You 2.0 – What it REALLY Takes to Be the Best Version of Yourself! | Anthony Cheam | TEDxChathamKent

Summary

In this TEDx talk, the speaker uses the metaphor of software updates to illustrate the importance of personal growth and embracing life's challenges. He encourages the audience to view adversity as opportunities for self-improvement, akin to updating computer software to enhance performance. The speaker emphasizes the need for faith, determination, and flexibility to overcome life's obstacles and suggests that periodic 'reboots' of our mindset can lead to significant personal upgrades, enabling us to live with power, purpose, and passion.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker appreciates the global accessibility of TEDx conferences, symbolizing positive human evolution.
• 📱 The analogy of software updates on devices is used to illustrate the importance of personal growth and adaptation to change.
• 🚫 Ignoring updates can lead to system slowdowns and inefficiencies, just as avoiding personal challenges can lead to stagnation.
• 🛡️ Antivirus software updates are crucial for protecting against viruses; similarly, personal growth protects against life's 'viruses' like fears and anxieties.
• 💪 The speaker emphasizes the necessity of developing mental, emotional, and spiritual 'muscles' to overcome life's challenges.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Weight training is compared to life's challenges, where gradual increases in difficulty prepare us for larger goals.
• ✅ The primary intent of life's updates is to enhance our capabilities, much like software updates improve functionality.
• 🔗 The speaker suggests that continuous learning, relationship nurturing, and self-improvement are forms of life software updates.
• 📜 Accepting life's terms and conditions means taking full responsibility for one's experiences and outcomes.
• 🔄 The concept of 'Faith, Fire, and Flexibility' is introduced as essential components for personal growth and overcoming adversity.
• 🔄 The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to embrace life's updates and restart their systems for continuous self-improvement.

Q & A

What is the main metaphor used in the TEDx talk to describe personal growth?

The main metaphor used in the TEDx talk to describe personal growth is the updating of software on a computer, where life presents challenges that are akin to software updates, and embracing these challenges is like downloading a new version of oneself (You 2.0).

Why does the speaker compare life's challenges to computer software updates?

The speaker compares life's challenges to computer software updates to illustrate that just as software needs regular updates to run efficiently and securely, people also need to face and overcome challenges to grow, improve, and adapt to life's ever-changing circumstances.

What happens if one continuously ignores the message to update their software, according to the speaker?

If one continuously ignores the message to update their software, their computer may slow down, become less efficient, and eventually crash. Similarly, in life, if one ignores the 'update' messages in the form of challenges, they may experience a slowdown in personal growth and face more significant issues like phobias, addictions, and physical diseases.

What is the primary intent behind updates or upgrades in software, as mentioned in the talk?

The primary intent behind updates or upgrades in software is to fix bugs, errors, and improve the operating system's efficiency, ensuring it runs more smoothly, productively, and effectively.

How does the speaker relate the concept of antivirus software to personal growth?

The speaker relates antivirus software to personal growth by suggesting that just as antivirus software needs to be updated to protect against new viruses, individuals must also update their 'life software' by facing and overcoming challenges to protect against 'life viruses' such as fears, anxieties, and addictions.

What is the significance of the Matrix metaphor used in the talk?

The Matrix metaphor is used to illustrate the potential for rapid learning and adaptation. It suggests that while we cannot instantly master skills like in the movie, we can still choose to face challenges and grow over time, much like Neo learns martial arts in The Matrix.

What are the three components the speaker believes are essential for upgrading and updating one's 'life software'?

The three components the speaker believes are essential for upgrading and updating one's 'life software' are Faith, Fire, and Flexibility. These components represent trusting in positive outcomes, having a burning determination and desire, and being adaptable and flexible in the face of challenges.

What does the speaker mean by 'Faith' in the context of the talk?

In the context of the talk, 'Faith' means trusting that the best, the good, the righteous, and the beautiful will happen, regardless of any physical evidence to suggest otherwise. It is about operating from a level of trust rather than fear when facing life's challenges.

How does the speaker define 'Fire' in relation to personal growth?

The speaker defines 'Fire' as the intense determination and desire that can burn through obstacles. It represents the power of focused energy, similar to how the Sun's energy can be focused to burn through objects, and it symbolizes the drive and passion needed to overcome challenges.

What advice does the speaker give for dealing with life's challenges and updating one's 'life software'?

The speaker advises facing life's challenges with faith, fire, and flexibility. He suggests that individuals should consciously choose to face what's in front of them, accept the terms and conditions of their challenges, and take responsibility for what shows up in their life. This involves updating one's beliefs and values based on their current life stage.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Global Culture and Technological Evolution

The speaker expresses gratitude for being invited to speak at a TEDx conference and acknowledges the global reach of such events as a sign of positive human evolution. They engage the audience by asking about their use of technology and their experience with software update notifications. The speaker uses the common scenario of ignoring software update prompts as a metaphor for avoiding life's challenges, which can lead to negative consequences if unaddressed. The analogy is extended to antivirus software, emphasizing the importance of updates for maintaining system efficiency and security. The speaker concludes by likening life's challenges to software updates, suggesting that embracing them leads to personal growth and improved functionality, much like updating computer software.

05:02

💪 Upgrading Life's Software

The speaker continues the metaphor by discussing how life presents challenges that are akin to software updates, offering opportunities for self-improvement. They ask the audience to consider how they respond to life's 'update' prompts, highlighting the potential for personal and spiritual growth through facing adversity. The speaker suggests that just as one would not ignore a software update, one should not dismiss life's challenges. They propose that the intent behind life's updates is to enhance one's capabilities, much like a software upgrade improves a computer's performance. The speaker also introduces the concept of 'mental muscle' and the idea that challenges are necessary for preparing us for future obstacles, using weight training as an analogy for the process of building strength and resilience.

10:03

🔥 Faith, Fire, and Flexibility

The speaker introduces three key elements for personal growth: Faith, Fire, and Flexibility. They define faith as trusting in positive outcomes despite evidence to the contrary, contrasting it with fear, which anticipates negative outcomes. The speaker encourages embracing challenges with faith to achieve harmony and personal growth. Fire is presented as a symbol of determination and passion, suggesting that a burning desire can lead to significant achievements. Flexibility is highlighted as essential for survival and success, using the example of a palm tree bending in a storm to illustrate the importance of adapting to challenges while staying grounded in one's values. The speaker emphasizes the need to update one's 'life software' to align with current life stages and circumstances, providing examples of how outdated beliefs can lead to dissatisfaction and the transformative power of adopting new perspectives.

15:03

🔄 The Power of Resetting Life's Software

In the final paragraph, the speaker discusses the importance of 'restarting' one's life when faced with significant changes or challenges. They liken this process to restarting a computer to complete a software update, suggesting that it's necessary to reassess one's values, priorities, and goals to achieve a meaningful and harmonious life. The speaker uses the example of new parents, illustrating how the birth of a child can be a catalyst for personal transformation and the need to 'update' one's life software. They emphasize the impact of personal choices on relationships and the well-being of children, advocating for conscious self-improvement. The speaker concludes by reminding the audience that they have the power to upgrade their life at any moment, encouraging them to embrace faith, fire, and flexibility to live with purpose and passion.

Keywords

💡Metaphor

A metaphor is a figure of speech that makes an implicit, implied, or hidden comparison between two things that are unrelated but share some common characteristics. In the video, the speaker uses the metaphor of software updates to describe personal growth and development. The metaphor is used to illustrate how, just like software needs updates to function optimally, humans also need to evolve and improve to face life's challenges effectively.

💡Software Update

A software update refers to the process of upgrading or improving software to enhance its performance, fix bugs, or add new features. The speaker uses this concept to draw a parallel with personal development, suggesting that individuals should also 'update' themselves by learning new skills, overcoming fears, and improving their mindset to perform better in life.

💡Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is a program designed to protect computers from malicious software, viruses, and other cyber threats. In the context of the video, the speaker uses antivirus software as an analogy for personal resilience and the need to protect oneself from 'viruses of the mind' such as fears, anxieties, and negative thoughts that can 'infect' and hinder personal growth.

💡Challenge

A challenge is a difficult task or problem that tests one's abilities or resolve. The speaker discusses how life presents challenges as opportunities for growth, akin to software updates that are necessary for improvement. Challenges are portrayed as catalysts for change, prompting individuals to 'update' their life's software to a newer, better version.

💡Fear

Fear is an emotional response to perceived threats or danger. In the video, fear is described as a state of mind that can paralyze individuals, preventing them from embracing change and growth. The speaker contrasts fear with faith, suggesting that overcoming fear is essential for personal development and embracing life's updates.

💡Faith

Faith, in this context, refers to a strong belief or trust in something, often in the absence of concrete evidence. The speaker defines faith as trusting that the best will happen, regardless of any physical evidence to the contrary. It is presented as a powerful tool for overcoming fear and embracing the 'updates' that life presents.

💡Fire

Fire, as used in the video, symbolizes passion, determination, and the burning desire to achieve goals. The speaker contrasts 'fire' with 'ice,' where ice represents being frozen by fear and inaction. Fire is encouraged as a state of being that drives individuals to actively engage with life's challenges and opportunities for growth.

💡Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt and adjust to changing circumstances. The speaker uses the example of a palm tree bending in a storm to illustrate the importance of flexibility in facing life's challenges. It is presented as a key attribute for successfully navigating the 'updates' that life requires, while maintaining one's core values and principles.

💡Rigidity

Rigidity, in contrast to flexibility, refers to an inability to adapt or change. The video speaker warns against the pitfalls of rigidity, suggesting that it can lead to stagnation and an unwillingness to embrace the necessary 'updates' for personal growth and development.

💡Belief System

A belief system consists of the core values, principles, and convictions that guide an individual's behavior and decision-making. The speaker discusses the importance of updating one's belief system as life stages change, to ensure alignment with current realities and aspirations. Outdated belief systems can hinder personal growth, similar to outdated software that no longer functions effectively.

💡Restart

To restart, in the context of the video, means to begin again with a fresh perspective or approach. The speaker suggests that sometimes, in order to fully embrace life's updates and changes, individuals may need to metaphorically 'restart' their mindset, reassessing their values, priorities, and goals to align with their current life stage and aspirations.

Highlights

The importance of global accessibility in TEDx conferences, symbolizing the positive direction of human evolution.

The prevalence of software update notifications and the喻习惯 of ignoring them.

The consequences of ignoring software updates, drawing a parallel to personal development.

The necessity of updating antivirus software autonomously to prevent computer crashes.

The metaphor of life updates being presented as challenges or opportunities for personal growth.

The impact of ignoring life's 'update' messages, leading to mental and emotional 'viruses'.

The primary intent of life updates is to enhance personal efficiency and wisdom.

The analogy of weight training to illustrate the importance of incremental challenges.

The concept of 'mental muscle' and its role in overcoming life's adversities.

The necessity of accepting the terms and conditions of life's challenges to take responsibility.

Examples of life updates including education, relationships, and personal well-being.

The unrealistic expectation of instant life improvements, compared to the Matrix movie metaphor.

The three essential components for life upgrades: Faith, Fire, and Flexibility.

Defining fear as trusting in negative outcomes without evidence, versus faith in positive outcomes.

The power of fire as a metaphor for determination and desire over ice, representing fear and rigidity.

The importance of flexibility in facing life's challenges while staying rooted in one's principles.

The need to update one's belief systems and life software according to current life stages.

The transformative power of parenthood as a significant life update.

The metaphor of restarting a computer to signify the need for personal re-evaluation and change.

The call to action for individuals to consciously choose to upgrade their life's software.

Transcripts

[Music]

listen I've been watching tedex

conferences for years now and I what I

love about the the tedex conferences is

the fact that they they make it

available to the globe the global

opportunity the global culture and it

says to me that human evolution it's

it's certainly moving in the right

direction and so I thank you for uh

having me here today I'm honored and

privileged so I have one question for

you how many people by a show of

hands own or have used a computer tablet

or

phone wow that's all of you right now

how many people in here have ever had

the message on their computer tablet or

phone the following the message

is a new

version of your soft Ware is available

for download would version 2.0 would you

like to download now who in here has

ever had that message by show of hands

yes now how many people have actually

ignored that message said no to it or

just completely said no I'm not going to

do it I'm too busy right I have to what

happens if you continuously ignore that

message over time weeks days months

perhaps your computer begins to slow

down and it doesn't run as effectively

and as efficiently as you want it to and

as is intended to to

run the point being is this in the case

of antivirus software which in today's

Advanced technological world it is

updating on its own without you having

to do anything now imagine for a second

you H actually had to update your

software every second into your

antivirus software if you continuously

ignored that message what would happen

viruses would take your computer slow it

down corrupt it and eventually worst

case scenario it would crash who in here

has ever had their computer crash on

them all of a sudden I have who likes

that right nobody likes that of course

not now what is the primary intent of an

update or upgrade in your software so it

does the complete opposite right so it

fixes all the

bugs so it fixes all the

errors so it updates your operating

system so your operating system can run

that much more smoothly productively and

effectively

ladies and gentlemen I have just given

you one of the greatest metaphors for

life

itself how many times in

here has life presented with with a

challenge a problem opportunity a

struggle any form of adversity today and

life presents us on the screen of her

mind of our life and it says a new

version of you you 2.0 is available to

you right now would you like to download

it now yes or no okay or cancel

download it now or

later now what happens if we turn away

from that

message then we begin to slow down and a

whole host of viruses mind and life

viruses show up plaguing our body minds

and spirit in our hearts in the form of

phobias addictions fears anxieties

physical disease shows up and we wonder

why now what is the primary intent of

having a update or upgrade like that in

our life what is the primary intent of

that and the intent is this so you can

work faster stronger more efficiently be

wiser more intellectually sound and

ultimately at the end of the day these

challenges that show up are to prepare

us for the next challenges in life I

like to use the metaphor for weight

training if your goal is to lift 100

pounds over your head eventually in six

months and you can only lift 40 PBS over

your

head you must start with 40 and then

eventually move up to 45 and 50 and 60

if you don't train the muscle when it

comes time to do the actual lift for 100

you're not going to be able to do it the

same thing goes for life we must have

mental muscle emotional muscle heart

muscle spiritual

muscle now sometimes when we face in our

computer and it says would you like to

download it now yes or no if we actually

press yes on it sometimes do we not get

a message that says something on the

lines of before you download this you

must first first accept the terms and

conditions of this agreement blah blah

blah blah blah and there's about 50

pages which no one reads right and then

you got to press click on the square box

at the bottom and then press yes in life

if you choose to accept the terms and

conditions of your challenge your

adversity what you're really telling me

is this you're accepting the terms and

conditions to take responsibility full

responsibility for what shows up in your

life now there's a whole slew plethora

of challenges and problems that show up

in our life daily from the outside world

the weather the economy that we have no

control over disease uh our our

boyfriend or our girlfriend might leave

us or our husband or wife might leave us

those are things we certainly can't

control however would you not agree that

going back to University going back to

college or upgrading your skills and

getting new certifications on a yearly

basis would that not constitute an

upgrade and update in your life software

yes yes not Nur nurturing your

relationship with your kids your family

your friends God the universe and

continuously meeting the needs of those

you love constitute an upgrade and

update in your software absolutely would

not prayer and meditation and taking

part in an exercise program or eating

nourishing foods that Bob so clearly

pointed out would that not constitute an

upgrade and update in your life

yes would not seeking counseling and

coaching and coming to seminars like

this and seeing me speak constitute an

upgrade and update and software yes of

course right but I'm not so easily

convincing and naive to think that life

is as easy as pressing a button on the

screen of your life and yes and within

seconds our life is better it's like I

like the metaphor you know remember the

Matrix who's seen The Matrix before the

movie The Matrix great metaphor Neo is

played by caner Reeves who's the primary

hero protagonist in the movie and he and

he's asleep in a dream called The Matrix

and they find him they pull him out he's

the hero he's the Savior and there comes

a point in the movie I love this he's

sitting in a

chair and they plug him into this this

computer and they start uploading

downloading new software into his brain

his computer is a brain or his brain is

a computer and as the guy shuffling

through the discs he's skipping the load

loading program training program all

these things he goes right to combat

training and as he sticks it in Neo

looks at him and goes I'm going to learn

jiujitsu and the I goes

seconds he's a Jiu-Jitsu master and he

can chop his way through life and

everything's all fine and within

hours he's mastered every single martial

arts discipline known to man within

hours and later on in the movie his

girlfriend is standing on top of a

building and she calls the guy up and

says I need to learn to fly this

particular model of a helicopter could

you do that the the guy puts the disc in

she can learn how to fly helicopter no

problem now as much as there's some

differences between the metaphors I've

used in computers and our life there are

some similarities and let me point this

out we may not be able to fly a

helicopter or learn martial arts in

seconds or minutes but we can do it over

a lifetime in 10 hours 10 weeks 10

months if we just consciously choose to

face what's in front of

us choose what we to face what's in

front of us now I

believe the next three components are

Elemental in upgrading and updating your

software which basically are a condensed

version of what I write in my book the

ABCs of life living a life of power

purpose and passion and they are as

follows Faith fire and flexibility now

ultimately when we meet a challenge when

we Face a struggle in our

life and we turn away from that struggle

are we doing operating from a level of

Faith or from a level of fear fear now

let's define fear for a second we may

have all heard that acronym of fear

right false evidence appearing real

that's

nice right I like the more pragmatic

simplistic version forget everything and

run right just run as fast as you can

turn away and run everything's going to

get better but in the simplest terms in

the simplest definitions possible fear

is simply this and listen

clearly fear is trusting that the worst

the bad the wrong the ugly will happen

regardless of any physical evidence to

suggest that it will so let's say you

fear getting in a car accident or you

fear losing your job what you're really

telling me is this you're trusting that

those things are going to happen

regardless of any physical evidence to

suggest that it will you might actually

be sitting in your bed fearing these

things and because you're fearing and

and focusing on it you're feeling it

what is

faith faith listen clearly I love this

definition focused awareness in trusting

Harmony a beautiful but at its base

let's let's define it more clearly and

more effectively faith is simply

trusting that the best The Good The

Righteous and the Beautiful will happen

regardless of any physical evidence to

suggest that it will so whatever

struggle you are going through currently

in your life right now personally

professionally whether it's in your

control or

not if you meet that with faith and

courage what you're basically telling me

is this

that you're going to trust that no

matter what's happening no matter how

bad it is you're going to trust that the

good the best the righteous and the

Beautiful will happen regardless of any

physical evidence to suggest that it

will in fact evidence might suggest that

it won't work out but you're going to

trust

anyway second fire versus ice when I

think of ice I think of someone who's

paralyzed and and Frozen by fear anxiety

worry worry inadequacy unworthiness

we've all been there before and out of

that Frozen cold heart arises one word

that I can think of cynicism a cynic and

out of that cynic arises three

components that is outlined so

beautifully in the self-help book

self-help classic book by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People

and he says this criticize condemn and

complain people that have a cold heart

frozen heart start to criticize life

their friends their family they start to

condemn God the universe or whoever they

start to complain about virtually

everything in that shows up in their

life regardless if it's good or not when

I think of fire I think of the awesome

power of the Sun that heats our whole

entire planet that without it we'd all

be

dust that I think when I think of fire I

think of Blazing determination I think

of burning

desire that when you focus the energy of

the sun through a magnifying glass

when it's focused it can sear and burn

through anything they say that you can

measure the IQ of any human being on the

planet which in today's world means this

much but they can never measure the

heart the hunger the drive the power of

the human Spirit of a man woman or

child number three flexibility versus

rigidity in seminars like this that I do

that I conduct and with working with

groups and individuals I ask them this

question about flexibility and rigidity

I ask them this what is the one thing in

nature that has the potential to survive

a hurricane tornado tornado or

torrential

storms a palm tree why because it bends

and Flexes in the wind yet and here's

the key remains deeply rooted in the

earth so must we be flexible in our

response to

challenge and how we approach the

challenge yet remain deeply rooted in

what's most important in our life what

we deem as valuable our principles our

morals now I want to end here in terms

of something that is very important in

terms of the most important update and

upgrade that you can possibly make in

your life consistently throughout your

life and perhaps you are in that stage

right now it is the most important

update of upgrading your life software

your systems of belief based on the

current life stage you discover yourself

to be in what does that mean I'll give

you a c couple of examples of this to

illustrate it I was coaching a

45-year-old woman in her mid-40s and

after getting to know her for a couple

minutes I realized this this woman is

strong she is healthy She's Fit she's

beautiful she's wise she makes a lot of

money what does she need me before and

it soon turned out she was depressed

frustrated lacking meaning and purpose

in her

life and I soon discovered that she had

a blueprint or worldview or system of

belief that was 20 years old that her

software was out of date see in her 20s

and 30s she was this Fitness competitor

fitness model Fitness bodybuilder

getting pictures done in magazines

getting all this attention Making

Connections people loved her and

respected her now she's in her mid- 40s

and she could still do that but she

transitioned into a different stage of

her life yet her software didn't follow

she wasn't even aware of that and so

what actually happened was I got her to

be aware of that asked her questions and

from that awareness I asked her

mindpower thought-provoking questions

like happiness is what what is what is

real happiness to you let's create a new

vision for yourself health is what

energy is what Vitality is what Vigor is

what and she started to create a new

foundation for her life and started

having a new compelling

future and almost instantly she You' see

her whole state

change second example is this who in

here has kids or children I have two of

them a five and a three-year-old would

not having your first child or is not

having your first child a massive

upgrade and update in your life software

yes of course it is you can read as many

books on labor on children my wife did

and nothing prepared you for the

exhaustion and the the chaos of it but

it's also very rewarding now in the

example I'm giving you now

let's say for example the mother has

this child for the first time she looks

at this baby with so much unconditional

love right and she says you know what

I've made some bad decisions in my life

I drank too much I partied too much I

did too many drugs I hung around the

wrong people this child deserves more

I'm changing now and she consciously

chooses to upgrade her software now

let's say for example the father now

this can be a reverse I'm not picking on

fathers by any means but the father says

consciously unconsciously and says you

know what I'm going to continue on with

my life and be selfish egotistical drink

Party come home in the we hours of the

morning and not change and guess what

shows up disharmony in the Life software

of your relationship shows up and guess

what viruses within that relationship

plague both the couples in the worst

form hate and resentment and guess who

suffers the worst of it the

child now lastly I will end

here is it not true that some

sometimes sometimes on the computer

screen or tablet or phone that we have

when our download is almost fully

complete we get a message that says

something like your download is almost

fully complete but in order for the

completion of this download you must

restart your

computer the same thing goes for us as

human beings who if you're going through

some chaos in your life some struggles

lacking meaning or whatever struggle

you're going through sometimes we must

do this press restart on our Minds our

bodies and our souls take a couple steps

back re-examine our motives re-examine

who we are re-evaluate what's most

important to us re prioritize our vision

our commitment our mission our passions

our purpose in our power and claim it no

one's going to do it for

you Food For Thought U 2.0 is available

to you at any moment in time the

question is are you going to consciously

step in and use Faith fire and

flexibility or are you going to be

paralyzed by fear a cold heart and

rigidity ladies and gentlemen my name is

Anthony Chim wishing that you give live

and love with ultimate Limitless and

infinite power purpose and passion thank

you very much for having me here today

thank

you thank you