For the Love of Learning | Matthew Sebalja | TEDxSIUC

TL;DR

A speaker shares their experience of failure in attempting to give a TEDx talk and highlights the importance of embracing failure as a valuable learning experience.

Transcript

[Applause] so about four years ago I was on a tedex stage just like this one I was 18 I was fiery passionate and on that stage there was a professor a life coach entrepreneur and then there was me I wasn't even passing Algebra I don't know how or why they let me on that stage but it happened I promise you and I wanted to talk about mental health in... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Failure is a valuable learning experience that can lead to personal growth and opportunities.
• 😫 Embracing failure allows for setting high expectations and pushing oneself to achieve more.
• 🤩 Being passionate and willing to learn are key to becoming smart and successful.
• ❓ The value of experiences should not be determined by meeting expectations, but by the lessons learned from failures.
• 🤢 Setting the bar high and being willing to fail can lead to remarkable stories of growth and resilience.
• 🥺 One's perception of failure can change over time, leading to a shift in mindset and a greater appreciation for the learning process.
• 🦸 Learning from mistakes and failures can shape an individual's hero or role model over time.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker feel when their TEDx talk got canceled?

The speaker felt devastated and believed that their opportunity to make a difference and go viral was taken away from them. They felt frustrated and disheartened.

Q: Why did the speaker feel like a failure in college?

The speaker believed that college wasn't teaching them anything important and that they were only focusing on making money. They felt lost and dissatisfied with their education.

Q: How did the speaker initially approach overcoming failure?

The speaker decided to try stock trading and started a web design business, hoping to achieve success and financial stability. However, both ventures didn't work out, leading to disappointment.

Q: What realization did the speaker have about the value of failure?

The speaker learned that the enjoyment and value of their experiences shouldn't solely depend on success or meeting expectations. They discovered the importance of embracing failure and learning from it.

Q: What advice does the speaker give to their younger self?

The speaker advises their younger self to keep their passion and desire to make a difference, as it has led them to new opportunities and growth. They also emphasize the value of experiencing epic failures and learning from them.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker wanted to give a TEDx talk on mental health in education but it got postponed and eventually canceled, leading to disappointment and frustration.

• Feeling lost and broke, the speaker attempted stock trading and started a web design business, which also didn't work out.

• The speaker reflects on their journey, learns to embrace failure, and encourages others to set high expectations and be willing to make mistakes in order to learn and grow.