Top 10 TED Talks That’ll Change Your Life
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” — Albert Einstein
You know those days when coffee, Netflix, or even a walk just doesn’t cut it? When you need more inspiration, motivation, or even a good cry?
Well, TED Talks have got you covered! These short, powerful talks have been known to lift people’s spirits and help them find new meaning.
Here are 10 TED Talks that can truly change your life.
Get ready to be inspired!
1. Elizabeth Gilbert — Your Elusive Creative Genius
Do you ever feel that you’re not good enough or that your work will never be as good as before? Elizabeth Gilbert understands this feeling.
After her huge success with the book Eat, Pray, Love, she was scared that nothing she’d write after would ever measure up.
In her TED Talk, she discusses the fear and pressure creatives face, and how we can build a healthy relationship with our creativity.
She believes that creative genius isn’t something we own, but something that visits us. So, the next time you doubt yourself, remember that creativity is just a visitor — let it come and go.
2. Amy Cuddy — Body Language
Did you know your body language doesn’t just affect how others see you, but also how you feel about yourself?
Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk is about how “power posing” (standing in a powerful posture) can boost your confidence and lower stress.
Just by changing how you stand or sit, you can feel more powerful. So, if you have a big meeting or interview, try some power poses before you go in.
3. Tom Thum — The Orchestra In My Mouth
Imagine having a whole orchestra inside your mouth. That’s exactly what Tom Thum does with his beatboxing skills.
In his TEDx Talk, Tom showcases how he can make sounds that mimic different musical instruments just by using his mouth.
This performance isn’t just entertaining — it also shows how creativity can take many forms, even in ways we wouldn’t expect.
4. Dan Gilbert — The Surprising Science of Happiness
What if happiness isn’t something you find, but something you create?
Dan Gilbert’s TED Talk explains that there are two kinds of happiness: the one we create by choosing how we think, and the one we stumble upon.
Interestingly, too many choices in life can make us less happy. His talk will make you rethink how you pursue happiness in your daily life.
5. Brene Brown — The Power of Vulnerability
What if the secret to feeling connected is to be in danger? In her studies on human connection, Brene Brown contends that weakness is a quality rather than a flaw.
She talks about how accepting danger builds empathy, stronger bonds with others, and a better understanding of ourselves.
6. Malcolm Gladwell — Choice, Happiness & Spaghetti Sauce
What does spaghetti sauce have to do with happiness?
Malcolm Gladwell frequently recounts the tale of how Howard Moskowitz, by rejecting the notion that there is a single “perfect” spaghetti sauce, transformed the food industry.
This TED Talk explores the beauty of accepting diversity in choices and how it relates to happiness in humans, not just food.
7. Sam Berns — Philosophy for a Happy Life
Can you imagine having a rare disease and still enjoying life?
Progeria is a disease that causes rapid aging, but Sam Berns refused to let it define him.
Sam discusses his approach to a happy life in his motivational TED Talk, focusing on the importance of following your dreams and letting go of the things in life that are beyond your control.
Sam’s courage and positive outlook will stick with you long after the talk ends.
8. Alain de Botton — A Kinder, Gentler Philosophy of Success
Is success something we earn?
Alain de Botton challenges our traditional ideas of success and failure.
He argues that our judgments are often based on snobbery and societal expectations.
This TED Talk will make you question what success truly means and help you find joy in your unique journey.
9. Lucinda Beaman — What Does It Take to Change A Mind?
Have you tried convincing someone to change their mind?
Yes, it’s difficult. Using facts, Lucinda Beaman investigates why it can be so difficult to convince someone of a different opinion.
She offers an interesting framework for understanding how our minds process information and the reasons behind the stubbornness of beliefs.
Her insights will help you better communicate with others, especially when you don’t see eye to eye.
10. Isaac Lidsky — What Reality Are You?
Is reality something our minds create, or is it something we see?
The talk by Isaac Lidsky is extremely intimate, based on his own experience of losing his sight.
He questions the concept of reality, arguing that our ideas, presumptions, and beliefs influence the world in which we live.
His stirring message exhorts us to alter our thoughts and take charge of our realities.
TED Talks change how we see the world and ourselves. Whether you need motivation, a new perspective, or just a good story, these talks offer valuable insights into life’s big questions.
So, the next time you’re feeling down, give one of these TED Talks a watch — you might just find the inspiration you need.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! 🙏😊
