Every now and then, we need to stop, take a break, and collect our thoughts. There will be moments when you just don’t feel good about yourself, your situation, or your life.

What you need are some wisdom and words of encouragement.

Here are six excellent TED Talks to help you look at things in a different light. They can motivate you to continue persevering through whatever it is you are struggling with in your newcomer journey. All you need is an open mind, and 13 minutes or less:

Safwat Saleem: Why I keep speaking up, even when people mock my accent (10:48)

Many of us will be able to relate to Safwat Saleem’s experience. As newcomers, many of us are self-conscious about not blending in or being “normal” in our new home. This prevents us from doing many things and venturing beyond our comfort zones. This talk will help you get a new perspective about differences and celebrate your uniqueness. It will also encourage you to challenge pre-existing notions of what is normal:

Angela Lee Duckworth: The power of passion and perseverance (6:09)

After studying thousands of students in various levels and professionals in different fields, researcher Angela Lee Duckworth shares the common factor that propels people to succeed in this short enlightening talk:

Isaac Lidsky: What reality are you creating for yourself? (11:46)

Isaac Lidsky encourages everyone to see beyond their fears by holding themselves accountable for every thought. His lessons include: Silencing misconceptions about luck and success; accepting your strengths and weaknesses, and understanding the difference; and being the creator of your own reality.

Dr. Ivan Joseph: The skill of self-confidence (12:20)

Former soccer coach, Dr. Joseph, talks about the most essential ingredient to success: self-confidence. His presentation tells us how to cultivate the “skill” of believing in ourselves.

Richard St. John: 8 secrets of success (3:26)

This three-minute talk summarizes years of experience and observation about the elements that make people succeed.

Richard St. John: Success is a continuous journey (3:47)

A humorous and candid presentation about the cyclical nature of success. The main lesson: “When we stop trying, we fail.”

 
Article updated December 8, 2022.