Top TED Talks to watch for motivation

Image  by Steve Jurvetson.  CC BY

Every now and then, we need to stop, take a deep breath and collect our thoughts. There will be moments when you just don’t feel good about yourself, your situation, your life. What you need are words of encouragement and some words of wisdom. Here are six excellent TED Talks to help you look at your situation in a different light and gather strength and motivation to continue in your newcomer journey. All you need is an open mind (and 13 minutes or less):

Safwat Saleem: Why I keep speaking up, even when people mock my accent (10:48)

Many of us will be able to relate to Safwat Saleem’s experience. As newcomers, many of us are self-conscious about not blending in or being “normal” in our new home. This prevents us from doing many things and venturing beyond our comfort zones. This talk will help you get a new perspective about differences and celebrate your uniqueness.

Angela Lee Duckworth: The power of passion and perseverance (6:09)

After studying thousands of students in various levels and professionals in different fields, researcher Angela Lee Duckworth shares the common factor that propels people to success in this short enlightening talk:

Isaac Lidsky: What reality are you creating for yourself? (11:46)

In this talk, Isaac Lidsky encourages everyone to see beyond their fears by holding themselves accountable for every thought. His lessons include: Silencing misconceptions about luck and success; accepting your strengths and weaknesses and understanding the difference; and being the creator of your reality.

Dr. Ivan Joseph: The skill of self-confidence (12:20)

Former soccer coach Dr. Joseph talks about the most essential ingredient to success: self-confidence and how to cultivate the “skill” of believing in yourself.

Richard St. John: 8 secrets of success (3:26)

This three-minute talk summarizes years of experience and observation about the elements that make people succeed.

Richard St. John: Success is a continuous journey (3:47)

A humorous and candid sharing about the cyclical nature of success. The main lesson: “When we stop trying, we fail.”