The Art of the Possible: The Path from Perfectionism to Balance and Freedom [Hardcover]

Alexandra Stoddard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1995

As she reflects on the beauty of a balanced life, the author of Making Choices shares her ideas on ways to seek excellence, the importance of cherishing special moments, and how to live with simplicity and grace. 50,000 first printing. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A popular lifestyle guru (Creating a Beautiful Home) here tackles the perfectionist traits that, she claims, frustrate people. "Balance, the middle path, is the key to a happy and purposeful life," counsels Stoddard as she illustrates her ideas about graceful living with anecdotes, personal revelations and aptly chosen marginalia. Her Martha Stewart-like enthusiasm for creativity is tempered by her personal philosophy of Zen-based quietude, and perhaps also by her encounters with life-changing events like death and divorce. By describing her own release from the thrall of perfectionism and her subsequent enjoyment of moments spent in a simplified atmosphere, Stoddard offers inspiration and motivation in a way her followers should enjoy.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In her latest work, Stoddard (e.g., Living a Beautiful Life, LJ 10/15/86) tackles perfectionism with aplomb. Elegantly and simply narrating her message, Stoddard offers a personal, anecdotal story that explains the need for balance in living an easier, happier life. Perfectionism is symptomatic of a life out of balance, according to Stoddard, and it doesn't mix well with parenting. She stresses the need for play and personal time to remain centered and separate from a busy work schedule. On each page her journalistic style is augmented by special quotes, and eloquent chapters on love, healing, and death are inspirational. Recommended for public libraries where Stoddard's other works are popular.
Lisa Wise, EBSCO, Springfield, Va.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 251 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688143350
• ISBN-13: 978-0688143350
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,945,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author of 27 books, Alexandra Stoddard is sought after as a speaker on the art of living the good life. She has inspired millions of listeners and readers with such books as Things I Want My Daughters to Know, Choosing Happiness, You Are Your Choices, and Time Alive. A mother and grandmother herself, she lives in Stonington Village, Connecticut, with her husband, Peter Brown.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed this book, March 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of the Possible: The Path from Perfectionism to Balanace and Freedom (Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book, as with a few other's of hers I have read. Stoddard's books are so easy and relaxing to read. She doesn't use any scientific methods or any research studies. She explains simply how, by changing our attitudes, and our environment (home, office) we can enjoy the little things in life everyday. And by doing this, we can enrich our lives and become much happier people, even though we all have difficulties and hardhips.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aesthetic!, March 1, 2000

By 

"ladytucker" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of the Possible: The Path from Perfectionism to Balanace and Freedom (Paperback)

"Appreciative of the beautiful" describes this book and Alexandra's insights into life. I would read this book before bed and I would wake up in such a good mood! A positive, motivating and quaint little book. I loved it!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful for some, but it's not for everyone., October 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Art of the Possible: The Path from Perfectionism to Balanace and Freedom (Paperback)

I have read other books on perfectionism, as well as scientific research papers on this topic, and this particular book was somewhat helpful but not really what I was looking for. Nevertheless, if you are different from me and you like her style, you may benefit greatly from this book on an important topic about which too little has been written. So I have given this book 4 stars even though it didn't fit me very well, because I think it may help a lot of other people. It is definitely not a concise, scientific book on perfectionism. I found that each significant point that she made seemed to take a lot of pages, and many of her points were repeated, so I found that my mind kept wandering. Also, I was somewhat disappointed in her long section on death, because I am a Christian and I have much more hope in an afterlife than she does. Her belief seems to be summed up by the following quotation which she gives from Peter Megargee Brown: "The memory of you with those you left behind is perhaps your ultimate immortality." Finally, I am a male reader but I think her writing style would appeal much more to women. Regardless, she made some excellent points, especially in the first three chapters, and I did benefit to some extent from reading this book. But for my personality, the best book I have found on perfectionism is "Too Perfect: When Being in Control Gets Out of Control" by Allan Mallinger.