspective of measurement and comparison in favor of an outlook of opportunity. We are encouraged to see challenges as games, and to reframe problems as occasions to make a contribution. This book is full of practical, no nonsense ways to transform your approach to your relationships, your work, and yourself.

You’ll be glad to have read it because there will be something there you can immediately utilize for the better. But meanwhile it is engaging and fun!

I recommend listening to this 6.5 hour audio book when you have the chance. You’ll be glad you did.

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