My 5 most favorite (underrated) TED talks on self-help

Blogs by Mohit
5 min readJun 16, 2024

--

Quite an interesting list but it is worth your time to listen to one.

Ideas worth spreading

I am not listing the talks in any order, because it is very difficult for me to do this but yeah all deserve to be at the top of the list.

How not to take things personally?

Frederik Imbo

Frederik Imbo studied theatre at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent, acted in numerous television series, and founded Imboorling. With over 15 years of experience, he focuses on improving communication skills through presentations, workshops, training courses, and personal coaching sessions.

Here are my top key takeaways from the TED:

1. The first strategy to not take things personally is to realize “It’s not about me.” Look at the other person’s intention and perspective instead of making it about yourself.

2. However, if the first strategy doesn’t work, the second strategy is to acknowledge “It is about me.” In this case, you need to look inward, question yourself, and give yourself empathy for any insecurities or unresolved issues that might be causing you to take things personally.

3. When we take things personally, it often stems from childhood experiences or a deep-rooted need for recognition and validation. Being vulnerable and expressing your feelings without blame can help the other person understand you better.

4. The ultimate goal is to not take things personally, as it can enhance our relationships and create a better world. The speaker encourages the audience to practice these strategies and not take his words or the 20 euros he earns as a referee personally.

Link~ https://youtu.be/LnJwH_PZXnM?si=8tzmtjbRHFnwH5Qi

Thoughts on humanity, fame, and love

Shahrukh Khan

Shahrukh Khan is a successful Indian actor and businessman.

He reflects on his life journey and shares his perspectives on humanity’s future. Humorously, he discusses his humble beginnings, rise to stardom, grappling with fame in the age of social media, and the importance of love and compassion for humanity’s progress.

key Takeaways:

Here are 5 key learnings from this transcript:

1. Embrace your authenticity and imperfections, as Shah Rukh Khan did with his unconventional looks, yet was embraced and celebrated by India.

2. Retain your sense of innocence, purity of heart, and clarity of mind amid the complexities and judgments of the modern world.

3. Cultivate love and compassion alongside technological progress and innovation, as these humane qualities are essential for true enlightenment and progress.

4. Recognize the duality of your importance and insignificance in the larger context of the universe, and find balance in this perspective.

5. Strive to create a world that is “self-obsessively in love with itself,” where love for humanity and all beings is the driving force, not self-absorption or destructive tendencies.

My philosophy for a happy life

Sam Berns

In this TED talk, Sam Berns, a 17-year-old high school student with a rare disease called Progeria, shares his philosophy for living a happy life despite the challenges he faces. He discusses how he embraces what he can do, surrounds himself with positive people, and keeps moving forward with a future-oriented mindset.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on what you can do instead of dwelling on limitations. Identify your passions and find ways to pursue them.

2. Cherish your family and friends. Surround yourself with supportive people who see beyond your challenges and appreciate you for who you are.

3. Always have something to look forward to, no matter how small. It could be a new book, an outing with friends, or a future goal that motivates you.

4. Don’t waste energy feeling sorry for yourself. Acknowledge difficult emotions, but don’t get stuck in them. Keep moving forward with courage and determination.

5. Embrace life’s joys and opportunities. Attend parties, celebrate occasions, and make the most of every moment, despite any obstacles you might face.

What makes you special?

MARIANA ATENCIO

In this TED talk, Mariana Atencio, a journalist from Venezuela, shares her personal journey of embracing diversity and understanding the importance of appreciating differences. She discusses how her experiences of being “different” as a child, such as attending summer camps in the US, helped her develop empathy and a desire to tell the stories of marginalized communities.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embrace what makes you unique: Acknowledge and celebrate the qualities that make you different, instead of feeling ashamed or guarded about them.

2. Develop empathy: To understand and appreciate others, you must first recognize and embrace your differences, and then put yourself in their shoes.

3. Respect diverse perspectives: Engage in dialogue with those who have different views and experiences, instead of dismissing them as “the other.”

4. Humanize marginalized groups: Seek to understand and share the stories of marginalized communities, recognizing their humanity beyond labels or stereotypes.

5. Celebrate our common humanity: Despite our diverse backgrounds and differences, we all share a fundamental desire to dream, achieve, and be accepted as human beings.

The power of believing that you can improve

Carol Dweck

In this TED talk, Carol Dweck discusses the concept of the “growth mindset” and how it can help individuals, especially children, develop their abilities and embrace challenges. She emphasizes the power of the word “yet” in fostering a growth-oriented approach to learning.

Five learnings from the transcript in simple words:

1. Embrace challenges: Instead of viewing difficulties as failures, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Adopt the mindset of “not yet” instead of giving up.

2. Praise the process: Encourage and praise children for their effort, strategies, and perseverance, rather than solely focusing on their intelligence or talents.

3. Develop resilience: Teaching children that their brains can form new connections and get smarter through hard work helps build resilience and persistence.

4. Create a growth-oriented environment: Classrooms and environments that promote a growth mindset and the belief that abilities can be developed lead to better academic performance and achievement.

5. Recognize potential: All children, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances, have the potential to excel when provided with a growth-oriented environment that fosters the belief in their ability to grow and improve.

That's my list of top 5. I would love to know yours in the comments.

Thanks.

4th day of #21days21blogs challenge.

--

--

Blogs by Mohit

Sharing my personal learning stories and technology related topics that matters