RT threadguy (@notthreadguy)the cold hard blunt truth about winners is they simply win. it doesn’t matter about adversity, doubters or things not going their way. it’s an adverse world. winners find a way. at the end of the day anyone can make excuses. anyone can say i would have that or they should have this. anyone can blame variables. but when its all said and done theres either a W or an L in the win column. and thats ultimately what separates us. you from me. me and you. its the W. it’s not always the ...

Overcoming Adversity - The speaker, a teacher, shares her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer after 30 years of teaching [1] - A student's words of encouragement ("You're a soldier, miss") became a source of strength during her cancer journey [1] - The speaker reflects on her difficult relationship with her mother and how teaching helped her understand her mother's hardships [3][4] - The speaker found solace and healing in the words and actions of her students during her cancer treatment [6][7] The Power of Youth - Teenagers possess unfiltered honesty and unrehearsed kindness, offering wisdom beyond their years [2] - Young people approach adversity like poets, offering empathy and belief in healing [12] - Generosity and philanthropy are not limited to older adults; some of the most philanthropic souls are under 18 [13] The Impact of Teaching - Teaching provided joy and acceptance, transforming the pain from her upbringing into a positive force [6] - Students' words served as a "lifeboat" during the speaker's cancer battle [7] - The classroom is a sanctuary of becoming, where kindness, perseverance, and vulnerability matter [11] - The speaker's legacy lies in the words her students have etched in her heart, providing courage and sunlight [17]

Core Argument - The speech emphasizes that adversity is a universal human experience, and individuals have the power to choose how they respond to it [1] - It advocates for resilience and moving forward despite pain and challenges, rather than being defined or defeated by them [1] Five Steps to Defy Adversity - Accept and acknowledge the adversity, recognizing that only the individual can solve it [1] - Control the mind using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with studies suggesting CBT can reduce depression and anxiety by up to 70% in young teens and adults [2] - Connect with others to combat isolation, as meaningful human connection boosts emotional wellbeing, reduces stress, and improves physical health [4][5][6] - Take small, steady steps towards goals, as consistent progress builds momentum and control [7][8][9] - Reflect on the reasons behind the adversity and use the experience to improve things for oneself and others [10][11] Psychological and Behavioral Insights - The speech references the "just world hypothesis," a cognitive bias that assumes people get what they deserve, but argues that this isn't true [1] - It highlights the importance of mental resilience over physical strength in overcoming adversity [3] - It notes that isolation intensifies negative feelings, while connection provides support and hope [4][5][6]

Core Argument - The document advocates for introspection as a crucial tool for handling adversity, suggesting it's more effective to understand and process emotional responses than to avoid challenges [4][5] - It highlights the shift from suppressing emotions to sharing struggles, but warns against losing the essence of resilience by equating it with ignoring problems [7][8] - The document defines resilience as being aligned with introspection, involving analyzing emotions in a detached manner and digesting them [9][10] Practical Applications of Introspection - Understanding emotions allows for more productive responses, such as a rock climber managing anxiety by recognizing its evolutionary basis [11] - Self-reflection develops a deeper sense of identity, enabling individuals to trust themselves and understand their multifaceted nature, providing a fallback during hardships [12][13] - Introspection is most fruitfully realized with support from others, as illustrated by the anecdote about processing grief with the help of family [14][15][16][17] Methods for Cultivating Introspection - The document suggests incorporating practices like observing nature (trees), finding a personal rhythm (running), and minimizing distractions (using an alarm clock instead of a phone) to foster introspection [19][20][21][22][23][24] - It warns against the modern world's tendency to optimize every moment for productivity, urging individuals to embrace boredom as an opportunity for self-reflection [25] Historical Context and Illustration - The document references historical perspectives on handling adversity, such as the Roman ideal of suppressing fear, and contrasts it with modern approaches [6][7] - The Belgian Antarctic expedition serves as an example of neglecting internal factors (crew's well-being) while focusing on external mission, highlighting the importance of introspection [2][3][4][26][27][28]

Personal Development & Skill Acquisition - The industry emphasizes the importance of building resilience as an antidote to adversity [1] - Initially, aggression was used as a coping mechanism, but it led to burnout and negative impacts on others [2] - Experimentation with psychedelics provided temporary perspective but did not address underlying problems [2][3] - A 10-day vipassana course was suggested as a means to address suffering [3][4] - Vipassana meditation is presented as a skill-based program focused on developing morality, concentration, and purification of the mind [5] Meditation & Mindfulness Techniques - Morality is cultivated through observing five precepts: abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxication [5] - Concentration is developed by focusing on the breath, observing its connection to the mind and emotions [6][7] - Observing the breath is a way of observing the mind [7] - Purification of the mind involves observing the biological processes associated with emotions, rather than focusing on the content of the emotion [9][10][11] - Vipassana teaches to observe the impermanent nature of emotions and biochemical reactions to change unconscious reaction patterns [11][12] Transformation & Resilience - Completing the vipassana course led to a feeling of peace, happiness, and harmony [12] - Resilience is framed as a skill that can be practiced daily, leading to increased calmness and happiness [12][13]

What gets you out of bed in the morning. Is it your mom. Do you set an alarm.Or does do not disturb on your phone wake you up. Is it the sun. Is it your bladder. Is it hunger.Is it a desire to make the most of every moment or the urge to be more. Do any of you just roll over and go back to sleep or at least pretend to. I always used to call this half sleep.How long can you keep it up. Can you roll over for 1 hour, two, five, a whole day. At what point do you just get a little bored and get out of bed.This i ...

Personal Reflection and Growth - The speaker reflects on a trip to northern Thailand, highlighting the disparity in access to basic necessities like clean water compared to developed countries [2][3] - The speaker shares experiences volunteering in a refugee camp, witnessing the hardships faced by children affected by war and displacement [4][5][6][7] - The speaker contrasts the privileged conditions of their basketball training with the challenging circumstances faced by children in Thailand, leading to feelings of shame and a renewed sense of responsibility [8][9][10] - The speaker acknowledges a past period of irresponsibility and lack of motivation, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and learning from experiences [10][11] - The speaker initially viewed community service as a requirement for school or college applications but later realized its true value in personal development [12][13] Call to Action and Community Impact - The speaker encourages the audience to be aware of the world around them and contribute to positive change, regardless of their individual limitations [14][15] - The speaker emphasizes the power of collective effort, suggesting that even small contributions can create a significant impact [15] - The speaker advocates for unity and standing together in the face of adversity [15]

Entrepreneurial Journey & Resilience - The speaker's initial entrepreneurial attempt involved trading oil, aiming for a 150万 (1500000) naira profit on a 350万 (3500000) naira deal, but resulted in debt and arrest [5][6] - The speaker faced significant financial setbacks, including an 1800万 (18000000) naira debt and imprisonment after losing a tanker of oil worth 400万 (4000000) naira and discovering a 5000万 (50000000) naira loss due to theft [11][12] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of grit, defined as blending experience with courage and embracing vulnerability, as a key legacy for entrepreneurs [15][16] Business & Legacy Building - The speaker highlights the importance of building a legacy through a story that inspires, teaches, creates, and fosters collaboration [19][20] - The speaker suggests that adversity and failures are opportunities for growth and can lead to greater success [13][20] - The speaker's real estate project in Allesa is valued at 1000亿 (100000000000) naira, demonstrating a significant turnaround from previous financial struggles [21] Overcoming Adversity & Achieving Success - The speaker emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement, advocating for studying business and success to become successful [14] - The speaker draws inspiration from Thomas Edison's perseverance, highlighting his 10,000 failed experiments as a testament to not accepting failure as an outcome [25] - The speaker notes that companies like Airbnb, Uber, and WhatsApp were founded during recessions, suggesting that economic downturns can be fertile ground for innovation [23]

[Music] [Applause] When you think of success, maybe you think of hoisting a Lombardi trophy after winning a Super Bowl. Maybe you think about getting that big promotion they'd work so hard to earn at work. Or maybe you think about having the biggest house with the fastest car in the garage. Or maybe you think about standing here on a TEDx stage telling your story.You see, when you hear about all these levels of success, though, what you don't think about is the adversity that it took someone to overcome to ...

Core Message - Life adversities, like cancer, are unwanted gifts that can be returned, exchanged, regifted, or shelved [5][6][9][11][21] - Integrating these unwanted gifts into one's identity can lead to personal growth and resilience [9][22][26] - The experience of adversity can foster compassion, consideration, sensitivity, and caring in individuals [21] Cancer Experience & Impact - A cancer diagnosis evokes terror and enters one into an unimaginable world [3] - The speaker experienced a sense of changing identity and beauty, shame, disfigurement, and devastation after being diagnosed with cancer at 37 [6][7] - The speaker had a breast cancer recurrence seven years after the initial diagnosis and developed skin cancer twice [14] - The speaker's children's conversations shifted from "boooos in her boobies" to life and death discussions during the second cancer experience [19] Coping & Growth - Taking care of oneself can aid in early detection and tolerance of treatments [17] - Resiliency is developed daily by showing up, rewiring neuropathways, and coping with adversity [23] - The speaker chooses not to return, exchange, or regift life, embracing it as a wondrous gift [24] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of grasping onto empowering coping techniques during challenging times [24][25]