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From: TEDtalksDirector
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  • some people are talkers, some are doers. talking about what you're going to do doesn't get it done.

  • In some ways it's pretty true, cos most times I announce something, I usually don't achieve it or fall short of it. While if I don't announce it, I'm more likely to achieve it. (:

  • Not a great speaker, but I do find truth in this.. More than this short video gives

  • This analysis is based on very small time periods, perhaps the people who announced their goal, felt like their goal was already done, so they gave themselves a break, ENJOYED life, and succeeded a little down the road.

    Is faster goal achievement better, or is easier, more relaxed goal achievement better? Is there a way to have both?

  • So true, so very true.

  • I'm surprised no one said this: My goal is to not do my goals.

  • I disagree. This contradicts the power of conciousness and thoughts over energy.

  • @sor8an But what about when you jinx yourself? I believe in the power consciousness and thoughts over energy too. But geez! Every single time I talk about my diet, I stop losing weight. I thought I was creating it, and maybe I am. But hey! Whatever works, right?

  • @sor8an not really pay attention ur mind gets tricked ,....did u know ur mind gets tricked/.??? talking bout conciusness when u really dont even now what it really is.

  • My goal is to become the first trash hauler with a law degree.

  • cools and goods very powerhelpull

  • Yup

  • I'm LMAO cuz of the joke at the end.

  • @atomiclev LMFAO! that is so hilarious xD

  • Keep up the good work

  • Your video is pretty coo

  • Thanks a lot!! the video is Amazing

  • Comment removed

  • Their is truth in this, all the goals i keep to myself, i have accomplished. I think it depends on what kind of family you come from, if you come from the type of family that always is supporting you or you have friends that are all so supporting you, then it may be ok to tell your goals, If you think you will not get the support you need, then it is best to keep your goals to your self.

  • I usually don't tell my goals, cause I feel I'd let people down if I didn't achieve them...and this usually gives me good reasons to be lazy - after all, no one will ever know if I don't achieve them!

    Therefore I wouldn't exactly agree with this. For me, the best motivation is having people count on me and knowing they'd be disappointed if I failed them.

  • Great channel, just thought I'd stop by

  • I just would like to thanks for the channel

  • He describes me to a tee. Have learnt the hard way and he is right, for me at least.

  • lol good video

  • exactly!!!

  • Easy solution if the converse is also true. Next time someone tells you their goals tell them they don't have it in them. That will infuriate them with motivation to prove you wrong. I know for a fact this has worked for some people but I don't know if it could be scientifically tested to a general psychological principle.

  • my goal is to continue living an unhealthy lifestyle.

  • The point is really valid. I have experienced it.

  • My goal is to keep my goals to myself.

    Damn it!

  • According to Norman Vincent Peale, announcing your goals publicly and repetitiously forges a solid belief your goals will be reached, opens doors of opportunity, and gives others that believe and want to see you reach your goals the opportunity to help you reach them. Did the Wright Brothers announce their goals? "You've got to believe in yourself or no one will believe in you" (Ozzy).

    Craig L Stevens - Entrepreneur / Law and Psychology Student / National Society of Collegiate Scholars

  • oh my god i do this all the time it is real and detrimental

  • hi everyone. my goal is to destroy this world.

    alrighty... i just saved everyone.

  • @EcoDimension

    you Disappointed me villain 

  • @EcoDimension haha so North korea is really tame

  • Nice speech mate..!!!

  • i truly think its totally up to the persons intentions

  • @eojadiius if a person really wants to do something within their heart like alot, regardless if they have had the encouragement or not, they will !

  • The funniest part about that commercial at the end, is that is the exact reason that some whole system crashes

  • I totally agree with Sivers

  • Watch as

  • I think if people forget and slack off reaching their goals, is because it's not what they really wanted to do, just wishful thinking. Telling other people or not it's all the same. If it ain't what you truly desire, you'll drop it sooner or later. On the other hand, if it's really want you wanted, and you can't reach it. It is because you lack of self control and determination. That is where you should be looking at , not about should I voice my goals and ambitions. Just my 2 cents.

  • it's like when you have bunch of baloons on your cart with the precious substance inside them and you want to poke a hole in one of the baloons to reveal it to your buddy just to brag

  • Lol i can identify myself with the end commercial

    (Really great vid :))

  • @RaawHax LOL. I can but can't. Yeah it's funny but it's mean too. I'm amazed he caught the sign change that quickly. On a page of calc I've spent an hour trying to figure out what's wrong only to find that somewhere along the sign is different. I was horrified and amused XD.

  • omg he is right

  • This reveals a lot about the inner workings of societies, as it emphasizes the importance of peer acknowledgement (through recognition, validation or commendation) in shaping our beliefs and shared realities.

    So it does take a village to raise (indoctrinate) a child.

  • This TedTalk tells me that talking about something as if it were real and getting some sort of assertion through social acknowledgement is a powerful way to simulate those desired experiences, to the point that we (absolutely) accept and believe it as reality.

  • There's this other TedTalk about the part of the brain called the Prefrontal Cortex whose one of many functions is to be an experience simulator. This simulator allows us to practice an action without actually doing it, so we experience something virtually without experiencing it in reality.

  • well, how could that guy notice the positive sign added, he's very sharp.

    you know why?, this's Intel :P

  • LOL BEST COMMERCIAL EVER

  • HAHA that was one of the funniest and understated adverts I've ever seen!

  • This absolutely matches my experience

  • loved the ad :)

  • 32 people didn't keep their mouths shut.

  • I have a goal i will tell everyone right now. I will punch 100 babies in the stomach for no reason.

  • makes sense

  • This is so true!

  • This works for all types of goals?

  • peter gollwitzer looks like the guy from taken

  • I'm not necessarily doubting what he's saying, but the way he's summarizing the results of that study. The people who talked to others might have figured out something that the others didn't (like a better way to achieve their goal) or decided they didn't want to do that anyway after talking to others... just saying : )

  • It's called Self Sabotage!!! :P ...another practical joke from Loki ^_^ hahaha!!!

  • the intel commercial was actually good! amazing geniuses.. =)

  • somehow i knew charlie sent me would be the most thumbed up

  • @kateekay95 Charlie who?

  • Wait, what the fuck's Mona Lisa got to do with this!?

  • I think the test is accurate, but his analysis is wrong. If you tell a group of strangers your goal, you have a unlikely chance of success. But if you tell someone who really loves you, they will help you reach your goals. This guy forgot about that.

  • With a completely different perspective on this (I'm not a doctor though) I developed an application called Dream Tool. I believe accountability plays a huge part in goal accomplishment. Its kind of like going to the gym. If its just me, its easier to stay in bed. If my workout partner is waiting on me there I get out of bed.

  • Oh wow, this imcharleshicks guy is a right jackass. He gives a bad name to psychology enthusiasts everywhere. We're not all like that, I promise.

  • That last joke was so awesome lol

  • And now, because of that, many people are going to give up on their goals, cause they said it to someone. Just dandy.

  • I'm sorry but that does not sound at all like how it works for me. I guess my social satisfaction must already be delayed. Or non-existent.

  • My resolution is to write one new blog post every day, in the morning. I tell people because I actually expect my blog readers to remind me throughout the day until I hit the button 'publish'.

  • Interesting...

  • LMAO at the comercial at the end!

  • @aFreakySmile hahhaha

  • I don't entirely agree - to me it depends on the type of goal and the motivation, support and time commitment required.

    eg

    Training/Exercise goals are personal, easy to keep to yourself and attain for.

    But:

    Dieting requires support - "keep me away from McDs", "don't offer me sweets".

    Charity Work - needs planning, support, motivation - isn't achieved in the head.

    Learn an instrument - FAR from done by just telling someone. Dedication required.

    Good vid, but too broad imo - goals are unique.

  • @MarcusBritish Best comment on this video. True, goals are too broad to be judged like that. It all depends on what you want. Telling people might help you to achieve it and learn things that you never knew.

  • Charlie sent me : )

  • @xxArinachii Charlie who?

  • @dpthomas37 Charlieissocoollike

  • Something about him puts me in a good mood 0.0

  • Commerical at the end was the best part - I disagree. My friends hold me to my goals and few accomplishments are that enjoyable alone

  • Godness, the commercial at the end was truly funny. lol!

  • I have found that letting people know my goal takes the wind or the energy out of it.

  • @n0ts0B9 I agree. Once I've said it when it comes to actually putting in the work I tend to think "Well... I already know that I'm going to do it eventually anyway, so I don't need to do the work right now"

  • Just do it.

    -Nike ;)

  • Great advice. My gramma used to tell me that, but I did'n understand like this at that time.

    PS: Celso Roth should have thought about it before felling like the winner yesterday in Africa.

  • I think there are certain types of people to whom this would and would not apply. Some people have the kind of goals that are so grandiose that they are shut down. This can act as an even bigger motivator.

  • This is a fascinating video, but I totally disagree with it based off of personal experience.

    This is no different than doing an affirmation out loud, really - so should we not do affirmations either?

    In the last 90 days, I accomplished some pretty ridiculous goals, and they happened in part BECAUSE I declared my intent to the world - I think the study you mentioned is insufficient to justify your conclusion - just my two cents.

    -dave

  • @MLMGlobalTakeover The second you said "based off of personal experience" you lost all credibility. Anecdotal evidence is not evidence

  • @twalker166 So when you go to a doctor and say "I feel depressed" that's not good enough evidence to receive treatment? Does he have to beat you up in a controlled experiment with 150 people until he's satisfied? Lol.. seriously though, the video is based on psychological experiments granted, but psychology is nothing more than "anecdotal experiences" - it's called Life. When you're doing controlled tests, it's no longer natural and the evidence must be analysed. Interpretations will often vary.

  • @MarcusBritish Sorry I should have clarified my point: anecdotal evidence does not suffice *in this case*. In the example you give it does - it's the only viable way to reach a conclusion. I don't agree with the "life is anecdotal experiences" argument. It's true but irrelevant. On a case by case level, all evidence can be called anecdotal; studies and tests are tools to make that evidence objective (within reason). And yes, interpretations will vary but this is true of any field of science

  • @MarcusBritish Just saying "I feel depressed" is no where near enough evidence to receive treatment. Know your facts about psychology, diagnostic criteria and treatments before making false statements like that.

  • @imcharleshicks I know my facts - GP's have a duty to offer treatment if you claim you're depressed - you don't have to go through counselling, brain scans or being prodded and poked. It's always a case by case diagnosis to determine severity and treatment. A doctor cannot dismiss you. You totally missed the point in order to make a smug remark on YouTube. Please go try to score points elsewhere - I'm 11 years older than you and have plenty of knowledge of how the NHS works thanks very much.

  • @MarcusBritish Well you clearly do not know your facts. You're correct, a doctor cannot dismiss you. However you do have to go through certain tests (Spitzer test etc.) and meet the appropriate criteria from the DSM-TR-IV before you receive any treatment whatsoever. I'm studying psychology at University and i have just completed a semester on diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders; I do have more knowledge on this subject than you do. So you're 11 years older? Well done on being old.....

  • @imcharleshicks "I do have more knowledge on this subject than you do."

    a) You don't know me or my level or knowledge or education so keep guessing.

    b) Sounds like you could do with diagnosing yourself, you suffer from delusions of grandeur. See DSM-IV 296.60

    c) Congrats on studying a hopeless degree - the ability to sit in a room and discuss someones feelings. The Samaritans train for free without having to pay £10,000 in course fees.

    d) Well done on being stupid.. no one likes a smart arse. :)

  • @MarcusBritish OOO well done you looked at the DSM-IV on the internet!! well done!! clever you!! a) i clearly do have more knowledge than you on this area. b) you're a retard for even saying that c) again proving your stupidity because psychology is not discussing someone's feelings, that's psychiatry you moron! And they get paid upwards of £70,000 a year, and i pay £3,350 in fees. d) you've proved you're attempting to be the smart arse and failing, you don't even know the right professions!

  • @imcharleshicks You're like a lawyer - a contemptuous self-opinionated prick, who cares less for people and more about the salary he can earn. Your only interest is that of yourself - you don't actually care who has what, who lives or who dies. You're a pompous prat and I doubt you even go to Uni, lots kids say "I learn psychology" in order to impress. But in this case, no one likes you or is impressed. Completing a semester is no big deal. Why don't you try getting a life also, sad little man.

  • Respond to this video... whatever, just cause it annoys you that a 19 year old knows significantly more than you on a subject it upsets you. And no i don't do it to impress, i do it because it's interesting. No one likes you either, you're a 30 year old on youtube..... time to grow up much?

  • @imcharleshick Man what a prattling bore you are. Interesting subject that collides with your featureless personality, and lack of charisma. Typical emo Uni student - smug attitude - though that'll be the cocktail of dope and drink talking. Keep studying, because no one will employ you. Take your own advice.. grow up.

  • Respond to this video... And just again on your point 'c' you really have no concept of what psychology is if you think it "the ability to sit in a room and discuss someones feelings", you just seem an idiot for even saying that that is what psychology is.

  • @imcharleshicks Just been looking at your YouTube history of trolling - good job. Making a career of it - I didn't know psychology and pedophilia went hand in hand. Like that comment - why not gimme your addy, I'll come say it to your face - forget DSM-IV - let's try GBH. Then you can get yourself one of those lovable lawyers and see how much he fucks you for. In short, you are an arsehole - what pre-graduate student spends as much time trolling YouTube as your last 2 years show you do? Wanker!

  • @MarcusBritish Oh so now you're a 30 year old threatening someone? very mature. I laugh at you in pity.

  • Derek so right!!! :)

  • 3:42 girl on the bottom right is only hottie in the group

  • Awesome, to the point and easily remembered. Also the joke at the end was awesome.

  • Anyone familiar with this stuff who can elaborate? The study as explained is hardly sufficient for believing the conclusion. It was a 45 minute study. That's like if I did an experiment over a month to determine how many rocks people could move across a field. I tell when group to go to sleep when tired and the other to stay up. The latter group does better in a short trial, but it wouldn't over time.

  • @Vazeroth16 i agree...

  • This is the most poignant Ted tall I've ever heard. I used to do that all the time, but I sure as shit ain't doing it anymore. Thank god for Ted!

  • This is so true....At least for me anyway!

  • So as we now understand you're _more likely_ to achieve a goal if you do not tell people about it. But how about if we get other people to say it to us? Like if they tell us what to do? What happens when people keep asking you "you should really be doing _x_ if you're serious about achieving your goal"? I DEMAND A STUDY!

  • moment to rejoice for the introverts, the extroverts have a lot of shutting up to do now : D, which we all feel all the time. This should also explain why we always feel those who are not so vocal get their jobs done, as compared to the social magnets among our peers :)

    peace

  • damn, i did notice that i accomplished less when i started talking about wants and needs more to people as i got older. normally, i would keep my mouth shut and just do the work by myself. when people would congratulate me for things i hadn't already accomplished, it made me feel like i had done enough. so i would move on to something else without having finished. sucks, that i was doing it right to begin with. O_O

  • people who self-consciously feel that they need to prove themselves to others, can also tend to be quite motivated. Kids who can never do well enough for daddy.

    So yes, human suffering and mental anguish can be good motivators for achievement.

    see also: small penis syndrome

    It's kindof sad that these people are actually trying to ACHIEVE their way to happiness and contentment. When in reality they would attain happiness and contentment if they stopped.

  • Interesting! We do this already, Prophet Mohamed of Islam has said:

    "Seek help in meeting needs by keeping quiet"

  • @HaadkaHawd are you saying Derek Sivers should start his own religion?

  • @HaadkaHawd Peace be upon him. Prophet Mohamed PBUH never talk from the void.

  • stop jinxing your goals people...

  • This is something I have always felt and found to be true, but I didn't know that it was actually studied. I used to tell people my goals all the time, then I found out that I didn't go through with most of them so I stopped telling people.

  • There is focus on people's need for self-esteem as another important source of goal accomplishment which is perhaps the most underlying cause of goal success that has not been mentioned...

  • @Undeterminable I would have liked to have seen a test for long term rather then short?.... as this is when the goals become reality?

  • Just wanted to know more about long term goals...the test only mentioned straight away. Perhaps this is true of short term goals? Also it seemed that the group of people that put only as much work in as they wanted were happy in the effort (more likely to do it again?)... while the second group put all effort but felt unsatisfied by the work (less likely to do the work again? and with no one knowing less likely to be accountable for it?).

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  • I'm so glad Derick debunked that old myth. Superstition never made sense yet I bet it's happened to all of us at least once. Psychology is so powerful I'll be happy to reset the reasons for staying quiet when one is excited about an idea.

    Jkl

  • i don't get it. that intel joke was freakin Hilarious!!!

    i mean dude HE CHANGED TO A PLUS!!!

    thus reconfiguring the equation get it?!

  • @alvisc2002

    >"i don't get it."

    >"get it?!"

    i am confuse

  • I don't tell people my goals because if I happen to fail (which I do often) then I subject myself to ridicule by people who never tried in the first place

  • i knew this, my problem is in finding a goal worth setting..pfff

  • Remember when TED talks used to be mind blowing 20 minute speeches by amazing deep thinkers like Dan Dennet and David Deutsch?

  • this is not very good proof of anything. Many now famous stars/legends announced what they were going to achieve before they got there, and with great confidence too. Someone with deep passion and determination towards achieving something will not be hampered by such a pathetic thing like this lol..

    Example: Jimi Hendrix told his family he would one day be famous

    (I've encountered several other examples but I don't have the time to dig them up meh)

  • @TheMrAlwaysRight you can always find an example of anything, hes talking about odds and averages for the general populace and youre talking about extroardinary megastars with super talent.

  • @jsmith2142 true, but that's the very problem I'm trying to point out. He makes this study and then generalizes it to everyone when it won't apply to everyone depending on their individual personalities

  • @jsmith2142 but also a problem is the fact that the test subjects know they are setting their goals within a study can also affect their psychology...perhaps the results would be different if the subjects set goals while being intrinsically motivated and not aware they were being studied

  • Also, keep your musical preferences to yourself because nobody cares. :P

  • My goal is to watch fewer TED talks. Er, guess I'm not meeting that goal! :-)

  • good idea. too many nay sayers out there to share your thoughts with them

  • more of an indication of how weak the non-motivated people are than an how counter-productive speaking goals out-loud is in itself.

  • @xjustamem0ryx

    though, deeply motivated people don't need to pride themselves by saying it out-loud anyway.

  • Meh...

  • very useful, quick advice

  • what a DUMB guy , its already mentioned in the HOLLY QURAN  before 1300 year :P, haha

  • Nike's version is even shorter:

    Just Do It

  • Don't tell anyone, make them your own, but some other said that telling others makes you feeling obligate to do that so you would not failed.

    By the way, I like the ad at the end.

  • i dont agree with this, when i tell somone a goal, it means i am the most determined to get there. For example, my goal was to lose 50 pounds by the 1st of september, i was 230 pounds, and now im 179 pounds, i lost 51 pounds in 4 months, so i reached my goal. so i donno... i think some ppl just dont stick to goals when they say they will, i stuck to mine and im here, the annoying thing is now i need to go spend money on new clothes...

  • kiss my fucking ass!

  • Nonsense.  This goes against my daily experience.

  • Something is seriously wrong with me. That comercial at the end cracked me up.

  • @ratholin You're not the only one, so no worries=).

  • I reject this. This holds true for people that want to achieve a goal in order to get social gratification. Not for people who want to achieve the actual goal (for themselves). So on average it is true, as most people fall into the first category.

  • @rtsownage Possibly. But I personally don't tell people about things I want to do for myself. Though I also don't congratulate people that decide to do something either. I ask how, and why, but I don't really pat people on the back. I find that people in general already have inflated egos of self importance and I don't like to boost that.

  • This won't work with sport!

  • Good vid.

    lol "I changed it to a plus heheheheheh"

  • haha, brilliant!

  • i noticed this phenomenon myself. i thought it was just me!

  • there are also cases where people go out and says things which puts pressure on them where they now HAVE to respond.

  • @homedogdigity I have to agree, Through my studies in Social Psychology, I have known the opposite to be true where as once you make a verbal commitment to your goal, you are more likely to achieve it based upon exterior pressures.

  • @Pheneus Which is why they say to tell people your exercise plans and to log your workouts - it helps.

  • The good thing about TED isn't that they ask you to discuss your goals, but what you HAVE ALREADY done. They should place a higher emphasis on this.

  • So in other words, keep your mouth shut when you're doing something interesting with your life.

  • Hey, where is the "thank you very much". Thank you...... bye?

  • I like this idea. He's a genuine guy.

  • he kind of reminded my of tickle me elmo

  • Example is lame lame lame with the test to show the proof. I suggest folks who want to learn about goal setting to read "Napolean Hill" and "W. Clement Stone". Write down your goals, find a Mastermind group (like minded folks), set deadlines and incremental steps for the achievement, feel the positive emotion of having achieved the goal (not approval from others, but within yourself), remind yourself daily of the goal (focus). This guy is partly right, but too simplistic!!! Get bigger goals!!!!

  • Napolean Hill says to find a Mastermind group, who can share your goal. I share with my hubby and special family members or like minded friends, but agree with him to not just blather and instead get on with things. I have found if you have enthusiasm and go about your life that often real friends will help you reach it, but don't rely on this.

    Yep, you can't expect others to push you. Some folks will tear you down or block you. Just choose folks with whom you share your goals. Small set.

  • This was great, especially the end commercial. :D

  • What this is also means is...you talk a lot about your big goals all time to everyone. The more you talk, the more you will satisfied without having to actually done anything! What is more happy? Being Happier or achieving the goal? lol

  • lol end commercial was funny

  • I love getting a simple but useful and quick piece of advice like this. The next time I have a job interview and they ask me what my goals are I'm going to explain this to them.