In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, Maya Shankar explores why change can be so scary and how we can unlock its potential. She shares inspiring stories and practical strategies to embrace unexpected change and expand ourselves in the process.
Maya Shankar highlights how change, especially the unexpected kind, can be daunting. However, she emphasizes that unexpected change has the potential to inspire lasting transformations within us. Instead of viewing change as limiting, we can embrace it as an opportunity for personal growth and expansion.
Shankar introduces three questions to help navigate unexpected change. Inspired by Christine Ha’s story, the first question encourages us to reflect on the new capabilities we have gained through our experiences. Ha, who faced cooking challenges after losing her vision, found joy in overcoming obstacles and acquiring new skills. By recognizing our ability to adapt and learn, we can approach change with a more optimistic mindset.
Shankar highlights the multi-sensory nature of cooking, reminding us that we often underestimate our capacity to change and adapt to new situations. She shares Ha’s remarkable journey, where she transformed from struggling with cooking to becoming a world-renowned chef and owning three restaurants.
Shankar emphasizes the importance of defining ourselves by what energizes us, rather than solely focusing on our pursuits. By staying open to internal change, we can better navigate unexpected storms in life. Shankar encourages us to reflect on how unexpected challenges can shape our capabilities, values, and self-definition. She invites us to imagine a future self that expands the definition of parenting and sees change as an opportunity for growth and possibility.
Maya Shankar’s talk reminds us that change, even the unexpected kind, can lead to personal transformation and expansion. By asking ourselves empowering questions and embracing change with an open mindset, we can unlock its potential and discover new capabilities within ourselves.