Ted Talk Discussion: The surprising habits of original thinkers

How do creative people come up with great ideas? Organizational psychologist Adam Grant studies "originals": thinkers who dream up new ideas and take action to put them into the world. In this talk, learn three unexpected habits of originals — including embracing failure. "The greatest originals are the ones who fail the most, because they're the ones who try the most," Grant says. "You need a lot of bad ideas in order to get a few good ones."

Let's discuss this 15 min YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/fxbCHn6gE3U?si=cS9nq4tHzbbO0NHW

The talk is based on his book, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25614523-originals

Note: Please watch the YouTube video prior to the discussion. There is no requirement to read the book though if you find the book interesting, feel free to read it on your own time.
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Discussion Questions:

1. Given that moderate procrastination can lead to greater creativity, how can we intentionally use procrastination as a tool for innovation without falling into the trap of chronic delay and missed deadlines?

2. Given that originals fear inaction more than failure, how can we cultivate a mindset where taking bold, risky actions becomes more comfortable than playing it safe, and what small, daily practices can help us build this mentality?

3. Knowing that generating a large volume of ideas, including bad ones, can lead to successful innovations, how can we implement a personal process that not only tolerates but actively encourages the generation of bad ideas as a pathway to personal growth and innovation?

4. Given that managing idea doubt can lead to better refinement and improvement of ideas, how can we effectively support ourselves in transitioning from self-doubt to idea doubt, particularly in high-stakes personal projects?

5. Understanding that vuja de can lead to innovative solutions by seeing familiar problems with fresh eyes, how can we deliberately disrupt our routines and environments to force fresh perspectives on old challenges?

6. Considering that doubting defaults and seeking better options is linked to better performance and commitment, how can we systematically question and overturn the 'default' choices in our lives, from our daily habits to our long-term goals, to uncover unexpected opportunities for growth and improvement?

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To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events:

• Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question)
• Listen to understand, not to respond.
• Be open-minded and value differences.

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note:

• This book club will always be free and will never accept fundraising, sponsorships, or advertising. The only request is that, because we will usually meet at a local coffee shop, it will be great if participants can order some drinks or meal items during events.