How to challenge your negative self-talk | Josh Green | TEDxSurrey

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares a personal story of overcoming self-doubt and negative voices through the metaphor of juggling. Despite feeling unprepared and inadequate, the speaker's perseverance in auditioning for a juggling role led to unexpected success. The narrative highlights the importance of embracing opportunities, practicing, showing up, and surrounding oneself with supportive, talented individuals. It encourages listeners to push beyond their comfort zones and challenges the belief that they are not good enough, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker discovered a profound lesson in failure during a juggling audition, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in their life.
• 🌟 Growing up with dreams of acting, the speaker faced numerous rejections and negative comments that affected their self-esteem.
• 🎭 The journey to becoming an actor involved starting as a background performer, which was a safe place to begin and build momentum.
• 🤹‍♂️ The speaker was given an audition for a juggling role despite not knowing how to juggle, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities.
• 🕒 With limited time, the speaker practiced intensely and learned to juggle just enough to perform in the audition, showing the power of determination.
• 🏆 Despite feeling out of place among professional jugglers, the speaker's unique approach led to success in the audition, landing the role.
• 🗣️ The internal dialogue of self-doubt and negative voices is not unique to the speaker but is a common experience that can be overcome.
• 🔄 The casting directors, like everyone else, have their own insecurities and doubts, which means that external validation is not a measure of worth.
• 👫 Surrounding oneself with talented and supportive people can help expand one's abilities and provide valuable learning opportunities.
• 🚀 Embracing challenges and stepping out of one's comfort zone, even when faced with the fear of failure, can lead to personal growth and success.
• 🔄 The process of achieving success is not linear; it involves persistence, practice, and the support of others to overcome internal and external obstacles.

Q & A

What was the speaker's childhood dream and how did the world's weight affect it?

The speaker's childhood dream was to become an actor, and the weight of the world, which refers to negative comments and rejections, hadn't yet crushed their spirit at that time.

How did the speaker initially start their acting journey and what challenges did they face?

The speaker started their acting journey by getting a background agent, which required them to stand still in the background. They faced challenges such as negative comments about not being good enough and internalizing these voices.

What was the first audition the speaker got and what was their preparation for it?

The speaker's first audition was for a role that required juggling. They didn't know how to juggle at all, so they called their friend Adam who taught them from the basics, and they practiced until they could juggle for about 5 seconds.

How did the speaker feel during the audition with professional jugglers and what was their strategy?

The speaker felt intimidated and inadequate, surrounded by professional jugglers. Their strategy was to perform their 5-second juggling routine with confidence, even if it didn't look as impressive.

What was the turning point during the speaker's audition and how did they handle it?

The turning point was when the speaker dropped the ball during the audition. They handled it by picking up the ball and continuing to juggle as if nothing happened, maintaining a smile despite their embarrassment.

What was the surprising outcome of the audition and how did it affect the speaker's perspective?

Surprisingly, the speaker got the part despite their performance. This outcome affected their perspective by showing them that the casting directors were looking for something different, and their unique approach worked in their favor.

What role did the speaker play in the production and what was the character's name?

The speaker played the role of a jester in the production, and the character was named 'Stupid Jester'.

What internal discoveries did the speaker make about the negative voices in their life?

The speaker discovered that the negative voices were not their own but came from external sources like teachers, parents, bullies, or partners. They realized these voices were not to be listened to and that everyone, including the casting directors, has their own set of doubts.

What advice does the speaker give about starting small and building momentum?

The speaker advises starting in the safest and smallest way possible, like being a background performer, and then building momentum from there. This approach helps to overcome negative thoughts and create unstoppable progress.

How does the speaker emphasize the importance of showing up and saying yes to opportunities?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of showing up and saying yes to opportunities by sharing their own experiences where they could have turned down the juggling opportunity but chose to stay, which eventually led to their success.

What is the speaker's perspective on failure and how does it relate to their journey?

The speaker views failure as a part of the journey and a necessary step towards success. They share their experiences of numerous failures in auditions and businesses, which ultimately led to their growth and success in their career.

What is the main message the speaker wants to convey about embracing opportunities and overcoming self-doubt?

The main message is to embrace opportunities, even when faced with self-doubt and negative voices, by practicing, showing up, and surrounding oneself with supportive and talented people. The speaker encourages others to push beyond their edges and not to let the fear of not being good enough hold them back.