Are we chasing dreams or just running? | Sofía Tuane | TEDxVitacura

Summary

In this TEDx Talk, Sebastian Betti challenges the audience to reflect on their life goals and whether they are truly their own or influenced by societal expectations. Sharing personal experiences as a volleyball player and a law student, Betti discusses the pursuit of goals at the expense of enjoying life's journey. He introduces the concept of 'flow' by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, advocating for a focus on the process rather than just the end result. Through personal anecdotes and exercises, he encourages the audience to find happiness in the present moment and to appreciate the path to their goals.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The importance of envisioning a future where personal goals and desires have been achieved, and reflecting on the happiness that comes from such accomplishments.
• 🤔 The need to question the source of our aspirations, discerning whether they stem from personal desires or societal expectations.
• 👀 The realization that the future we imagine may not be the only possible one, prompting us to consider alternative paths.
• 🏃‍♀️ The metaphor of life as a constant chase after goals, urging us to pause and evaluate if we are truly pursuing our dreams or just running aimlessly.
• 🏐 A personal narrative of striving for excellence in sports and academics, highlighting the relentless pursuit of success and the eventual questioning of its true value.
• 🏆 The feeling of emptiness and lack of fulfillment despite achieving significant milestones, suggesting that the journey and the process are as important as the destination.
• 🤷‍♀️ The challenge of balancing the pursuit of goals with the enjoyment of life's moments, and the difficulty of finding happiness in a life focused solely on outcomes.
• 🌟 The concept of 'flow' introduced by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, which emphasizes the joy and productivity that come from being fully immersed in an activity.
• 🔄 The transformative power of reevaluating past goals and achievements, and the insight gained from reflecting on what was truly desired versus what was pursued out of obligation.
• 🌱 The personal transformation that comes from shifting focus from goal achievement to enjoying the journey, embracing individuality, and living in the present moment.
• 🌈 The call to action for the audience to embrace the process of life, to savor each moment, and to find joy in the path towards their goals rather than just the goals themselves.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech?

The main theme of the speech is the importance of enjoying the journey towards one's goals rather than just focusing on the end results.

Why did the speaker feel like they didn't fit in?

The speaker felt like they didn't fit in because they were very tall and often the tallest person in their class, which made them feel different and out of place.

What sport did the speaker excel in and why was it suggested to them?

The speaker excelled in volleyball, which was suggested to them by a teacher who believed it was a sport where their height could be an advantage.

What was the coach's first lesson to the speaker during her time in the national volleyball team?

The coach's first lesson was not to celebrate until the match was won, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the ultimate goal.

How did the speaker's approach to volleyball influence their approach to other areas of life?

The speaker's goal-driven and result-focused approach from volleyball influenced them to set and pursue goals in their academic and professional life with the same intensity.

What was the speaker's ultimate achievement in their academic career?

The speaker's ultimate achievement in their academic career was becoming the first woman of her generation to have her title from the Supreme Court.

Why did the speaker feel a void after achieving their big goal?

The speaker felt a void after achieving their big goal because they realized they had been running towards goals without enjoying the process and had missed out on many aspects of life.

What is the concept of 'flow' as mentioned in the speech?

The concept of 'flow' is a state of total immersion and enjoyment in an activity, which improves concentration, creativity, satisfaction, and overall well-being.

What three steps did the speaker take to change their life's approach?

The speaker took three steps: reviewing their past and making a list of accomplished goals, analyzing what they did for their own desires versus others' expectations, and becoming more present and aware of the moments they were living.

What exercise does the speaker invite the audience to do at the end of the speech?

The speaker invites the audience to take three deep breaths, focusing on sensations and the present moment, to enhance their awareness and connection to the current experience.

What is the speaker's final message about the pursuit of goals?

The speaker's final message is that the most important aspect is not only to achieve goals but to enjoy the process towards them, as life is defined by every moment, challenge, and lesson, not just the goals we accomplish.