Struggles in Bigger Ponds | Ichiro Arbole | TEDxYouth@DLSUSHS

Summary

This speech reflects on personal growth and the pursuit of excellence, illustrating the challenges of adapting to new environments and self-doubt. The speaker shares experiences from their past, including struggles in school, debate, and robotics, and emphasizes how growth is a continuous journey. Through a video game metaphor, they highlight the importance of shifting perspectives and pushing through adversity. Ultimately, the message encourages defining success on personal terms, not based on external validation, and finding courage and growth in the face of challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Life is full of transitions, and often, self-doubt comes with change.
• 😀 Success should not be defined by others, but by our own personal standards and values.
• 😀 Growth is a continuous cycle: after each plateau, there is always room to improve.
• 😀 Self-doubt and failure are universal, and everyone experiences setbacks, no matter their achievements.
• 😀 Our past knowledge and skills don't disappear—they might get rusty, but they’re never truly lost.
• 😀 Small perspective shifts can lead to significant growth, whether in academics, sports, or personal pursuits.
• 😀 Striving for excellence doesn’t mean always winning awards; it's about the courage to continue despite failures.
• 😀 Comparing ourselves to others often leads to frustration; our personal journey should focus on our own growth.
• 😀 Embrace challenges, as they offer opportunities to reflect, adapt, and improve in unexpected ways.
• 😀 Excellence is not an external metric; it's about consistency, resilience, and the willingness to push forward.
• 😀 Courage is the key to stepping out of one's comfort zone and taking risks, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speech?

The central theme of the speech revolves around personal growth, self-acceptance, and redefining success. The speaker emphasizes that excellence comes from within and is not reliant on external validation or comparison to others.

What personal challenges does the speaker face?

The speaker faces feelings of self-doubt and failure, particularly related to their experiences in debate, where they did not win awards despite putting in considerable effort. They also struggled with adapting to a new environment when they transferred schools.

How does the speaker describe their journey of growth?

The speaker likens their growth to a cycle, similar to the experience of playing a video game like Overwatch. Growth involves ups and downs, plateaus, and incremental improvements. They highlight that growth is a continuous process of learning and adapting.

What is the significance of the 'Overwatch' video game analogy?

The Overwatch analogy is used to explain that growth is not always linear and often involves periods where progress seems stalled. However, with persistence and adaptation, small changes can lead to significant improvement over time.

What does the speaker mean by 'growth doesn't go down'?

This phrase means that once you learn something, it cannot be unlearned, even if you face setbacks. While you might forget some details or feel rusty, the knowledge you have gained remains with you, and you can always build on it.

How does the speaker view failure?

The speaker views failure as an inevitable part of growth, stressing that it is through failures and challenges that one learns valuable lessons. They emphasize that success should not solely be measured by awards or external recognition.

What impact did the documentary 'Losers' have on the speaker?

The documentary 'Losers' helped the speaker realize that success is not always about winning trophies or competitions. It showed that the journey itself, and the persistence to keep going despite setbacks, holds intrinsic value.

What does the speaker identify as their new definition of success?

The speaker redefines success as the courage to take risks, push through adversity, and pursue personal growth. Their new standard of excellence comes from within, based on the willingness to keep striving and having an impact on others, rather than external recognition.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of a perspective shift?

The perspective shift is important because it enables individuals to embrace growth and adapt to new circumstances. By changing the way they approach challenges, the speaker believes one can unlock greater potential and avoid getting stuck in feelings of inadequacy.

How does the speaker view the concept of excellence?

Excellence, according to the speaker, is not about achieving perfection or winning accolades. It is about the attitude and effort one puts into their pursuits, especially in the face of adversity. They see excellence as a personal standard that does not depend on others' definitions of success.