3 TED talks to inspire you
If you haven't yet heard about or listened to TED Talks, you have no idea what you're missing. TED, which stands for the convergence of technology, entertainment and design, is a nonprofit that launched in 1984, and its namesake talks are 15-to-20-minute speeches about important concepts and inspiring topics. Today, you can find numerous TED Talks online, some of which have gone viral, but these all date back to the original six talks given in 2006.
No matter what you're interested in learning about, TED Talks provide food for thought. The speakers’ passion will help fuel your dreams and give you the fire to carry on. Here are three TED Talks about education, motivation and leadership perfect for students and aspiring students.
A passionate, personal case for education
Michelle Obama's TED Talk on education was presented to a roomful of young ladies and focuses on female education, but the things she has to say about educating girls and women could also apply to minorities, working adults, the underprivileged or anyone else who struggles to get the education they dream of. Delivered in 2009, the talk is indeed passionate and personal, and many of the points are still applicable today—most notably the idea that education gives you the power to control your own destiny. This is a powerful speech to listen to if you are questioning whether it's worth it to pursue your educational goals.
The puzzle of motivation
Anyone who has been a student knows that sometimes, motivation is the most difficult part. This is true of other things in life as well, as Dan Pink explores in his TED Talk. Pink discusses how having a financial incentive improves performance in simple tasks, but can actually have a detrimental effect on more complex or cognitive functions. He presents several examples of how autonomy and purpose create better results, citing the amount of new technology generated from Google's practice of allowing employees to work on whatever they want 20 percent of the time. His insights will help you crack the code of motivation, whether that means performing better in school or becoming a better leader in life.
How great leaders inspire action
While we're talking about leadership, it's only fair to mention Simon Sinek's TED Talk on how great leaders do what they do. To illustrate his concept, he shows us the golden circle, with "why" at the center and "what" in the outer circle. Whether you are selling a product, hiring employees, or converting followers, he maintains that people aren't actually attracted to what you do, but why you do it. Watch this video to learn how to lead effectively with your passion and your vision.
Accessible inspiration
These TED Talks and others celebrate the love of learning by encouraging us to never stop. They are available on YouTube, Ted.com, and the TED smartphone app so you can listen whenever and wherever you need inspiration.
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