The 3 A's of awesome - Neil Pasricha

Summary

In this heartfelt TED talk, the speaker reflects on his family's immigrant journey to Canada and the personal struggles he faced, from a difficult marriage to the loss of a close friend to mental illness. He shares the inspiration behind his blog, '1000 Awesome Things,' and the three guiding principles that helped him overcome hardship: Attitude, Awareness, and Authenticity. Emphasizing the fleeting nature of life, he encourages the audience to embrace positivity, appreciate life's simple joys, and stay true to themselves, living a rich and fulfilling life despite challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker's parents immigrated to Canada from Kenya and India in the 1960s, experiencing a new life and adapting to a new culture.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on a privileged childhood with things like consistent power, accessible schools, and a peaceful street—things his parents could not take for granted.
• 😀 Personal challenges arose in 2008-2009, including a difficult marriage and the loss of a close friend to suicide, highlighting the speaker's struggles during a global economic crisis.
• 😀 The speaker created a website, '1000 Awesome Things,' as a way to focus on positive moments amidst his personal turmoil, reminding himself and others of life's simple joys.
• 😀 The blog gained traction over time, eventually winning a 'Best Blog in the World' award, leading to a book deal and commercial success.
• 😀 The speaker shares the 'Three A's of Awesome'—attitude, awareness, and authenticity—as key principles that helped him grow both personally and professionally.
• 😀 Attitude is about choosing to move forward after setbacks, maintaining optimism despite the challenges life throws at you.
• 😀 Awareness involves appreciating the small, often overlooked joys in life, similar to the curious and open perspective of a child.
• 😀 Authenticity is about staying true to yourself and embracing your true passions, using the example of Rosie Greer, a tough NFL player who also enjoyed needlepoint.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that life is short, and we must savor the fleeting moments of joy and the small things that make life meaningful, as we only have a limited time to experience them.
• 😀 In closing, the speaker encourages living with a great attitude, awareness of the world around you, and authenticity, believing these values will lead to a rich and satisfying life.

Q & A

What is the main message of the speaker's story?

The main message of the story is about finding joy in life's small pleasures, maintaining a positive attitude, being aware of the world around you, and staying authentic to yourself, even in the face of challenges and hardships.

How did the speaker cope with personal difficulties in his life?

The speaker created a website called '1000 Awesome Things' to focus on small, positive aspects of life. This helped him shift his attention away from the negativity around him and gradually improved his mood and perspective.

What does the speaker mean by 'attitude'?

'Attitude' refers to the choice one makes in response to life's challenges. Despite inevitable setbacks, having a positive attitude involves moving forward, grieving when necessary, but ultimately choosing to keep going.

How does the speaker describe the importance of 'awareness'?

'Awareness' is about embracing the wonder and curiosity of a child. It involves seeing the world as if it's your first time experiencing it and appreciating the small, often overlooked moments that make life special.

What story does the speaker use to explain 'authenticity'?

The speaker shares the story of Rosie Greer, a former NFL linebacker who loved knitting and created a book called 'Rosie Greer’s Needlepoint for Men.' This story illustrates how authenticity involves being true to yourself and embracing your passions, even if they don't align with societal expectations.

What did the speaker's parents experience when they arrived in Canada?

The speaker's parents, who came from Kenya and India, faced the challenge of adjusting to a new country. They were amazed by the different foods and customs in Canada, such as the variety of groceries and unfamiliar foods, and they embraced the opportunity to explore and learn about their new life.

How did the speaker’s blog evolve over time?

Initially, the speaker's blog, '1000 Awesome Things,' was a personal project with few readers. However, as time passed, it gained popularity, and the speaker eventually won a Webby Award for best blog and was offered a book deal, leading to the publication of 'The Book of Awesome.'

What does the speaker mean by 'living with a great attitude'?

Living with a great attitude means choosing to focus on the positive aspects of life and moving forward, even when faced with hardship. It's about embracing resilience and optimism, knowing that life won't always go as planned.

What does the speaker suggest about the fleeting nature of life?

The speaker emphasizes that life is short, and we only have a limited time to enjoy the small, everyday moments that make life meaningful. He encourages living in the moment and appreciating the joy in everyday experiences, as time passes quickly.

What role do small moments play in the speaker's philosophy of life?

Small moments, like the first time you experience something or finding money in an old pocket, are central to the speaker's philosophy. He believes that appreciating these simple, joyful moments is what makes life rich and satisfying, despite the inevitable difficulties we face.