Robert Waldinger is a psychiatrist and professor at Harvard Medical School. In his talk, he’s answering the question we’ve asked us many times: What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life?
His answer is research-based as Robert presents the results of the longest study on human happiness.
In the 1930s, researchers invited 19-year-old sophomores from Harvard as well as teenagers from the poorest neighborhoods of Boston to take part.
For over 75 years, researches did interviews, medical tests, and checked up on their subjects every two years to see how they were doing.
While many of us think fame, fortune, and hard work will bring us happiness, Robert shows we’re wrong. Instead, he highlights ingredients for our health and well being
- having social connections is better for our health and well being
- having higher-quality close connections is more important for our well-being than the number of connections
- having good relationships is not only good for our bodies but also for our brains
How this talk improves your life:
Whether you’re 25, or 75, this talk will make you treasure your relationships. Afterward, you’ll feel the urge to reach out to a loved one or reconnect with an old friend.
What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness — Robert Waldinger 35 Million Views
6.) Looks Aren’t Everything. Believe Me, I’m a Model.
To prepare this article, I rewatched all top TED Talks. This one was the only one I didn’t know before. I wish I could show it to my 18-year old self.
Cameron Russell has walked on the runways for Victoria’s Secret, Calvin Klein, H&M, Chanel, and many more. In her talk, she takes a brutally honest look at what it takes to become a model — and why she’d advise against it.
She delivers her talk courageously and with a high degree of self-reflection. Today,
How this talk improves your life:
By watching this talk, you’ll eliminate many superficial clichés from your life. And as an extra, you will feel better in your own skin — no matter how you look like.
5.) How to Speak So That People Want to Listen
Have you ever felt like you’re talking, but nobody is listening?
It sucks.
Luckily there’s Julian Treasure’s talk. He is a sound and communication expert and offers a clear set of rules and tools.
For example, he shares the ‘7 deadly sins’ of conversation: gossip, judging, negativity, complaining, excuses, lying, and dogmatism.
He then offers the four ingredients to improve any conversation as well as tricks to enhance your speech patterns and enhance the way you talk.
How this talk improves your life:
This talk will make your voice more powerful and level up your communication skills. It’s information-dense and offers useful advice. So as you watch it, make sure you’ve got the time to take notes.
4.) The Power of Vulnerability
Brené is a kickass researcher on vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She’s one of the rare scientists who can communicate what they’ve found to a broad audience. I devoured her books and wrote
In her talk, she shares fresh thinking on why caring what others think matters actually and why we should learn to embrace vulnerability. It’s a funny talk with deep insights into the nature of the human connection.
How this talk improves your life:
This talk makes you feel worthy of connection and offers you a powerful way on how to connect with others.
3.) How Great Leaders Inspire Action
A professor made us watch this talk during my
Yet, in his talk, he introduces a popular, well known-concept: the Golden Circle. No matter which product your selling or which company your founding: always start with why. And after you’ve found the reason for your product’s existence, communicate the what, before explaining how you do it.
How this talk improves your life:
Whether you’re starting a company, studying business, or looking for some marketing branding expertise — his talk is definitely worth a watch. The concept is simple to understand and easy to grasp and will improve the quality of your presentations.
2.) Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are
Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist and ist best known for her promotion of power posing. On the TED stage, she reveals how we can use our body positions to change other people’s perceptions.
Even though her research is controversial, I love the power pose. Whether it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy or not — this pose calms my mind and boosts my confidence.
How this talk improves your life:
If you’re facing a challenging situation that requires confidence, this talk will help. Whether you prepare for a job interview, a critical meeting, or a test, Amy will give you a simple, easy to use tool for more trust.
1.) Do Schools Kill Creativity?
Sir Ken Robinson was an international advisor on education and art professor. He’s one of the role models in the education space I look up to.
In his talk, he urges us to redefine our education system. We need to move from a
“We may not see the future, but our students will and our job is to help them make something of it.”
How this talk improves your life:
This talk will expand your view on global education. By watching this talk, you’ll unlock and ignite your ideas for a better future.
Conclusion
Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the popular talks. Instead, view them as an opportunity for inspiration.
Just start with one and explore whether it brings new ideas into your life and makes you feel better.
Whenever you feel stuck in your worldview, remind yourself of these powerful talks. Use them to find inspiration and meaning in whatever you’re doing.