The Secret to Success: It’s Not What You Think | Kim Perell | TEDxPepperdineUniversity

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares their journey from feeling inadequate as a twin to achieving remarkable success as an entrepreneur. Emphasizing the importance of resilience, they recount personal and professional failures that shaped their identity and fueled their determination. A pivotal moment comes with the premature birth of their twins, which redefined their understanding of success beyond financial achievements. Through these experiences, the speaker illustrates that true success is grounded in the ability to rise after failure and face challenges head-on, ultimately revealing that resilience is the cornerstone of personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Resilience is a crucial factor for success, often more important than intelligence or hard work.
• 😀 Failure is a natural part of the journey; learning from it builds resilience.
• 😀 The story of personal struggles can help shape one's character and determination.
• 😀 Support from family can play a significant role in overcoming challenges.
• 😀 Setting clear goals and visualizing them can help in achieving success.
• 😀 True success is often redefined through personal experiences and challenges faced.
• 😀 Life's plans may not go as expected, but adaptability is key.
• 😀 The early teachings about facing adversity can have lasting effects on one's mindset.
• 😀 Strength and resilience can be developed like a muscle through life experiences.
• 😀 Success can be measured not just in financial terms, but also in personal growth and family.

Q & A

What early experience shaped the speaker's understanding of resilience?

The speaker's father asked her daily about the worst thing that happened to her, which helped build her resilience from a young age.

What is the fourth 'R' that the speaker emphasizes for success?

The fourth 'R' is resilience, which the speaker identifies as essential for overcoming challenges and achieving success.

How did the speaker react after being laid off at 23?

She felt devastated and initially wanted to hide from the world, feeling broke and unemployed.

What significant action did the speaker take after hitting rock bottom?

She reached out to her grandmother for a loan, using it to invest in a business opportunity in the internet sector.

What was the unexpected reality of the speaker's time in Hawaii?

Despite the beautiful location, she faced challenges working in a cluttered environment with distractions from housemates.

What major event did the speaker experience in 2014?

She faced the premature birth of her twins, which was a significant emotional and physical challenge.

What lesson about success did the speaker learn from her twins' premature birth?

She learned that true success is not just about business achievements but also about personal strength and resilience in facing life's challenges.

How does the speaker define success after her experiences?

She redefined success as the health and strength of her children, rather than purely financial accomplishments.

What advice does the speaker give regarding failure?

She advises that failure should be embraced as a learning opportunity, and resilience should be practiced by getting back up after setbacks.

How did the speaker’s view on resilience change throughout her journey?

She realized that resilience can be developed and strengthened over time, and it's crucial for navigating both personal and professional challenges.