The Angel Inside Michelangelo's Secrets for Following Your Passion and Finding the Work You Love

by Widener, Chris

• ISBN13: 9780307719539
• ISBN10: 0307719537
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-22
• Publisher: Currency

Summary

There will come a time when you must decide to lead the life someone else has chosen for you...or the life you want. According to legend, when a young boy asked the great Renaissance artist Michelangelo why he was working so hard hitting the block of marble that would eventually become his greatest sculpture,David, the artist replied, "Young man, there is an angel inside this rock, and I am setting him free." InThe Angel Inside,the renowned consultant and career coach Chris Widener uses Michelangelo's words to explore the hidden potential that exists within us all. In this unforgettable tale,Tom Cook, a disillusioned American businessman, has traveled to Italy looking for direction in his life. In Florence, the last city on his tour, Tom meets a mysterious old man who opens his eyes to the art and life of Michelangelo and reveals what the artist's work can teach himand all of usabout the power of following your passion. Among the lessons that Tom learns over the course of the next day: The beauty is in the details Your hand creates what your mind conceives All great accomplishments start with a single swift action No one begins by creating the Sistine Chapel Whether you're looking for a way to reinvigorate your career or searching for the courage to begin a new one, THE ANGEL INSIDE is a must-read if you want to find true meaning in your life and work. The break-out business parable that's already sold more than 70,000 copies,The Angel Insidetells the story of a young man searching for meaning in his work and finding it in an unlikely place: the life and art of Michelangelo.

Author Biography

CHRIS WIDENER is the founder and president of Made for Success, one of the world’s leading personal development companies. He is a coach and consultant to CEOs and sales professionals in a variety of industries, as well as to top political figures. He currently cohosts a television program on the Success Training Network with Zig Ziglar. He lives in Issaquah, Washington.

Excerpts

* 1 *
FINDING THE ANGEL INSIDE YOU


Every person has this tremendous capacity
to be both king and warrior, a person
of value and a person of accomplishment—
of beauty and power.


Tom Cook had come to Europe looking for direction, but with only one day left on his trip he was reluctantly coming to the conclusion that it may have evaded his grasp. Feeling frustrated with the way things were going at work and at home, he had planned a two–week “getaway” vacation that he hoped would clear his head and give him the opportunity to do some soul–searching. Ultimately, he believed that his time away from the United States would relieve the pressure he felt at work and allow him to make some thoughtful decisions about his future. He had already been to England, France, and Spain, but had yet to gain any real clarity about himself or where his career was headed. He was still as confused as he’d been the day he flew out of JFK. Today was his third and final day in Florence, Italy, the last city on his itinerary—and his time there was almost gone. But then, something happened…

Florence. Firenze. City of romance, art, food, and wine. Most who go there are overwhelmed by its beauty. The greatest masterpieces in the world can be found in its museums. Some of the most famous, creative, and influential names in history were born and made their lives here. It is, in all its glory, a cultural hub of history and art beyond comparison. Tom had imagined it would be the perfect place to find direction, joy, and inspiration.

It was early afternoon and he was sitting on a bench in a bustling plaza. He was tired. Tired of traveling. Tired of searching. Tired of life. Just tired.

As he sat with his heavy backpack on the ground at his feet, Tom watched a vast sea of people coming and going, running around just as they did back home. Some of the people seemed happy, others looked like they were in a frenzy to be somewhere else, while still others walked along with their love, gazing into each other’s eyes. But all Tom saw was a sea of people that brought more questions than answers.Where are they going? What do they look forward to? Are they really happy?He hated to admit it, but he was a cynic at thirty. He certainly wasn’t happy, and couldn’t imagine that anyone else could be either. Life just didn’t work that way.

As he sat, his head slowly drifted downward into his hands as he lost eye contact with the crowd around him. He was among many but was somehow still alone. Then, just as he was feeling sorry for himself, a voice spoke.

“My, my. You look much too young and handsome to be so sad of heart,” the voice said.

Tom looked up—barely—to see who had interrupted his self–pity. It was an old man. Out of courtesy, he slowly raised his head, still not saying anything. His eyes locked on the old man, surveying him. The old man was an exercise in contrast. On one hand, he looked…rough. On the other hand, he had an elegant air about him. He was old, that was for sure. Seventy, maybe? Seventy–five? His unruly dark brown hair and scruffy beard looked ready for a trip to the barber. Medium height, thin, but with large biceps and pillar–like forearms that seemed out of place on the old man’s body. His craggy face and calloused hands had a blue–collar look about them. But the old man’s clothes revealed the taste of a connoisseur; you could tell he wasn't buying off the rack at the corner store. This was a man who knew a tailor or two. An expensive beret topped his head, and wild as it was, his hair peeked out from underneath with an artistic flair. He wore a beautifully patterned silk shirt that flowed down to the top of natty slacks. His leather shoes were impeccable.

The old man spoke again. “Yes, you are sad

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Excerpted from The Angel Inside: Michelangelo's Secrets for Following Your Passion and Finding the Work You Love by Chris Widener
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