Finished Reading: Stealing Fire

Stealing Fire is definitely the best book that I have read in 2018 or 2019 and may be a top 5 in my book list of all-time. This is saying something, because 3 out of my 5 are biographies and one is a 7th grade book that my teacher made into an awesome learning experience.

I have been really fascinated on the topic of creative problem solving and teamwork for most of my life. As I ascended in the work ranks, I noticed that teamwork in a lot of organizations becomes combative and creative problem solving goes out the window for incremental change initiatives.

This has been a major challenge for me throughout my career. I love working together and saying "WE" solved this. Or pushing someone to reach a new level and saying, look how much they stepped up and succeeded. In good organizations, this is praised - in bad organizations this is challenged or viewed as being unable to deliver on your own.

Stealing Fire doesn't address any of this directly. It goes after how we can change as people and become more open, more community based, more accepting of alternative paths - and the positive impact associated with these states of mind. Stealing Fire really focuses on how one person or a group of people can reach a Flow State. It discusses the impact of Flow States, the risk of Flow States, and why Flow States work. Stealing Fire is highlighting why this once frowned upon or counterculture approach is becoming more main street. Why seemingly very different groups of people are going after the same mindset - and achieving the mindset through very different paths.

The book is a very light read; it is told through great stories, understandable science, and discusses relevant cultural events which highlight what is happening today around the subject of non-ordinary states of mind and growth.

For anyone who is looking to expand their mind, to better understand themselves, or is interested in thinking differently, I highly recommend this book. For some, it will resonate right away, for others this book may seem very out there...but please give it a chance and pick up Stealing Fire for your next read. If your flying coast to coast for business, I assure you will be done the book after your flight to and from your trip - enjoy!