TED Talks Daily How to shift your mindset and choose your future | Tom Rivett-Carnac
Apr 23, 2020
Political strategist Tom Rivett-Carnac, a leading voice on the climate crisis, encourages listeners to embrace a mindset of 'stubborn optimism' in the face of overwhelming challenges. He discusses how this approach can transform fear into action and inspire collective determination against climate change. By sharing personal reflections and experiences from his journey, he emphasizes the balance between individual efforts and collective responsibility. Rivett-Carnac paints a hopeful picture of a regenerative future driven by meaningful engagement and resilience.
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UN Meetings and Powerlessness
- Tom Rivett-Carnac discusses his experience joining the UN, expecting impactful work but finding long, boring meetings.
- This led to feelings of powerlessness, similar to his initial reaction upon learning about the climate crisis.
The Mind's Trick
- When faced with overwhelming challenges, our minds downplay the problem or our role in it.
- This defense mechanism protects us from feeling powerless, but it hinders action.
Meaning in Action
- Rivett-Carnac contrasts his UN experience with the work of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Despite lacking control over patient outcomes, nurses find meaning in caring for others.