Neil Pasricha: The 3 A's of awesome

Summary

The speaker shares a personal and inspiring story, beginning with his parents’ journey to Canada from Kenya and India, to his own experiences of personal challenges and growth. Through a blog he created to focus on simple pleasures, he went on to achieve success, including a Webby award and a bestselling book. He outlines three principles that helped him grow: Attitude, Awareness, and Authenticity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity, being mindful of the small joys in life, and staying true to oneself. The talk culminates in a heartfelt reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of embracing these moments.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on the immigrant experience of their parents coming to Canada from Kenya and India in the 1960s, highlighting the contrast with their own childhood.
• 😀 Despite facing personal challenges, including the breakdown of a marriage and the tragic loss of a close friend to suicide, the speaker found solace in focusing on life's small joys.
• 😀 The speaker started a blog, *1000awesomethings.com*, to catalog simple pleasures and bring positivity into their life, which eventually gained massive popularity.
• 😀 The core message of the story is about resilience and embracing life through a positive attitude, awareness, and authenticity.
• 😀 The three A's of Awesome are: Attitude (choosing how to respond to adversity), Awareness (appreciating life's simple pleasures), and Authenticity (staying true to oneself).
• 😀 The speaker encourages people to move forward after hardship, choosing to focus on the future with optimism rather than staying stuck in negativity.
• 😀 Emphasizing childlike wonder, the speaker encourages embracing awareness by noticing small, joyful moments that often go unnoticed.
• 😀 Authenticity is about following your heart and being true to yourself, regardless of societal expectations or pressures.
• 😀 The story of Roosevelt 'Rosey' Grier, an NFL linebacker who loved needlepoint, exemplifies the power of embracing one's true passions without fear of judgment.
• 😀 Life is brief, and it's important to savor the moments that bring joy. The speaker reminds the audience to appreciate the small, amazing things in life that contribute to happiness.
• 😀 The speaker concludes by appreciating their parents' immigration journey, emphasizing how their attitude, awareness, and authenticity helped them succeed and make the most of their new life in Canada.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's parents' immigration story?

The speaker's parents' immigration story highlights themes of resilience and adaptation. Coming from different parts of the world (Kenya and India) to Canada in the 1960s, they faced new challenges but managed to settle down and create a life filled with opportunities for their children, which shapes the speaker's perspective on life and gratitude.

How did the speaker deal with personal struggles in 2008 and 2009?

During 2008 and 2009, the speaker faced both personal difficulties and a global economic crisis. His marriage was falling apart, and he experienced the heartbreaking loss of his friend Chris, who took his own life. Despite the emotional turmoil, the speaker sought a way to focus on the positive, which led him to start a website to share small, joyful moments.

What role did the website 1000awesomethings.com play in the speaker's life?

The website served as a therapeutic outlet for the speaker during a challenging time. It focused on celebrating small, often overlooked joys in life. Over time, the website gained popularity and evolved into a successful project, eventually leading to the speaker winning a Webby Award and publishing a bestselling book.

What are the three 'A's of Awesome the speaker mentions?

The three 'A's of Awesome are Attitude, Awareness, and Authenticity. Attitude involves facing life's challenges with optimism, Awareness is about seeing the world with a sense of wonder and appreciation, and Authenticity is about being true to oneself, embracing individuality, and pursuing passions.

What does the speaker say about attitude in the face of adversity?

The speaker emphasizes that when facing hardship, individuals have two choices: to dwell in negativity or to grieve and then move forward with a positive attitude. Choosing to face difficulties with resilience and optimism is a key part of maintaining a healthy attitude.

Why does the speaker admire the perspective of a three-year-old?

The speaker admires the way three-year-olds experience the world with fresh eyes, seeing everyday things as new and exciting. This childlike awareness is something the speaker encourages adults to embrace, as it helps people appreciate the small, joyful moments that they might otherwise overlook.

How does the story of Rosey Grier illustrate the concept of authenticity?

Rosey Grier, a former NFL linebacker, is presented as an example of authenticity because, despite his tough football persona, he embraced his passion for needlepoint and knitting. His genuine love for this calming activity, even writing a book on it, shows how being true to oneself leads to fulfillment and happiness.

What message does the speaker want to convey by talking about his father's first day in Canada?

The speaker uses his father's first day in Canada to illustrate the sense of wonder and amazement that comes from experiencing something new. His father's appreciation for the variety of foods and his curiosity about the world, even as a grown man, exemplify the attitude of embracing the small joys in life with gratitude and awe.

What is the significance of the speaker’s reflection on the fleeting nature of life?

The speaker reflects on the shortness of life to emphasize the importance of savoring the moments we have. With only 100 years to experience all that life offers, the speaker encourages living fully by maintaining a positive attitude, being aware of the small joys, and staying true to oneself.

How does the speaker encourage people to live a rich and fulfilling life?

The speaker encourages people to live a rich and fulfilling life by choosing a positive attitude, embracing awareness of life's simple pleasures, and being authentic. By doing so, individuals can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from appreciating life’s fleeting moments and being true to who they are.