We’ve almost got the hang of #NewNormal. Homework assignments and classes are all done online, friend catch ups and family meet ups too! We’ve mastered Zoom calls, picked up some cooking chops and finally have time to hone some new skills. But, it is hard to stay motivated 24/7 when we’re missing our friends, and it is hard to stay inspired and productive when you’re stuck inside all day. 

Health pandemics are not new! Shakespeare wrote King Lear in quarantine and the idea of gravity germinated in Isaac Newton’s mind while he was retreating in his family home, safely tucked away from the bubonic plague of 1665. Similarly, many great books, art and inventions have emerged from people in “quarantine”. Not that we want to make this a productivity contest. Yet, an energising pep talk may well inspire the greatness out of us ;) We curated a list of 5 Ted Talks to help you stay motivated. Take a look.

Larry Smith, a professor of economics, has spent his entire career coaching individuals to pursue their passions. In this talk, he appears slightly frustrated (rightfully so) by the excuses people make for not following one’s passion. Larry shares his words of insight with a straight no-nonsense attitude like only a grumpy but loving uncle can.

American academic and psychologist, Angela Lee Duckworth, boils down the secret to success into one word - Grit! Here, she discusses how passion and perseverance are better indicators of success rather than high IQs.

Josh specializes in teaching professionals from all walks of life how to master practical knowledge and skills. In this popular Ted Talk, he challenges the age-old study that you need an unnerving 10,000 hours to learn something new. Through his own tried-and-tested experiences, he has come up with four steps that can help you learn anything in as little as 20 hours. Why 20? According to Josh, if you put 20 hours (about 45 minutes a day for a month) of focused deliberate practice into learning something new you will be astounded by the results.

There is something about the title of this talk that makes us smirk and want to watch it immediately, because we’ve all been there, right? Do you want to lose weight? Find love? Triple your income? Mel Robbins, top career and relationship expert, debunks and simplifies how to get everything you’ve ever wanted in life! In her talk, note that she never says it is “Easy” to do so but guarantees instead that the answer is “Simple” 😉.

Writer, Eizabeth Gilbert, stresses that genius is not as rare as we presume it to be. She explains why we shouldn’t think of people as “geniuses.” Instead, we should think of people as vessels  for genius.

So go ahead, and give them a watch. And if you have recommendations, drop them in the Comments below!