Adam Grant: How to stop languishing and start finding flow | TED

Have you found yourself staying up late, joylessly bingeing TV shows and doomscrolling through the news, or simply navigating your day uninspired and aimless? Chances are you're languishing, says organizational psychologist Adam Grant -- a psychic malaise that has become all too common after many months of the pandemic. He breaks down the key indicators of languishing and presents three ways to escape that "meh" feeling and start finding your flow.
Adam hosts the TED Audio Collective podcast WorkLife with Adam Grant--a show that takes you inside the minds of some of the world's most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life. Listen to WorkLife with Adam Grant wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to the TED Audio Collective: / tedaudiocollective
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[@stephaniesmith3544]

That one guy laughing at all his jokes is the support we all need in our lives lol

[@user-rt4en2mb1u]

Hello 👋😊

[@stephaniesmith3544]

@@user-rt4en2mb1u Oooo was that you?

[@user-rt4en2mb1u]

@@stephaniesmith3544 yes

[@user-rt4en2mb1u]

@@stephaniesmith3544 how are you doing today?!

[@stephaniesmith3544]

@@user-rt4en2mb1u Tbh not so great but surviving. Some of us Aussies are in lockdown still. How about you?

[@VinhNguyen-wk5qz]

I love that there's that one guy that really enjoyed the talk.

[@erika91222]

I'm languishing during working hour right now watching this video, with bunch of stuff to do and zero motivation. I think I have been chronically languishing in the past years if not my whole life. I might be chronically depressed too. Hoping that whoever reads this comment find light and joy.

[@fani9025]

Hope that you find something that gives you more joy even if it’s just a small thing during your day ❤

[@CrashingThunder]

I like to think of it this way. If you can find a task that is moderately challenging, while also being intellectually/creatively/socially engaging, then doing that task will be most likely to get you into the flow state. As a programmer, and I've found that I get into the flow state when I'm programming something that I know what needs to be done on a high level, but low-level details need to be figured out. And as an artist, I find that I get into the flow state when I've immersed myself into the scene I'm creating and know what I want to be happening or what feelings to evoke. They key to both is *knowing* what I want to do, and just having to go and do it. When I feel friction toward getting into flow, it's because I don't fully know what I'm trying to accomplish or just have a vague idea that isn't fully formed.

[@nafisa_fun]

Your first few line is bang on.. Moderately challenging, engaging.

[@rayyyna]

this was a great explanation of your process. Thanks for sharing!

[@bazizanab7810]

I think your last sentence is incredibly revealing. Right now, I have many “projects” on my mind and ideas on what I want to do, but I do not know exactly what my end goal is or what I want to accomplish with them. Like creating an English tutorial video for WACCA - I have footage and I know what I want to do, but I never sat down, thought about the steps I need to take to get to the end result, and only have vague ideas of how I want it to turn out. I’m going to revisit it and try it after defining the steps I need to take and exactly what I hope to accomplish with it.

[@lillianvaldi7669]

Loved the synopsis

[@_ADHK293A_]

thank you for sharing, this helps me a lot. Happened the same to me, but I coulnd't articulate it so well as you

[@the_arung]

As a wise person said, life is all about the richness of your experiences and learning the lessons that you need to learn along the way.

[@praveenmathew]

This was such a great talk and came out at just the right time!

[@celineclemi]

Thank you so much for investing your time and energy into creating this awesome speech! The feeling of "meh" when you don't feel as if it matters whether you exist or not really is difficult to break out of. Tiny wins really help with that. So you discover your self-efficacy again and feel capable to do bigger things. I'm participating in a dungeons and dragons campaign right now and feel like this tiny thing helps me to believe in myself again.

[@operationada]

What a fantastic ted talk! I finally understand why I've been feeling so crappy and it all makes sense to me. I love this guy! Super insightful stuff.

[@positivethoughtlibrary]

You absolutely speak my language Adam. Your LinkedIn posts lead me to look further at your work. You put into words many of my thoughts about the people, life and the world. I’m looking forward to reading your books. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@sh4rku5]

such a good talk. and i love that mario kart was his flow activity! since the pandemic started, playing counter strike on my pc has been a go-to activity for me, but i hadn’t figured out a sophisticated way to describe why. it seems silly to spend money on a pc to play a video game online, but for me, who was completely isolated until recently, it was significant in its contribution to my overall mental health.

[@Malavander]

As a 20+ year game developer with ADHD, I've been advocating these things for decades.

[@Beachykeen22]

I needed to hear this today ❤️

[@nilswatenphul5165]

Thank you very much for sharing! Great lesson(s) well explained with a nice sense of humour.

[@STRENGTHFROMABOVE]

Whenever you feel like giving up...place your hand over your heart, you hear that heart beat? That's called Purpose! there is a second chance. Never give up!

[@deadmeem646]

Well I'm crying now.

[@STRENGTHFROMABOVE]

@@deadmeem646 Bless you

[@Bashkii]

Great talk! Very true and inspiring! Thank you, Adam!!

[@osmanismael4521]

I am exactly languishing right now while watching this TedTalk. I have a list of things to do while just laying down the couch😜

[@harshtripathi371]

He is the youngest professor and most awarded in the Wharton school of Pennsylvania. That's great reason to listen.

[@jodipaloni4012]

Thanks for this! Nice to feel I'm in good company. And some solutions, too!

[@Laysea89]

The guy in the audience with the laugh is everything

[@allenculbertson8170]

God bless you Adam and thank you

[@hx756]

Finally found the word to describe my feelings right now

[@broceedwin]

I think Adam is trying to set the record for the person with the most TED Talks 😆. I can't blame him through all of his talks are amazing! I look forward to the next one!

[@brettpilkington9539]

He's a good communicator though. Some of the speakers are very well informed but not engaging.

[@Butterfly-ADHD]

I am on a support site that helps people with many medical disorders. It asks you how you are feeling as in fantastic to very bad and a comment. One person would often put meh. Now I understand I will post your talk and hope he listens to it. Thank you for a wonderful talk.

[@losasakarosa9050]

the amount of times i screamed "YESSSSS" throughout this ted talk. Dang i love it!

[@AdityaVerma-br3im]

This dude summarised in 15 minutes what it took me 10 months and 40 books to learn. Meh...

[@phuphu6174]

its too much books and time but i bet it gave you more than this. huh

[@np9511]

Facts

[@alexandriathera1153]

Hey ,only through repetitions ideas & good concepts stick in our mind longers

[@AdityaVerma-br3im]

@@alexandriathera1153 That's such a kind message. Thank you. :)

[@Winchester1973]

You read 40 books in 10 months? Respect!

[@_ADHK293A_]

Wooow I'm going to put in practice that in my company and my life too, also now I understand way better how can help other people, thank you!!

[@eduardoaguiar3932]

9:39 probably the best laugh of Ted talks.

[@salimedia33]

Thank you for this video

[@dlawn1030]

Love the way he says 'flow'

[@kevinwells4986]

I have not watched it. But I'm saving it. I'm also just now 65. I have so many reasons to languish, including health. I'll check back in when I've watched this (I hope) incredible video.

[@b.khuu.]

I always love Adam's presentations. I relate to them way too much. 💚

[@reemagulshaalikhan1235]

Keep it on plz 🥺🥺🥺 Thanks so much Adam for these information 💕💕💕💕💕💙 🤧 By the way Marvelous

[@IslandVibez_Virgo]

OMG 😱 “revenge bedtime procrastination” I has no idea there was an actual name for it! That’s definitely been me🤦🏽‍♀️

[@michellereinglass3264]

that caught my attention too!

[@ColRusSer]

Great speech, and I love “the laugher” (you know who I mean!)😊

[@MoniCastApp]

Living a mattering life is the key to living a happy life

[@evanseesred]

Learning that Grant was part of the smear campaign against Coleman Hughes, misinterpreting data to pressure TED to suppress his talk, has really cooled me on this guy. Go watch Coleman’s talk. ❤

[@ruthproctor7007]

Good stuff 🙌🙌🙌

[@hoatuean]

From the beginning, everything he says hits me right in the head. I feel like he's talking about me. Great talk! Recommended to me at the perfect time!

[@isabellamarcus8084]

Great video, although I stay awake most of the night thinking about the outcome of tomorrow bcos The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity! There is no time like the present to become the business owner you've always wanted to be, get clarity around your life purpose. Make major leap in your business.

[@LucianoNunes-vw9rh]

You know you need a good night Rest, you can make out time to think about the future 😜

[@adamisherbert1859]

I stay up most of the night trying to make income by myself at my own comfort. I'm always heart broken 💔

[@adamisherbert1859]

@Katrina Mool no not at all is not about family. I have watched lots of KZbin videos about crypto trading at the end I'm still hitting lost and that's affect my nights

[@tomjames8163]

@@adamisherbert1859 trade with an expert and have a good night rest.

[@isabellaivy5856]

Crypto currency is profitable when it comes to investing and I see it taken over the financial world. It's the best for me.

[@ItsEvanWilson]

Terrific talk, in the midst of a pandemic. This shows that we can overcome obstacles once we establish ground in our levels of concentration and motivation.

[@ivanharrison241]

I'd counter: that in many cases you need a quantity of regular communication to provide a quality of deep connections. Not always, but mostly if you think about the depth of connection with family, partners, and schoolhood friends. Sometimes such quotes are used for impact but when you go deeper, they can be less impressive as the mind first believes.

[@TheKrispyfort]

Thanks Adam :)

[@angelaholic7679]

I call it 'in the zone', especially applicable for simple person, such as myself 😉😉

[@carsonhunt4642]

As much as I agree about the “toxic positivity” being bad, the problem is the result for sharing “not positive” answers has negative consequences. People will view you as negative, or whiny, and not want to associate with you because of it. Ppl tend to gravitate towards what they want themselves, staying away from the opposite.

[@dinafoxm]

I actually don't always find this to be true anymore. I have found in my work and also personal profiles that the stories I share that are the most vulnerable, honest and personal get the most support and love from the people that follow me. There is a great sense of positivity fatigue and I believe many people want to see and hear complex human stories again, rather than just polished instagram photos.

[@vickielberfeld2014]

Dina, well said!

[@darkacadpresenceinblood]

There's a difference between complaining just for the sake of it vs sharing that you're genuinely not doing great and trust me people can tell the difference. Whining annoys me too but if someone is like "meh I'm tired" because they really are tired that's perfectly fine

[@CherryLipstick6x3]

That sounds like a problem of a society that gravitates towards toxic positivity. If a person is just honest about their feelings, not overly dramatic about how lukewarm their morning coffee was, then other honest people will appreciate and hopefully truly listen if their friend is expressing their emotions.

[@kunalk101]

Just realized this talk was given yesterday :D

[@erinevanslawlor4105]

Just watched this. Great. Love Adam Grant and also, the guy with the contagious laugh in the audience had me laughing as well. Never heard that word "languishing" before, makes perfect sense and definitely something I experience regularly. My version of your Mario Cart Adam is playing a board game with the hubby instead of watching tv :-)

[@stephanimahl]

awesome!

[@isabellamoreira5689]

Great talk!! So inspiring.

[@officiallycool1467]

I was feeling this exact way and began to feel depressed, but then I realized that if we (my kids and I) cut out screens we would get more done and make progress (with school, housework, etc.) I made a simple flyer for a friend's restaurant and felt useful, like Oh this is what it's like to use my talents/knowledge. This talk is very true. I hope everyone her finds their flow

[@ligiasommers]

Super interesting 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻💖🌹

[@ARod0827]

That persons laugh makes me laugh so hard! I love them!!!! 😂

[@soing3752]

thanks

[@vectoragaming1745]

Nice 👍

[@andycordy5190]

Beautifully presented. An old defence against apathy and even depression which chimes very well with the themes of this talk. If you don' know what to do, do something you know.

[@abeismain]

Good predictor of well being is going with the flow? Gotcha!

[@krishjlk]

Mastery Mindfulness Mattering ❤

[@terencesurin7615]

Love the Mariah reference!!!

[@kateburk2168]

I have been bingeing on KZbin but on carpentry & agriculture channels. Am a constant student. Might not be able to do total recall but when practice comes into play, "How can I or he/whoever do this task better?" perhaps it will come to mind. So I am bingeing on education...and I take lots of notes.😸

[@user-rt4en2mb1u]

Hello

[@food4_bear]

I suddenly found the answer why I am sleepy even though I overslept all days.

[@laurabianchi6675]

Love Adam Grant. He’s really helped me as I’ve gone through my graduate school applications. Best way to start my morning!

[@predoshabido7504]

I gotta say, this engineer transcended humanity to understand the purpose of live

[@devikam2235]

Not my engineering college giving us assignment to write about how we feel after watching this Ted talk

[@sutanuguin2404]

I was also languishing. But reading the book Hidden Potential has helped me much.

[@chabearwholesome5724]

Adam try to explain with jokes, but the audience hard to cark, thanks to the person who laugh so hard (you're mvp)

[@eshenda]

I agree with you. I agree that it's important. I also agree that the uninterrupted time thing is hugely important. How does the average person GET the uninterrupted time that allows flow? For me (N=1) my flow is in my art, my creativity. I can get lost in my... *record scratch* (Phone call. Loved one. Twenty minutes of catching up that I can't put off) I swallow down the RAGE of being interrupted, I make the small talk - and I do want to speak to this loved one. Where was I? I'll just check email a sec, ooh, interesting news story... I can get lost in my art. It's soothing, mindful, I see myself progressing. Does it matter? Well, I've sold a few prints, I sell... *Train derailing gif* My dog wants to be let out into the garden. It's 60 degrees out there so I must transfer into my powerchair, go to the back door, open it, and sit and wait for The Return. I make myself a coffee. Then I go back, transfer back to the seat and sit and catch my breath. I look at the artwork, my palette has dried. I feel meh. I can get lost in my artwork. But when and how can I get the uninterrupted time to do so? Late at night? I'm tired then, and the dogs will still want to be let out for as long as I'm awake. In the daytime? Demands on my time just will not go away. I wouldn't be able to practice zen and the art of Mario Kart because everyone around me would decide that this was not an "important" enough task for it not to be interrupted. You - generic - may be able to set boundaries. Others can't because our boundaries are not as respected.

[@maddreax]

Agreed. Who has time to relax? Who even has the energy to relax or do something joyful? I just collapse because I'm too tired to do anything at the end of the day. Yes I'm bitter, what he said isnt wrong, but at the same time it also neglects that many of us… don't have the privilege or ability to find flow while we're wholly focused on surviving

[@KristinaLopezWrites]

Breaking away from my toxic job and finally becoming a Freelance Writer and Editor has helped me feel motivated and driven to expand my life in ways I couldn’t when I was still in the hamster wheel of ridiculous corporate America. It still happens but I’m realigning myself and it feels GREAT!!!

[@arczibold]

You just coined an accurate parabola of my work in the corporation and living in a corporate country😅

[@strawberryjam5844]

I need that dont list!

[@robertaniche3819]

Please consider adding the closed captions to this video instead of just letting KZbin auto caption. That makes it much more useful.

[@nghialam1681]

Thank you the bold Homelander to give us a funny and helpful speech

[@raphaellelf7301]

That guy's laugh is priceless 🤪

[@colbykinney5633]

I'm languishing so hard right now watching this.

[@MarkSwink]

Can we all admit this homie has beautiful biceps 💪

[@fluteloopsyd]

Lol, that's hilarious. I'm writing an essay in my English comp class on an article this guy wrote called "Why I Taught Myself to Procrastinate" and its due Thursday, lolol On a side note, I can reeealllly relate to what he talks about here oh my gosh

[@My2cents.]

One is caught up playing the impassioned protagonist in one’s Subjective Narrative of Self 🎈

[@Dogboy73]

Christ! Just realised I’ve been languishing most of my life!! 😵 I’ve got no flow to go! 😩

[@sarapaladino6398]

Shout out to Gray Middle School, in Groveland, Florida. GO GATORS!!!!

[@carl_cervone]

Excellent talk. This has also given me a new perspective on the rise of DAOs and community-driven NFT projects.

[@user-up2fm9sz2m]

4:45 6:36 1:52

[@kyleterry5190]

When will Ted himself, show up to the talk?

[@xinyu9036]

Our well-being depends more on the 'flow' state than our optimism. Flow - mastery (mastering smtg, it can be smtg really small, like stacking M&M) , mindfulness (fully focusing) , mattering (knowing that you matter to someone / what you're doing does matter)

[@glindathegoodishwitch9244]

It was refreshing and surprising to hear that Adam's cure for languishing was a video game. I guess since it has purpose, it doesn't have to be some erudite creation, like writing a book, creating a piece of art, renovating the kitchen. This was my favorite part of the presentation. At first, I kind of balked, but then I decided to cut myself a break and accept it. I'm definitely languishing especially online but also driving myself nuts with list after to do list which I am basically ignoring.

[@listenenglishamericantv1008]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@stephanimahl]

What is the minimum period of flow for it to be considered flow?

[@PichulRixth]

It was animal crossing for me and my family. Nothing like doing virtual chores to avoid the real ones.

[@kiraraval9382]

✨

[@raquelcastillo4954]

He’s pretty cool.

[@Bugattis11395]

Here for the Mariah Carey Languishing (the interlude) reference lol

[@d29i]

Here I am watching this at 2AM

[@anggrejitoenglish9802]

One person was hired there just laugh in the audience

[@fartoonoisy3538]

Adam grants is so good with his dictions, he's a master at simplifying explanations.

[@MILKYWAY-su5ub]

So it's basically " get up & focus on doing stuff "

[@rahul_ji21]

Love is not the depth of communication but the depth of connection

[@sincere1277]

9:30

[@Skincaresecrets1]

👍 👍

[@Reincarnation111]

Isn't languishing just another facet of 'depression'? Well....languor has been the theme of my entire life, although I can be excited, thrilled, enthralled, happy and joyous over and by countless things or experiences. A paradox!

[@brettpilkington9539]

That laughing dude found his flow in a vodka bottle before the talk

[@krishjlk]

Checking emails 74 times a day and switching tasks every 10 mins 😮

[@SamiAljundi]

This should be an ad for Nintendo!

[@anearthian894]

"Me watching this at 4 a.m"