tOpic List
We all have interests that spark our curiosity — topics or ideas that we find ourselves coming back to. But what would it look like to take that curiosity further? To dive deep, explore every angle, and imagine where that interest could lead you?
The TED Talk exercise is an opportunity to take one of your interests and feed your curiosity.
THE EXERCISE: Topic List
Refer back to your list of interests in the previous section. Choose an interest and explore it:
Imagine you’ve been asked to give a TED talk on this topic.
Start by brainstorming everything you’re curious or passionate about within this topic. Write a list of all your questions and ideas. For example, what questions would you love to investigate and answer in this talk? What information do you already have that you could share with the audience? This list becomes your ‘Topic List’ (put it somewhere safe - we will refer to it in later sections!).
500 word piece #5:
Choose a question or more that you are interested in exploring and use the prompting questions to guide your reflection:
Why are you interested in this question?
What are some anecdotes involving you and this interest?
What knowledge or insight do you have about this topic?
Why is it meaningful to you now?
Picture what your life might look like if you pursued this topic fully and dedicated your life to it. In five years time, what do you hope you’ll be saying about your career? What new opportunities have come your way? What experiences have you had in relation to this topic?
Once you’ve completed this exercise, you might want to move onto another interest and repeat the process. It’s an opportunity to explore all facets of your curiosity, so don’t hold back! And remember, the list of ideas and questions from your TED Talk is a living document. Revisit and update it regularly to reflect your evolving interest and insights. Refer back to it whenever you’re looking for inspiration.
Up next: From Draft to Publish