TED

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design

It started out as an invitation-only conference for elite decision makers that has morphed into a non-profit organization whose goal is to identify and share good ideas. The following website shares videos of the 20 most popular TED talks. 

http://www.ted.com/playlists/171/the_most_popular_talks_of_all

All of these are interesting and several are exceptional (IMO). The one I want to highlight the most is presentation #17 by Shawn Achor about the science of happiness entitled "The happy secret to better work". I hope you will watch his 21 minute presentation, but if you believe you don't have time, here is his talk in a nutshell.

"Normal" is only average.

The lens through which you choose to view the world shapes your reality and your happiness.

The absence of disease is not health.

Only 25% of success is determined by IQ. The other 75% is determined by your level of optimism, your social support, and your ability to view stress as a challenge instead of a threat.

Traditional Model

Work Harder==>Success==>Happiness

New Paradigm

Happiness/Positivity==>Productivity==>Success

How to be Happy?

Do these things for 3 weeks to rewire your brain and develop new habits.

1- Gratitude

2- Journaling

3- Exercise

4- Meditation

5- Random acts of kindness

I haven't yet watched all of the Top 20, but I can recommend these TED talks:

1- How schools kill creativity

11- The surprising science of happiness

12- The power of introverts