Connect with us

People & Blogs

Chasing external validation can leave you feeling empty — try this instead #TEDTalks

Over two decades of interviewing countless creative people, Debbie Millman (host of the iconic “Design Matters” podcast) had a realization: the pride and joy of accomplishing something often evaporates almost instantly. She explains how to stop chasing external validation for your achievements and instead live for the act of creation itself.

Published

on

Over two decades of interviewing countless creative people, Debbie Millman (host of the iconic “Design Matters” podcast) had a realization: the pride and joy of accomplishing something often evaporates almost instantly. She explains how to stop chasing external validation for your achievements and instead live for the act of creation itself.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
20 Comments

20 Comments

  1. @fernandameira6458

    September 13, 2026 at 3:05 pm

    Amazing presentation.

  2. @jchiter8861

    September 13, 2026 at 3:36 pm

    Getting creative is a bursting need

    • @Eatmorepeanutbutter

      September 15, 2026 at 3:56 am

      I also have a need to burst

  3. @salvadoroliveira6632

    September 13, 2026 at 3:39 pm

    Very honest.

  4. @northshoremama

    September 13, 2026 at 3:56 pm

    Such validation for me! 🤍

  5. @Toebeans-mp3ef

    September 13, 2026 at 4:03 pm

    That in which created life and existence created and creates through you. The sun makes stuff all day, not seeing it does not mean it is not there. Shine, glisten, and go get it. Life is delicious – br(eat)the, cr(ate), rep(eat) 🧬 😋

  6. @rw6836

    September 13, 2026 at 4:55 pm

    Abundance could come from loving oneself, just because one should, with as little conditions as possible.

  7. @kiki_leon

    September 13, 2026 at 9:02 pm

    I’m not kidding but a few hours before I came across this video I wrote in my notes: is visibility equal to worth? I was reflecting on why we as humans crave to be seen and recognized for our virtues, one of which can be our art. I’ve also asked myself: would I still create if I knew no one would see it or that my work wouldn’t become viral? My answer is yes, because creating art is not to please others but to fill a necessity that is constantly (eternally) throbbing alive inside one’s being and soul.

    • @authenticircuit

      September 14, 2026 at 2:08 am

      ❤

    • @CuriousSpy

      September 16, 2026 at 4:29 pm

      What do you create?

  8. @eduardoferreira1963

    September 13, 2026 at 10:30 pm

    Concordo. Sou um compositor que ama música mas minhas músicas são feitas para eu mesmo ouvir e isso me satisfaz totalmente. Criar , até mesmo na cozinha fazendo minhas refeições, é algo bastante satisfatório.. Produzir., esse é nosso objetivo
    Ela tem 100% de razao

  9. @pratiksoftlunch

    September 13, 2026 at 11:17 pm

    Those people who watch these type of shorts they are definitely improving their minds😊❤❤

  10. @Jesse-gr2xo

    September 14, 2026 at 1:06 am

    I think we’re increasingly obsessed w survival. I guess it depends on who yr talking to.

    • @asmosisyup2557

      September 15, 2026 at 5:55 am

      Yeah there’s a definite divide that’s growing wider, and more and more people are falling below the line. Most people don’t have time for this vanity obsession culture.

  11. @TortillaJackson43

    September 14, 2026 at 1:52 am

    Man, I really like these Ted talks. So much better than most of the mindless trash online.

  12. @PhillipAtanga-x4x

    September 14, 2026 at 2:05 am

    🌎🌏🌍🌐❤️🖖💯💯💯

  13. @lekcje_rysunku

    September 14, 2026 at 7:04 am

    Making is the actual abundance ❤

  14. @maryhorne3570

    September 15, 2026 at 5:39 am

    Perfectly expressed ❤

  15. @Dream-casttt

    September 15, 2026 at 2:10 pm

    I measure success by the quality of food on my table

  16. @minorGroove9

    September 15, 2026 at 3:56 pm

    Sales lol, it seems now that the majority of the human experience has become centered around selling you something

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

People & Blogs

Turns out, your group chat might be more powerful than you think. #TEDTalks

Katie Paris quit her career in Washington, DC, to figure out how to make politics feel less like strangers shouting at each other and more like friends looking out for each other. In this practical talk, she reveals why conversations between real people can have a bigger impact on elections than anything millions of campaign…

Published

on

Katie Paris quit her career in Washington, DC, to figure out how to make politics feel less like strangers shouting at each other and more like friends looking out for each other. In this practical talk, she reveals why conversations between real people can have a bigger impact on elections than anything millions of campaign dollars can buy.

Continue Reading

People & Blogs

Inside Venezuela’s Uncertain Path to Freedom | Leopoldo López | TED

Activist Leopoldo López learned the true value of freedom in a solitary confinement cell, when someone else decided if he would eat or see sunlight. In this searching conversation, he explains why democracy is losing ground across the globe, the state of Venezuela’s transition after Maduro’s capture and the 2026 earthquakes — and why he…

Published

on

Activist Leopoldo López learned the true value of freedom in a solitary confinement cell, when someone else decided if he would eat or see sunlight. In this searching conversation, he explains why democracy is losing ground across the globe, the state of Venezuela’s transition after Maduro’s capture and the 2026 earthquakes — and why he founded the World Liberty Congress to unite activists in the fight against autocracies. (This conversation, hosted by TED’s Whitney Pennington Rogers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. TED Membership is the best way to support and engage with the big ideas you love from TED. To learn more, visit ted.com/membership.) (Recorded at TED Membership on September 16, 2026)

Join us in person at a TED conference:
Become a TED Member to support our mission:
Subscribe to a TED newsletter:

Follow TED!
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
Facebook:
X:

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.

Watch more:

TED videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with the TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a request at

#TED #TEDTalks #Democracy

Continue Reading

People & Blogs

How Would You Design Your Dream City? | James Rojas | TED

Urban planner James Rojas has led hundreds of workshops where participants creatively design their ideal communities with small objects — and he’s noticed that people of every age, income and background build strikingly similar places. Through play and storytelling, he shows how we can use our childhood memories and imaginations to shape the places we…

Published

on

Urban planner James Rojas has led hundreds of workshops where participants creatively design their ideal communities with small objects — and he’s noticed that people of every age, income and background build strikingly similar places. Through play and storytelling, he shows how we can use our childhood memories and imaginations to shape the places we live and love. (Recorded at Play@TED on May 14, 2026)

Join us in person at a TED conference:
Become a TED Member to support our mission:
Subscribe to a TED newsletter:

Follow TED!
Instagram:
LinkedIn:
TikTok:
Facebook:
X:

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less) — plus originals, podcasts and exclusive content. Look for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design as well as science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit for our entire library, transcripts, translations and personalized recommendations.

Watch more:

TED videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with the TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a request at

#TED #TEDTalks #Storytelling

Continue Reading

Trending