♫musicjinni

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

video thumbnail
Visit http://TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

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.

Follow TED on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TEDTalks
Like TED on Facebook: http://facebook.com/TED
Subscribe to our channel: http://youtube.com/TED

TED's 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 our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization/our-policies-terms/ted-talks-usage-policy). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com

Why the secret to success is setting the right goals | John Doerr | TED

The psychology of self-motivation | Scott Geller | TEDxVirginiaTech

How to Achieve Your Most Ambitious Goals | Stephen Duneier | TEDxTucson

How to motivate yourself to change your behavior | Tali Sharot | TEDxCambridge

Grit: the power of passion and perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth

Keep your goals to yourself | Derek Sivers

Stop doubting yourself and go after what you really, really want | Mario Lanzarotti | TEDxWilmington

The Mindset of a Champion | Carson Byblow | TEDxYouth@AASSofia

A 3-Step Guide to Believing in Yourself | Sheryl Lee Ralph | TED

If you want to achieve your goals, don't focus on them: Reggie Rivers at TEDxCrestmoorParkED

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable | Luvvie Ajayi Jones | TED

Why you should define your fears instead of your goals | Tim Ferriss | TED

What Nobody Tells You About Your Twenties | Livi Redden | TEDxBayonne

Change your mindset, change the game | Dr. Alia Crum | TEDxTraverseCity

The secret to self control | Jonathan Bricker | TEDxRainier

Programming your mind for success | Carrie Green | TEDxManchester

How to Get Your Brain to Focus | Chris Bailey | TEDxManchester

After watching this, your brain will not be the same | Lara Boyd | TEDxVancouver

How To Eliminate Self Doubt Forever & The Power of Your Unconscious Mind | Peter Sage | TEDxPatras

Change Your Mindset and Achieve Anything | Colin O'Brady | TEDxPortland

How to Discover Your Authentic Self -- at Any Age | Bevy Smith | TED

A guide to believing in yourself (but for real this time) | Catherine Reitman | TEDxToronto

Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator | Tim Urban | TED

Six behaviors to increase your confidence | Emily Jaenson | TEDxReno

Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | TED

Getting stuck in the negatives (and how to get unstuck) | Alison Ledgerwood | TEDxUCDavis

The Philosophy of Time Management | Brad Aeon | TEDxConcordia

How to Figure Out What You Really Want | Ashley Stahl | TEDxLeidenUniversity

The Psychology of Career Decisions | Sharon Belden Castonguay | TEDxWesleyanU

The puzzle of motivation | Dan Pink | TED

Disclaimer DMCA