The latest research is clear: the state of our attention determines the state of our lives. So how do we harness our attention to focus deeper, get distracted less, and even become more creative? Chris Bailey, author of the recent book Hyperfocus, talks about how our ability to focus is the key to productivity, creativity, and living a meaningful life.

Follow Chris on @chris_bailey Chris Bailey was recently described by TED as possibly “the most productive man you’d ever hope to meet”. He is the international bestselling author of Hyperfocus and The Productivity Project, which have been published in sixteen languages. Chris works with organisations around the globe on how they can become more productive without hating the process.

To date, Chris has written hundreds of articles on the subject of productivity, and has garnered coverage in media as diverse as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, The Huffington Post, Harvard Business Review, TED, Fortune, Fast Company, and Lifehacker. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

In this illuminating talk, high school mathematics teacher and YouTube star Eddie Woo shares his passion for mathematics, declaring that «mathematics is a sense, just like sight and touch» and one we can all embrace. Using surprising examples of geometry, he encourages everyone to seek out the patterns around us, for «a whole new way to see the world». A public high school teacher for more than 10 years, Eddie Woo gained international attention when he posted videos of his classroom lessons online, to assist an ill student. His YouTube channel, WooTube, has more than 200,000 subscribers and over 13 million views.
Eddie believe that mathematics can be embraced and even enjoyed by absolutely everybody. He was named Australias Local Hero and was a Top 10 Finalist in the Global Teacher Prize for his love of teaching mathematics. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences.

In this talk, Tai Lopez reminds us that everyone wants the good life, but not everyone gets the good life because not everyone is willing to do what it takes.

As a nature, travel and adventure photographer, Johns assignments have taken him from the spectacular volcanic eruptions on Iceland to the teeming wildlife of East Africa. He has been to the Himalayas, the Pacific Islands, the American Deserts, the Galapagos Islands and the Andes, Namibia, Alaska, the European Alps and has photographed almost all the wild land locations in Britain. John has ventured to 38 countries in the last 28 years always returning with a story — whether rafting down the Colorado River of the Grand Canyon or celebrating round a campfire with primitive Kalahari Bushmen, Johns tales make the beauty of our planet shine.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

After spending 4 months a year for the last 30 years living out of a suitcase, Rick Steves reflects on the value of thoughtful travel. Sharing lessons learned from Iran to El Salvador and from India to Denmark, Steves tells why spending all that time and money away from home has broadened his perspective, enriched his life, and made it clear to him, as he says in his talk, «Fear is for people who dont get out very much.»

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

«Were half as empathetic as the generation before us… and I don’t know if we care.» That’s the issue Ari Saperstein explores in his talk about the “empathy deficit.” Saperstein examines the impact of social media and technology on emotional intelligence and human behavior. In telling his own story about hurt and forgiveness that spans a decade, he illustrates the importance of empathy.

Ari Saperstein (Pitzer College 15) is one of two winners of the 2015 TEDxClaremontColleges Student Speaker Competition, earning him a spot at the 2015 TEDx conference. Previously, he attended the Edmund Burke School in Washington D.C. and the Iowa Young Writers Workshop.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Cecilia believes in the power of writing and sharing stories as a means for people to express themselves. Let her highlight the impact that writing down ideas can have on your life.

Cecilia Knapp is a writer, spoken word performer and poet. Her words have often been featured on the media, such as on BBC radio 1 and 1Xtra and Roundhouse Radio. Cecilia believes in the power of writing and sharing stories as a means for people to express themselves, particularly when it comes to social stigmas.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Clive is a Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior at Middlesex University in England. For the past seven years, he has studied the evidence and effects of toxic leadership, and in particular the influence of the presence of corporate psychopaths on various workplace outcomes, including on levels of conflict and bullying at work.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Cole Bennett came up with the idea for Lyrical Lemonade while still in High School. Through his talk, he walks through what it took to grow Lyrical Lemonade into what it is today along with how he navigated the music world. His talk emphasizes why having a passion for what you do can change the game and bring you success no matter the obstacle. As CEO of Lyrical Lemonade, Cole Bennett has produced some of hip hop’s most viewed videos. Entrepreneur Cole Bennett is not afraid to confront risks to move ideas and creative expression forward. Growing up in Plano IL, Cole enjoyed bringing ideas to life. Whether, creating comics or making skits with friends, he always loved to create. At 17 years old and a senior in high school, Cole produced his first music video. Discovering this deep passion, he founded Lyrical Lemonade while still in high school. After graduation, Cole moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University and further chase his dreams for Lyrical Lemonade. Cole’s dreams quickly became an undeniable reality that led him to dropout of college. His imprint, Lyrical Lemonade, is now a multi-faceted company that specializes in visual content, live events, high demand merchandise and more. At the age of 22, Cole has now directed over 300 music videos for some of the most influential artists that have amassed over 2.8 billion views. Cole has been featured in major publications such as Rolling Stone, Forbes, XXL, and Billboard Magazine. As the Summer approaches, Bennett is exploring another adventure — preparing to enter the beverage business with his very own lemonade. The lemonade launch is just in time for the second annual Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash, a hip hop music festival expected to bring together 20,000 people in Douglas Park, Chicago. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Do you lift people up or hold them down? Based on research, Christine Porath shares the costs of incivility and how civility pays. She explains how incivility is a bug—it’s contagious and we become carriers of it just by being around it. Christine reveals the true power of civility and how our little actions matter. Christine Porath is author of Mastering Civility and co-author of The Cost of Bad Behavior. She’s a professor at McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and a consultant working with leading organizations to help them create a thriving workplace. Her speaking and consulting clients include Google, United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Pixar, AT