I’ve been on TED’s mailing list for years, as they make interesting recommendations each week from their extensive library of short “talks” on just about any subject you can imagine. Doing a TED Talk can make a career, even in classical music. (Just ask Eric Whitacre, Gustavo Dudamel or any of the other numerous musicians who have gained recognition from the platform.) Over the years, the organization has managed to link suggestions thematically, creating some interesting cross-referencing that can lead to inspiration and exciting realizations.
This week is a case in point, and based on our ongoing conversations with Listers and arts leaders, a few of these seem particularly apt for performing artists, whether they delve into our psyches or light up creativity. Take a look, and see if something grabs you:
Our leaders and institutions are failing us, but it’s not always because they’re bad or unethical, says venture capitalist John Doerr — often, it’s simply because they’re leading us toward the wrong objectives. In this practical talk, Doerr shows us how we can get back on track with “Objectives and Key Results,” or OKRs — a goal-setting system that’s been employed by the likes of Google, Intel and Bono to set and execute on audacious goals. Learn more about how setting the right goals can mean the difference between success and failure — and how we can use OKRs to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable.
You may need to hear this (if you haven’t already): your job is not your family. While you can develop meaningful relationships with your colleagues, calling work your family can actually breed burnout and be detrimental to your mental and emotional health. Mental wellness educator Gloria Chan Packer walks through the exercises you need to shift your perspective and redraw the boundaries between your work and personal life, so you can feel freer and more empowered.
After more than two decades as an anchor for ABC News, an on-air panic attack sent Dan Harris’s life in a new direction: he became a dedicated meditator and, to some, even a guru. But then an anonymous survey of his family, friends and colleagues turned up some brutal feedback — he was still kind of a jerk. In a wise, funny talk, he shares his years-long quest to improve his relationships with everyone (starting with himself) and explains the science behind loving-kindness meditation, and how it can boost your resiliency, quiet your inner critic and simply make you more pleasant to be around.
And as a bonus, here’s a podcast from Originals author Adam Grant, available from Spotify:
