Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or in your parents’ house playing World of Warcraft), you’ve heard of – and hopefully watched at least a few – TED Talks.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August 2018.
They’re really great, short speeches and presentations on a huge variety of topics that we and many of our clients have learned lot from, so today we want to give you our list of TED Talks you should watch for your growth as a man.
And let’s face it: many places in the world are going back into partial lockdowns right now, so you may be spending more time at home again and less time interacting with people IRL, so these are another good at-home use of your time.
We’ll start with one of our favorites:
1. How to Make Stress Your Friend | Kelly McGonigal
Stress is a form of tension, and having a good relationship to tension is one of the most fundamental pieces of becoming a successful, attractive, FEARLESS Man. McGonigal, a Health psychologist, reverses advice on stress that she’d been giving clients for a decade. She presents research that suggests that your beliefs about stress are the big factor in your health and mortality, NOT how much stress you experience.
2. The Power of Vulnerability | Brené Brown
Vulnerability is deeply misunderstood – especially by men. Men tend to think of vulnerability as weakness, but authentic vulnerability is actually one of the strongest, most confident places you can come from.
3. 5 Ways to Listen Better | Julian Treasure
In 2018, good listening is certainly a lost art throughout our world and our lives. Being a great listener can completely change your relationships with people. It’ll make people trust, like, and want to be around you (or work with you, in business)…and it’s a HUGE piece of connecting with women.
4. Why You Should Talk To Strangers | Kio Star
Too many of us go through our days like zombies. Not only is engaging strangers good for building your social confidence, but as Star says, “you’re making beautiful interruptions into the expected narrative of your daily life.”
5. The Happy Secret To Better Work | Shawn Achor
Psychologist Sean Achor says that only 10% of your longterm happiness is predictable based on your external world. 90% is based on how your brain processes the world. Achor talks about productivity and shifting your relationship to success, happiness, and gratitude.
6. Laura Vanderkam – How To Gain Control of Your Free Time
Even if you’re working 60 hours per week, you have time. Bestselling success and time management writer Laura Vanderkam talks about priorities and finding more time to do the things you want.
7. Technology Hasn’t Changed Love. Here’s Why | Helen Fisher
You may meet women differently than your parents did, but the basics of how attraction, connection, and love work have stayed the same. And anthropologist Helen Fisher argues that our faster connections have actually improved relationships.
8. What Reality Are You Creating For Yourself? | Isaac Lidsky
Whether it’s in career and business, dating and relationships, or general lifestyle, many people harbor a lot victim mentality around their lives. Isaac Lidsky talks about letting go of your excuses and fears, taking responsibility for your reality…and his experience going blind.
9. How Frustration Can Make Us More Creative | Tim Harford
Did you know the best-selling piano album of all time was recorded at a concert the pianist was barely persuaded not to cancel…because the piano was unplayable? Journalist Tim Harford talks about how getting uncomfortable can lead to the best results.
10. A Call To Men | Tony Porter
Parents who tell their sons to “be a man,” are probably well-intentioned, but that attitude can be detrimental – to both men and women. Author and speaker Tony Porter discusses the “man box.”
Soak these Ted Talks up and come back for part 2 on Wednesday, 12/9.
