The Element Summary

Finding your element is not just about doing what you're good at. It's about identifying your passion and combining it with your natural talent to create a life of fulfillment and purpose.

1. Discovering Your Element Combines Skill with Passion

Being in your element means aligning what you excel at (aptitude) with what you deeply enjoy (passion). These two aspects must coexist to experience true and lasting engagement in what you do. Skills alone without passion may lead to proficiency but lack fulfillment.

Aptitude, or natural talent, gives you the baseline ability to succeed in specific areas. Yet, passion transforms proficiency into joy, motivating you to practice for hours and improve willingly. Without passion, even the most talented individuals can find themselves disenchanted and disconnected.

For example, Charles, the keyboard player mentioned in the book, demonstrated remarkable aptitude and a genuine love for playing music. His unwavering dedication to hours of practice stemmed not from obligation but from sheer delight, showcasing how passion fueled his pursuit of his element.

Examples

• Charles practiced several hours a day voluntarily, drawn by his passion.
• A naturally skilled speaker who lacks passion for public speaking won’t find fulfillment in it.
• Passion drove an amateur painter to devote years to mastering the craft purely for personal joy.

2. The Right Attitude Drives Success

Your mindset shapes your potential to identify and nurture your element. A willingness to adapt, grow, and overcome challenges can unlock new opportunities and steer you toward your true calling—even in the face of adversity.

John Wilson epitomized such resolve. Losing his sight in a tragic accident as a child didn't deter him. Instead, he learned Braille, excelled in law at Oxford, and later dedicated his life to aiding visually impaired people worldwide through Sight Savers International. His resilience and positive attitude transformed a life-altering challenge into a meaningful mission.

Beyond attitude, seizing opportunities is crucial. Sometimes, extraordinary growth only happens because someone creates chances for you. For Ken Robinson, a mentor played a key role in helping him access higher education, setting the foundation for his future success.

Examples

• John Wilson channeled his disability into founding Sight Savers.
• The author’s mentor spotted potential and helped him access better education.
• Positive attitudes often turn difficult situations, like job losses, into fresh beginnings.

3. Intelligence Takes Many Forms

Intelligence isn’t bound to academic success or IQ tests. Instead, it is vast, dynamic, and unique to every individual. Recognizing this diversity can expand your sense of what you’re capable of accomplishing.

Take Gordon Parks, for instance. Without formal education, he became a celebrated photographer, filmmaker, author, and musician. His journey showcases the multifaceted nature of intelligence that goes beyond conventional evaluations. Similarly, Einstein’s creative use of music during problem-solving illustrates the fluid, adaptable aspects of human intellect.

Every person’s intelligence is individual, like a fingerprint. Some excel through hands-on learning, while others thrive in academic settings, proving that intelligence reflects distinct preferences and ways of understanding the world.

Examples

• Gordon Parks became an icon in multiple creative disciplines despite lacking formal education.
• Einstein solved complex problems by playing his violin to stimulate fresh ideas.
• Some architects study in classrooms, while others learn by observing structures worldwide.

4. Find Your Tribe to Flourish in Your Element

The company you keep can greatly influence how successfully you engage with your element. Finding your "tribe" means connecting with people who share your passions and worldview. These relationships create a supportive environment for growth and fulfillment.

American actress Meg Ryan is an example of someone who thrived after finding her tribe. Despite being a talented writer and scholar, she felt most connected to herself while on film sets, surrounded by like-minded individuals. Collaboration with her tribe fueled her creativity and success.

Similarly, experiencing flow—a state of deep absorption where time seemingly disappears—is often easier when engaged in activities tied to your element, especially with the encouragement of your tribe.

Examples

• Meg Ryan connected with her tribe in the acting community, driving her career.
• Swedish-American pool player Ewa Laurance lost herself in hours of gameplay, thanks to her passion and support system.
• Joining an art collective helps painters find inspiration among fellow creatives.

5. Overcoming Personal Barriers Leads to Growth

Everyone encounters challenges like self-doubt, physical disabilities, or tragic circumstances while pursuing their element. But resilience and perseverance can help transform these barriers into stepping stones for personal development.

Chuck Close, a celebrated artist, faced numerous barriers, including a severe learning disorder and later paralysis. But neither obstacle deterred his love of art. After losing mobility, he adapted by painting with his mouth, proving how determination unlocks creativity and hope.

Acknowledging limitations while refusing to succumb to them is essential. By focusing on what’s possible, even in the face of adversity, people can achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Examples

• Chuck Close continued his artistic journey even after becoming paralyzed.
• A runner with prosthetic legs completed the Boston Marathon through sheer grit.
• Perseverance transformed J.K. Rowling’s rejections into eventual publishing success.

6. Social Obstacles Often Test Commitment to Your Path

While personal barriers are hard, disapproval from family, society, or peers can be equally discouraging. Staying true to yourself requires courage to face rejection or skepticism about your goals.

Paulo Coelho, the world-famous Brazilian author, endured family disapproval of his creative ambitions. In fact, his parents institutionalized him multiple times, fearing his artistic aspirations signified mental instability. But his persistence paid off, leading to a celebrated career as a writer.

Despite pushback, pursuing what truly matters to you ensures personal satisfaction. In the end, no one else can determine what your element is but you.

Examples

• Paulo Coelho overcame his family’s rejection of his ambitions.
• A young dancer persisted despite teachers’ criticisms of her unconventional style.
• Society doubted early space explorers’ vision, but they stayed committed.

7. Age Is Seldom a Limitation

Many falsely believe that reaching adulthood—or even middle age—rules out discovering or pursuing their element. The truth is, people of all ages can develop talents or chase passions, regardless of timing.

Author Harriet Doerr provides an inspiring example. She pursued higher education at 65 and published her first novel at 72. This demonstrated that passion and patience bear fruit at any stage in life.

Life offers continuous opportunities to learn and evolve. Shifting from linear thinking about accomplishments unlocks new avenues for fulfillment, regardless of age.

Examples

• Harriet Doerr began her literary career after retirement.
• Elders in a community center formed a vibrant theater group in their 70s.
• A man taught himself coding at 50 and launched a successful tech startup.

8. Success Doesn’t Require Professional Status

Achieving fame or wealth is not a prerequisite for finding your element. You don’t need to turn every passion into a career; sometimes, simply engaging in what you love is enough.

For instance, Gabriel Trop became a talented cellist while studying literature. Though he chose literature as a profession, his passion for playing music enriched his life without financial pressure.

This reinforces the idea that fulfillment comes from sincere participation in your element, regardless of accolades or job titles.

Examples

• Gabriel Trop pursued his cello hobby alongside a literature career.
• Many amateur athletes find joy in weekend sports leagues without aiming for pro-level.
• A chef finds peace cooking at home, despite not working in restaurants.

9. Your Element Evokes a Deep Sense of Flow

Flow is the state of being fully immersed in an activity, losing all track of time and surroundings. It often signals that you are engaging with your element, as passion and aptitude combine seamlessly.

Ewa Laurance, a skilled pool player, experienced this when hours of gameplay felt like mere minutes. Such joy and immersion affirm the alignment between passion, talent, and environment.

While not every moment will invoke flow, regularly experiencing this state points toward a harmonious connection with your element.

Examples

• Ewa Laurance felt seamless focus while playing pool for hours.
• Musicians describe losing themselves in music during live performances.
• Writers working on passionate projects often forget time until interrupted.

Takeaways

1. Identify activities where your talent and passion align by reflecting on what excites you and comes naturally.
2. Seek out a supportive community or network of people who share your passion and perspective to fuel your journey.
3. Commit to lifelong exploration of your abilities and interests, knowing that age or stage in life is rarely a barrier to fulfillment.