Bill Strickland is an amazing man. However, instead of me telling you why, I would like to invite you to watch the above video from TED in which Bill shares his astonishing tale of redemption through arts, music and unlikely partnerships (with subtle accompaniment by longtime friend Herbie Hancock).
Competition
Bill Strickland has recently released a book, Make the Impossible Possible. I have read the book, and loved it, so I am very excited to have 15 copies of it to give away. All you have to do to be in the running to win a copy is to leave a comment below. Share your thoughts about the video, or tell us one thing you once believed to be impossible that you have since discovered is possible.
Find Out More
If you would like to learn more about Bill Strickland, see also:
TED talks are briliant. There is so much untapped gold in there… I’d love to one day watch everything on TED. Thanks for sharing this one.
PS: Have you watched Hans Roslings talks? He’s amazing too….
http://www.ted.com/index.php/speakers/view/id/90
I’ve learned that it’s possible for me to memorize large quantities of information when I once thought it was impossible. All I needed was a system. And it’s not even that complicated.
great video and an inspiring book. Amazing that he could have accomplished what he did, in such a rough neighborhood. Shows that the only limitations we have, are the ones we conjure up in our head.
Eduardo
Thanks for sharing this video. I’ve never heard of Bill Strickland before, but I’m glad I have now
One of the biggest things I’ve learned in the past year is how one person, who is truly motivated, can accomplish things unimaginable. Seeing the successes of others, has motivated me to stick with what I really believe in. Even if it seems like there is so much wrong with the world or the way people live, one person with a compassionate attitude towards apparent problems, can teach a lot, and help bring about positive changes in people that those people would never think were possible.
My 3-yr old daughter and I had the unfortunate experience of spending a couple nights in the domestic violence shelter. After watching this video, it reminded me of the food that gets contributed to shelters, etc. It’s leftover canned goods, generic boxed dinners and stuff my child didn’t want to eat. Perhaps she was spoiled. Shouldn’t she appreciate whatever she got? Or at three, maybe not. I have had a dream of turning a large house in my adopted home town into a home for single parents. Not a shelter or center, but a home that provides families with what they need – school, transportation, child care – all in a loving, home-like atmosphere. So now this dream shouldn’t be impossible and I know my vision could really help people.
That was absolutely incredible.
Reminded me of one of my favourite quotes:
“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.”
Bill has done things and met people that we all wish we could have. He was able to not because of an inherited fortune or luck, but rather because he dared to.
The title of his book is a perfect reflection of that speech at TED and himself. Thanks for sharing this. Great way to start the day.
One thing I used to think impossible for me was running a marathon. Three miles seemed like forever! Last November I completed the NYC marathon. The whole process of training for and running the race changed my views of what a person could do!
I’d love to read Mr. Strickland’s book!
I’m only 5 minutes into the video, but I already love it and thought I’d comment before finishing, so I could be one of the coveted 15 — because I absolutely need to read more from this guy.
I love the idea that everyone deserves a fountain. We’ve got one tucked away in a little-used corner of a shopping mall in downtown Montreal, and I consider it my special refuge when I’m downtown and need a few moments to relax and de-stress.
In terms of something I used to think was impossible, but now know is possible: making money writing. I haven’t done it myself yet, but I’ve been reading so many professional bloggers, and I’ve met a number of professional authors, so I know it’s do-able. I’m just building my skills and considering my options now before I leap onto centre stage.
Cheers!
That was an awesome talk. It was both inspirational and humorous. I really like his attitude of believing in the inherent abilities of people to shine and the power of positive thinking.
Truly Amazing. One thing I have learned not only from watching that film, but from many of the TED speeches is that basically if you can visualize it in your head, you can accomplish it. Not in some New-Agey-Secret-dream manifestation way, but in a vision to paper to action plan kind of way. The other thing I have learned is that impossible disappears after about the 50th attempt or so.
Unfortunately, I teach 6th graders and they think everything is impossible. they give that word way too much power, so my daily mission is to destroy that word in my classroom.
Oh, and I hope you don’t mind that I posted a link to this on a form I’m part of: http://www.motivationtomove.com/forums because I think they’ll love it as much as I did.
Thanks everyone for the great comments so far!
Please note: we will announce the winners on Monday 25 Feb. Also, we will choose our favorite comments (ie not just the first 15 comments).
I just graduated from college, with a degree that didn’t reflect my dreams. I didn’t think it would be possible to break away from that degree and get a job that would pay the bills. At the last minute, it happened. I’m a teacher, and I’m developing my writing career in the free time teaching gives me (which is more than you might suppose). I’m happy.
I once thought it was impossible for me to succeed. Impossible to reach my goals. Impossible to be content. I’ve since learned that when I believe in myself, and I follow my passions, that I progress on my journey, and be happy while doing so.
I loved the video, thank you for sharing it with me.
I am really excited with hearing about this motivating man. I really enjoy these people. I am reading now a book titled “YOU CAN WIN” for Shiv Khera who is also a motivating person. I like to learn from guys like Bill Strickland because they help me a lot in life.
Thanks for telling us about him.
Excuses only satisfy those who make them.
If you tell yourself it is impossible, you have already decided to give up or not to try at all.
All of us have challenges, it is how gameplan and attack decides our fate. Thank you Mr. Strickland, we must all remember, if we have a passion it can also be our dream.
Hi there,
We are inviting Bill Strickland to speak at Japan Society in New York on February 27. The lecture starts at 6:30pm.
The following is the description of the event.
“Changemakers: Make the Impossible Possible”
Over the past 30 years, Bill Strickland, a leading American social entrepreneur, has been transforming the lives of thousands of people through jobs training center and community arts programs at Manchester Bidwell. He and his staff strive to give disadvantaged kids and adults the opportunities and tools they need to envision and build a better future. Keying off his new book, Make the Impossible Possible (January 2008, Currency/Doubleday), Mr. Strickland, a master storyteller, shares his inspirational story from growing up in a Pittsburgh ghetto to running a nationally-recognized organization that successfully balances social action, artistic creativity and entrepreneurial acumen. More recently he has worked with the Society’s U.S.-Japan Innovators Network, a multidisciplinary network of innovative leaders committed to creating a better world. Nana Watanabe, an award-winning photographer and author of Changemakers II: Working as a Social Entrepreneur (in Japanese), which includes Mr. Strickland, will preside.
Followed by a reception and book signing.
Tickets: $10/$8 Japan Society members/$5 students & seniors. Purchase tickets online above or call the Box Office at (212) 715-1258.
If you are in New York City area, please do join us.
Thank you
Fumiko:
Since you are the organizer of Bill’s talk in New York, could I ask you to connect me with Bill?
As I mentioned in my comment above, I read and loved his book. Then I tried to email him letting him know this and asked if I could come and visit him in Pittsburgh. I want to share my “achieving the impossible” story with him because I did what everyone told me I couldn’t do. I became the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot, defying the odds.
Please contact me for additional information. Thanks!
This is on my list for sure.
Anything is possible. I learned that after taking a risk on my blog and having it work out a thousand times better than I ever hoped for.
There’s a quote from Talent is Not Enough that I’d like to share again: “Belief lifts your talent. To become your best, you need to believe your best and determine to live way beyond average. Believe in your potential because not reaching it is a real tragedy. You must put believing in yourself, your mission, and your fellow human beings at the top of your list. Remember that you don’t overcome challenges by making them smaller but by making yourself bigger.”
There’s a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul that always reminds me of what’s possible.
Some sociology students were asked to observe kids in the ghetto. After watching them, they all said the kids didn’t have a chance.
Those kids grew up and reached levels of success far beyond what anyone predicted. When they were asked how they did it, they all gave credit to one particular teacher.
When the teacher was asked how she turned those kids around, she said it was easy–she just loved them.
Peter:
I’m so glad you wrote about Bill Strickland because I read his book. In fact, I liked it so much, I’m on a second reading, this time highlighting certain words, phrases and thoughts. It was an excellent book so I do not need to “win” a copy for leaving a comment.
I tried to contact Bill via email to let him know that I also had gone through and achieved the impossible by becoming the world’s first deaf pilot to earn an instrument rating in 2006. It was exhilarating, especially becuase it was extremely difficult. An instrument rating actually requires radio use while monitoring the instruments in zero visibility.
In a funny sort of way, I became the first “deaf and blind” pilot. The press took that comment that I made on the news and ran away with it! But I thought it was funny.
Anyway, I’m so glad to see you write such a glowing article on this man. I also told Bill I’d love to visit him since I’m only an hour or so away in Ohio.
Stephen,
I think if you told Bill you were interested in buying him an airport, he would reconsider the friendship =) hehehe
Alex:
THAT, my friend, would certainly get his attention, wouldn’t it?
How about if I told him I’d buy him a $3 million Honda Jet? Did you know that Honda is producing a small jet?
I have a picture of it in three different places throughout my home. It’s my dream plane – I aim to become the first jet pilot with a hearing impairment. It’s so sleek, so sexy and so fast.
But at a price tag of $3 million, I’ve got a lotta work to do, huh?
Thanks for the humorous input. It was funny.
Maybe it is the finance guy in me, but one part of his book that blew me away was when he recalled how he organized to purchase an airplane (I think he would have been about 25 at the time). He leased it back to the flying school to cover all the costs associated with it, and then used it whenever he could to accumulate the necessary hours of flying practice to become a pilot. This was all while setting up the wonderful Manchester Bidwell center that you see slides of in the video.
Hi Peter:
Yes, I saw that part. I thought that was ingenious and creative of Bill. While I was undergoing flight training, I had seen and used a few of those “leasebacks.” It only works if the flight school rents them out enough to create a stable cash flow.
When I read that part about Bill, I had chills up and down my spine because I had NO idea that he was a pilot. And that’s another reason why I wanted to contact him. I wanted him to know that I, too, am a pilot.
So, hopefully this man will get wind that I’m trying to reach him.
[...] review in a few weeks, but with this article I just had to mention it. There is a great article on Bill Strickland at Pick the Brain with a video of him giving an inspiring speech. You can learn more about him and [...]
[...] Internet. In announcing that he would step down as President of Cuba this week, Fidel Castro stated that he would continue to be a “warrior of ideas”. This reminded me of one of one of my favorite sites: TED. I have spent an hour or two over the past few days watching some great videos on a variety of topics. In particular, I came across an inspiring video of Bill Strickland (remember my Make the Impossible Possible Review?) which you can watch here. [...]
Thank you for the link! The part of his message I liked most was his focus on the way we treat people (give them world class surroundings) and his high value of the arts. Paraphrasing his words: “..affection, sunlight, good food and flowers are essential.”
Atmosphere matters.
Thanks again.
Wow, what an inspirational story. There seems to be a momentum building that will change the world. The hopes, dreams, and enthusiasm of men like Bill Strickland seems to be contagious. Thanks so much for bringing this to our attention!
This is all we need to know , feel, do and give to others!
I live in Serbia , you can hardly imagine how living looks like 4 normal people here . Thanks so much for this one, all the best .
A few years ago I was a full time ballerina. I loved it and trained 8 hours a day four of those hours being on point shoes. One day I did a jump and landed and heard a big snap coming from my ankle. I had snapped the main ligament in my ankle. The doctors told me that dancing or doing any sport again was impossible. But I didn’t give up. I am now a rhythmic gymnast training 35 hours a week and training for the 2012 Olympic games. Every on said it was impossible. They still sometimes do now. But nothing is imposible if you put your mind to it!
Very inspiring.
I see people everyday suffering from what Strickland calls Spiritual Cancer. Our beautiful public building welcomed all comers. But how do we continue to welcome people when our building is being destroyed and our staff has been worn down? I try to see each person in front of me as the most important person in the world. But this is harder every day.
It’s good to see that someone has succeeded, I hope someday things change for us as well.
If nothing is impossible, then…
Definitely inspiring, thanks for the link.
Book is on my ToRead list which is quite long thanks to blogs like PTB.
Bill Strickland conveys his genuine belief in people “long before you give them the speech.” And that belief is contagious. He makes it visible.
Give us good food, water, sunshine, music… When we are treated like world class people, we act like world-class people. I had some rough times growing up in Pennsylvania myself, and just like Strickland, there was an art teacher that took me under his wing (that teacher is still a close friend to my family)! Strickland’s talk makes me feel enabled to accomplish more.
Strickland has me in awe. He dreams big, then grabs the nearest cardboard box to make it happen. All too often I overlook the box.
Thanks for pointing out the video!
I got the book in yesterday, thank you guys! =)
Great to hear Alex! Let us know what you think
I received mine a couple of days ago. Can’t wait to start reading it.
Thanks again!
[...] a competition on Pick The Brain, I won a free copy of Make the Impossible Possible by Bill [...]
Motivation and Inspirational Quotes…
Your topic Rejuvenation Lounge ” 10 Inspiring Confucius Quotes To Grab On The Run: was very interesting. I like what you have written here….
[...] Internet. In announcing that he would step down as President of Cuba this week, Fidel Castro stated that he would continue to be a “warrior of ideas”. This reminded me of one of one of my favorite sites: TED. I have spent an hour or two over the past few days watching some great videos on a variety of topics. In particular, I came across an inspiring video of Bill Strickland (remember my Make the Impossible Possible Review?) which you can watch here. [...]