Tracking Wonder: Reclaiming a Life of Meaning and Possibility in a World Obsessed with Productivity

by Jeffrey Davis

Overview

Discover how the lost art of wonder can help you cultivate greater creativity, resilience, meaning, and joy as you bring your greatest contributions to life.

Beyond grit, focus, and 10,000 hours lies a surprising advantage that all creatives have—wonder. Far from child’s play, wonder is the one radical quality that has led exemplary people from all walks of life to move toward the fruition of their deepest dreams and wildest endeavors—and it can do so for you, too.

“Wonder is a quiet disruptor of unseen biases,” writes Jeffrey Davis. “It dissolves our habitual ways of seeing and thinking so that we may glimpse anew the beauty of what is real, true, and possible.” Rich with wisdom, inspiring stories, and practical tools, Tracking Wonder invites us to explore how the lost art of wonder can inspire a life of greater joy, possibility, and purpose. You’ll discover:

· The six facets of wonder—key qualities to help you cultivate the art of wonder in your work, relationships, and life
· How wonder can help us fertilize creativity, sustain the motivation to pursue big ideas, navigate uncertainty and crises, deepen our relationships, and more
· The biases against wonder—moving beyond societal and internalized resistance to our inherent gifts
· Why experiencing wonder isn’t really about achieving goals—though that happens—but about how we live each day
· Inspiring stories of people whose experiences of wonder helped them move through the unthinkable to create extraordinary lives
· Practical exercises, tools, and reflections to help you begin your own practice of tracking wonder

A refreshing counter-voice to the exhausting narrative hyper-productivity, Tracking Wonder is a welcome guide for experiencing more meaning and joy in the present moment as you bring your greatest contributions to life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683646884
Publisher:	Sounds True, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/16/2021
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	619,681
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 6.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jeffrey Davis works with innovators, professionals, writers, scientists, and social psychologists, offering him leading insights into the creative process. He is a sought-after speaker who presents at conferences, universities, and centers nationwide. Founder of Tracking Wonder Consultancy, he works with organizations and individuals to advance their best ideas and best lives with integrity and wonder. He lives with his family in the Hudson Valley of New York.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Flames 11

Chapter 2 Biases Against Wonder 25

Chapter 3 The Six Facets of Wonder 41

Your Young Genius 62

Chapter 4 Openness, the Wide-Sky Facet 87

Chapter 5 Curiosity, the Rebel Facet 109

Chapter 6 Bewilderment, the Deep Woods Facet 137

Chapter 7 Hope, the Rainbow Facet 161

Chapter 8 Connection, the Flock Facet 185

Chapter 9 Admiration, the Mirror Facet 213

Chapter 10 Stand in Wonder 235

Five Wishes of Wonder for This One Life 259

Acknowledgments 265

Notes 269

About the Author 279

Editorial Reviews

10/11/2021

Proclaiming that “wonder is not simply for kids” but is instead “radical grown-up stuff,” Davis’s buoyant debut prescribes a “de-centering” of self that allows what he’s named the six facets of wonder—openness, curiosity, bewilderment, hope, connection, and admiration—to flow. Journaling is encouraged for readers to record moments like the sight of a river or reflections on thoughts about a leaf. He posits that in an age of uncertainty, it’s human nature to shy away from displaying weakness, but that “cynicism” or otherwise being closed to new ideas amounts to costly “rigid thinking” that rules out discovering new ways to approach problems. Davis urges the acceptance of fear as part of the process of finding success, offering such examples as Cristian Fracassi, a scientist whose willingness to forgo his bias about something deemed nearly impossible—creating a ventilator valve on a 3D printer—has saved hundreds of lives. Though, curiously, one disappointing aspect of the work is when Davis displays his own bias against solitary-seeking personalities (he refers to himself as a “reformed introvert” and champions joining “packs” of peers to benefit from help and encouragement of community). But for those who need an injection of hope in an overwhelming world, Davis offers a well-drawn road map to discovering wonder and, quite possibly, joy. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

[a] buoyant debut...for those who need an injection of hope in an overwhelming world, Davis offers a well-drawn road map to discovering wonder and, quite possibly, joy.” —Publishers Weekly

“In our experience, curious wonder is the foundation of lifelong growth. It allows us to retain a beginner’s mind even as our wisdom expands. It permits our hearts and minds to grow stronger, not just older, every day. Tracking Wonder is an invaluable guide for honing our curious minds and growing into our strongest selves.” —Marc and Angel Chernoff, New York Times bestselling authors of Getting Back to Happy, 1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently, and 1000+ Little Habits of Happy, Successful Relationships

“We’re born in a state of wonder, abandon it in the name of adulting, then spend the rest of our lives aching to get back to it. Tracking Wonder is a wake-up call, bundled with a road map home to that elusive place inhabited by the potential for serendipity, surprise, and magic in every nook, corner, and conversation.” —Jonathan Fields, award-winning author of Sparked and host of the Good Life Project podcast

“In these most complex times, Jeffrey Davis’s book will feel like an epiphany in its reading, opening your mind and heart to that most vital of human strengths—wonder.” —Dacher Keltner, PhD, professor of psychology, UC Berkeley, and founding director of the Greater Good Science Center

From the Publisher

Consultant, speaker, and trainer Jeffrey Davis uses captivating stories and imagery to show how anyone can learn to reawaken their childhood openness to life’s promise. His consistent vocal clarity and slow pacing make his ideas clear, and after performing the first few chapters a bit stiffly, he finds a rhythm and spontaneity that sound very much in sync with his message. He wants listeners to rediscover their youthful curiosity and creative fearlessness. The stories he draws from his own life, the lives of others, and from literature are finely drawn and quite touching. With vocal sincerity that pairs nicely with his provocative exercises and heartfelt advice, this is an affecting listening experience that should improve the life of anyone who hears it. T.W. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile