Why specializing early doesn't always mean career success | David Epstein

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  • Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
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    A head start doesn't always ... well, help you get ahead. With examples from sports, technology and economics, journalist David Epstein shares how specializing in a particular skill too early in life may undermine your long-term development -- and explains the benefits of a "sampling period" where you try new things and focus on building a range of skills. Learn how this broader, counterintuitive mindset (and more forgiving timeline) could lead to a more fulfilling life, personally and professionally.
    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). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.
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Комментарии • 683

  • @richardwu8371
    @richardwu8371 4 года назад +612

    "It is important to draw wisdom from many places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale."
    - Gen. (ret.) Iroh

  • @chachan4142
    @chachan4142 4 года назад +549

    As a 21 y/o who is very frustrated with his scattered skills, I really needed this video. Never been happy about being a generlist. Thank you for this great insight, Ted-Talk

    • @nnish_bz
      @nnish_bz 4 года назад +8

      Me too I am a master of many lol

    • @steveng5370
      @steveng5370 4 года назад +4

      I'm also 21 and just this year, 3 years into my current degree, I've transferred into marine biology with the hopes of utilizing all parts of STEM I can in any work I do... felt shaky about this idea seeing as so many science courses push students to specialise but this video is giving me hope

    • @huyennguyenkhanh4620
      @huyennguyenkhanh4620 4 года назад +14

      I'm 22 years old now and still don't really know what my passion is. However, I graduated and has been working as a Content writer LOL. I feel like I can be excellent in anything I choose :) but the problem is I like so many things - which means I chose nothing...

    • @virajsolanki3788
      @virajsolanki3788 4 года назад +1

      We are on the same boat bro...even I am 21 I am not very much sure about my skills.

    • @axed1176
      @axed1176 3 года назад +1

      @@huyennguyenkhanh4620 omg I am at same stage as you

  • @MohitSharma-hy9st
    @MohitSharma-hy9st 4 года назад +1953

    This is so true, my father was the most educated guy in his family, whereas my uncle who wasn't interested in education tried a bunch of things.
    Everyone in the family thought my uncle's a loser, he'll never amount to anything big as he never went to a college.
    However after working a dozen of jobs(whereas my father stuck to only one job) and trying half a dozen of business ideas finally one of his business idea worked and today my uncle is a multi-millionaire.
    What my father has earned in his entire life, my uncle maybe could earn in a month.
    Specialization is good but it narrows down the perspective. One should be curious about everything in life.

    • @Oblivion1407
      @Oblivion1407 4 года назад +176

      The specialization at least guarantees you a decent pay job that you can live with while exploring your potentials, so it’s still important.

    • @patmebg3794
      @patmebg3794 4 года назад +2

      So true Mohit, felt that.

    • @Willow4526
      @Willow4526 4 года назад +87

      @@Oblivion1407 You're not fully wrong but that's kinda the point of this video and comment, is that when people specialise they don't develop broader skills.

    • @deepstariaenigmatica2601
      @deepstariaenigmatica2601 4 года назад +96

      doesn't matter...what matters is if you're good at what you specialise and HAPPY WITH IT. not everyone wants to be a millionaire with a business

    • @alwayjohnrallos7359
      @alwayjohnrallos7359 4 года назад +19

      Seems like from the book Rich Dad Poor Dad

  • @sofiaalbarran7213
    @sofiaalbarran7213 4 года назад +135

    This is probably the best tedtalk I've ever encountered

    • @compedium
      @compedium 3 года назад +1

      check out the book for more context, it's great

    • @feyyazkasl8640
      @feyyazkasl8640 2 года назад

      @@compedium what's the name

  • @justatroll4282
    @justatroll4282 4 года назад +779

    This fills me up with a burst of confidence about my career.

    • @andrewtsaplan1607
      @andrewtsaplan1607 4 года назад +5

      Why have I seen this comment a MILLION TIMES

    • @justatroll4282
      @justatroll4282 4 года назад +26

      @@andrewtsaplan1607 maybe, just maybe because there are billions of people on the planet, and you are bound to see similar sentiments.

    • @souravpadhan1808
      @souravpadhan1808 4 года назад +1

      @@justatroll4282 what is your career

    • @arindam1249
      @arindam1249 4 года назад

      @@justatroll4282 username checks out

    • @missVierzehn
      @missVierzehn 4 года назад

      @@souravpadhan1808 I had the same question

  • @elpanchitoruso
    @elpanchitoruso 4 года назад +182

    “When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible

    • @rugminiks2947
      @rugminiks2947 4 года назад

      So damn true!!!!

    • @bdr1414TV
      @bdr1414TV 4 года назад +11

      a moment of silence for the unfortunate souls who don't have access to that kind of environment 💔😭

    • @Alien42x
      @Alien42x 4 года назад +1

      ,

    • @jerishjohnvelarde8115
      @jerishjohnvelarde8115 4 года назад +1

      anything is imposibble including not dying before reaching 125 years old?

  • @vyshnavideshik1844
    @vyshnavideshik1844 4 года назад +80

    This was so much needed . So glad to hear the stories of great people and to realise 'oh i wasn't the only one who felt this way' and this way is good on a long run!

  • @MattRoszak
    @MattRoszak 4 года назад +229

    Very cool talk, actually changed my perspective on this topic. I've always thought that specialising in one area early was the best way to form a career, and it's what I did personally, starting video-game development and animation at 13, and doing it professionally by 18. I'm 30 now and feeling very bored of my work, despite being successful and making a lot of money. Maybe it's time for me to start trying other things.

    • @Raven7b
      @Raven7b 4 года назад +32

      I think most people would rather be in your position than to struggle for years finding their own vocation.

    • @RenanSMello
      @RenanSMello 4 года назад +7

      Just wanted to say that I love your games and wish you the best in any plans you want to put in action :)

    • @nguyentri3608
      @nguyentri3608 4 года назад +27

      But the thing is, you now have money because of your head start, so you are actually free to explore other options.

    • @nadijung7503
      @nadijung7503 4 года назад +1

      @@Raven7b true story

    • @areyalunera7126
      @areyalunera7126 4 года назад +2

      I think it’s very important to try other things as you not only learn about yourself but also what is important to you and why. It also makes you more marketable and able to field hop if you need a change.

  • @reprovedcandy
    @reprovedcandy 2 года назад +36

    I got a degree in finance, worked in sales, and ended up a software engineer. People seem to think that's crazy. I'm glad this video exists, I feel a lot better about my drastically meandering career path now.

    • @adhilk5977
      @adhilk5977 2 года назад +1

      how did u do that ? I recently got graduated with a finance degree and I am looking for a way to change career.

    • @reprovedcandy
      @reprovedcandy 2 года назад +1

      @@adhilk5977 getting into software sales or the engineering side? I could give advice on either - which one are you interested in?

    • @adhilk5977
      @adhilk5977 2 года назад

      @@reprovedcandy the engineering side. I started taking some coding fresher classes.but don't what to do?

    • @reprovedcandy
      @reprovedcandy 2 года назад +4

      @@adhilk5977 You should focus on building projects and learn along the way. You’ll have lots of gaps but if you focus on an end goal of getting the project built, you’ll learn a lot by the time its complete. Try to find any reason to build something and never say “no”. Once you have some basic skills, be willing to take low paid contract work and bid on Upwork jobs. You’ll get ignored like 95-99% of the time but every now and then you will get positions and you learn A LOT from those. During my start in programming, I was barely making minimum wage - but don’t let that worry you. Focus on getting as much work as you can to learn and get better, it's a long-term win for a short-term sacrifice. In a year, you’ll be 5-10x more efficient and those same $15/hr jobs become $75+/hr jobs because you’re that much better. Hope this helps

    • @adhilk5977
      @adhilk5977 2 года назад

      @@reprovedcandy where did you learn coding from?

  • @davec8473
    @davec8473 4 года назад +272

    I've always felt I had to choose my career far too early. "Right, you're 15 now, what do you want to do with your entire life then?" lol

    • @emotionalboii
      @emotionalboii 4 года назад +14

      Especially considering we live past 70 years now. Why do we have to decide when we’ve barely started life?

    • @ChristopherDowning
      @ChristopherDowning 4 года назад +2

      Nobody is saying that to achieve excellence you might not go off the rails with all the dedication and determination it takes. In the end Tiger blew up. There are masses of coaches making a very good living by letting off their clients and fuelling the more lazy attractive routes. When I was a guitar teacher I'd have had no students if my approach had been 3 hours a day or you're out. You have to make a living and so you polish the egos, set modest standards for 99/100, less than 1 in 100 does the work and excels.

  • @dansgame6506
    @dansgame6506 4 года назад +105

    Best Ted talk I ever watched. It's so much relatable to everyone of us.

  • @lukeh3020
    @lukeh3020 4 года назад +27

    Inspiring speech. I specialised early and became a chartered accountant at 23, and now at 25 I feel like it's too late to change and do something I actually like. It's easy to get hooked on a decent income and not want to retrain or change direction.

    • @Olivia-W
      @Olivia-W 2 года назад +1

      Take up a hobby. Or a lot of hobbies. It's never too late, and 25 (or 27 now) is still a lot of time.

    • @dieglhix
      @dieglhix Год назад

      25, too late? People can even learn new languages past their 40s.

    • @ericjiang7986
      @ericjiang7986 Год назад

      I started to watch this video a year ago, at the time I understood his point but I was still skeptical about my future I had a late start I dropped out my college freshman year went back to hometown and go to a regular school and restart two years later so I started sophomore year 22, and find my major in 23. Now in the first semester of finding my major, I find out a business idea in my daily life by selling second hand if it’s general people they will give up cuz so low end but I had many turbulent experiences so I didn’t give up and wanna try some entrepreneur experience, and my major courses are being impeded and the professor doesn’t focus on me anymore. I was doubting myself but in the middle of my try I find out other business and international business which can be profitable and now I try there are many obstacles I earned my first bucket of money and I try to make it bigger by expanding internationally. While my classmate who early specialize is still in class studying although wen to internship early than me.

  • @areyalunera7126
    @areyalunera7126 4 года назад +58

    Phew 😅 this makes me feel so much better about things. I’m 33, am on my 6th field, and getting educated in a 7th field. Currently I’m in a role that is at the intersection of my previous experience and am pulling out ahead of my peers. My multi-disciplinary background/being well rounded opens up a lot more opportunities for me as I am eligible for a wider variety of roles. I honestly wouldn’t change it for the world. I think it is important to try different things to learn about yourself and what is important to you!

    • @RC-fi8nn
      @RC-fi8nn Год назад

      Thank you for your encouraging comment! How is your 7th field?

  • @ravenrawson1
    @ravenrawson1 4 года назад +8

    This talk is so comforting because I feel like I have been aimlessly wandering through life. It's nice to know that something good can come out of not being able to settle down to just one specific thing right now.

  • @liynee
    @liynee 4 года назад +923

    Why making comments early doesn’t always mean instant likes

  • @AFireBirdPhoenix
    @AFireBirdPhoenix Год назад +1

    This is one of the most underrated and underwatched TED talk ever. People these days need this type of talk to get some understanding and insight of their lives.

  • @4.5bviews1secondago9
    @4.5bviews1secondago9 2 года назад +15

    This is so relieving to hear.
    It brings back some memories, actually. I was put in this group of "great thinkers" back in elementary school and everyone seemed to all have a niche that they mainly specialized in, whether it be math, coding, or design. They were praised all the time and I would just sit there and overhear things that I had no idea about -- the specifics of coding procedures and all that. I felt like I was an imposter amid all these great people who were already so talented at a targeted subject. I had spent most of my childhood reading a wide variety of books and I was decent at writing, but not good enough to have been considered a champion at it. I lost interest in math because I was absolutely horrible at it in a group of kids that specialized in it.
    Fast forward to middle school -- I'd returned to China and was now enrolled in an international school (since my Chinese wasn't good enough to attend a regular bilingual school). Because it was a foreign country, I obviously had an advantage when it came to English (given I spent most of my childhood there), so I ascended the ranks pretty fast in that subject. However, I continued to put no effort into math or science and only focused on the subjects I was particularly good at (history and English). After all, that's what I was told as a child: that specializing in a particular niche would take you further in the long run. Consequently, my GPA lowered with my scores in basically every other class, and I grew increasingly anxious and depressed.
    High school. I'm currently 16, so I'm still in the middle of it, but I feel as if a lot less pressure is on my shoulders. There is a myriad of super successful people around me -- people who have scored incredibly high on their SATs and PSATs, earned notable awards for their contributions to technology, written and illustrated published books, played in junior NBA league sports, and currently possess high grades. I have found my passion for math once more through a teacher who uses abstract learning models rather than straight ones and reignited my interest in the sciences. I acknowledge the fact that I can't achieve mastery in subjects that I simply can't bring myself to like, and that's okay. I've found that I can adapt to some wild on-the-spot situations and lead a group despite having no previous experience with the topic we're supposed to be researching. I don't have a set goal but I'm driven to do my best whenever I want to. I've had people around me open me up to new experiences I'd never considered trying before, only to find that potential to do well skyrocketing if I really put in the effort to pursue it.
    My point is: you don't have to do well at all when it comes to any subject. That isn't what determines your success. Your ability to dabble in things and adapt to them is what makes you (arguably) more valuable than any specialized learner. It's better to leave yourself open to a wide range of possibilities rather than solely relying on one curriculum to get you everywhere. You don't even need potential to do well. You just need experience. That's how it goes in the real world, from what I've been told. I'm just a teenager with no specific plans on what to do or what to major in since I'm not beamingly outstanding at any particular subject, but my scattered skills make success just as possible to reach, if not more.

    • @theknight4317
      @theknight4317 2 года назад +1

      Coding in elementary school, really? coding? wtf kind of an elementary school is that?

  • @atherali3652
    @atherali3652 4 года назад +137

    Success is defined to us by society and if you don't come to the expectation then you are labeled as a failure, they rush you to specialize at an early age before you learn how to think, try to make you narrow expert and the problem is that we fell for these notions.
    There is no definition of success and head starts are overrated. Explore diverse expertise and broaden your horizons.
    As it is said, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

    • @ゆきがすごい
      @ゆきがすごい 4 года назад

      Thank you for sharing your great thoughts.

    • @chingdalashyashi8927
      @chingdalashyashi8927 4 года назад +8

      it's usually the poor and middle class parents that push their kids to specialize early because they can't afford to let their kids try the unconventional way and eventually fail. Rich parents usually don't force their kids to specialize early. so don't blame our parents they just want us to have at least a decent life

    • @f_ckaroundnfindout3915
      @f_ckaroundnfindout3915 4 года назад +1

      in other words, don't be a one-trick-pony.

  • @daniswara1164
    @daniswara1164 2 года назад +8

    I think it's very important to not undermine or even think that generals are better than specialized people. The world needs both of them. This Ted talk just shows that it's okay to take slow, meandering path before you reach success and never give up even though your friends or colleagues that started specializing way early than you already way more successful than you're.

  • @KordhNvdok
    @KordhNvdok 4 года назад +12

    Wow. This is such a great TED talk. I feel like sometimes society makes me think that the only way to succeed is to hyper specialize in one area in order to get good and look good to employers. I guess this may not be the only way/best way to think about how to educate a person.

  • @immyownperson1375
    @immyownperson1375 4 года назад +189

    Guess we can share this to people who ask why we learn things in school that we apparently will never need in our future fields.

    • @ericofire
      @ericofire 4 года назад +28

      I disagree. The idea here is that both focus oriented and non-focus oriented people can find success in the right field. It's impossible to tell who is who, but we should stop over-incentivizing focused growth as the only path to success. I feel like you're saying we need to flip, and take meandering growth as the correct model. But he's saying both have a place

    • @0x6e95
      @0x6e95 4 года назад +20

      Eh.. not really the same thing. Nobody is saying we'll never need it. It really depends on your interests. And that's the problem. School most often than not limits kids from doing more by making specific subjects (with specific syllabi nonetheless) mandatory.

    • @michamarkiewicz5355
      @michamarkiewicz5355 4 года назад +21

      The problem is we don't learn, we memorize and forget. We need to want to learn something in order to actually learn it. As David Epstein says its about wide range of interests, hobbies. I don't think forcing yourself to memorize things that you care about only because you need to pass exam is a good way to career success lol.

    • @areebshaukat5840
      @areebshaukat5840 4 года назад +14

      Students in school say that because they never see the rules being applied in practical life. I think teachers should teach students using practical life examples because currently students train for the exam instead of training for the practical life. Current way of education is making them narrow-sighted. They just memorize the information and then forget it after the exam.
      Students can diversify their knowledge by focusing on their positive hobbies. Those hobbies can branch out to various fields which may help in achieving career success. The interest of students needs to be priortized as well. Their are many other ways of branching out as well but focusing students to memorize some subjects does not seem to be a good idea.

    • @BlondeQtie
      @BlondeQtie 4 года назад +4

      Young children’s brains are overloaded woth social media and their appearance. Most teens nowadays don’t have hobbys except for video games and make up/fashion...

  • @diegocampos243
    @diegocampos243 4 года назад +9

    It’s amazing when we realize that everything can be different only with a new perspective. Astonishing talk !!

  • @ゆきがすごい
    @ゆきがすごい 4 года назад +57

    I read his book which is translated into Japanese. I’m so glad to see you twice today by this video. I totally agree with his thoughts and I’m gonna focus on exploring new fields and not decide to do early only one thing. From 21 old student 👩‍🎓 🇯🇵 Thank you so much for great video 🤍

  • @AlivkaSlivka
    @AlivkaSlivka 4 года назад +132

    I didn't think I needed to hear this TedTalk, but it's so nice to see scientific prove that trying a range of things is, in many cases, a great option.
    I personally never liked the idea of sticking to one job or one creative outlet, I have always felt the urge and desire to try many different things, which felt like I was lost on my path since everyone else already had figured life out for themselves.
    Deep down I knew I'm making the right choice for myself anyway, nice to have a little backup support talking about it in a more success-driven way as well.

    • @better715
      @better715 4 года назад +1

      Wow I was agonizing for the same recently actually 😣😣😣
      That's kinda sad I have no guts to believe deep in my mind like you
      But now I ve got a support yay😎

    • @emotionalboii
      @emotionalboii 4 года назад +3

      I feel like all of my friends have their goals in mind. I felt so far behind them. This video is nice

    • @better715
      @better715 4 года назад +1

      @@emotionalboii I m with you🥰🥰

    • @ascendesshady9733
      @ascendesshady9733 4 года назад +1

      Big relate

    • @user-dn2ud7jl6i
      @user-dn2ud7jl6i 4 года назад +1

      Not alone.im 15 and I wanted to be programmer but thougjt
      About the long hours of debugging something I don't care about, maybe become a psychologist cuz I would like it. I decided that I don't know. But I'm learning code and like it creating ai and I don't know if I will ever become a programmer. And at the same time I create a bit of electronic music on my laptop. It's pretty fun

  • @FM_GOBi
    @FM_GOBi 4 года назад +4

    This is the TED that I know and love!!!! 💖
    When I think of specializing in one thing, it gives me anxiety. I was meant to do all kinds of stuff, I honestly never cared for being the best at what I do.
    I only want to do everything that I like, and I like lot's of things.

    • @Tate525
      @Tate525 4 года назад

      Afterall we aren't bots to specialize

  • @hemangi._.7
    @hemangi._.7 4 года назад +3

    With a billion perspectives of the world, this one surely zooms out on a lot we don't know but could learn. Thank you for this engaging and curiosity building talk.

  • @seifeldineslam
    @seifeldineslam 4 года назад +3

    I was so insecure about my own self. I always thought of myself as a slow racer, wasting time with sampling in my science career. I am so glad this got recommended to me or even was presented on Ted. Life saver indeed.

  • @RubenWhitter
    @RubenWhitter 4 года назад +4

    He talks with a commanding, respectful tone. I love it

  • @hadotonini1189
    @hadotonini1189 4 года назад +2

    Thank you very much for uploading this inspirational video. I'm planning to pursue my education again after taking a degree that my parents forced me into and landing in a job that I didn't enjoy at all. I'll continue my education two years later as I still need to settle many of my parents' problems. Better late than never.

  • @noam_segal
    @noam_segal 4 года назад +8

    This talk might have just significantly changed my life for the better

  • @AFireBirdPhoenix
    @AFireBirdPhoenix Год назад

    I really needed this video , in a time when I have been thinking i am already late to try something new for a career.

  • @thataaronb
    @thataaronb 4 года назад +121

    I've struggled with specializing my entire life. Only found out recently I've got ADD, without the hyperactive part. I'm doing pretty well in tech consulting with a degree and certificates in biochemistry, finance and accounting. The message is that generalist should be encouraged as much as specialists. I always struggled to stay up in class because of my attention issues. And I've lost my train of thought.
    Update 2 years later: I'm in banking now 😂

    • @pyb.5672
      @pyb.5672 2 года назад

      Haha. I feel you ;)

    • @lanrebloom7030
      @lanrebloom7030 2 года назад

      Are you me?

    • @thataaronb
      @thataaronb 2 года назад

      @@lanrebloom7030 aaaand, I'm now in banking.

    • @pianoman47
      @pianoman47 2 года назад +2

      Haha nice. I have a similar thought process.
      I think people also tend to assign moral value to doing one job, "sticking to it" and "following through". The way I see it, if you're paying your bills and enjoying yourself along the way, there's nothing wrong with that.

    • @roua3305
      @roua3305 2 года назад

      you go you !!!👏

  • @wonder3
    @wonder3 4 года назад +2

    Thank you so much for this one. I've been feeling like the one left behind. 4 years into college and I still don't know what I want to do and still no where close to a graduation. But I'm still hopeful!

  • @yahooo985
    @yahooo985 4 года назад +84

    Procrastinators are proud after watching this

    • @ankavoskuilen1725
      @ankavoskuilen1725 4 года назад +7

      Hm, somehow I don't think that was the message. ;)

    • @swayamprakashkar9664
      @swayamprakashkar9664 4 года назад +1

      🤦‍♂️. U are overqualified for watching this

    • @vibodhj349
      @vibodhj349 4 года назад +2

      I was actually procrastinating while watching this😂

    • @arianvc8239
      @arianvc8239 4 года назад

      There's a middle ground between the 10K hours and the procrastination that you mentioned. I think in every step you must try to do your best.

    • @Tate525
      @Tate525 4 года назад +2

      Scrolling on endlessly Tiktok, Instagram, Snapchat & Facebook doesn't make you generalist, it makes you stupid lmao

  • @dipro001
    @dipro001 4 года назад +2

    One of the best TedTalks ever. Not an easy title to earn.

  • @simulacrum443
    @simulacrum443 4 года назад

    A brilliant and inspiration talk. The speaker elaborates that although it might seems that early specialization is the path to success, the road is not a clear cut and often the "search" period is omitted.

  • @jessicaye4312
    @jessicaye4312 4 года назад

    One of the best Ted talk I have ever watched, sounds like it should be common sense but no one ever had illustrated it’s importance. Thank you!

  • @jordanaubrey-realestateinv334
    @jordanaubrey-realestateinv334 4 года назад +45

    Great Topic. I specialized early and I'm know longer in that field but it did let me know where I am on the food chain!

    • @yourmommashouse
      @yourmommashouse 4 года назад +12

      I hope it wasn’t grammar related

    • @techytech1907
      @techytech1907 4 года назад +2

      Reebs I bet your a hoot at parties.

    • @anilgoutham1334
      @anilgoutham1334 4 года назад

      Reebs The problem with people like you is, you don’t know when to be funny.

    • @yourmommashouse
      @yourmommashouse 4 года назад

      Anil Goutham the problem with people like you is that don’t know when to pluck your eyebrows

  • @sourabhs14
    @sourabhs14 4 года назад +4

    Really well thought out, researched and well presented talk. One of he best I've seen. Kudos

  • @Azel247
    @Azel247 4 года назад +8

    Very true. I specialized early and got my PhD at age 27. Then I quit that field altogether and became a nurse.

    • @ericjiang7986
      @ericjiang7986 Месяц назад

      I am a late bloomer for the exact reason of a early bloomer as well.😂 I was pushed by my parents to compete for college and got into the top 10 business school out race of my peers but simultaneously I don’t have any soft skills, lonely, my dad pulled me out when I was in love with a girl. One year only I dropped out because of severe depression, and led to a 4 years late behind discovery of myself and rebellion from my father. And now I’m behind all my friend 😂

  • @huethuong2810
    @huethuong2810 4 года назад

    I thought I know what he was going to say so I didn't intend to watch it. But fortunately I decided to make it. And it turned out to be one of the most inspirational ted talks I have ever seen. Made me less worrying and continue trying :)

  • @dd100-ns
    @dd100-ns 4 года назад +45

    This makes me feel good as a liberal arts student.

  • @sanjaysafaru6028
    @sanjaysafaru6028 4 года назад +2

    Honestly and candidly, that last words are wonderful with beautiful metaphors 🤩🤩

  • @clover2340
    @clover2340 4 года назад +2

    this made me feel so much better. im 18, graduated high school in june and im taking a gap year but i am so scared because i feel like i have no calling in life. my high school course was specialized in human sciences so i mostly studied sociology, psychology, pedagogy and anthropology. i was convinced i wanted to study sociology at uni but i am not anymore. now im really drawn to programming but i dont believe in myself enough

    • @cabalenproductions6480
      @cabalenproductions6480 2 года назад

      Dang I took a steep change from being a broadcasting major to Biology and Biotech major in college. Everything I did was a steep change. I remember J. Craig Venter of the Human Genome project did a great job in exploring in his life.

  • @1.5Koreans0.5American
    @1.5Koreans0.5American 4 года назад +14

    It's already midnight in Korea but gonna watch this tomorrow morning!! I'm a late RUclipsr and slowly growing so this will be really helpful!

    • @paulrb7914
      @paulrb7914 4 года назад

      Ok. Have ur time

    • @zanasoro2084
      @zanasoro2084 4 года назад

      Hi please accept to be my correspondent to speak English

  • @patmebg3794
    @patmebg3794 4 года назад

    Whatever the vantage point, the capacity of a human is limitless. Such a wonderful gift.

  • @BalanceHealthWellnessMusic
    @BalanceHealthWellnessMusic 4 года назад +10

    Totally agree, we are constantly changing and evolving!

  • @nasreenshaikh8232
    @nasreenshaikh8232 4 года назад +145

    Exactly, like during ancient times
    All Greek philosophers were not specialized in any of the subjects, they were interested and were good in Arts, zoology, astronomy, mathematics, anatomy etc
    They were polymaths, that's the reason behind their genius minds
    We are made to have multiple interests rather than just one like this wicked world :)
    If you agree just hit the like button ;)

    • @Alien42x
      @Alien42x 4 года назад +4

      .

    • @bruhbroham8760
      @bruhbroham8760 4 года назад +3

      @Ns thank you for your insightful contribution Ns

    • @nasreenshaikh8232
      @nasreenshaikh8232 4 года назад +2

      @Ns okay, 😂 from next time on wards I'll not forget to put full stop 😂

    • @cabalenproductions6480
      @cabalenproductions6480 2 года назад +2

      Problem here is that VC's put pressure on people to be a good businessman early in life and be specialized. I heard this gets used in Silicon Valley a lot but if your a Biotech Person in able to be a great leader you need multiple skills in Business, navigating FDA Regulations and a Post Doc or MD to succeed in this industry.

  • @LiberiFatal1
    @LiberiFatal1 2 года назад

    facing a rut in my career now. currently in a new job in a new industry and I'm struggling. Thanks for this video for the motivation i need to push forward into new unknowns.

  • @dellybel1979
    @dellybel1979 4 года назад +4

    That was one of the best Ted Talks I’ve ever seen.

  • @aflisyah9206
    @aflisyah9206 4 года назад +25

    I suppose that the real definition of an intellectual is when someone has the urges to master every new fields of discipline out of his/her specialization. Let's say a doctor, we might say that doctors are intellect because of the knowledge on what they're doing, but no, thats what they professional demands. But when a doctor mastering a new discipline like economy, philosophy, law, etc. and thats my friend is an intellectual.

  • @89dirtybird
    @89dirtybird 2 года назад +13

    I spent almost 20 years as a mechanic. Many certificates, much knowledge. My last job title was engineer but now I am a preschool teacher and am making half as much being twice as happy! As I pursue my career in early childhood development I feel as if it's all common knowledge so far. Really does seem to make things easier even know the knowledge gained seems irrelavant.

    • @pianoman47
      @pianoman47 2 года назад

      I'm curious how you feel your acquired life experience has affected how you approach your new teaching career.

    • @89dirtybird
      @89dirtybird 2 года назад +1

      @@pianoman47 it's a truly complexed thing my brain. All my life I wondered how's that do that. I found out the answers to all my queries. Now I want to share them with whom ask the most simplest questions that have the most to gain from the answers.

    • @dieglhix
      @dieglhix Год назад

      You are already an extremelly wealthy person as you have reached actual wisdom.-

  • @markjmaxwell9819
    @markjmaxwell9819 4 года назад +1

    I couldn't agree more
    My working in many different fields of Engineering and many different jobs has done wonders for me....
    Learning how to fix things tends to give the person an intricate understanding of how things work....
    Food for thought 🙂

  • @Bkesal14
    @Bkesal14 2 месяца назад

    The book this talk is based on, 'Range', has legitimately been life changing for me. I'd recommend that anyone who got something from this talk, pick it up.

  • @corvidox9137
    @corvidox9137 4 года назад +1

    The timing of this is amazing.

  • @missVierzehn
    @missVierzehn 4 года назад +5

    Reminds me of "rich dad poor dad" in a way. And yet, here I am, about to finish my masters before starting my PhD next year. And while a part of me really likes this path (and I think during your time as a PhD student you learn much more than what you are working on, many many soft skills etc) another part of me doesn't know whether that's a good idea and whether I am not missing out on something

  • @uniworkhorse
    @uniworkhorse 4 года назад +4

    What an amazingly well put together speech, love the visuals he tossed in there

  • @nabilaelvanya9451
    @nabilaelvanya9451 4 года назад +14

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. I really need to hear this right now. I just finished university and now I'm working on my first real job but I'm still not sure if it's the right thing for me because it's completely different with my university major.
    On the other hand, my friends are really starting high with their great income and great specialist positions. Cant help to think I'm gonna be the late one.

    • @ankavoskuilen1725
      @ankavoskuilen1725 4 года назад +4

      Possible scenario: you take the challenge about which you are not sure now. Do it for a few years. Build up a lot of experience. Have a hobby, do all sorts of things, when possible. After a few years you may find out: this isn't for me. Take all your experience built up in the unsatisfying job to a new field and be happy.
      Or discover the job you are about to take now is awesome!
      Anything is possible! Good luck and succes to you!

    • @nabilaelvanya9451
      @nabilaelvanya9451 4 года назад

      @@ankavoskuilen1725 will definitely note on this, thank you!! All the best for you too

    • @ankavoskuilen1725
      @ankavoskuilen1725 4 года назад

      @@nabilaelvanya9451 Thank you!

  • @emilie1370
    @emilie1370 4 года назад +1

    Thank you for helping me not feel ashamed of trying different things besides my university major

  • @ksi8276
    @ksi8276 4 года назад

    This was Gold. Thank you. I couldn't think of ANYTHING better

  • @nicholashildenbrand8632
    @nicholashildenbrand8632 4 года назад

    Best TEDtalk I've ever seen. Very much underrated.

  • @aweeb7029
    @aweeb7029 4 года назад +2

    I'm 18 and I'll be in college soon, but I still don't know what should I choose for my future. I always knew that I'm not that good at science and maths but I have a huge interest for it. So, I chose to study science and maths. But I still don't have any idea which branch I should choose.
    After watching this video, it gave me a sense of relaxation that it's never too late. So I'll just try out every option that fits me. And let's see what happens....

  • @TheDoomWizard
    @TheDoomWizard 4 года назад

    I mentor young people on my channel now in my early thirties and having done everything I wanted to accomplish after high school. Do it all. Live life to the fullest.

  • @binayyadav1708
    @binayyadav1708 4 года назад +2

    Today i learnt a new thing. I always assumed early start wins you the race while missing the point that a late start makes you realize that you don’t even wanna race.

  • @markbenn1907
    @markbenn1907 2 года назад

    I have been thinking the other way about this for a long time. Thanks for making me consider a new perspective!

  • @ezrablasi9973
    @ezrablasi9973 7 месяцев назад

    I LOVE this video and this concept SO MUCH!
    Thank. You. David. Epstein!!! 🤙🏻🫶🏻

  • @aneneemmanuel7985
    @aneneemmanuel7985 3 года назад

    This gave me goosebumps. Thank you for this.

  • @1fty
    @1fty 4 года назад

    This talk has been given me so much hope and joy!

  • @NikhilSingh-mk9kc
    @NikhilSingh-mk9kc 4 года назад

    Narrowing field of view is definitely there if you've been working on only one thing all your life. Good video

  • @hatimbootwala7783
    @hatimbootwala7783 4 года назад +1

    This was so true, it felt like he was voicing my feelings.

  • @xuanngocnguyen6939
    @xuanngocnguyen6939 4 года назад

    this is a really good talk because i am trying to chose the right career for myself and it hard, it is good to know that i am not alone

  • @kokekeen3096
    @kokekeen3096 2 года назад +1

    I really enjoyed reading his book. Now I'm so glad to see him on RUclips. I really want to recommend his book to parents in Korea my country.

  • @ericjiang7986
    @ericjiang7986 Год назад +1

    I started to watch this video a year ago, at the time I understood his point but I was still skeptical about my future I had a late start I dropped out my college freshman year went back to hometown and go to a regular school and restart two years later so I started sophomore year 22, and find my major in 23. Now in the first semester of finding my major, I find out a business idea in my daily life by selling second hand if it’s general people they will give up cuz so low end but I had many turbulent experiences so I didn’t give up and wanna try some entrepreneur experience, and my major courses are being impeded and the professor doesn’t focus on me anymore. I was doubting myself but in the middle of my try I find out other business and international business which can be profitable and now I try there are many obstacles I earned my first bucket of money and I try to make it bigger by expanding internationally. While my classmate who early specialize is still in class studying although wen to internship early than me.

  • @bauminsonx9662
    @bauminsonx9662 4 года назад

    This might have been the most important TED talk for me to watch.

  • @Blabberflups
    @Blabberflups 4 года назад +15

    Wow, now I feel like my stumbling around and going with the flow might amount to something... or not

  • @mikedelferro
    @mikedelferro 4 года назад +1

    Love your channel

  • @DaniloMunhequete
    @DaniloMunhequete 2 года назад

    The linear path to success is a thought from the automation era, where everybody must come to a production line and go through the same processes and come out at the end as a successful person.
    Nowadays, in the 4th Industrial Revolution / Information Age, the generalists will be better rewarded.
    Thank you for sharing this knowledge with all of us.

  • @MartinPEngebraaten
    @MartinPEngebraaten 4 месяца назад

    I'm 28, have changed careers multiple times, learned new skills from scratch, and never seemed to be comfortable in any specific job over a long period of time.
    Guess I'm doing the Roger path, but it's so difficult. I love learning and I am quite proficient in multiple skills, but people won't hire you without a narrow specialisation.

  • @DarkshadeMusic
    @DarkshadeMusic 3 года назад

    Rewatching this 1 year after I came across it.

  • @solarapacifica991
    @solarapacifica991 4 года назад +12

    I think I agree with this idea quite a lot. But on the other hand I think not all of us can afford to try different things in education.

  • @believer1558
    @believer1558 Год назад

    Thank you. Needed this.

  • @eduardasantiago03
    @eduardasantiago03 4 года назад

    This made me feel a little better. I'm 27yo and until today, I've only "jumped" (don't know how to say that in English) from career to career. Started out as an English teacher at a small language course, then I started working as a recepcionist, in the meantime I also took theater classes, in 2017 I started my Marketing graduation but up to today, don't know exactly what I'm doing. But this video made me feel a little more confident about the future :)

  • @gabrielmuteca
    @gabrielmuteca 4 года назад +4

    Being open-minded is key to greater success - let us all learn the skill of thinking broadly and see how the world changes to the best!

  • @Twodime4032
    @Twodime4032 2 года назад

    Same happen with my father, my uncle is the most educated in my family he got a good job early and my father tried three times to get into college and tried a bunch of stuff and he is now wayyy richer than anyone in my family, owns his own company, sent his son me to study oversea and become the head of my family

  • @ivanarguelles3292
    @ivanarguelles3292 4 года назад

    I saw this at a perfect time, the next year I enter University and I didn't know whether to choose Business or engineering, now I think if I choose Business I will have a much broader vision, and I will have the skills to do more things

    • @va3413
      @va3413 4 года назад +1

      I mean so will engineering in general. There are thousands of fields in engineering. All engineering is not the same.

  • @rj8638
    @rj8638 2 года назад +1

    This is so good. I just randomly stumbled onto this video but it was meant to be! I'm 38 and have never been able to specialize as i've always been curious about multiple things. I studied Computer Science in college, got a bachelor's degree, then straight away worked as a music teacher because i loved music, went to study music, then changed to studying Theology and Ministry, worked at an international aid agency, became interested in counselling and am now working in wellbeing and studying counselling. Taking the specific example of music, I've always been a jack-of-all trades with a good knowledge of 3 or 4 instruments, but have never been able to specialise. However, i feel fulfilled and am very adaptable and resilient. Thanks for a great video

  • @ribkan4759
    @ribkan4759 4 года назад +1

    I just find this video! 😊 I ever questioned myself of this idea because of the society's ideal planning

  • @dvo8861
    @dvo8861 4 года назад

    A well spoken orator is magnetic.

  • @lwazimpulu4383
    @lwazimpulu4383 4 года назад

    I love a TEDtalk worth watching.

  • @bracajp
    @bracajp 3 года назад

    Incredibly insightful. I wish I could send this video to the old 18 year old me.

  • @QuestionEverythingButWHY
    @QuestionEverythingButWHY 4 года назад +55

    "None of us can know what we are capable of until we are tested."
    -- Elizabeth Blackwell

  • @JOYBOY-1115
    @JOYBOY-1115 4 года назад

    Man, this is fantastic insight, especially for me just about to start my career. For the short future I suppose I'm in the clear, but its still something to keep in mind.

  • @AmbientWalking
    @AmbientWalking 4 года назад +1

    Wow! Really inspiring. Gonna run and read his book now!

  • @satishdahal1416
    @satishdahal1416 4 года назад

    I am just 20 and I had made a heavy thought on what should I do with my life. I came to a conclusion after some deep thinking. This guy changed my perspective, this video came as a rewinder. I just erased what I had thought.

    • @virajsolanki3788
      @virajsolanki3788 4 года назад +1

      Bro, I am 21 and we are on the same boat. I have no plans for my post graduation studies but I am sure I will try new things and will figure out stuff.

    • @satishdahal1416
      @satishdahal1416 4 года назад

      @@virajsolanki3788 good luck with the journey lad. Hope you figure it out and have wonderful years ahead.

    • @virajsolanki3788
      @virajsolanki3788 4 года назад

      @@satishdahal1416 Same to you.

  • @anapaulapedro7025
    @anapaulapedro7025 4 года назад

    Really pleased with the recent topics they're releasing

  • @sohamagarwal00
    @sohamagarwal00 4 года назад +1

    This video is one of the best ted talks I've seen. A lotta fresh perspective if you're in the right frame of mind

  • @needheartranken
    @needheartranken 4 года назад

    Man, this was totally totally totally inspiring, buffing, and just... thank you, man.

  • @khushilshah2858
    @khushilshah2858 4 года назад +6

    I agree with u that in long term it can help. But somewhere around I think the one who starts at the initial stage has the extra edge in learning the things faster and they can add thier own creativity later on ... Tigers path can have a greater success ratio compared to Rogers path. The things went wrong only when the path choosen earlier doesn't align to our interests later on ... It also depends on the individuals as well. I have seen people starting the things and then quiting it in middle and choose something else but after a period they again pick the same thing they started earlier as their is a bond .. that attachment towards work is present there. I believe both the paths has there own nature of consequences

  • @gh0s1wav
    @gh0s1wav 4 года назад +1

    "If we all reacted the same way, we'd be predictable, and there's always
    more than one way to view a situation. What's true for the group is also
    true for the individual. It's simple: overspecialize, and you breed in
    weakness. It's slow death. " - Mamoru Oshi

  • @chapinero017
    @chapinero017 4 года назад +1

    What an interesting presentation! Definitely going to be a Professor favorite for years to come