ENGLISH SPEECH | NATALIE PORTMAN: Don’t Doubt Yourself (English Subtitles) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Natalie Portman speaks to the class of 2015, sharing her experiences and encouraging them to embrace their inexperience and carve out their own path.

Key Insights

• ❓ Insecurity and feelings of unworthiness can persist even after achieving success.
• 🤔 Inexperience can be an asset, allowing for original and unconventional thinking.
• 💦 Finding meaning in work comes from choosing projects that align with one's passions and values.
• 🧑‍🏭 Human interactions and acts of kindness have a significant impact on personal fulfillment and relationships.
• 🏛️ Surrounding oneself with supportive friends and building lasting connections is invaluable.
• 🥺 Embracing inexperience and taking risks can lead to profound personal growth and unexpected successes.
• ✊ The power of a school extends beyond academic learning and can shape one's values and perspective.

Transcript

Hello, class of 2015. I am so honored to be here today. Dean Khurana, faculty, parents, and most especially graduating students. Thank you so much for inviting me. The Senior Class Committee. It’s genuinely one of the most exciting things I’ve ever been asked to do. I have to admit primarily because I can’t deny it as it was leaked in the WikiLeaks... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Natalie Portman feel when she first entered Harvard as a freshman?

Portman felt insecure and unworthy, fearing that people would think she had gotten in just for being famous.

Q: What is the significance of embracing inexperience?

By embracing inexperience, one can approach things in a unique and unconventional way, thinking outside the box and forging their own path.

Q: How did Portman find meaning in her work?

Portman found meaning by choosing projects that she was passionate about and from which she could gain meaningful experiences rather than chasing financial and critical success.

Q: Why does Portman emphasize the importance of human interactions and kindness?

Portman believes that helping others and showing kindness can have a lasting impact, reminding us that we are not the center of the universe and that supporting others can change the course of someone's life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Portman reflects on her own insecurities and feelings of unworthiness when she first entered Harvard as a freshman.

• She emphasizes the importance of not conforming to others' expectations and instead using inexperience as an asset to find one's own unique path.

• Portman talks about the significance of finding meaning in one's work and not relying on external validation.