Does anyone else feel like they have a goal that school is just getting in the way of, but you work hard in school anyways just because you've been taught that you have to do that for whatever reason?
INDIGO BLUEoO Except school isn't the only way to reach "the top." In fact, it could actually lead you to become narrow-minded, a one-way ticket to "the bottom."
I want to go into performance arts or sports journalism, and yet I'm taking AP state history classes. I live in the south, and yet my dream is to go to NYC and make it on Broadway. I could be learning finance, or how to juggle such a difficult lifestyle, but instead I'm learning about longitude and latitude. AGAIN.
"Some even as young as 14" That made me pause. I honestly thought it was normal to feel like your life had no value. I started feeling like that after I moved into grade 8 and away from the one teacher I had who I genuinely loved. I just turned 14 and I have panic attacks because the people around me know what they want to do and I don't even have a clue.
I've never had a clue of what i wanted to do ulti 17 years old. And even now i'm not 100% sure. Don't think about those things so much. XD Sorry for my english.
The ones who claim to know what they want are fakes. Real people don't know what they want because they know there are too many choices in life too many flaws in anything and too many things in yourself that can be found. So just be you and live on, the others decisions are not gonna affect your life.
I don't think that to say you "Know what you want" is to be fake. There are millions of choices, but that doesn't mean it's impossibleto choose. People can also change their minds. I think that the meaning of this Ted Talk was more to the purpose of encouraging teens -and people in general- to try to achieve their dreams, wether they change in the processof chasing or not. :) Personally, I've wanted to be a chef, a sailor, an astronaut, a businessman, an artist, a teacher and an author. I haven't become any of these things, but each time I was encouragedto chase after my dreams whole heartedly, which let me learn so many things about cooking, space physics, business management and ships. I believe that it's the energy in youth which is being wasted when they settle for the "realistic" future. They limit themselves both for their future, and small gain of knowledgewhile the passion lasts. That's all I want to say. Um, if you disagree with me, im happy to read and discuss, but please no hate. ;)
Me was10. Me wanted to play piano in the future. If me plays piano me will get no money. Me will not play piano. And thats how I ended up having no dream till now. (14now) its just sad
I never told anyone this before, I want to be a politician. Not because I am power hungry, but because I want to dedicate my life to representing the voices in my community and making the world a better place. If I was able to follow this career path, I would be the happiest girl in the world. Wow, I'm crying while typing this.
When you become a politician (I know you can) remember this, please. Because I think most of the politicians start with this idea and fail, but I have hope on you. I like to talk to a future politician (maybe even a future president)
I should be a politician, because I'm very passionate about politics and finding out the truth about the government. However, I don't have enough time in life to do that, so I'm going to do something else that makes me feel rad at the end of the day. I'm so glad you're so happy about that! I had a great teacher put it so perfectly that people should do what makes them happy, it's not about the appearance of the job, or the salary, but the passion.
Clumsy Blumsy You don't have to wait until the time your supposed to finish school to follow you dreams. Talk to your parents and Test out of High school. Take Dual Credit, finish with you Associates degree so you don't have to worry about it. I know a girl who is Homeschooled. She decided to finish School earlier. She finished 9th grade at 14 and now she is taking the GED to test out of Highschool. Then she'll take a placement test and got into the community college. I don't see why you can't do it. A couple years of hard work and you can do whatever you want and still have the right qualifications.
I made a mistake of telling my dad what I wanted to be when I grow up. It turns out he only wanted me to become a doctor (preferably a pediatrician) and when I failed to get into medical school, he never forgave me for it, said (more like shouted) I disappointed him. That damaged my sense of worth for a long time (I felt like I was worth nothing). I really contemplated suicide. I mean, to this day, my dad still sees me as a disappointment or "of lesser worth" for not having become a doctor. He doesn't take me seriously anymore - he accuses me of not trying hard enough, lazy; that's why I failed to become a doctor. I regret telling my dad the truth, which was that while I respect the profession, I did not want to become a doctor. Inside, I could not see myself doing that for the decades to come (waking up every weekday to go to a job I wasn't passionate about - I was not one of those people who could do that - I knew myself very well). On top of that, I did not want to irresponsibly put myself in charge of other people's lives just because my dad wanted me to be a doctor (for the money and prestige). Anyhow, after my father knew I didn't want to become a doctor (I wanted to major in Econ + Chinese), he controlled my life even more tightly and further restricted my freedom. And for a long time, I just couldn't outsmart him and escape, and was forced to make a lot of college and career choices towards medical school path, until I just couldn't anymore (I had a mental breakdown, all the while with my dad continuing to accuse me of being weak, and I'm still recovering from that by myself). So parents have the potential to be your best supporters, but also the people who hinder your dreams and aspirations most.
Those who manage to make dreams a reality have more success then those who try to play it safe. This pain makes u stronger, this depression, feeling of being worthless will make u stronger, u will use this strength to follow ur dreams and u WILL become successful, and u will show ur dad the success He only dreamt of.
Espoir Ironically, chinese and economics are one of the more valued things. Economics is a social sciences that allows you to understand the flow of money, business models etc... There's quite a number of job opportunities for people trained in economics. Add it with chinese? China is currently one of the fastest growing GDP. Businesses are flocking there for opportunities. People capable of communicating in Chinese are highly valued.
i started believing i don't matter since 6th grade 2020 update, I'm doing better :) I'm still learning to be nicer to myself, and using coping techniques to use when I feel the urge to be mean to myself. I slip up sometimes but that's okay, they are learning experiences. Sometimes there are good days, sometimes there are bad days, sometimes I just feel horrible, but that doesn't make me any less worthy of a person. Reach out when you need it, that lil mean voice wants to keep you isolated so you continue to feel bad. Many people were willing to listen to me here, I'm sure someone somewhere would listen to you if you need help. Be kind to yourselves y'all
Well, you do. You matter because you exist. you matter because your're there. You don't have to prove your worth to matter. You matter because you survive every single day and, man, that is tough.
my counselor says that i'm having symptoms of depression, and i've felt those things for like, about 3 years, and they've gotten worse since sixth grade. To the point where im hurting myself, having suicidal thoughts, having panic attacks in class and not even knowing how to like myself anymore. I only recently got a counselor, but i've known that there was something wrong with me for a while. And i didn't tell anyone that i was not okay for 2 years, during that time i was sexually harassed by guys, mostly ignored by girls and believing that i did not deserve help because it wasn't bad enough, i believed that my friends could replace me so easily that it's funny and i believed that my friends were way more important than i was. To me they were diamonds and i was just a stupid pebble among thousands of more pretty, interesting and a better person than i was. At times, i was surprised that they listened to me and actually said something back, that was how use to being ignored i was.
I've watched a few of these ted talks and what I saw was that only teenagers are talking about the cycle of life. How they could change it. Adults just don't care anymore for this wich is really sad to see.
Jos Peen Determination and dreams don't die within age: I'm 15 years old and I believe that whatever I work in should be enough to afford my family's and my needs as a person. I don't believe in achieving life-time dreams for myself, if it was a simple one like finishing this one game or giving this one flower to a kind cleaning lady, that'd be satisfactory. You have a dream and you believe in achieving it to be content in life? You go and invest in that dream, I'm not against it. I just think that there might be people like me who are happy with the little things they do in life, maybe because I believe in an after-life, or maybe if I didn't I'd be still like this. I am happy being a normal person in my small circle of acquaintances and friends, I like to do my hobbies like writing down fictional stories and drawing in my free time, and that is a dream of mine accomplished in 10 or 15 minutes of writing or drawing. The world is a ruined place, I give what I can, take what I need, and write about a rose slowly leaving this world or draw a tulip in fields of grass.
It would really be cool if someone went around the world asking kids 5- 18 years old these questions and recorded their answers. Then they could stitch the video clips together in order of age to illustrate the change in mindset we have towards our dreams in that period.
"We live in a world where it's not realistic to aim extremely high and just miss, it's considered a failure. I for once believe you fail when you aim low and hit. You fail your community, your family and yourself because you come to the conlusion that you can't reach your full potential" One of the best TED Talks I've ever watched.
This talk really hit me hard. I've dreamt of being a missionary that helps people around the world. I'm afraid to tell people that because it's not considered a "successful life" and many say it's unreasonable. It doesn't make much money. It's too expensive to travel. Etc. This was so good.
Nicole Feltman I want to help animals but people are always saying 'You need money.' which really hits me hard because something like money shouldn't stop anybody from helping others.
+Eeshita D people critisize others and what they want to do because they don't believe in their own potential. Do what you want and watch them bow in your excellence years later
My whole life I have been taught "life is unfair" and "better to go for something safe", no one told me to follow my dreams. I gave up on them as a kid. It's sad to think about.
Same for me... But later I went back at it! Now I’m 42 and chasing my dreams again and I feel better, more energetic, happier and, strangely, younger than back in my twenties... Just go for it, it’s never too late. Believe in yourself and in life!
Nobody is really sure what they wan't in life. Most people wonder what they want without knowing, and they never figure out until they become old and come to the conclusion that they missed their chance.
My drive is that I want to prove my mom wrong. Ever since 3rd grade when I started struggling in school, my mom has set me up for failure. She didn't want to spend the money on me because she was like "why take notes when you're gonna fail anyways?" Or "if you're actually going to use one, borrow it from someone." She bought stuff for my siblings who graduated in the top 10% of their class. I failed all of middle school because I told my self "why try when you will fail.." my mom told me I was either going to flunk out, or drop out of highschool. I graduated and I told her that I didn't want her to go to my graduation ceremony. I only invited those to my graduation who actually believed in me. Which was one of my middle school teachers, my boyfriend, and siblings. 4 people.
I almost cried watching this one. I've always wanted to be a musician, but my parents never supported me because it's not a socially respected occupation. So here I am, getting my degree in electrotechnical engineering, seeing life pass ahead of me at the age of just 18.
When I graduated from high school I followed my boyfriend, at the time, to California. My family was furious with me but I knew deep in my heart that I didn't want to be something they wanted me to be. My grandpa built a life for himself being a lawyer and everybody thought that's what I was going to be because I utilized complex words eloquently. I knew they were all proud of me and that I was their hope of success but I knew I didn't want to be something that I knew I wouldn't love. From self discovery through immense hardship from a young age I had liberated myself from other people's opinions of me. I have been happy ever since but that's another story. So, I was in California trying to "find my way" while everybody back at home bombarded my mama with endless questions. Soon they moved from her to me, constantly harassing me on Facebook, messaging me everyday, and calling at every waking hour. I knew what they were doing was out of concern for me but I knew they wanted me to do something I didn't even like. 3 months went by and I decided to go to school. My boyfriend wasn't happy about it but I didn't care. I knew what I wanted, I knew it will help people as much as it helped me, and I was and still am determined to achieve my dream. I came back and told everyone what I was going to school for what i wanted and that if they had a problem with it they were more than welcome to voice it. If they didn't support then that was fine by me I knew I was going to find a way to make it work because I know that what I'm pursuing will have far better fulfilment for my life than the debt. When I am on my deathbed I know I will look back and say, "I loved what I did, I made people happy, it was a beautiful life well lived." All I can say is find something that will help other people and you will have the passion to a better fulfilling life
When I was in 5th grade, I was assigned to write an essay about what we want to be when we grow up. I loved science and was obsessed with animals and nature, especially reptiles. However, when I excitedly ran to my parents to tell them how happy I was to write about the great field of herpetology, I was shot down. My parents told me that herpetologists (reptile scientists) make less than 50,000 dollars a year and I will never achieve anything on a salary like that. They told me I should not even think about being one when I grow up, and instead write about being a doctor. I understand that they were "looking out for me", but this talk changed how I viewed that day. I could have invested my time and passion into science and maybe discovered brand new things about our world. Not to mention I could have traveled to exotic places for research and actually lived my life while making a difference. Instead, I wrote about being a doctor and how they "get to help people". My indifference in the topic was reflected by my grade. I guess what I'm trying to say is exactly what the speaker said, "failure isn't when you aim high and miss, it's when you aim low and hit."
Bella Crider I have a similar experience. When I was in Grade 6 we had to do a project where we chose what career path we'd take in university. I picked doctor because I thought It'd be the easiest to talk about (ex: make alot of money, help others, etc). My parents were so happy I "wanted" to be a doctor and years later to this day my parents still only accept becoming a doctor as my future job. I feel guilty because they say things like "Do you know how important doctors are?" or "People's lives depend on people like doctors to save them." To be honest, I don't know what I want to do when I grow up and I'm afraid I'm going to go into medicine just to make my parents happy.
??? my mom earns less than $50,000 and she's trying to start a cleaning service where instead of charging for the amount they clean, they clean the whole thing and charge for time i really believe that's going to work
The duck school are people in these comment chains going to? Your all rich cunts. $50k A year is a huge salary, people in my college aim to get like $7k from their chosen careers. I had people in high school who wanted to be makeup artists. It must just be you Americans because England is starting to seem extremely different to you in terms of hopes and aims...
I wish my parents knew this when I was a kid. Now I’m a parent myself and I fully get it. At least my daughter is free and encouraged to do whatever she wants of her life! Love and support will be there no matter what.
This really relates to me because I've always wanted to be an artist but never thought it was a valid option, I wasn't good enough, it doesn't pay enough, etc I only recently have beginning to realise that maybe I can actually do it.
Keep it up! I homeschool my two kids so that they have ample time and opportunities to follow their hearts' desires. My son is an avid UA-camr and gamer and my daughter is an amazing artist and also blessed with an incredible voice. They are 14 and 11 years old, respectively.
I'm a potato You will have enough time to follow your passion. Hang in there. Most adults change their careers a number of times in their lives these days. Count yourself very lucky if you know where your ambitions lie at this point at least. Being well rounded in knowledge and education is never a waste. If I believed that, I would not bother with teaching my kids their homeschooling subjects!😉
Angharad's Opinions You can! Go for it! Find your niche and make it happen! :D Check out Peter Hollens and Mike Tompkins, they're both successful self-published artists who you might find inspiring. What kind of artist do you want to become? People often treat artists as second class to people with traditionally high-paying jobs, but that couldn't be more wrong. There's so much more to life than monetary success. After all, imagine how utterly boring the world would be without artists who follow their passion!
When I was in fourth or sixth grade, I said, "I want to be an author when I grow up." I'm glad this giving me a confidence boost, even though most author's careers only last a decade or so.
Laurence, I don't know whether you're going to see this comment, but I must say it anyway. Thankyou. Thankyou for helping me, a seventeen year old girl, believe in myself for the first time, and for reminding me that it's ok and even good to dream. - Savvi xx
I had to pause at 13:38 because I started laughing at "I got cut from my school's basketball team." Amazing idea and definitely worth spreading. It's something that I've thought about virtually everyday since I was 14. It's taken me two years to realise that I don't need a particular job to be significant or respected. I deserve respect as a human being, just like everyone else. I am significant, as is everyone else. We read or come across stories of absolute strangers and are inspired, moved, touched or changed by their stories. I think that shows us how significant we are. Whoever and wherever we happen to be, we matter. Wonderful job, Mr. Lewars!
I'm a senior and the pressure of deciding what I'm going to do is hanging over my head more than ever. And you know what? I've wanted to be an author since I was 6. So what if it's not the most realistic idea. I love to write. Maybe I'm not giving up yet
Most kids don't talk about their aspirations primarily due to judgement of others. Have that be not living up to people's expectations or being made fun of
you guys are doing other stuff than just homework right? Im writing a book that Im going to get published before I turn 18. Just turned 17 and ive promised myself to finish the first draft before the end of this month :)
Dat Fancy I dream of publishing a book before I turn 16 or 17 (I'm 15 years and 4 months now) and I'm half into the first draft (I've already been working on my book for a month)
The years entering adolescent were my worse because of abuse I'm now almost 17 and am too afraid to learn new things for my fear of I can't do anything right I'll mess up because that's what my abusers made me believe and I'm too scared to talk about what I want to do in the future because I'm scared of people telling me that's stupid and I'll never be able to do that but after watching this video I am inspired to try and develop and learn the things I need to have a successful life and make my dream a reality and not let anyone put me down
I go to a school called a STEM school- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics. You'd think that by going to this school that I'd have some sort of interest in at least 1 of the 4 subjects mentioned, but I honestly don't. I'm not fond of this school- and even my parents know I want to be something else. This school is training kids to go into STEM fields and yet I honestly hate those subjects more now that I've been sent there to get an "education." But I honestly want to be able to inspire others. I love to draw and create, and of course I would be happy to do this in my future. Of course, people want me to go into some dumb-ass STEM field instead because clearly my hate for this school is just a minor "phase."
You are right in hating school, it just kills curiosity like nothing else. As for art, you don't need it as a subject in school to be a professional artist, but you sure as hell need a lot of practice.
Quite likely so, what kind of school was it? And what exactly sucked about it? I've had a bit of experience with schools and art myself and must say that the best teachers I had where quite harsh at first but they really push you that extra mile.
it's safe to assume you're a girl because of your username. Sucks that this society screams WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN STEM and then you're unhappy in that school because of STEM and you want nothing to do with that. Be who you want to despite the school you're in now.
My dreams are to travel with someone. Someone I can learn to truly appreciate and love. I wanna go anywhere. Everywhere. Experience life. Then go to college for something I'm passionate about and make something of myself in this world where it's hard to do nowadays. But there's not a lot of money that comes from temporary jobs. The point is is that the one thing that keeps kids from doing what they actually want is it doesn't make them enough money to do the things they want to.
i am a starting teacher and this year i will be giving lessons to this unmotivated class but i know they are very bright. i hope i can inspire them with this just like it did to me
Because a job isn't defined about how much money you earn with it but whether if it satisfies you. And in that kind of sense everyone of us should want to change the world...
Amazing amazing talk.I am honestly tired of how education and job security are exalted.The worst thing that can happen is dying mediocre and never exploring the limitless bounds God created you for.
I grew up watching older people struggle with saving money for retirement. So I went down the get a decent job with benefits path. I didn't have any money for college so I got a job that would pay for it. After being layed off with hundreds of others and an incomplete degree, I used my transferable skills to get the next few jobs to stay on my path of making a decent living, staying out of debt and saving for retirement. I was a late bloomer in realizing true happiness. Married for the first time at age 49 and graduating from a Full Stack Web Development Bootcamp at age 55 this past week. My dreams came true! Take away: Dream Big and go for it at any age!
This really got me thinking, I’ve always said I want to be a doctor or a lawyer since my mom worked as a lawyer before and my dad worked as a doctor, but if I’m being honest I want to make other people happy and perform publicly. Maybe a comedian or something, I just want others to have a good time.
Wow, this was awesome! What's crazy is that my sister and I have talked about the fact that dreams are downplayed and etc. many times. It's so cool to see that someone else thinks the same. I truly believe if we all were to encourage young people and people in general to live their dreams, we could change the world, if only a little. "Little by little, one travels far." 😄
(my native language aren't english, if theres something wrong with this text). i have never had dreams, i still don't know what i want to work with at 50 yrs old (or for the first time i have an idea, we will see if i will make it, and its something i would want to leave behind me when i die :). i just go with the flow (i'm an extremely laid back person), and life has shown me what to study - where to work, and i got the best apartment for me :), i'm still living at the same apartment since 17 yrs old, funny is; when i was a child, i used to look up at this house, and i though it must be nice living there, i felt i would like to live there, and then when i was 17 yrs old, my parents decided to build a house, and for me it was time to find my own apartment then (timing), so my parents put out an ad so they could trade the apartment we had to a smaller. and then a guy called if he could come and check out our apartment (he needed a bigger), so i checked out his apartment, and it was the exact house that i had thought of when i was little! :), i'm still so blessed for this apartment, i love this apartment soooo much :). i don't have any kids, never longed for any (although i loooove kids! :), but i grew up with 2 younger siblings, and i have been babysittning sooooo much :) (to other kids), so i feel like I've already been a mother :). life has been so good to me (i have the best care taker from the spirit world, i guess :) i feel like that, i feel like i'm being taken cared of :), and i am sooo overwhelmed thankful for that! (cus i would have been so miserable if i wasn't being taken cared of - since i have never known what to do with my life, i have always felt "blank" abt what to do). i have never known what to work with, and when i was 17 yrs old i hade to find my first job, and i was thinking on the bus on my way to the employee office; i can clean stairwells, or deliver mail :), it didn't matter so much to me :). but the guy at the employee office asked me if i wanted to work for 4 hours (since i was only 17 yrs old) at an emergency hospital, a big hospital, and i thought! - i almost feel like a doctor lol :), and then the department wanted to train me to a nurse. and after i finished studying - the emergency room had an ad out searching for a nurse, and i thought i wanted that job so much, and i got the job! (ME!? :) lol), and i stayed there for 18 yrs :) (i became a self trained doctor :). then i applied for some other work, in the same field, and I've always gotten all jobs that i have applied for, i'am so overwhelmed thankful for that ofcourse!!!!, every time i seek a new job i feel so scared i'm not going to get it :), its the worst for me to go on an interview :). i really feel so blessed with my life!. i got also lucky my childhood friend became a travel agent after she finished college, so i could come out traveling a bit :). so we started travel at 17 yrs old, so i feel really thankful that we traveled a bit back then (to several places). well, i hope my life journey ends well! to! :(, and for the rest of you too! :). but my biggest dream is to go to so called heaven when i die (going the christian style), but i would also like to help here on earth in the spirit when i leave the body :), that would be really fun i guess :), but also frustrating at times a guess? :). well, i better save this on my computer so i can read it when i'm way old, when the memory might not be that good :( :) Love from me to all! :) I wish you all the best! :)
Screw being just a biologist, I'm aiming to be a filmmaker, photographer AND a biologist! I love all those things equally 😂 It would be cool if I managed to combine all three into one giant slap to face to those who said I can't do it.
You could make films and spread awareness of your research. If you have multiple dreams, go for it. Combine them all, no one should have to be confined to one category. ;)
Questions: What would you be doing 15 years from now if you could do or be anything you want? What do you want to do with your education? What are your hopes for your kids? What do you want your child to achieve? Do your parents know what your dream is? Do you believe you are significant?
A singer rapper or a lyricist. I am not really sure if i wanna continue my education cos it's only putting more stress. Them to be a good person and an understanding human. Whatever they want to. A stable life in the end ig. They do but they dont take it seriously. I am not sure anymore
I want to be a musician and singer, and if somebody asks me i tell them I want to be a behavioral psychologist, but even then I get told no matter which answer I give them they tell me that I won't be able to handle the stress.
same. I want to do smth in the music arts, and i say that i want to be a doctor. I love biology, so i guess i would settle for being a doctor, bc it's interesting. but im passionate for singing
I hate the emphasis on having a specific job. Personally, I love science, especially pharmaceuticals and genetics. I don't care what I'm doing but I just want to be researching these things.
I started doubting myself and my beliefs at 7th grade. I always wanted to follow my passion and do what I love but reality of society told me that I can't and therefore I believe now we just get a job and pay bills till we die. i hate how this world doesnt care about our dreams and the piece of paper called money has to deifne our whole life. I just want to be happy
I'm 15 and if I had taken his survey this is what i would have said.... In 15 years want to be ending my residency and becoming a attending trauma surgeon and if I could be doing anything it would be that and to be amazing at it. I go to school because I love learning and I want to set an example for my future kids and have them be even more amazing than me in their own way. I am so happy to finally know what I want to do with my life because it took me a very long time to figure it out
I've always said that I want to be a teacher. And while that is true, what people don't know is that I also want to be a poet and an activist and a public voice and a million other things that I've deemed unrealistic and given up on. I only just turned fifteen and I'm set on being a teacher and nothing else because that's what is 'realistic' within my universe.
Everything is possible, do what you want to do, MAKE it realistic, MAKE it possible in ur universe, because u are amazing and u have the capability to do that, whether ur family supports u or not. cuz remember, at the end of the day, it's ur life, do you want to live life pleasing others? making them happy but not urself? or do you want to live life to ur fullest potential, testing the limits and being happy? Remember, it's ur choice, all the best xx
Idk why but this just made me cry so much the moment he said that it was depressing to hear that 14 years old don't find themselves significant and it might be because even I am from that grp and me too a 16 year old girl don't find myself significant
Well, sis, Firstly, if you haven't done anything significant, its normal. Okay?!. It's completely normal. After all you are just 16. You are just learning things and stuff. Just make some spot in your friend circle or family. Show them your talent, earn their respect. And you know if they don't respect or recognise your talent, its really depressing. I mean you will feel like you are completely worthless. Just like a burden. But you know you need to be confident about it. Everybody has a talent. Just don't loose hope and wait for the right opportunity, to shine. Best of luck with that
I've always wanted to be an artist. I enjoy creating things and it's the one thing I'm good at. However, i'm terrified for my future because artists have a reputation for failing or being unemployed. I don't want to get a degree for it to be useless. I don't want to keep investing in art if I'm going to fail. Art is my passion, but I feel like I can't be an artist because I won't be successful enough. I have contemplated quitting art so many times but I don't want to give it up.
I am studying to be a doctor. Since I have extra Chemistry lessons I hate Thursdays where I begin AND close my day with double Chemistry. I don't want to be a doctor anymore. Not really. I just see that there aren't enough of them in my area and I think that I might as well help the patient AND the other doctors if I become one. When he mentioned how much students wants to be doctors, I teared up. I had to stop the video before I start crying. I asked the questions from myself. And my answer to the second one would have been completely different things. He is so right, it hurts. This Ted talk is underrated. As a student, I will probably spend the rest of the night thinking about this. Putting my happiness before money.
You ever have a really strong hobby but never realize it’s your passion due to your parents not seeing the potential in it? Yup, that’s me. I didn’t realize drawing was my thing until I became 20 and failed a year in college. Now I know that no one’s backing me up, but I’m gonna carve that path if it doesn’t exist... I do wish I realized that earlier though.
@@Infidi Ayoo, I know it’s a year later, but that’s okay! I’d learned through this one year that defining yourself by any one thing is a recipe for disaster.. Anyways, Leaving a thing you like is perfectly okay, for a week, two, or a month, but just so long as you get back to it, and keep trying new things or mediums, you’ll see a result! Or if you don’t feel like it, if you’re leaving art for good, that’s okay too- No one is forcing you to be good, the whole point is to have fun, which will in turn bring in the dedication to grow the skill... If you don’t have fun with it, then no need to force yourself
I am a 15 year old and can't believe that my mindset was exactly what he was saying .I realise that I am not caring about my dreams and running forward for a boring future . I did feel as if I am not significant and that I won't achieve my dreams . Thanks a lot for this speech
ok, i love his humor. it's not overdone, but it's so gen z! this man is so smart & inspiring. what a legend. i hope there are more people like him in this world.
Aww man, this video left me stumped. I have wanted to be a singer all my life, but since I was around ten I've convinced myself I "want" to be a doctor. Recently I have found I'm not so sure; "Do I really want to be a doctor, or is it everyone around me that wants me to be one." I realise that becoming a singer is close to impossible, tho, so I'm still undecided! 😕😫
This blew my mind. Whenever I'm asked what I wanna be, I say doctor. But, when he asked if I could be anything, I said freakin comic artist and or author. Like holy crap, my eyes have been opened
Im 14 and it made me think when he said "people as young as 14 who have their entire life ahead of them" it kind of shifted my point of view? Anyone else feel the same?
This helped me a lot. I've been feeling super stressed about my future (even though I'm only at the start of high school) and this video helped me realize my fears and insecurities. Thank you so much! :)
When he said you don’t fail when you aim high and miss, you fail when you aim low and hit, it reminded me of a quote I have on my wall: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Dream big and aim high people. This talk is spot on.
This is why I'm so damn grateful for my mum, who has always taught me to follow my dream. A couple of months ago my class was learning about different career choices and lifestyles. Y'all know the self-employed, the employer and the career-bound. We also talked about educations, and how much you earn in a lifetime according to how long you went to school. That day I truly realized that all the things I wanted in life, I wouldn't achieve by going to college, and the only reason I was planning on going, was because society tells me to. When I came home later that day, I talked to my mum about it and her response was "then don't go to college!"
I believe “making a lot of money” has to do with being secure and financially stable. With more safety nets (medical insurance, affordable housing), there would be more of a focus on jobs truly wanted. Most young people don’t have dreams before college nor know what they want to do. Therefore, a lot of people major in the wrong majors and go into the wrong careers.
When I was a teenager, I didn't think I would make it to 20. I'm 26 and every year when my birthday comes, I think the same thing "I never thought I would make it this far.." I'm not in the place I thought I would have been by now, and I still don't know what my purpose is or why I'm here. I gave up on my dreams years ago, and have basically just been surviving instead of living.
This hit me pretty hard. I just chose a new education path, the one people expect from me, the one in which I will probably make money with, the one that's most secure. And ever since I made the discision I am thinking of my real dream, my plan B. And now I see this and it makes me doubt my choice even more...
This talk right here is extremely life changing because I'm 14 and can tell you that probably for as Long as I can remember I wanted to study medical science because I, literally like almost every student was not exposed to an alternative/different career choices and even when I was exposed to some of them I had fear I wouldn't make as much money from it as my first choice and also because those alternatives are always pushed under the bus when they're brought up cause there not supposedly significant but after this my dreams are beginning to flourish because as much as I love the three basic career choices I don't see myself doing them. So thanks TEDx for bringing someone like him that is not afraid to change peoples thoughts about dreams&aspirations in life. Probably the longest comment I've ever written... Lmao...😁
I feel truly blessed that my dream and my vision of myself line up, and that I know school will get me there. I dream of being a psychologist, to understand the human mind, brain and behaviour. I want to embody the idea of life-long learning and the improvement of myself AND others through identifying long-standing thought and behaviour patterns. Basically, either research or counselling. Now I'm not saying this for a pat on the back or a gold star sticker. I've changed my mind about what I want to do many times before. My parents never pushed too hard for university, just pushed me to follow my own way. All I'm saying is keep searching. You'll find something that will combine your passion, your skills and your significance. Because you are significant. And hella talented.
i see people telling me to do what i dream of doing and i'm also told by extremely inspirational people that i should stop searching for my passion and that im not supposed to love the job that i do. i don't know what the smart thing to do is. im just utterly confused and honestly just plain fed up. thank you for such an amazing speech. i needed that.
What an inspiring speech. It really changed my thinking, even though my parents are significant people. It's a scary thing to think about. And when he said "some as young as 14" that really made me pause, I'm 14 and it's hard to think about my dreams, but I think if I do I will have an over all better life experience.
The thing that society influences us is sad reality. Adults believe that these three jobs are respectful and give financial stability. While we teens want to do what we love and what gives us happiness, the society wants us to pursue those big 3 professions. I am 13, I want to become an archaeologist because that us what gives me happiness, but my parents and relatives want me to become a doctor. I always debate amongst myself "Do I have to be what I want or what others want?" I never had the courage to talk to my parents about this, which eventually gets ne frustrated. I think many teens go through this, and this is why they are misunderstood. If parents are reading this, please know the reason why.
My older brother went to college planning to get a degree in engineering. He would have been decent at it but it wasn't what he wanted to do, so 2 years in he switched his major to digital media with an emphasis on video games. My mother cried. I was 12 at the time and I remember think my brother was really cool for doing this, but my mother cried. All she could focus on was his future job prospects. Well, my brother now has his masters in video game design and hasn't yet found a long-term job. But you know what? He is content with himself and is optimistic about his future. He inspires me to follow my interests and even though our mom still worries a great deal over his career prospects I couldn't be prouder of my big bro. He's fucking awesome.
School gets in the way of what I really want to learn, I wish I could drop out and persue learning different skills and techniques to become a professional juggler.
When I was 13, I said to people that I wanted to be an astronomer because I was really interested about space and my mom was really prod of it. One year later, I've realized that it's not for me even if my passion about it is still there. So now, I've finally found my way and wanted to be a music producer. The thing that bother me now is to tell this to my parents because of my former envisaged carrier. Lately, my note at school aren't really great and they are afraid of my future, telling me that if you wanna do that kind of my dream(that they assume that it still to be an astronomer) you should have really good marks even if they don't know what I wanna do. Since about a year, every time I go back from school, I sit on my computer to train myself to be a music producer by watching tutorial and livestream of my favorite artists till 11:00 pm. But my parents believe that I'm just watching some YT memes, lazing around and neglecting study and homework, that it's not benefit for me. Sometimes, I'd like to tell them what I'm really doing and prove them that I really have worked hard for months but for my own dream. I am now 15 and there is only two years before I finish school and I still did not find the courage to tell them I wanna do. This talk hit me so hard in different level. I wish I've seen this video before.
It's easy to say but hard to do! No matter what you dream but you've seen people choosing different professions and then struggling for money. ( Facts!!!!!!!)
thats so cool i think everyone here can relate to the "i want to be a doctor" thing. We all lied and said we wanted to be doctors when we didn't really want to.
My answers: I go to school... so I can get a good education. What I want to do with my education is expand my knowledge daily and offer a stealth, balanced lifestyle for my family. I want my children... to succeed in whatever they choose to dedicate their lives to.
I clicked on this video because it was filmed where I was born and raised. I'm so glad I did. I, too am on a quest to change people's mindsets on goals and dreams. It might not mean much to people who read this comment, but I 100% agree with everything Laurence said in his talk. I hope people take it to heart and marinate in what he is saying, then do something about it.
i really don't know what to say i relate to this completely on another level, so here goes my story.... It is the dream of my life to be a musician, more specifically a singer, music is the only thing that makes me feel grateful for being alive, i can dedicate my whole life to music but that's just not it my parents want me to become an engineer just like everyone in our family because they believe there couldn't be any more "secure" job than this which completely sucks and i have no passion towards it... for them, success is just getting a job, getting married and raising children which i don't at all wanna be doing after 10 years but im forced to live a life just for the sake of the promise that my parents made that they will let me just 'learn' music if i get an engineering degree which i have to no matter how i don't want to atm im 16 i have so much passion for music and at some point i felt like i can do it but whenever i discussed this openly my confidence was totally knocked by comments like "you cant do it" "you? a singer? be realistic" and it really made me feel insignificant and made me believe those lies.. 15 years later i don't wanna wake up beside a man who i don't love and go to a job im not passionate about because i have so many dreams and hopes for myself that i wanna achieve and somewhere watching this video made me feel that maybe i can do it Thank you so much for giving me a ray of hope and to anyone who's reading this PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS YOU HAVE THE POWER TO TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND AND YOU ARE WORTHY OF SUCCESS AND DON'T NEED ANYONE'S PERMISSION FOR THAT NOT EVEN YOUR PARENTS
I watched far too much tv when I was little! So many messages were fallow your dreams! I never really had the problem of with knowing what my dream was. To make movies! Becoming a successful film director is unlikely but even if I failed I would work hard to help make films because they have such an impact on society while also entertaining them and making people happy like it did me!
I'm 12 years old, and this talk really inspired me. Ever since I was really young, maybe 5 years old, I wanted to be an author. People would tell me, that unrealistic. That's hard. That's useless. And I slowly started to believe, maybe Harry Potter didn't change anybody's life. Maybe Percy Jackson didn't teach people anything. Maybe books were a waste of time. Then I saw this, and I'm more thankful than anything else. Thank you, Lawrence and TED-ED!
This video really has me choking up a bit, especially at the part when Laurence mentioned how many teenagers are stuck in the system. Not only are their aspirations made inert, but also the awareness and rebelliousness to see the cycle they are stuck in and break free from it. I have broken a few personal cycles myself in order to attain higher thinking, among other things, but I worry for my fellow students to see if any of them have done the same.
I have always wanted to be a singer, not because I get to be rich or famous, its because I get to connect with people through music and most of the time when a large number of people listen to a song we get to relate to each other on a level we didn't even know existed
My dream is to become a game animator, or a graphic designer. But i can see that it´s a big risk, so i´ve settled with becomming a psychiatrist instead, and making art after the work day is over.
“We live in a world where dreams take a back seat to job security, and passion comes second to production.” You don’t understand how relatable this is to my life right now. Just today, I was discussing with my parents of maybe becoming a physiotherapist... researching all the science courses I would have to take, it honestly seemed like a decent, secured career. I’m getting above average grades atm, and with enough motivation to study, I could most likely make it. But I’m also pushing back this huge urge and calling for me to do something completely different. It’s my fear of job security honestly... Film, photography, art. My absolute loves, I would pour my heart, time, and soul into it. But you know how that job market is... what if I work hard enough to make it? I see my life going in two different paths, guess id have to go with my dream path, because really, what’s better than making your dreams a reality?
"You don't fail when you aim high and miss; you fail when you aim low, and you hit." -Laurence Lewars. NICE!
Chris Kullstroem or aim low and miss
Chris Kullstroem lol I read that right as he said that
no no, that just gives you a chance to take another shot.
SAME
its better than you fail when you never want to stand up bs
Does anyone else feel like they have a goal that school is just getting in the way of, but you work hard in school anyways just because you've been taught that you have to do that for whatever reason?
ShinySwordStorm So true
ShinySwordStorm When you're at the top, you can choose whatever you want to do. If you're at the bottom, you're taking leftovers
INDIGO BLUEoO
Except school isn't the only way to reach "the top." In fact, it could actually lead you to become narrow-minded, a one-way ticket to "the bottom."
ShinySwordStorm yes. I do.
I want to go into performance arts or sports journalism, and yet I'm taking AP state history classes. I live in the south, and yet my dream is to go to NYC and make it on Broadway. I could be learning finance, or how to juggle such a difficult lifestyle, but instead I'm learning about longitude and latitude. AGAIN.
I'm not suprised that teenagers are like this because we are meant to act like adults yet we get treated like a child
So true
Bevine Muntwari what if I want to be treated like a child because I don't want to grow up yet :(
So well said.
Emily McGuigan I want to stay a kid too.
Bevine Muntwari this
"Some even as young as 14"
That made me pause. I honestly thought it was normal to feel like your life had no value. I started feeling like that after I moved into grade 8 and away from the one teacher I had who I genuinely loved. I just turned 14 and I have panic attacks because the people around me know what they want to do and I don't even have a clue.
I've never had a clue of what i wanted to do ulti 17 years old. And even now i'm not 100% sure. Don't think about those things so much. XD Sorry for my english.
The ones who claim to know what they want are fakes.
Real people don't know what they want because they know there are too many choices in life
too many flaws in anything
and too many things in yourself that can be found.
So just be you and live on, the others decisions are not gonna affect your life.
I don't think that to say you "Know what you want" is to be fake. There are millions of choices, but that doesn't mean it's impossibleto choose. People can also change their minds.
I think that the meaning of this Ted Talk was more to the purpose of encouraging teens -and people in general- to try to achieve their dreams, wether they change in the processof chasing or not. :)
Personally, I've wanted to be a chef, a sailor, an astronaut, a businessman, an artist, a teacher and an author. I haven't become any of these things, but each time I was encouragedto chase after my dreams whole heartedly, which let me learn so many things about cooking, space physics, business management and ships. I believe that it's the energy in youth which is being wasted when they settle for the "realistic" future. They limit themselves both for their future, and small gain of knowledgewhile the passion lasts.
That's all I want to say. Um, if you disagree with me, im happy to read and discuss, but please no hate. ;)
true
Me was10. Me wanted to play piano in the future. If me plays piano me will get no money. Me will not play piano. And thats how I ended up having no dream till now. (14now) its just sad
I never told anyone this before, I want to be a politician. Not because I am power hungry, but because I want to dedicate my life to representing the voices in my community and making the world a better place. If I was able to follow this career path, I would be the happiest girl in the world. Wow, I'm crying while typing this.
When you become a politician (I know you can) remember this, please. Because I think most of the politicians start with this idea and fail, but I have hope on you. I like to talk to a future politician (maybe even a future president)
I should be a politician, because I'm very passionate about politics and finding out the truth about the government. However, I don't have enough time in life to do that, so I'm going to do something else that makes me feel rad at the end of the day. I'm so glad you're so happy about that! I had a great teacher put it so perfectly that people should do what makes them happy, it's not about the appearance of the job, or the salary, but the passion.
Clumsy Blumsy it’s people like you that we need as politicians! I hope you are one some day :)
Clumsy Blumsy
You don't have to wait until the time your supposed to finish school to follow you dreams. Talk to your parents and Test out of High school. Take Dual Credit, finish with you Associates degree so you don't have to worry about it. I know a girl who is Homeschooled. She decided to finish School earlier. She finished 9th grade at 14 and now she is taking the GED to test out of Highschool. Then she'll take a placement test and got into the community college.
I don't see why you can't do it. A couple years of hard work and you can do whatever you want and still have the right qualifications.
Politics is a dark place, be careful child. Proceed cautiously.
I made a mistake of telling my dad what I wanted to be when I grow up. It turns out he only wanted me to become a doctor (preferably a pediatrician) and when I failed to get into medical school, he never forgave me for it, said (more like shouted) I disappointed him. That damaged my sense of worth for a long time (I felt like I was worth nothing). I really contemplated suicide. I mean, to this day, my dad still sees me as a disappointment or "of lesser worth" for not having become a doctor. He doesn't take me seriously anymore - he accuses me of not trying hard enough, lazy; that's why I failed to become a doctor.
I regret telling my dad the truth, which was that while I respect the profession, I did not want to become a doctor. Inside, I could not see myself doing that for the decades to come (waking up every weekday to go to a job I wasn't passionate about - I was not one of those people who could do that - I knew myself very well). On top of that, I did not want to irresponsibly put myself in charge of other people's lives just because my dad wanted me to be a doctor (for the money and prestige). Anyhow, after my father knew I didn't want to become a doctor (I wanted to major in Econ + Chinese), he controlled my life even more tightly and further restricted my freedom. And for a long time, I just couldn't outsmart him and escape, and was forced to make a lot of college and career choices towards medical school path, until I just couldn't anymore (I had a mental breakdown, all the while with my dad continuing to accuse me of being weak, and I'm still recovering from that by myself).
So parents have the potential to be your best supporters, but also the people who hinder your dreams and aspirations most.
Espoir very strong to follow your OWN dreams! Good luck.
Espoir The this is your parents should not be able to break you. Realize that in the end, you are all that you have. It's your life, lived by you.
Those who manage to make dreams a reality have more success then those who try to play it safe. This pain makes u stronger, this depression, feeling of being worthless will make u stronger, u will use this strength to follow ur dreams and u WILL become successful, and u will show ur dad the success He only dreamt of.
Well written
Espoir Ironically, chinese and economics are one of the more valued things. Economics is a social sciences that allows you to understand the flow of money, business models etc... There's quite a number of job opportunities for people trained in economics. Add it with chinese? China is currently one of the fastest growing GDP. Businesses are flocking there for opportunities. People capable of communicating in Chinese are highly valued.
i started believing i don't matter since 6th grade
2020 update, I'm doing better :) I'm still learning to be nicer to myself, and using coping techniques to use when I feel the urge to be mean to myself. I slip up sometimes but that's okay, they are learning experiences. Sometimes there are good days, sometimes there are bad days, sometimes I just feel horrible, but that doesn't make me any less worthy of a person.
Reach out when you need it, that lil mean voice wants to keep you isolated so you continue to feel bad. Many people were willing to listen to me here, I'm sure someone somewhere would listen to you if you need help.
Be kind to yourselves y'all
Well, you do. You matter because you exist. you matter because your're there. You don't have to prove your worth to matter. You matter because you survive every single day and, man, that is tough.
my counselor says that i'm having symptoms of depression, and i've felt those things for like, about 3 years, and they've gotten worse since sixth grade. To the point where im hurting myself, having suicidal thoughts, having panic attacks in class and not even knowing how to like myself anymore. I only recently got a counselor, but i've known that there was something wrong with me for a while. And i didn't tell anyone that i was not okay for 2 years, during that time i was sexually harassed by guys, mostly ignored by girls and believing that i did not deserve help because it wasn't bad enough, i believed that my friends could replace me so easily that it's funny and i believed that my friends were way more important than i was. To me they were diamonds and i was just a stupid pebble among thousands of more pretty, interesting and a better person than i was. At times, i was surprised that they listened to me and actually said something back, that was how use to being ignored i was.
Kate S I hope you're okay now though.
kinda i guess, im getting better
kate is my favourite name.... u gotta b something special.... (dont mean it in a flirty way).im struggling with my life as well.....
I've watched a few of these ted talks and what I saw was that only teenagers are talking about the cycle of life. How they could change it. Adults just don't care anymore for this wich is really sad to see.
Jos Peen we still care here I'll show you, it's spelled which not wich
We care about you, too. I'll show you--it's grammatically typed like this.
many people let their soul, their dreams, and expectation of fantasy die with age
Jos Peen Determination and dreams don't die within age: I'm 15 years old and I believe that whatever I work in should be enough to afford my family's and my needs as a person. I don't believe in achieving life-time dreams for myself, if it was a simple one like finishing this one game or giving this one flower to a kind cleaning lady, that'd be satisfactory. You have a dream and you believe in achieving it to be content in life? You go and invest in that dream, I'm not against it. I just think that there might be people like me who are happy with the little things they do in life, maybe because I believe in an after-life, or maybe if I didn't I'd be still like this. I am happy being a normal person in my small circle of acquaintances and friends, I like to do my hobbies like writing down fictional stories and drawing in my free time, and that is a dream of mine accomplished in 10 or 15 minutes of writing or drawing. The world is a ruined place, I give what I can, take what I need, and write about a rose slowly leaving this world or draw a tulip in fields of grass.
Feel ya. Their lifes are too miserable, i feel like it keeps on getting worse
It would really be cool if someone went around the world asking kids 5- 18 years old these questions and recorded their answers. Then they could stitch the video clips together in order of age to illustrate the change in mindset we have towards our dreams in that period.
DO IT! if you want to ;)
You should do it
Listen to "Be - Common" it similar to what you described
Hey, I would like to know if you or anyone went ahead and attempted to create the video? I think that's a great idea!
Erin Calhoon well....I am really thinking about this! even right now also ,I am asking these questions to my all friends on mob.
"We live in a world where it's not realistic to aim extremely high and just miss, it's considered a failure. I for once believe you fail when you aim low and hit. You fail your community, your family and yourself because you come to the conlusion that you can't reach your full potential"
One of the best TED Talks I've ever watched.
This talk really hit me hard. I've dreamt of being a missionary that helps people around the world. I'm afraid to tell people that because it's not considered a "successful life" and many say it's unreasonable. It doesn't make much money. It's too expensive to travel. Etc. This was so good.
Nicole Feltman that's really noble. I say go for it😉
Nicole Feltman I want to help animals but people are always saying 'You need money.' which really hits me hard because something like money shouldn't stop anybody from helping others.
+Eeshita D people critisize others and what they want to do because they don't believe in their own potential. Do what you want and watch them bow in your excellence years later
Brandon Knable Thank you so much for the support. It really means a lot
+Eeshita D can't wait to see what you become :)
My whole life I have been taught "life is unfair" and "better to go for something safe", no one told me to follow my dreams. I gave up on them as a kid. It's sad to think about.
Same for me... But later I went back at it! Now I’m 42 and chasing my dreams again and I feel better, more energetic, happier and, strangely, younger than back in my twenties... Just go for it, it’s never too late. Believe in yourself and in life!
@@brunosco All the best sir !👌
Madhav Jha Thank you, same for you!
To all the teens who don't have a dream, same.
You ever find purpose, Isabel?
Same.
Nobody is really sure what they wan't in life. Most people wonder what they want without knowing, and they never figure out until they become old and come to the conclusion that they missed their chance.
@@thorn9382 its hard to argue with his assesment
I lost that goal, before I was 14. Now I’m in Uni, and I dont even have a goal for a profession, just a simple life aspiration and then die alone.
“You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”
―
Jim Carrey
My drive is that I want to prove my mom wrong. Ever since 3rd grade when I started struggling in school, my mom has set me up for failure. She didn't want to spend the money on me because she was like "why take notes when you're gonna fail anyways?" Or "if you're actually going to use one, borrow it from someone." She bought stuff for my siblings who graduated in the top 10% of their class. I failed all of middle school because I told my self "why try when you will fail.." my mom told me I was either going to flunk out, or drop out of highschool. I graduated and I told her that I didn't want her to go to my graduation ceremony. I only invited those to my graduation who actually believed in me. Which was one of my middle school teachers, my boyfriend, and siblings. 4 people.
Good job on following your dreams!
I almost cried watching this one. I've always wanted to be a musician, but my parents never supported me because it's not a socially respected occupation.
So here I am, getting my degree in electrotechnical engineering, seeing life pass ahead of me at the age of just 18.
lmao I too want to be a musician but my dad forced me to be an engineer. im 16 btw feelsbadman
Jessica Claire Cooper mechatronic!? That sounds awesome. I dare say one could grow to love it.
When I graduated from high school I followed my boyfriend, at the time, to California. My family was furious with me but I knew deep in my heart that I didn't want to be something they wanted me to be. My grandpa built a life for himself being a lawyer and everybody thought that's what I was going to be because I utilized complex words eloquently. I knew they were all proud of me and that I was their hope of success but I knew I didn't want to be something that I knew I wouldn't love.
From self discovery through immense hardship from a young age I had liberated myself from other people's opinions of me. I have been happy ever since but that's another story.
So, I was in California trying to "find my way" while everybody back at home bombarded my mama with endless questions. Soon they moved from her to me, constantly harassing me on Facebook, messaging me everyday, and calling at every waking hour. I knew what they were doing was out of concern for me but I knew they wanted me to do something I didn't even like.
3 months went by and I decided to go to school. My boyfriend wasn't happy about it but I didn't care. I knew what I wanted, I knew it will help people as much as it helped me, and I was and still am determined to achieve my dream. I came back and told everyone what I was going to school for what i wanted and that if they had a problem with it they were more than welcome to voice it. If they didn't support then that was fine by me I knew I was going to find a way to make it work because I know that what I'm pursuing will have far better fulfilment for my life than the debt.
When I am on my deathbed I know I will look back and say, "I loved what I did, I made people happy, it was a beautiful life well lived."
All I can say is find something that will help other people and you will have the passion to a better fulfilling life
it’s never too late.
look, that kind of degree CAN be applied to music. maybe you'll build a new electronical insrument and be the first to compose songs with it.
OH MY GOD THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. (the way the brick wallpaper was cut out is pissing me off but whatever) I LOVE what this guy is talking about
Lol it bothered me as well
i liked it
SquishyFishy I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME
Same
SquishyFishy oh my goodness I thought I was the only one staring at it in disgust
When I was in 5th grade, I was assigned to write an essay about what we want to be when we grow up. I loved science and was obsessed with animals and nature, especially reptiles. However, when I excitedly ran to my parents to tell them how happy I was to write about the great field of herpetology, I was shot down. My parents told me that herpetologists (reptile scientists) make less than 50,000 dollars a year and I will never achieve anything on a salary like that. They told me I should not even think about being one when I grow up, and instead write about being a doctor. I understand that they were "looking out for me", but this talk changed how I viewed that day. I could have invested my time and passion into science and maybe discovered brand new things about our world. Not to mention I could have traveled to exotic places for research and actually lived my life while making a difference. Instead, I wrote about being a doctor and how they "get to help people". My indifference in the topic was reflected by my grade. I guess what I'm trying to say is exactly what the speaker said, "failure isn't when you aim high and miss, it's when you aim low and hit."
Bella Crider Gosh I fucking love you
Bella Crider
I have a similar experience. When I was in Grade 6 we had to do a project where we chose what career path we'd take in university. I picked doctor because I thought It'd be the easiest to talk about (ex: make alot of money, help others, etc).
My parents were so happy I "wanted" to be a doctor and years later to this day my parents still only accept becoming a doctor as my future job. I feel guilty because they say things like "Do you know how important doctors are?" or "People's lives depend on people like doctors to save them."
To be honest, I don't know what I want to do when I grow up and I'm afraid I'm going to go into medicine just to make my parents happy.
??? my mom earns less than $50,000 and she's trying to start a cleaning service where instead of charging for the amount they clean, they clean the whole thing and charge for time
i really believe that's going to work
The duck school are people in these comment chains going to? Your all rich cunts. $50k A year is a huge salary, people in my college aim to get like $7k from their chosen careers. I had people in high school who wanted to be makeup artists.
It must just be you Americans because England is starting to seem extremely different to you in terms of hopes and aims...
Herpetology is great man what other job can you own 100s of reptiles and not being considered a creep
every parent and teen should watch this talk-together! such a budding leader this young man! eloquent because it got to the heart of the matter.
No. Just not with my parents....
i wish my parents were involved in what i wanted to do
Dat Fancy what is important is you know what you want to do. Hang on to that. Don't lose sight of it. Keep working. You will find a way!
That's an instant mistake for countless of teens such as myself.
I wish my parents knew this when I was a kid. Now I’m a parent myself and I fully get it. At least my daughter is free and encouraged to do whatever she wants of her life! Love and support will be there no matter what.
This really relates to me because I've always wanted to be an artist but never thought it was a valid option, I wasn't good enough, it doesn't pay enough, etc I only recently have beginning to realise that maybe I can actually do it.
Keep it up! I homeschool my two kids so that they have ample time and opportunities to follow their hearts' desires. My son is an avid UA-camr and gamer and my daughter is an amazing artist and also blessed with an incredible voice. They are 14 and 11 years old, respectively.
I wish my parents were the same ;-;
I'm a potato You will have enough time to follow your passion. Hang in there. Most adults change their careers a number of times in their lives these days. Count yourself very lucky if you know where your ambitions lie at this point at least. Being well rounded in knowledge and education is never a waste. If I believed that, I would not bother with teaching my kids their homeschooling subjects!😉
Angharad's Opinions You can! Go for it! Find your niche and make it happen! :D Check out Peter Hollens and Mike Tompkins, they're both successful self-published artists who you might find inspiring. What kind of artist do you want to become?
People often treat artists as second class to people with traditionally high-paying jobs, but that couldn't be more wrong. There's so much more to life than monetary success. After all, imagine how utterly boring the world would be without artists who follow their passion!
I want to be an actor, I feel your pain.
When I was in fourth or sixth grade, I said, "I want to be an author when I grow up." I'm glad this giving me a confidence boost, even though most author's careers only last a decade or so.
Well you better make it the best decade of your damn life!!
this kid has so much wisdom way beyond his age.
No, he was simply given the chance to voice an opinion
@@ceilingeye so true
Not really, this is information that most 13-18 year-olds know since its part of the way we live our lives.
Laurence,
I don't know whether you're going to see this comment, but I must say it anyway. Thankyou. Thankyou for helping me, a seventeen year old girl, believe in myself for the first time, and for reminding me that it's ok and even good to dream.
- Savvi xx
Even if this message is 2 years old, it's still nice to read.
Sadly I am not Laurence
I had to pause at 13:38 because I started laughing at "I got cut from my school's basketball team." Amazing idea and definitely worth spreading. It's something that I've thought about virtually everyday since I was 14. It's taken me two years to realise that I don't need a particular job to be significant or respected. I deserve respect as a human being, just like everyone else. I am significant, as is everyone else. We read or come across stories of absolute strangers and are inspired, moved, touched or changed by their stories. I think that shows us how significant we are. Whoever and wherever we happen to be, we matter. Wonderful job, Mr. Lewars!
Aadhya Kacher yes, I was laughing
I'm a senior and the pressure of deciding what I'm going to do is hanging over my head more than ever. And you know what? I've wanted to be an author since I was 6. So what if it's not the most realistic idea. I love to write. Maybe I'm not giving up yet
Did you follow your dreams? I hope so. 🙂
Most kids don't talk about their aspirations primarily due to judgement of others. Have that be not living up to people's expectations or being made fun of
i kinda want to be in TED when i grow up
i actually didn't have a dream or somtihng for along time
i just want to inspire people
I have complete faith in you
Cupcake girls thank you 💗you just made my day😘
yuk. kpop Me too, I'm crying while typing this
yuk. kpop my dad was in a ted talk.
I have faith in u! U can do it :3
OK.... now that I'm inspired I have to quit browsing UA-cam and get to my homework.
Myranda Hopkins Same here! Duhh......two more bloody years and I'll finish school!
Sadly, I do too.
you guys are doing other stuff than just homework right? Im writing a book that Im going to get published before I turn 18. Just turned 17 and ive promised myself to finish the first draft before the end of this month :)
Dat Fancy I dream of publishing a book before I turn 16 or 17 (I'm 15 years and 4 months now) and I'm half into the first draft (I've already been working on my book for a month)
Dat Fancy thats great no one really asked but we all have different priorities..not everyone aspires to be a writer or even have the time
The years entering adolescent were my worse because of abuse I'm now almost 17 and am too afraid to learn new things for my fear of I can't do anything right I'll mess up because that's what my abusers made me believe and I'm too scared to talk about what I want to do in the future because I'm scared of people telling me that's stupid and I'll never be able to do that but after watching this video I am inspired to try and develop and learn the things I need to have a successful life and make my dream a reality and not let anyone put me down
I go to a school called a STEM school- Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics. You'd think that by going to this school that I'd have some sort of interest in at least 1 of the 4 subjects mentioned, but I honestly don't. I'm not fond of this school- and even my parents know I want to be something else. This school is training kids to go into STEM fields and yet I honestly hate those subjects more now that I've been sent there to get an "education." But I honestly want to be able to inspire others. I love to draw and create, and of course I would be happy to do this in my future. Of course, people want me to go into some dumb-ass STEM field instead because clearly my hate for this school is just a minor "phase."
You are right in hating school, it just kills curiosity like nothing else.
As for art, you don't need it as a subject in school to be a professional artist, but you sure as hell need a lot of practice.
Every art class I've been required to take at my old school sucked anyway lmao
Quite likely so, what kind of school was it? And what exactly sucked about it? I've had a bit of experience with schools and art myself and must say that the best teachers I had where quite harsh at first but they really push you that extra mile.
Become an architect...it combines math and art
it's safe to assume you're a girl because of your username. Sucks that this society screams WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN STEM and then you're unhappy in that school because of STEM and you want nothing to do with that. Be who you want to despite the school you're in now.
My dreams are to travel with someone. Someone I can learn to truly appreciate and love. I wanna go anywhere. Everywhere. Experience life. Then go to college for something I'm passionate about and make something of myself in this world where it's hard to do nowadays. But there's not a lot of money that comes from temporary jobs. The point is is that the one thing that keeps kids from doing what they actually want is it doesn't make them enough money to do the things they want to.
Logan C, deep
and there is people saying that capitalism works. it does not. here is one reason why
You don't fail when you aim high and miss. You fail, when you aim low and hit........WOW. That's beautiful
i am a starting teacher and this year i will be giving lessons to this unmotivated class but i know they are very bright. i hope i can inspire them with this just like it did to me
Because a job isn't defined about how much money you earn with it but whether if it satisfies you. And in that kind of sense everyone of us should want to change the world...
Amazing amazing talk.I am honestly tired of how education and job security are exalted.The worst thing that can happen is dying mediocre and never exploring the limitless bounds God created you for.
preach my man this is honestly the best comment ive read on here so far
I grew up watching older people struggle with saving money for retirement. So I went down the get a decent job with benefits path. I didn't have any money for college so I got a job that would pay for it. After being layed off with hundreds of others and an incomplete degree, I used my transferable skills to get the next few jobs to stay on my path of making a decent living, staying out of debt and saving for retirement. I was a late bloomer in realizing true happiness. Married for the first time at age 49 and graduating from a Full Stack Web Development Bootcamp at age 55 this past week. My dreams came true! Take away: Dream Big and go for it at any age!
Julie Hoffman Congrats! I want to become a developer myself too, do you have any advice? Even small ones :)
This really got me thinking, I’ve always said I want to be a doctor or a lawyer since my mom worked as a lawyer before and my dad worked as a doctor, but if I’m being honest I want to make other people happy and perform publicly. Maybe a comedian or something, I just want others to have a good time.
Wow, this was awesome! What's crazy is that my sister and I have talked about the fact that dreams are downplayed and etc. many times. It's so cool to see that someone else thinks the same. I truly believe if we all were to encourage young people and people in general to live their dreams, we could change the world, if only a little. "Little by little, one travels far." 😄
so true, keep with it :)
"In a world with 7 billion people, do you feel significant?"
Me: ha, nope
(my native language aren't english, if theres something wrong with this text).
i have never had dreams, i still don't know what i want to work with at 50 yrs old (or for the first time i have an idea, we will see if i will make it, and its something i would want to leave behind me when i die :).
i just go with the flow (i'm an extremely laid back person), and life has shown me what to study - where to work, and i got the best apartment for me :), i'm still living at the same apartment since 17 yrs old, funny is; when i was a child, i used to look up at this house, and i though it must be nice living there, i felt i would like to live there, and then when i was 17 yrs old, my parents decided to build a house, and for me it was time to find my own apartment then (timing), so my parents put out an ad so they could trade the apartment we had to a smaller. and then a guy called if he could come and check out our apartment (he needed a bigger), so i checked out his apartment, and it was the exact house that i had thought of when i was little! :), i'm still so blessed for this apartment, i love this apartment soooo much :).
i don't have any kids, never longed for any (although i loooove kids! :), but i grew up with 2 younger siblings, and i have been babysittning sooooo much :) (to other kids), so i feel like I've already been a mother :).
life has been so good to me (i have the best care taker from the spirit world, i guess :) i feel like that, i feel like i'm being taken cared of :), and i am sooo overwhelmed thankful for that! (cus i would have been so miserable if i wasn't being taken cared of - since i have never known what to do with my life, i have always felt "blank" abt what to do).
i have never known what to work with, and when i was 17 yrs old i hade to find my first job, and i was thinking on the bus on my way to the employee office; i can clean stairwells, or deliver mail :), it didn't matter so much to me :). but the guy at the employee office asked me if i wanted to work for 4 hours (since i was only 17 yrs old) at an emergency hospital, a big hospital, and i thought! - i almost feel like a doctor lol :), and then the department wanted to train me to a nurse. and after i finished studying - the emergency room had an ad out searching for a nurse, and i thought i wanted that job so much, and i got the job! (ME!? :) lol), and i stayed there for 18 yrs :) (i became a self trained doctor :). then i applied for some other work, in the same field, and I've always gotten all jobs that i have applied for, i'am so overwhelmed thankful for that ofcourse!!!!, every time i seek a new job i feel so scared i'm not going to get it :), its the worst for me to go on an interview :).
i really feel so blessed with my life!. i got also lucky my childhood friend became a travel agent after she finished college, so i could come out traveling a bit :). so we started travel at 17 yrs old, so i feel really thankful that we traveled a bit back then (to several places).
well, i hope my life journey ends well! to! :(, and for the rest of you too! :). but my biggest dream is to go to so called heaven when i die (going the christian style), but i would also like to help here on earth in the spirit when i leave the body :), that would be really fun i guess :), but also frustrating at times a guess? :).
well, i better save this on my computer so i can read it when i'm way old, when the memory might not be that good :( :)
Love from me to all! :)
I wish you all the best! :)
Rare Person wow, this was so heartwarming! By the way, you're English was great so don't worry about it!
Screw being just a biologist, I'm aiming to be a filmmaker, photographer AND a biologist! I love all those things equally 😂 It would be cool if I managed to combine all three into one giant slap to face to those who said I can't do it.
Zatul Nazirah go for it!!
You could make films and spread awareness of your research. If you have multiple dreams, go for it. Combine them all, no one should have to be confined to one category. ;)
A dude from my country is a succesful musician AND a biologist. It is possible
Honestly me but I’d love to be a video game designer, writer, photographer, and ride horses competitively
You could make films about biology!! :)
Questions:
What would you be doing 15 years from now if you could do or be anything you want?
What do you want to do with your education?
What are your hopes for your kids?
What do you want your child to achieve?
Do your parents know what your dream is?
Do you believe you are significant?
A singer rapper or a lyricist.
I am not really sure if i wanna continue my education cos it's only putting more stress.
Them to be a good person and an understanding human.
Whatever they want to. A stable life in the end ig.
They do but they dont take it seriously.
I am not sure anymore
I want to change something unfair in the world. Maybe starting with the school system.
what I want to be in the future : an artist and musician
what I tell others: I want to be a teacher or a lawyer
Time to scratch teacher off the list
me too! I love singing !
I want to be a musician and singer, and if somebody asks me i tell them I want to be a behavioral psychologist,
but even then I get told no matter which answer I give them they tell me that I won't be able to handle the stress.
same. I want to do smth in the music arts, and i say that i want to be a doctor. I love biology, so i guess i would settle for being a doctor, bc it's interesting. but im passionate for singing
"I for one don't believe you fail when you aim high and you miss. You fail when you aim low and you hit."
This is amazing. Well done.
I hate the emphasis on having a specific job. Personally, I love science, especially pharmaceuticals and genetics. I don't care what I'm doing but I just want to be researching these things.
jahzarah yes GENETICS
I started doubting myself and my beliefs at 7th grade. I always wanted to follow my passion and do what I love but reality of society told me that I can't and therefore I believe now we just get a job and pay bills till we die. i hate how this world doesnt care about our dreams and the piece of paper called money has to deifne our whole life. I just want to be happy
I'm 15 and if I had taken his survey this is what i would have said.... In 15 years want to be ending my residency and becoming a attending trauma surgeon and if I could be doing anything it would be that and to be amazing at it. I go to school because I love learning and I want to set an example for my future kids and have them be even more amazing than me in their own way. I am so happy to finally know what I want to do with my life because it took me a very long time to figure it out
I wish one day all genius people from tedx talk would come together and change the education system, society or right away the whole world.
I've always said that I want to be a teacher. And while that is true, what people don't know is that I also want to be a poet and an activist and a public voice and a million other things that I've deemed unrealistic and given up on. I only just turned fifteen and I'm set on being a teacher and nothing else because that's what is 'realistic' within my universe.
Everything is possible, do what you want to do, MAKE it realistic, MAKE it possible in ur universe, because u are amazing and u have the capability to do that, whether ur family supports u or not. cuz remember, at the end of the day, it's ur life, do you want to live life pleasing others? making them happy but not urself? or do you want to live life to ur fullest potential, testing the limits and being happy?
Remember, it's ur choice, all the best xx
Idk why but this just made me cry so much the moment he said that it was depressing to hear that 14 years old don't find themselves significant and it might be because even I am from that grp and me too a 16 year old girl don't find myself significant
Well, sis,
Firstly, if you haven't done anything significant, its normal. Okay?!. It's completely normal. After all you are just 16. You are just learning things and stuff. Just make some spot in your friend circle or family. Show them your talent, earn their respect. And you know if they don't respect or recognise your talent, its really depressing. I mean you will feel like you are completely worthless. Just like a burden. But you know you need to be confident about it. Everybody has a talent. Just don't loose hope and wait for the right opportunity, to shine. Best of luck with that
I've always wanted to be an artist. I enjoy creating things and it's the one thing I'm good at. However, i'm terrified for my future because artists have a reputation for failing or being unemployed. I don't want to get a degree for it to be useless. I don't want to keep investing in art if I'm going to fail. Art is my passion, but I feel like I can't be an artist because I won't be successful enough. I have contemplated quitting art so many times but I don't want to give it up.
I am studying to be a doctor. Since I have extra Chemistry lessons I hate Thursdays where I begin AND close my day with double Chemistry. I don't want to be a doctor anymore. Not really. I just see that there aren't enough of them in my area and I think that I might as well help the patient AND the other doctors if I become one.
When he mentioned how much students wants to be doctors, I teared up. I had to stop the video before I start crying. I asked the questions from myself. And my answer to the second one would have been completely different things. He is so right, it hurts.
This Ted talk is underrated. As a student, I will probably spend the rest of the night thinking about this. Putting my happiness before money.
You ever have a really strong hobby but never realize it’s your passion due to your parents not seeing the potential in it?
Yup, that’s me. I didn’t realize drawing was my thing until I became 20 and failed a year in college.
Now I know that no one’s backing me up, but I’m gonna carve that path if it doesn’t exist... I do wish I realized that earlier though.
I know it's been a year but same, sadly now I've got depression and near 0 motivation to practice drawing
@@Infidi Ayoo, I know it’s a year later, but that’s okay!
I’d learned through this one year that defining yourself by any one thing is a recipe for disaster.. Anyways,
Leaving a thing you like is perfectly okay, for a week, two, or a month, but just so long as you get back to it, and keep trying new things or mediums, you’ll see a result!
Or if you don’t feel like it, if you’re leaving art for good, that’s okay too- No one is forcing you to be good, the whole point is to have fun, which will in turn bring in the dedication to grow the skill... If you don’t have fun with it, then no need to force yourself
I am a 15 year old and can't believe that my mindset was exactly what he was saying .I realise that I am not caring about my dreams and running forward for a boring future . I did feel as if I am not significant and that I won't achieve my dreams . Thanks a lot for this speech
ok, i love his humor. it's not overdone, but it's so gen z! this man is so smart & inspiring. what a legend. i hope there are more people like him in this world.
The quote at 16:02 is legendary
Plus the question what is your dream job if you could work at anything in this world.
Aww man, this video left me stumped. I have wanted to be a singer all my life, but since I was around ten I've convinced myself I "want" to be a doctor. Recently I have found I'm not so sure; "Do I really want to be a doctor, or is it everyone around me that wants me to be one." I realise that becoming a singer is close to impossible, tho, so I'm still undecided! 😕😫
Laura Dolan Try it. And use your doctor plan as a back up
This blew my mind. Whenever I'm asked what I wanna be, I say doctor. But, when he asked if I could be anything, I said freakin comic artist and or author. Like holy crap, my eyes have been opened
Yaas!!!
“In a world with 7 billion people, do you believe that you are significant?”
This is from the multifandom us kids are not okay
Omg yes, I came here because of that video.
Im 14 and it made me think when he said "people as young as 14 who have their entire life ahead of them" it kind of shifted my point of view? Anyone else feel the same?
This helped me a lot. I've been feeling super stressed about my future (even though I'm only at the start of high school) and this video helped me realize my fears and insecurities. Thank you so much! :)
Wow ur a senior now, good luck✌🏾
This is Amazing! I just sat here for like 5 minutes and realized even though I am pursuing my dreams, I have still already given up.
A successful life is a life where dreams have become a reality.
When he said you don’t fail when you aim high and miss, you fail when you aim low and hit, it reminded me of a quote I have on my wall: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Dream big and aim high people. This talk is spot on.
I legit started crying. This is so true. ;-;
This is why I'm so damn grateful for my mum, who has always taught me to follow my dream.
A couple of months ago my class was learning about different career choices and lifestyles. Y'all know the self-employed, the employer and the career-bound. We also talked about educations, and how much you earn in a lifetime according to how long you went to school. That day I truly realized that all the things I wanted in life, I wouldn't achieve by going to college, and the only reason I was planning on going, was because society tells me to.
When I came home later that day, I talked to my mum about it and her response was "then don't go to college!"
I believe “making a lot of money” has to do with being secure and financially stable. With more safety nets (medical insurance, affordable housing), there would be more of a focus on jobs truly wanted. Most young people don’t have dreams before college nor know what they want to do. Therefore, a lot of people major in the wrong majors and go into the wrong careers.
When I was a teenager, I didn't think I would make it to 20. I'm 26 and every year when my birthday comes, I think the same thing "I never thought I would make it this far.." I'm not in the place I thought I would have been by now, and I still don't know what my purpose is or why I'm here. I gave up on my dreams years ago, and have basically just been surviving instead of living.
i feel this on a spiritual level. im still so insecure about my dreams so i push them aside
I was a teenager when i added this video to my watch later, but I'm not now that I'm finally watching it...
Our teacher made us watch this in class lol
DistortionDarkari good teacher
My teacher gave us the link in homeschooling, cause Corona
my teacher too
Same
This hit me pretty hard. I just chose a new education path, the one people expect from me, the one in which I will probably make money with, the one that's most secure. And ever since I made the discision I am thinking of my real dream, my plan B. And now I see this and it makes me doubt my choice even more...
This talk right here is extremely life changing because I'm 14 and can tell you that probably for as Long as I can remember I wanted to study medical science because I, literally like almost every student was not exposed to an alternative/different career choices and even when I was exposed to some of them I had fear I wouldn't make as much money from it as my first choice and also because those alternatives are always pushed under the bus when they're brought up cause there not supposedly significant but after this my dreams are beginning to flourish because as much as I love the three basic career choices I don't see myself doing them. So thanks TEDx for bringing someone like him that is not afraid to change peoples thoughts about dreams&aspirations in life. Probably the longest comment I've ever written... Lmao...😁
I feel truly blessed that my dream and my vision of myself line up, and that I know school will get me there. I dream of being a psychologist, to understand the human mind, brain and behaviour. I want to embody the idea of life-long learning and the improvement of myself AND others through identifying long-standing thought and behaviour patterns. Basically, either research or counselling. Now I'm not saying this for a pat on the back or a gold star sticker. I've changed my mind about what I want to do many times before. My parents never pushed too hard for university, just pushed me to follow my own way. All I'm saying is keep searching. You'll find something that will combine your passion, your skills and your significance. Because you are significant. And hella talented.
Omg the beginning😭 I’m watching this in 2020 he predicted the future
i see people telling me to do what i dream of doing and i'm also told by extremely inspirational people that i should stop searching for my passion and that im not supposed to love the job that i do. i don't know what the smart thing to do is. im just utterly confused and honestly just plain fed up. thank you for such an amazing speech. i needed that.
Beautiful insight man. :D really I mean it. Mad respect.
What an inspiring speech. It really changed my thinking, even though my parents are significant people. It's a scary thing to think about. And when he said "some as young as 14" that really made me pause, I'm 14 and it's hard to think about my dreams, but I think if I do I will have an over all better life experience.
The thing that society influences us is sad reality. Adults believe that these three jobs are respectful and give financial stability. While we teens want to do what we love and what gives us happiness, the society wants us to pursue those big 3 professions. I am 13, I want to become an archaeologist because that us what gives me happiness, but my parents and relatives want me to become a doctor. I always debate amongst myself "Do I have to be what I want or what others want?" I never had the courage to talk to my parents about this, which eventually gets ne frustrated. I think many teens go through this, and this is why they are misunderstood. If parents are reading this, please know the reason why.
My older brother went to college planning to get a degree in engineering. He would have been decent at it but it wasn't what he wanted to do, so 2 years in he switched his major to digital media with an emphasis on video games.
My mother cried. I was 12 at the time and I remember think my brother was really cool for doing this, but my mother cried. All she could focus on was his future job prospects.
Well, my brother now has his masters in video game design and hasn't yet found a long-term job. But you know what? He is content with himself and is optimistic about his future. He inspires me to follow my interests and even though our mom still worries a great deal over his career prospects I couldn't be prouder of my big bro. He's fucking awesome.
School gets in the way of what I really want to learn, I wish I could drop out and persue learning different skills and techniques to become a professional juggler.
" To each their own" - Passion is painted as secondary to production... so true
When I was 13, I said to people that I wanted to be an astronomer because I was really interested about space and my mom was really prod of it. One year later, I've realized that it's not for me even if my passion about it is still there. So now, I've finally found my way and wanted to be a music producer. The thing that bother me now is to tell this to my parents because of my former envisaged carrier. Lately, my note at school aren't really great and they are afraid of my future, telling me that if you wanna do that kind of my dream(that they assume that it still to be an astronomer) you should have really good marks even if they don't know what I wanna do.
Since about a year, every time I go back from school, I sit on my computer to train myself to be a music producer by watching tutorial and livestream of my favorite artists till 11:00 pm. But my parents believe that I'm just watching some YT memes, lazing around and neglecting study and homework, that it's not benefit for me. Sometimes, I'd like to tell them what I'm really doing and prove them that I really have worked hard for months but for my own dream.
I am now 15 and there is only two years before I finish school and I still did not find the courage to tell them I wanna do.
This talk hit me so hard in different level. I wish I've seen this video before.
It's easy to say but hard to do! No matter what you dream but you've seen people choosing different professions and then struggling for money.
( Facts!!!!!!!)
When someone asks me. I just answer I want to be a doctor, but I really want to be myself even I have a great score I want to photographer .
thats so cool
i think everyone here can relate to the "i want to be a doctor" thing. We all lied and said we wanted to be doctors when we didn't really want to.
When he said
These people are kids as young as 14
Already giving up on their dreams
Wow that hits
My answers:
I go to school... so I can get a good education.
What I want to do with my education is expand my knowledge daily and offer a stealth, balanced lifestyle for my family.
I want my children... to succeed in whatever they choose to dedicate their lives to.
I clicked on this video because it was filmed where I was born and raised. I'm so glad I did. I, too am on a quest to change people's mindsets on goals and dreams. It might not mean much to people who read this comment, but I 100% agree with everything Laurence said in his talk. I hope people take it to heart and marinate in what he is saying, then do something about it.
i really don't know what to say i relate to this completely on another level, so here goes my story.... It is the dream of my life to be a musician, more specifically a singer, music is the only thing that makes me feel grateful for being alive, i can dedicate my whole life to music but that's just not it my parents want me to become an engineer just like everyone in our family because they believe there couldn't be any more "secure" job than this which completely sucks and i have no passion towards it... for them, success is just getting a job, getting married and raising children which i don't at all wanna be doing after 10 years but im forced to live a life just for the sake of the promise that my parents made that they will let me just 'learn' music if i get an engineering degree which i have to no matter how i don't want to
atm im 16 i have so much passion for music and at some point i felt like i can do it but whenever i discussed this openly my confidence was totally knocked by comments like "you cant do it" "you? a singer? be realistic" and it really made me feel insignificant and made me believe those lies..
15 years later i don't wanna wake up beside a man who i don't love and go to a job im not passionate about because i have so many dreams and hopes for myself that i wanna achieve and somewhere watching this video made me feel that maybe i can do it
Thank you so much for giving me a ray of hope and to anyone who's reading this PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS YOU HAVE THE POWER TO TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND AND YOU ARE WORTHY OF SUCCESS AND DON'T NEED ANYONE'S PERMISSION FOR THAT NOT EVEN YOUR PARENTS
I watched far too much tv when I was little! So many messages were fallow your dreams! I never really had the problem of with knowing what my dream was. To make movies! Becoming a successful film director is unlikely but even if I failed I would work hard to help make films because they have such an impact on society while also entertaining them and making people happy like it did me!
this brought me to tears
I'm 12 years old, and this talk really inspired me. Ever since I was really young, maybe 5 years old, I wanted to be an author. People would tell me, that unrealistic. That's hard. That's useless. And I slowly started to believe, maybe Harry Potter didn't change anybody's life. Maybe Percy Jackson didn't teach people anything. Maybe books were a waste of time. Then I saw this, and I'm more thankful than anything else. Thank you, Lawrence and TED-ED!
One in a million means your like 7,000 others.
DSE LoL Gaming That's still very rare
im one in 7,000 in a million :3 that better?
eson still a very rare and important person to be in that 7000
This video really has me choking up a bit, especially at the part when Laurence mentioned how many teenagers are stuck in the system. Not only are their aspirations made inert, but also the awareness and rebelliousness to see the cycle they are stuck in and break free from it.
I have broken a few personal cycles myself in order to attain higher thinking, among other things, but I worry for my fellow students to see if any of them have done the same.
give that man a cookie ! He litreally lighted up the darkness teenager's got inside .
I have always wanted to be a singer, not because I get to be rich or famous, its because I get to connect with people through music and most of the time when a large number of people listen to a song we get to relate to each other on a level we didn't even know existed
My dream is to become a game animator, or a graphic designer. But i can see that it´s a big risk, so i´ve settled with becomming a psychiatrist instead, and making art after the work day is over.
actually there are tons of jobs open for game animators and graphic designers. just look on any jobs tab of game companies. It even pays well to
He figured out what I've been trying to figure out for years! He speaks the truth.
my mum just doesnt seem to realise im not going to be confident if im not trusted to do the smallest of things
“We live in a world where dreams take a back seat to job security, and passion comes second to production.”
You don’t understand how relatable this is to my life right now. Just today, I was discussing with my parents of maybe becoming a physiotherapist... researching all the science courses I would have to take, it honestly seemed like a decent, secured career. I’m getting above average grades atm, and with enough motivation to study, I could most likely make it.
But I’m also pushing back this huge urge and calling for me to do something completely different. It’s my fear of job security honestly...
Film, photography, art. My absolute loves, I would pour my heart, time, and soul into it. But you know how that job market is... what if I work hard enough to make it? I see my life going in two different paths, guess id have to go with my dream path, because really, what’s better than making your dreams a reality?