As I write this it’s winter in New Zealand in the year 2020 and that means lots of heavy rain, cold wind and the threat that COVID-19 might return to our shores.
The world is a scary, topsy-turvy place right now and we kiwis can’t do our dash across the ditch or hop over to the Pacific Islands to top up the Vitamin D!
One option we do have is to head to Ted.com for a much needed boost of Vim and Vigour. For me, Ted Talks are a fantastic source of inspiration and education both personally and professionally. You can easily fall into a vortex going from one to another so I thought I’d help out by sharing three that are sure to put a spring in your step:
I have been sharing Shawn Achor’s The Happy Secret to Better Work with family, friends and participants for years. I’ve watched it a gazillion times and I still get a buzz from it. Shawn’s energy and enthusiasm is positively contagious and his research is enlightening. Did you know that the brain at positive is 31% more productive than at negative, neutral or stressed? The biggest gem of this talk comes near the end when he shares five easy-to-apply strategies to train your brain to be more positive. Which one will you try first?
Sophie Scott (neuroscientist and stand up comic) is new to me yet I feel like I would love to have her number in my phone so we can catch up for a cuppa or a glass of wine! Her Ted Talk Why We Laugh dissects the difference between real laughter and posed laughter as well as benefits of the LOLs. The big takeaway is that laughing is a tool that can help us bond emotionally with others as well as overcome awkward and painful situations. Laughing is an ancient behaviour that allows you to make and maintain social bonds, regulate emotions, and make ourselves feel better, When we laugh with others it signals “we’re going to get through this. We’re going to be okay.” Who doesn’t need a bit more of that in 2020?!
If there was ever a year to be brave it’s this one. But where should we start? Start right here with Tina Seelig, Stanford University professor in the department of Management Science, and her inspiring Ted Talk The Little Risks You Can take to Increase Your Luck. Tina is like a wise, encouraging auntie and I could listen to her all day. She shares several case studies that will inspire you to heed her three top tips for helping us take little risks that could lead to something really special:
-
Change your relationship with yourself and get out of your comfort zone
-
Change your relationship with others and show appreciation for everyone who helps you on your journey
-
Change your relationship with ideas. Don’t judge your ideas as good or bad. Instead view all ideas through a lens of possibility.
Let me know which one you watched!