Sometimes there are days where inspiration and motivation seems like a distant memory. It is a ship that has sailed and you were left standing on the dock squinting into the fog... where did it go?
Sound familiar?
I am someone who T-H-R-I-V-E-S off short bursts of inspiration. When they show up I quickly grab a pen and paper and jot down every single idea that comes into my head, I lay down my yoga mat and pump out a HIIT workout, or blog 3 articles in one day. Being incredibly busy has made me really value these rare moments. Since I have been feeling overwhelmed more so than I ever have in my life, I often find I have days where I am totally lacking my usual drive, and it is frustrating as hell!
When I get in these states that are void of motivation, I find watching inspiring TED talks can really help put things in perspective. These following 6 TED talks are some of my favourites!
Enjoy!!!
The Power of Vulnerability | Brene Brown
Brene Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk at TEDxHouston, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.
"To let ourselves be seen, deeply seen, vulnerably seen ... to love with our whole hearts, even though there's no guarantee -- and that's really hard, and I can tell you as a parent, that's excruciatingly difficult -- to practice gratitude and joy in those moments of terror, when we're wondering, "Can I love you this much? Can I believe in this this passionately? Can I be this fierce about this?" just to be able to stop and, instead of catastrophizing what might happen, to say, "I'm just so grateful, because to feel this vulnerable means I'm alive." And the last, which I think is probably the most important, is to believe that we're enough. Because when we work from a place, I believe, that says, "I'm enough" ... then we stop screaming and start listening, we're kinder and gentler to the people around us, and we're kinder and gentler to ourselves"
Leaving a high-flying job in consulting, Angela Lee Duckworth took a job teaching math to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled. Here, she explains her theory of "grit" as a predictor of success.
"Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint."
How to Make Stress Your Friend | Kelly McGonigal
Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case."And so we see once again that the harmful effects of stress on your health are not inevitable. How you think and how you act can transform your experience of stress. When you choose to view your stress response as helpful, you create the biology of courage. And when you choose to connect with others under stress, you can create resilience."
Why We Do what we do | Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins discusses the "invisible forces" that make us do what we do -- and high-fives Al Gore in the front row. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes."I believe that the invisible force of internal drive, activated, is the most important thing. I'm here because I believe emotion is the force of life."
Stroke of Insight | Jill Bolte Taylor
Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment.
"So who are we? We are the life-force power of the universe, with manual dexterity and two cognitive minds. And we have the power to choose, moment by moment, who and how we want to be in the world."
Your body language shapes who you are | Amy Cuddy
Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how "power posing" -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident -- can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success."And so I want to say to you, don't fake it till you make it. Fake it till you become it. Do it enough until you actually become it and internalize."
I hope you enjoy these inspiring TED talks. Remember "ruts" are only temporary and will pass. You can never force yourself to be motivated, but you can expose yourself to positive influences that may help :)
XO
Amelia