How a "Hi Level" Mindset Helps You Realize Your Potential | Cordae | TED

Summary

Cordae, a Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist, shares his 'Hi Level mindset' in a TED Talk, a philosophy learned from his mother's resilience. He emphasizes staying positive, being intentional with goals, maintaining discipline, and surrounding oneself with positivity. Despite facing setbacks, Cordae encourages pursuing one's potential and leaving a legacy.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Cordae, a Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist, shares his personal philosophy and way of life known as the 'Hi Level mindset'.
• 👶 The Hi Level mindset originates from Cordae's mother, who overcame significant challenges as a young single parent.
• 🌟 The mindset is not explicitly taught but learned through observation and is a philosophy applied to everyday thoughts and actions.
• 🚀 Cordae emphasizes the importance of remaining positive in the face of adversity, which is a core component of the Hi Level mindset.
• 📈 He stresses the significance of being intentional with one's desires and maintaining faith in oneself and a higher power.
• 📋 Cordae shares his experience with creating a vision board and the impact it had on achieving his goals within a year.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Discipline is highlighted as a critical factor in achieving success, especially when motivation is lacking.
• 👥 The Hi Level mindset includes surrounding oneself with positive influences and removing negative people from one's life.
• 💔 Cordae admits to personal struggles, including the mixed reception of his sophomore album, showing that the Hi Level mindset is not a guarantee of perfection but a commitment to personal potential.
• 📚 Life is compared to a book, where not every chapter is perfect, but the Hi Level mindset encourages striving for a meaningful legacy.

Q & A

Who is Cordae and what is his profession?

Cordae is a 24-year-old hip-hop artist from Raleigh, North Carolina, who was raised in Suitland, Maryland. He is a Grammy-nominated artist.

What is the 'Hi Level mindset' Cordae talks about?

The 'Hi Level mindset' is a philosophy Cordae learned from observing his mother's resilience and success against adversity. It involves maintaining a positive attitude, being intentional with one's desires, and applying discipline to everyday life.

How did Cordae's mother influence his 'Hi Level mindset'?

Cordae's mother, who had him at 16 and faced numerous challenges as a single mom, showed him the 'Hi Level mindset' by overcoming obstacles and improving their living situation over time.

What is the first step of the 'Hi Level mindset' according to Cordae?

The first step of the 'Hi Level mindset' is to always remain positive, no matter what challenges life or people throw at you.

What was Cordae's background before becoming a famous artist?

Before becoming famous, Cordae had a difficult time in college, including the loss of a friend to prison, legal troubles, the death of his grandmother, poor grades, and financial struggles.

How did Cordae use his mixtape's low download numbers as motivation?

Cordae viewed the low download numbers of his mixtape as fuel to work harder, believing that these misfortunes would make his triumph story cooler.

What is the second step of the 'Hi Level mindset'?

The second step is to always be intentional with your desires, knowing exactly what you want and starting your day by reading your goals and dreams aloud.

How did Cordae apply discipline in his life?

Cordae applied discipline by avoiding drugs and alcohol, which he referred to as 'a cheat code' to ensure staying on track towards his goals.

What is the fourth step of the 'Hi Level mindset'?

The fourth step is to remove all negative people from your life immediately to avoid letting their negativity affect your progress.

How did Cordae react to the mixed reviews of his sophomore album?

Cordae was deeply affected by the mixed reviews of his sophomore album and went through a period of unmotivation and overindulgence, but eventually found perspective through a Yiddish proverb.

What is the main message Cordae wants to convey about life and legacy?

Cordae emphasizes the importance of maximizing one's time on Earth by living with a 'Hi Level mindset,' striving for a legacy rather than being remembered for what-ifs or failures.