Jump Start Your Week With These 7 Ted Talks Each Morning

Sometimes, it’s impossible to conjure up the energy to motivate ourselves.

But, it’s hard to deny how amazing it feels when you have an “on” day. You know what I’m talking about. When you wake up ready to go out into the world and kick some a**, you wish you could just bottle up that emotion to use a little every morning.

Well, sorry to break it to you, but that would be impossible.

So, let’s go to the next best thing: Ted Talks!

Seriously, these short videos are inspirational as hell, and will give you that burst of energy you need to get through the day.

Directions: Take one Ted Talk each morning with a cup of coffee and bowl of cereal.

MONDAY: Success, Failure, and the Drive to Keep Creating by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert was once an “unpublished diner waitress,” devastated by rejection letters. And yet, in the wake of the success of ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ she found herself identifying strongly with her former self. With beautiful insight, Gilbert reflects on why success can be as disorienting as failure and offers a simple — though hard — way to carry on, regardless of outcomes. (via Ted.com)

TUESDAY: The Puzzle of Motivation by Dan Pink 

Career analyst Dan Pink examines the puzzle of motivation, starting with a fact that social scientists know but most managers don’t: Traditional rewards aren’t always as effective as we think. Listen for illuminating stories — and maybe, a way forward. (Via Ted.com)

WEDNESDAY: Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are by 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. (Via Ted.com)

THURSDAY: 7 Rules For Making More Happiness by Stefan Sagmeister 

Using simple, delightful illustrations, designer Stefan Sagmeister shares his latest thinking on happiness — both the conscious and unconscious kind. His seven rules for life and design happiness can (with some customizations) apply to everyone seeking more joy. (Via Ted.com)

FRIDAY: Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling by Emilie Wapnick 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Well, if you’re not sure you want to do just one thing for the rest of your life, you’re not alone. In this illuminating talk, writer and artist Emilie Wapnick describes the kind of people she calls “multipotentialites” — who have a range of interests and jobs over one lifetime. Are you one? (Via Ted.com)

SATURDAY: Try Something New For 30 Days by Matt Cutts 

Is there something you’ve always meant to do, wanted to do, but just … haven’t? Matt Cutts suggests: Try it for 30 days. This short, lighthearted talk offers a neat way to think about setting and achieving goals. (Via Ted.com)

SUNDAY: Why We Do What We Do by Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins discusses the “invisible forces” that motivate everyone’s actions — and high-fives Al Gore in the front row. (Via Ted.com)

GET CONNECTED

1. What’s the one thing you do, watch, listen to that always pumps you up and gets you motivated?

2. Of these 7 Ted Talks, which one really resonated with you? Why?