On Confidence by Alain de Botton delves into the complexities of self-assurance, addressing the pervasive issues that prevent individuals from realizing their full potential. Through this insightful exploration, de Botton breaks down confidence to help readers understand and cultivate it. The book reveals that confidence is not innate but can be consciously developed through introspection and practice.

Introduction

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">De Botton explores confidence as a dynamic quality one can cultivate rather than an inherent trait.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">He illustrates how confidence relates to self-perception and how we respond to the world, ultimately shaping our successes and failures.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Confidence is a combination of self-acceptance and a realistic understanding of human limitations.</li></ul>

The Nature of Confidence

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The book addresses external and internal factors undermining confidence, such as societal expectations, fear of judgment, and self-criticism.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">De Botton emphasizes the impact of early life experiences and social conditioning, which shape our sense of self-worth and willingness to take risks.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">He also identifies perfectionism as a major obstacle, as it often leads to inaction and self-doubt.</li></ul>

Common Obstacles to Confidence

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">According to de Botton, embracing vulnerability is crucial for genuine confidence; he discusses how accepting imperfections allows individuals to grow.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This section encourages readers to adopt a more forgiving view of their mistakes, seeing them as learning opportunities rather than failures.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">De Botton also argues that acknowledging our vulnerability can build resilience, allowing us to face challenges with greater courage.</li></ul>

The Role of Vulnerability

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">De Botton highlights the importance of self-awareness in fostering confidence, suggesting that understanding oneself deeply can mitigate negative self-talk.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">He advocates for a compassionate approach to self-critique, urging readers to treat themselves with the same kindness they would offer others.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Through self-reflection exercises, readers are guided to identify their strengths and weaknesses without harsh judgment, building a stable foundation for confidence.</li></ul>

Developing Self-Awareness and Compassion

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The book concludes with actionable advice on building confidence, recommending practices such as goal-setting, gradual exposure to challenges, and seeking supportive relationships.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">De Botton encourages readers to take small, calculated risks, reinforcing that confidence grows through experience and overcoming minor setbacks.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">He emphasizes the role of persistence and adaptability in nurturing confidence, suggesting that progress, not perfection, should be the ultimate goal.</li></ul>

Taking Practical Steps to Build Confidence

In On Confidence, Alain de Botton offers a fresh, compassionate perspective on developing self-assurance, urging readers to replace self-doubt with self-understanding and patience. His insights remind us that confidence is less about innate talent and more about the courage to accept our vulnerabilities and to persist despite setbacks. The book serves as a philosophical reflection and a practical guide for those seeking a more confident approach to life.

Conclusion

Progress, not perfection, should be the ultimate goal...

The difference between success and failure often hangs on a fascinatingly small and elusive concept that our standard education system never touches: confidence. This is a guidebook to what confidence consists of, why we lack it - and how we can acquire more of it in our lives. On Confidence walks us gently and wryly around the key issues that stop us from making more of our potential. We hear about the impostor syndrome, the wisdom of imagining the great in their bathrooms and what Nietzsche and Montaigne (among others) have to tell us about resilience and courage. We often stay stuck with the level of confidence we have because we implicitly regard being confident as a matter of slightly freakish and unrepeatable good luck. In fact, as this essay charmingly shows, the opposite is true. Confidence is a skill based on a set of ideas about our place in the world - and its secrets can quietly and deftly be learnt. What people are saying about On Confidence: “Awesome graphic design and the paper quality is amazing.” Joana “Great content, engagingly written.” Janine “Great life advice without being overly pedantic. Cleverly written, digestible format.” Carolyn

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

philosophy

Philosophy

mentalhealth

Mental Health

books

Books

humanresources

Human Resources

The School of Life

On Confidence

"2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love" by Rachel Aaron offers a practical approach to increasing writing productivity. The author shares her personal experience of going from writing 2,000 words a day to 10,000 words by applying simple yet effective strategies. The book is designed for writers who struggle with output and want to boost their writing speed while improving the quality of their work.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Aaron emphasizes the importance of planning and knowing what you want to write before you start.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">She suggests outlining chapters, scenes, or the entire plot ahead of time.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Writing is faster when you’ve mapped out the story’s direction, reducing hesitations during drafting.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">A clear understanding of characters, world-building, and motivations is essential for smooth writing flow.</li></ul>

The Power of Knowledge (Know What You’re Writing)

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Tracking productivity is key to improving it. Aaron advocates keeping a record of your writing times and word counts.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">She discovered her peak productivity hours by experimenting and observing her writing output during different times of the day.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Writers should work during their most productive periods and establish routines that foster concentration and creativity.</li></ul>

Time Management and the Right Mindset

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Writing becomes much easier when you're excited about your work.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Aaron advises writers to focus on the aspects of their stories that excite them the most.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">If a scene or chapter feels boring, it might need revision or rethinking. Enjoying your work helps you write more quickly and passionately.</li></ul>

Enthusiasm (Loving What You Write)

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">While fast drafting is crucial, revision cannot be ignored. Aaron emphasizes that the first draft is not the final product.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Writers should be prepared to revise extensively, focusing on structure, pacing, and character development.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Editing in layers (i.e., looking at different aspects such as grammar, pacing, or character arc in each pass) can streamline the process.</li></ul>

Editing and Revision Process

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Writing faster is not just about talent; it’s a skill that can be developed with consistent practice.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Aaron discusses building a writing habit that fits individual schedules and lives, making writing a non-negotiable part of the day.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Over time, with consistent effort, writing faster becomes second nature, leading to both increased productivity and higher quality.</li></ul>

Writing as a Skill and a Habit

"2K to 10K" offers writers actionable tips to boost their productivity without sacrificing quality. By planning, understanding when and how they work best, and embracing the joy of writing, writers can achieve significant output. Rachel Aaron’s methods are adaptable to individual needs, making this book an excellent resource for writers looking to improve their process.

"I loved this book! So helpful!" -- Courtney Milan, New York Times Best Selling author of The Governess Affair "Have you ever wanted to double your daily word counts? Do you feel like you're crawling through your story, struggling for each paragraph? Would you like to get more words every day without increasing the time you spend writing or sacrificing quality? It's not impossible, it's not even that hard. This is the story of how, with a few simple changes, I boosted my daily writing from 2000 words to over 10k a day, and how you can, too." Expanding on her highly successful process for doubling daily word counts, this book--a combination of reworked blog posts and new material--offers practical writing advice for anyone who's ever longed to increase their daily writing output. In addition to updated information for Rachel's popular 2k to 10k writing efficiency process, 5 step plotting method, and easy editing tips, this new book includes chapters on creating characters that write their own stories, story structure, and learning to love your daily writing. Full of easy to follow, practical advice from a commercial author who doesn't eat if she doesn't produce good books on a regular basis, 2k to 10k focuses not just on writing faster, but writing better, and having more fun while you do it. *New for Fall 2013! This Revised Edition includes updates and corrections for all chapters!*

productivity

Productivity

writing

Reading & Writing

education

Learning & Education

timemanagement

Time Management

Rachel Aaron

2k to 10k

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is a heartwarming memoir about the author's journey of reconnecting with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz. Morrie, diagnosed with ALS, shares life lessons with Mitch during their weekly Tuesday meetings. The book explores profound topics like love, work, aging, death, and forgiveness, offering readers timeless insights into living a meaningful life.

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Mitch Albom, a busy journalist, reconnects with Morrie Schwartz after learning about his terminal illness.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Morrie was Mitch's favorite sociology professor during college, but they lost contact after graduation.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Moved by Morrie’s condition and wisdom, Mitch visits him every Tuesday for life lessons.</li></ul>

Reunion of Teacher and Student

Morrie imparts wisdom on significant life topics, including:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Love: The importance of giving and receiving love.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Work: Pursuing work that brings fulfillment rather than chasing material success.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Aging: Seeing aging as growth rather than decline.</li></ul>The lessons reflect on living authentically and avoiding society's pressures for wealth and status.

Life’s Important Lessons

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Morrie confronts his illness with grace, offering a perspective on death that contrasts fear and denial.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">He teaches Mitch that embracing mortality helps to live a more meaningful life.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Morrie believes that understanding death makes people live better, with less focus on trivial matters.</li></ul>

Facing Mortality

<ul><li>Morrie discusses the importance of forgiving oneself and others before it’s too late.</li><li>He shares personal stories of regrets, emphasizing that unresolved conflicts weigh heavily in later life.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This lesson resonates with Mitch, pushing him to reassess his strained relationships, especially with his brother.</li></ul>

Forgiveness and Regrets

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The final lessons focus on living a life centered around human connections and love rather than fame or fortune.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Morrie emphasizes that external achievements do not measure success but the love and impact one has on others.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Mitch learns to slow down, prioritize relationships, and live with more intention and gratitude.</li></ul>

Living a Life of Purpose

Tuesdays with Morrie is a touching reflection on the human condition, urging readers to focus on what truly matters in life—love, compassion, and connection. Through Mitch and Morrie’s relationship, the book offers timeless lessons on living fully and embracing life's inevitable end with peace and understanding.

What would you share when you know your end is coming...

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A special 25th anniversary edition of the beloved book that has changed millions of lives with the story of an unforgettable friendship, the timeless wisdom of older generations, and healing lessons on loss and grief—featuring a new afterword by the author   “A wonderful book, a story of the heart told by a writer with soul.”—Los Angeles Times   “The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”   Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it.   For Mitch Albom, that person was his college professor Morrie Schwartz. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn’t you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you, receive wisdom for your busy life today the way you once did when you were younger? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man’s life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live. “The truth is, Mitch,” he said, “once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.” Tuesdays with Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie’s lasting gift with the world.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

Mitch Albom is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Mitch Albom has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Mitch Albom's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Mitch Albom

Tuesdays with Morrie

"The End of India" by Khushwant Singh is a sharp and provocative critique of the socio-political state of India. Written in 2003, Singh expresses deep concern about the rising intolerance, religious extremism, and communal violence that, according to him, threaten the very fabric of India's secular democracy. The book is a wake-up call, urging readers to recognize and confront the dangerous divisions forming within the country.

Singh delves into the growing communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims, which he believes are exacerbated by political parties and right-wing groups for electoral gains. He warns of the destructive impact of religious extremism, especially after events like the 2002 Gujarat riots, which shook the nation's conscience.

Religious Intolerance and Communalism

Drawing from his own experiences of witnessing the Partition of India in 1947, Singh vividly recalls the horrors of communal violence and the human cost of religious hatred. He sees disturbing parallels in contemporary India, where he believes similar forces are at play, threatening to tear the country apart once again.

Historical Context

Singh is openly critical of political parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for promoting divisive ideologies and eroding India's secular ethos. He also points to the failure of institutions, including the judiciary and law enforcement, to protect vulnerable communities from violence and discrimination.

Critique of Politicians and Institutions

Alongside religious tensions, Singh highlights the deep socio-economic divides in Indian society, which he sees as further destabilizing the country. The rich-poor gap, caste-based discrimination, and lack of opportunities for marginalized communities only compound the growing unrest.

Socio-Economic Inequalities

Despite his often bleak assessment, Singh does not entirely lose hope. He believes that India's strength lies in its diversity, and that it is still possible to restore harmony and rebuild the nation's secular, pluralistic identity. However, this requires a concerted effort from civil society to stand against intolerance and divisive forces.

Hope for Change

"The End of India" is a passionate and sobering reflection on the challenges facing India at the turn of the 21st century. Singh's writing is unflinching, pointing out uncomfortable truths about religious violence, political opportunism, and social inequality. His central message is a call to action: unless India addresses these deep-rooted issues, the country risks an existential crisis that could undermine its democratic and secular foundations.

‘I thought the nation was coming to an end’ When Khushwant Singh witnessed the violence of Partition nearly seventy years ago, he believed that he had seen the worst that India could do to herself. But after the carnage in Gujarat in 2002, he had reason to feel that the worst, perhaps, was still to come. Analysing the communal violence in Gujarat in 2002, the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, the burning of Graham Staines and his children, the targeted killings by terrorists in Punjab and Kashmir, Khushwant Singh forces us to confront the absolute corruption of religion that has made us among the most brutal people on earth. He also points out that fundamentalism has less to do with religion than with politics. And communal politics, he reminds us, is only the most visible of the demons we have nurtured and let loose upon ourselves. A brave and passionate book, The End of India is a wake-up call for every citizen concerned about his or her own future, if not the nation’s.

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

Discover the world of business and economics.

economics

Economics

Khushwant Singh

The End of India

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is an allegorical novel that tells the journey of a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago. The novel explores themes of destiny, personal legend, and the importance of listening to one's heart.

Santiago dreams of finding a treasure located in the Egyptian pyramids. Believing the dream to be prophetic, he sells his flock of sheep and embarks on a journey. Along the way, he encounters various individuals who guide him, including a king named Melchizedek, who tells him about personal legends, and an Englishman obsessed with learning alchemy.Santiago also meets a crystal merchant, who helps him earn enough money to continue his journey, and the alchemist, a wise figure who teaches him to read the omens in life and pursue his destiny.

Plot Summary:

He learns that the true treasure is not just material wealth but self-discovery and personal growth.The novel emphasizes that pursuing one's dreams is essential to living a fulfilling life. Santiago’s journey to the pyramids and his quest for the treasure are metaphors for the larger journey of life and self-realization.

Personal Legend: The novel emphasizes the importance of following one's dreams, referred to as a "Personal Legend," unique to each person.The Soul of the World: Coelho introduces the concept that everything is interconnected, and listening to one’s heart will guide one toward one's Personal Legend.Alchemy as a Metaphor: Alchemy represents personal transformation; turning lead into gold symbolizes the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and growth.

Key Themes:

Fate and Free Will: The novel explores how fate and choices interact, showing that one must take active steps to fulfill one's destiny.The Journey over the Destination: The story illustrates that the lessons learned during the journey are often more valuable than the goal itself.Ultimately, Santiago finds that the treasure he sought was closer to home than he imagined. The journey allowed him to discover the wealth of wisdom, love, and understanding of life.

The Alchemist encourages readers to seek out their dreams and follow their hearts. It presents a message of hope and perseverance, teaching that pursuing one's personal goals despite obstacles is the true treasure in life.

Conclusion:

A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho.Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

Paulo Coelho de Souza is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002. His novel The Alchemist became an international best-seller and he has published 30 more books since then.

Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist

The Art of Controversy (or The Art of Being Right) by Arthur Schopenhauer is a fascinating examination of argumentation and rhetoric, focusing on the methods people use to win debates, regardless of truth or morality. Written in the 19th century, Schopenhauer approaches this from a critical, almost cynical perspective, providing a catalogue of rhetorical strategies that can be used to "appear" right in a debate. The treatise is not concerned with seeking the truth, but with the manipulative tactics that can sway an argument in one's favour.

Schopenhauer organizes the book around 38 "stratagems" or techniques, which debaters can use to gain the upper hand. These are often unethical or manipulative, aiming to deceive or distract rather than uncover the truth. Some of the key tactics include:<ul><li>Extension of the Proposition: This technique involves overstating or exaggerating the opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.</li><li>Ad Hominem: A personal attack on the opponent, shifting the focus from the subject to the individual’s character or motivations.</li></ul>

Main Themes and Techniques:

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Diversion: Distracting the opponent or audience with irrelevant issues to deflect attention from the main argument.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Appeal to Authority: Citing the opinion of an authority figure, even when their expertise is irrelevant, to lend credence to one’s position.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Concession of Minor Points: Agreeing with smaller parts of the opponent's argument to appear fair while maintaining the key disagreement.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Appeal to Emotion: Manipulating the audience's emotions to obscure the rational evaluation of the argument.</li></ul>

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Begging the Question (Circular Reasoning): Presenting a conclusion that is essentially a restatement of one of the premises, disguising it as proof.</li></ul>

Schopenhauer doesn't advocate for using these methods but rather exposes them so that readers can recognize when others employ them. His critical view of human nature is apparent in his suggestion that people are often more interested in winning than in seeking the truth. He argues that one should be aware of these strategies, both to defend against them and to avoid being manipulated.

Schopenhauer’s Intention:

The book has a somewhat satirical and critical tone, characteristic of Schopenhauer’s general worldview, which often emphasized the irrational and self-serving nature of human behavior. He seems to hold a low opinion of human intellectual integrity, portraying most arguments as battles for dominance rather than honest discussions.

Tone and Philosophy:

Although the text focuses on winning arguments, it indirectly touches upon Schopenhauer's broader philosophy of pessimism and the futility of human endeavors. In debates, as in life, people often prioritize appearance and victory over substance and truth.In summary, The Art of Controversy serves as a manual for understanding rhetorical manipulation and a critique of the human tendency to prioritize winning over the pursuit of knowledge and truth.

Broader Implications:

It's a book for debaters and people who enjoy or are curious about rhetoric.

strategy

Strategy

communication

Communication

Schopenhauer

The Art of Controversy

"The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" by Chris Anderson is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills and deliver compelling presentations. The book draws on Chris Anderson's extensive experience as the curator of TED Talks, providing insights, tips, and techniques to captivate an audience. Here, I will provide an overview of the book's chapters, highlighting the key takeaways, interesting ideas, and important lessons from each chapter. Additionally, I will discuss the author's main argument, supporting evidence, criticisms, related books, and concepts

Takeaways: Public speaking is a learnable skill that anyone can develop with practice and preparation.Interesting idea: The concept of "presentation literacy" and its importance in today's world.Important lesson: Developing effective communication skills is crucial for sharing ideas and making an impact.

Chapter 1: "Presentation Literacy: The Skill You Can Build"

<ul><li>Takeaways: Establishing a genuine connection with the audience is key to engaging and inspiring them.</li><li>Interesting idea: The power of vulnerability and authenticity in forging a strong connection.</li><li>Important lesson: Share personal stories and experiences to create a relatable and compelling narrative.</li></ul>

Chapter 2: "Connection: Get Personal"

<ul><li>Takeaways: Organize your presentation like a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.</li><li>Interesting idea: The importance of a narrative arc and emotional resonance in keeping the audience engaged.</li><li>Important lesson: Structure your presentation around a central idea and guide the audience through a coherent journey.</li></ul>

Chapter 3: "Narrative Structure: Build a Journey"

<ul><li>Takeaways: Simplify complex ideas and make them accessible to the audience.</li><li>Interesting idea: The use of visuals, metaphors, and analogies to explain complex concepts.</li><li>Important lesson: Break down complex ideas into digestible and relatable components to enhance understanding.</li></ul>

Chapter 4: "Explain Complex Ideas: Illuminate, Don't Obfuscate"

<ul><li>Takeaways: Leave your audience with a sense of awe, wonder, or new perspectives.</li><li>Interesting idea: The power of sharing ideas that challenge the status quo and ignite curiosity.</li><li>Important lesson: Craft your presentation to deliver a memorable and transformative experience for your audience.</li></ul>

Chapter 5: "Revelation: Inspire Your Audience"

<ul><li>Takeaways: Combine logical reasoning and emotional appeal to persuade your audience.</li><li>Interesting idea: The role of storytelling in influencing and inspiring people to take action.</li><li>Important lesson: Convey your message in a way that resonates with both the rational and emotional aspects of your audience.</li></ul>

Chapter 6: "Persuasion: Reason, Emotion, and the Power of Story"

Throughout the book, Chris Anderson provides practical advice and real-life examples from successful TED Talks, illustrating how speakers have effectively applied these principles to deliver impactful presentations. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, rehearsal, and continuous learning to improve public speaking skills.

Personal Opinions

The main argument of "The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" is that public speaking is a skill that can be cultivated by anyone, and that powerful presentations have the potential to create positive change in the world. Chris Anderson supports his argument by drawing on his experience curating TED Talks and observing the power of effective public speaking to spread ideas and inspire action.

Criticisms of the book include the potential limitation of the TED format itself. Some argue that the book's focus on TED-style presentations may not fully address other contexts of public speaking, such as academic conferences or business presentations. Additionally, there may be a concern that adhering too closely to a formulaic approach advocated in the book may inhibit individual creativity and authenticity.

Reading this books makes me realised you don't need to some extra ordinary person in life to be a Ted speaker. You should have a message to deliver to the audience that is worth sharing.

From the head of TED and based on expertise drawn from the best TED Talks, an entertaining and practical guide to speaking, pitching and telling stories, filled with valuable insight for salespeople, leaders, teachers and writersAmid today’s proliferating instant-communication channels, one form has emerged as the most effective way to communicate—a brief, polished, live-audience video talk. Since taking over TED in the early 2000s, Chris Anderson has tapped the world’s most brilliant minds to share their expertise on myriad subjects. Anderson discovered early on that the keys to getting an audience to sit up and pay attention are to condense a presentation into 18 minutes or less and to heighten its impact with a powerful narrative: in other words, to tell a terrific story.TED Talks is chock full of personal presentation suggestions from such TED notables as Sir Ken Robinson, Mary Roach, Amy Cuddy, Bill Gates, Elizabeth Gilbert, Dan Gilbert, Matt Ridley and dozens more—everything from how to focus your speech’s content to what you should wear onstage. This is a lively, fun read with great practical value, from the man who knows what goes into a great speech. In TED Talks, Anderson pulls back the TED curtain for anyone who wants to learn from the world’s best on how to prepare a top-notch presentation.

Chris J. Anderson

TED TALKS: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking

<ul><li>Most students take public speaking courses to conquer nervousness, think on their feet, and confidently speak.</li><li>Anyone can develop public speaking skills with practice and desire.</li><li>Even experienced speakers can feel nervous before speaking, but this feeling usually disappears after a few seconds.</li><li>To improve your public speaking skills, do the following:</li></ul><ol><li>Start with a strong desire to improve.</li><li>Practice speaking whenever possible.</li><li>Prepare your speeches thoroughly.</li><li>Act confident, even if you don't feel it.</li><li>Practice, practice, practice!</li></ol>

Developing Courage and self-confidence 

<ul><li>When speakers have a real message in their head and heart, they are almost sure to do themselves credit.</li><li>The preparation consists of digging something out of yourself, assembling and arranging your own thoughts, and cherishing and nurturing your own convictions.</li><li>Do not sit down and try to manufacture a speech in thirty minutes. A speech must grow.</li></ul>

Self-confidence through preparation 

<ul><li>After independent thinking, collect information on your topic from encyclopedias, magazines, books, and the Internet.</li><li>Collect far more material than you intend to use.</li><li>The way to develop reserve power is to know far more than you can use to have a full reservoir of information.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Plan your talk carefully. Think about what you want to say and how you want to say it. Organize your thoughts and create an outline.</li><li>Cover each point thoroughly. Don't just skim over the surface of your topic. Make sure to provide enough information so that your audience can understand and appreciate your message.</li><li>Use a logical structure. Your talk should flow smoothly from one point to the next. Use transitions to help your audience follow your train of thought.</li></ul>

How famous speakers prepared their speech

<ul><li>Gather all the facts. Make sure you have all the information you need to support your claims. Be prepared to answer any questions your audience may have.</li><li>Practice your talk. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel when you give your talk. Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend or family member.</li><li>Do not read your talk. Reading your talk will make you sound boring and uninterested. Instead, speak from the heart and use your own words to communicate your message.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Be confident and enthusiastic. Your audience will be likelier to listen to you if you believe in your words. Speak with conviction and passion.</li><li>Russell H. Conwell built many of his talks on this plan: </li></ul>a. State your facts.b. Argue from them. c. Appeal for action. <ul><li>Another helpful plan: </li></ul>a. Show something wrong. b. Show how to remedy it. c. Appeal for action.<ul><li>Here is an excellent speech plan: </li></ul>a. Secure interested attention. b. Win confidence. c. State your facts. d. Appeal to the motives that make men act.

<ul><li>The three natural laws of remembering are impression, repetition, and association.</li><li>To get a deep, vivid impression of something, you must concentrate, observe closely, and get your impressions through as many senses as possible.</li><li>The second law of memory is repetition. You should repeat things at intervals and go over your notes just a few minutes before you need to use them.</li><li>Do not sit down and repeat a thing over and over until you have it engraved on your memory. </li><li>Go over it once or twice, then drop it; come back later and go over it again.</li></ul>

Improvement of the Memory

<ul><li>Repeating at intervals, in that manner, will enable you to memorize a thing in about one-half the time required to do it in one sitting. </li><li>After we memorize a thing, we forget as much during the first eight hours as we do during the next thirty days, so go over your notes just a few minutes before you rise to make your talk.</li><li>The third law of memory is association. You can associate things by thinking about them from all angles, asking questions, and connecting them to other things you know.</li></ul>

<ul><li>To remember a stranger's name, ask questions about it, observe their looks, and try to connect the name with their face and occupation.</li><li>To remember dates, associate them with prominent dates you already know.</li><li>To remember the points of your address, arrange them in a logical order and make a nonsense sentence out of them.</li><li>If you forget what you're saying, you can use the last words of your last sentence as the first words of a new one.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Enthusiasm is key to good public speaking. If you are not excited about your topic, your audience will not be either. So, ensure you are passionate about your words and that your enthusiasm comes through in your delivery.</li><li>Be convinced of your message. If you don't believe in what you are saying, your audience will be able to tell. So, make sure you are confident in your message and that you can back it up with evidence.</li><li>Think about your facts and how they relate to your audience. What are the most important points you want to make?</li></ul>

Keeping Audience Awake

<ul><li>Speak with conviction and passion. Your audience should be able to tell that you believe in what you are saying. Speak with conviction and passion; they will be more likely to believe you.</li><li>Be heard. Speak loudly and clearly, and project your voice so everyone can hear you.</li><li>Don't use weasel words. Weasel words are words that are vague or ambiguous, and they can make your message less persuasive. Avoid using weasel words like "maybe," "probably," and "could."</li><li>Love your audience. Remember that your audience is made up of real people with real needs. Speak to them as if you care about them.</li></ul>

<ul><li>We learn through sudden improvements, not gradual. We plateau sometimes but can break through with more practice.</li><li>Initial nervousness is normal, even for great speakers. It fades after a few seconds of speaking. </li><li>If we stay faithfully busy improving, we will become competent through persistence, even without extraordinary ability. </li><li>Think of success to do what's needed to achieve it in public speaking.</li><li>If discouraged, look at Lincoln's photo and think what he would do.</li><li>4 qualities for Navy chaplain success starting with G: Grace, gumption, Grit, and Guts.</li></ul>

Essential elements of public speaking 

<ul><li>Delivery is as important as the words alone. The flavor of how you say it counts. </li><li>Engage your listeners; don't ignore them by staring over their heads or at the floor. Communicate and connect through eye contact. </li><li>Use the same natural conversational tone and directness as normal conversation, enlarged to the group. Relate to them as individuals rather than just a group. </li><li>Anyone can deliver a talk with practice. Be yourself and put your style and individuality into it rather than imitating others. </li></ul>

The secrets of good delivery 

<ul><li>Address listeners as if expecting them to respond, keeping delivery more engaging by imagining questions being asked. </li><li>Put emotion and sincerity into your talking to help more than follow the rules.</li><li>Unconscious things we do in conversation but often forget in public speaking:</li></ul><ol><li class="ql-indent-1">   Stress important words more than unimportant ones. </li><li class="ql-indent-1">   Vary pitch rising and falling rather than monotone.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">   Vary speech rate, slowing on important points.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">   Pause before and after important ideas.</li></ol>

Imagine that someone has asked you a question and that you are repeating it. Say aloud, “You ask, how do I know this? I’ll tell you.” …That sort of thing will seem perfectly natural; it will break up the formality of your phraseology and warm and humanize your manner of talking.

<ul><li>The opening is highly important, so it should be carefully planned in advance</li><li>Keep the introduction very short, ideally just 1-2 sentences</li><li>Novices often make the mistake of either telling a story or apologizing, avoiding both</li><li>Ways to immediately gain attention:</li></ul><ol><li>   Arouse curiosity with a story</li><li>   Relate a human interest story  </li><li>   Begin with a specific illustration</li><li>   Use an exhibit or prop</li><li>   Ask a question</li><li>   Open with a striking quotation</li><li>   Explain how the topic affects the audience</li></ol><ul><li>Don't make the opening too formal; it seems casual and inevitable  </li></ul>

Platform, presence, personality 

<ul><li>Begin on common ground that everyone can agree on to start positively  </li><li>Don't frame your opening in a way that causes people to say "no” immediately</li><li>Avoid saying you will "prove" something, as that can arouse opposition </li><li>Raise a question for the audience to consider rather than stating your position</li><li>Use facts and examples strategically, as in Mark Antony's speech, without directly arguing. </li><li>Allow the audience to form their own conclusions based on the information presented</li></ul>

Capturing your audiences at once

<ul><li>The close is the most memorable part, so plan it carefully and rehearse </li><li>Round off your talk smoothly rather than leaving it rough</li><li>Effective ways to close include:</li></ul><ol><li>   Summarizing main points </li><li>   Appealing for action</li><li>   Paying a sincere compliment</li><li>   Quoting relevant poetry</li><li>   Building to a climax</li></ol><ul><li>Get a strong beginning and ending close together in time  </li><li>Always stop before the audience wants you to</li></ul>

How to close a talk

<ul><li>When taking questions:</li></ul><ol><li>Repeat questions for all to hear </li><li>Keep responses clear and concise and follow up on talk points</li><li>Avoid arguments and respect differing views</li><li>Don't let one questioner dominate; invite others</li><li>If heckled, smile and stay silent before inviting the next question  </li><li>Conclude when the time called rather than taking extra questions</li></ol><ul><li>In summary, plan an impactful close and smoothly wrap up the talk positively. When taking questions, keep responses respectful and invite broad participation.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Use simple language and avoid technical terms.</li><li>Be sure of your topic and have a clear understanding of it.</li><li>Use exhibits, pictures, and illustrations to appeal to the sense of sight.</li><li>Christ declared that He had to teach by parables, “Because they (His listeners) seeing, see not and hearing, hear not; neither do they understand.”</li><li>Christ made the unknown clear by discussing it in terms of the known. He likened the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven, nets cast into the sea, and merchants buying pearls. “Go thou, and do likewise.”</li></ul>

How to make your meaning clear

<ul><li>If you wish to give a clear conception of the size of Alaska, do not quote its area in square miles; name the states that could be put into it; enumerate its population in terms of the town where you are speaking. </li><li>Avoid technical terms when addressing a lay audience. Follow Lincoln’s plan of putting your ideas into plain language for any boy to comprehend. </li><li>Be definite. Don’t just say “dog” if you mean “a fox terrier with a black splotch over his right eye.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Restate your big ideas, but refrain from repeating yourself.</li><li>Clear your abstract statements by following them with general illustrations or specific instances.</li><li>Do not strive to cover too many points in a short speech.</li><li>Close with a summary of your points.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Every idea is held as true unless hindered by a contradictory idea.</li><li>First, set forth our ideas; second, prevent opposing ideas from arising to render them null and void.</li><li>To be impressive and convincing, you must:</li></ul><ol><li>Convince yourself before you attempt to convince others.</li><li>Show how your idea is similar to something people already believe.</li><li>Restate your ideas and illustrate them with figures.</li><li>Use general illustrations and specific instances.</li><li>Use the principle of cumulation.</li></ol>

How to be impressive and convincing 

<ul><li>Experience upon experience must be piled up until the very weight embeds the thought deep in the brain's tissues.</li><li>Use graphic comparisons. Visual impressions stick longer.</li><li>Back up your statements with unprejudiced authority.</li></ul>

<ul><li>People are interested in extraordinary facts about ordinary things.</li><li>People are interested in themselves.</li><li>To be a good conversationalist, lead others to talk about themselves and their interests.</li><li>Use human interest stories to illustrate your points. Glorified gossip and people's stories will almost always win and hold attention. </li><li>Be concrete and definite. Do not belong to the “poor-but-honest” school of speakers. Do not merely say that Martin Luther was “stubborn and intractable” as a boy. </li></ul>

How to interest your audience 

<ul><li>Announce that fact. Then, follow it with the assertion that his teachers flogged him as often as “fifteen times in a forenoon.” That makes the general assertion clear, impressive, and interesting.</li><li>Use phrases that create pictures and words that set images floating before the eyes.</li><li>Use balanced sentences and contrasting ideas.</li><li>Interest is contagious.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Win their confidence by deserving it – by your sincerity, being properly introduced, being qualified to speak on your subject, and telling the things your experience has taught you.</li><li>To persuade an audience, you should:</li></ul><ol><li>Capture their attention.</li><li>Earn their trust.</li><li>Present your facts and arguments.</li><li>Appeal to their emotions.</li></ol>This method can be used in public speaking, writing, and personal relationships.

How to Get Action

<ul><li>We are judged by what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it. Our language use is often the main way we are judged. Accurate and refined use of our native tongue is essential for ladies and gentlemen.</li><li>Your language will reflect the company you keep. Follow Lincoln's example and keep company with great authors like Shakespeare through their works. This will enrich your mind and language unconsciously. </li><li>Give up newspapers for books by authors like Tacitus, Thucydides, Newton, and Euclid, as Jefferson wrote. </li></ul>

Improve your diction

<ul><li>Read with a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words and try to use them to fix them in memory. </li><li>Study the origins of words, which are often interesting histories rather than dull facts. </li><li>Avoid cliches and worn-out phrases, instead using precise language. Refer to a thesaurus often to improve word choice.</li><li>Strive for fresh comparisons rather than tired ones. Have the courage to be distinctive rather than relying on trite phrases.</li><li>Articulate clearly without mumbling, speaking too fast or slow, mispronouncing, or speaking in a monotone.</li></ul>

Highly recommended book for public speaking enthusiasts

Dale Carnegie, author of the legendary How to Win Friends and Influence People, began his career as the premier "life coach" of the twentieth century by teaching the art of public speaking. Public speaking, as Carnegie saw it, is a vital skill that can be attained through basic and repeated steps. His classic volume on the subject appeared in 1926 and was revised twice-in shortened versions-in 1956 and 1962. This 2006 revision-edited by a longtime consultant to Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc., and the editor in charge of updating How to Win Friends and Influence People-is the definitive one for our era. While up-to-date in its language and points of reference, Public Speaking for Success preserves the full range of ideas and methods that appeared in the original: including Carnegie's complete speech and diction exercises, which follow each chapter, as the author originally designated them. This edition restores Carnegie's original appendix of the three complete self-help classics: Acres of Diamonds by Russell H. Conwell, As a Man Thinketh by James Allen, and A Message to Garcia by Elbert Hubbard. Carnegie included these essays in his original edition because, although they do not directly relate to public speaking, he felt they would be of great value to the readers. Here is the definitive update of the best-loved public-speaking book of all time.

Dale Carnegie was an American writer and lecturer, and the developer of courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.

Dale Carnegie

Arthur R. Pell

Public Speaking for Success

<ul><li>Digital life can be exhausting and overwhelming</li><li>Digital Sabbath suggests moderate approaches to digital usage, such as keeping phones away from the bed or turning off notifications</li><li>Digital minimalism proposes spending less time using technology for a healthier relationship with it</li><li>Early versions of Facebook and the iPhone had different functionalities compared to their present-day counterparts</li><li>Smartphones and apps are designed to encourage prolonged use and attention engineering</li><li>Addiction to technology is a behavioral addiction that is moderate in comparison to chemical dependencies</li></ul>

Foundation

<ul><li>Unpredictable rewards and social tagging can create a strong psychological pull to technology</li><li>Rebuilding our relationship with technology based on our values is more effective than just using tips and tricks to limit our usage.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Minimalists focus on a small number of carefully selected online activities that align with their values</li><li>They prioritize large things that make their life good over small things they might miss out on</li><li>Minimalists use hacks like replacing smartphones with basic flip phones, restricting digital information intake, and reducing social circles to optimize their online experience</li><li>They use online magazines instead of Twitter and follow only a small number of inspiring accounts on Instagram</li><li>The goal is to use technology in a way that enhances their life and doesn't detract from it</li></ul>

Digital Minimalism

<ul><li>Cluttering our lives with non-crucial things such as apps is costly in terms of the amount of life exchanged for it.</li><li>Optimizing technology use is important, not just in the type of technology used, but also in how it's used, such as watching Netflix only with friends or uninstalling social media apps and using a computer instead.</li><li>Being intentional about how we engage with technology can be satisfying, such as committing to minimalism like the Old Order Amish and urban Mennonites who find satisfaction in their simple technology use.</li></ul>

THE PRINCIPLES OF DIGITAL MINIMALISM

Digital Minimalism isn't just Anti-Facebook, but a guide to escape from Virtual Reality and engage in real life with technology as an assistant, not as the master of our lives. ChatGPT is used to summarize and make bullet points. 

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller "Newport is making a bid to be the Marie Kondo of technology: someone with an actual plan for helping you realize the digital pursuits that do, and don't, bring value to your life."--Ezra Klein, Vox Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, the bestselling author of Deep Work introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives. Digital minimalists are all around us. They're the calm, happy people who can hold long conversations without furtive glances at their phones. They can get lost in a good book, a woodworking project, or a leisurely morning run. They can have fun with friends and family without the obsessive urge to document the experience. They stay informed about the news of the day, but don't feel overwhelmed by it. They don't experience "fear of missing out" because they already know which activities provide them meaning and satisfaction. Now, Newport gives us a name for this quiet movement, and makes a persuasive case for its urgency in our tech-saturated world. Common sense tips, like turning off notifications, or occasional rituals like observing a digital sabbath, don't go far enough in helping us take back control of our technological lives, and attempts to unplug completely are complicated by the demands of family, friends and work. What we need instead is a thoughtful method to decide what tools to use, for what purposes, and under what conditions. Drawing on a diverse array of real-life examples, from Amish farmers to harried parents to Silicon Valley programmers, Newport identifies the common practices of digital minimalists and the ideas that underpin them. He shows how digital minimalists are rethinking their relationship to social media, rediscovering the pleasures of the offline world, and reconnecting with their inner selves through regular periods of solitude. He then shares strategies for integrating these practices into your life, starting with a thirty-day "digital declutter" process that has already helped thousands feel less overwhelmed and more in control. Technology is intrinsically neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you. This book shows the way.

On Confidence

2k to 10k

Tuesdays with Morrie

The End of India

The Alchemist

Santanu Borah