Find your dream job without ever looking at your resume | Laura Berman Fortgang | TEDxBocaRaton

Laura has put in tens of thousands of hours over twenty years to help people make career transitions and improve their lives. Through her coaching company, books, corporate and civic speeches and her media appearances on such shows as The Oprah Winfrey show, CBS This Morning, GMA, The Today show and more, Laura has reached millions of people and showed them how to figure out what to do with their lives without ever looking at their resume.
Laura Berman Fortgang is the author of Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction and a pioneer in the personal coaching field. Her five books in total are published in thirteen languages, have graced bestseller lists and one, The Little Book on Meaning, was up for a Books for a Better Life Award alongside the Dalai Lama and Pema Chodron.
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

[@EugeniaPortobello]

"Career satisfaction doesn't come from what you do. It comes from who you get to be while doing it" Great talk. Thank you.

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

Thank you!

[@30pranaypawar17]

Like profession is just a vehicle, the work you do is the "main yolk" that matters.

[@marissarichards1743]

Thanks for sharing this...!

[@ihatekillerclowns]

Could we stop using a chickens period as an analogy

[@salmanisrar3772]

She is doing what she dreamt: Performing on the stage and making audience moved!

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

Indeed! There's a hidden message inside the dream that did not come to be.

[@JessentialLife]

This is so true!

[@ramsudistyadav5766]

P9o00009

[@patobl08]

I thought the same thing while watching it!!!!

[@windyskyrim7702]

"I don't believe anyone who tells me they don't know what they want to do. I believe they do know. They are just too afraid to speak it because they they have to do something about it." This resonated with me so much.

[@misha1211]

I for real don't know what i want to do, I am literally cluless

[@peachyfarra1437]

@@misha1211 same fr

[@_AYAX_]

Lol

[@viddy515]

This word are magically, " Career Satisfaction doesn't comes from what you do it comes from who you get to be while you're doing it and the beauty is who you get to be is the real you."

[@anag2749]

Vidhya Venkatesan well said 👍🏻

[@simi6153]

Dang!

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to comment and 'like'. Please share the video with anyone who you think could use it. Every ah-ha means the possibility of another person feeling better and contributing to the whole. :-)

[@indrajittt]

Laura Berman Fortgang who is the John that you talked about here?

[@RebeccaPurjin1]

No thank you Laura!!! You have helped flourish the seed that we all have inside. I have a desire to contribute to mankind.

[@imjalawesome]

Wow. I am really amazed and now starting to know what to do in order to know what i really want! Time to reflect! Thank you !!

[@nahlaelkazak3006]

Laura Berman Fortgang thank you Laura for the motivating talk. Where’s the part about the ones that don’t have dreams? The ones who had bad childhoods? Thanks.

[@goldenroselight]

Thank You - I loved this. My seemingly disparate roles over my career often triggered the response from potential employers that I lacked direction. I certainly didn't/don't! I am incredibly resourceful and adaptable. This Ted talk enabled me to reframe my past, distilling the common threads of when I am in my element + combine it with my current skills. I totally resonate with who I get to be in the roles that I have loved the most.

[@Christina-qh4wo]

"50% of people don't know what they want to do with their lives" because education stopped being acquiring a knowledge of one's self and became training in some set of skills.

[@jebes909090]

Nah it's because there are so many people that success is fleeting.

[@nimbette2]

I agree with Christina - it is because learning and doing a job to help society move forward - became a business - making education expensive and also now it is not as valued unless you spend lots and lots for advanced degrees. Wish working were more about helping the community thrive and making sure anyone willing to do their part is allowed to survive and enjoy life and work

[@achatwithgoitse]

Well said. which means self education means a lot...

[@RokuRG]

Education was never about aquiring a knowledge of one's self, it was more about set of skills than now.

[@nieczerwony]

@@RokuRG No education used to teach how to think. Today they teach what to think.

[@travelandtash]

Doing a job that allows you to be the real you. I love it.

[@v.dargain1678]

There you go .

[@alexanderhans3266]

Your remark is fantastic. I plan to launch my own KZbin channel dedicated to health-related issues. Food intake, exercise, the impact of harmful mood behaviors on our health, and so forth. It would be extremely helpful if you could take a minute to complete my questionnaire. Before I begin, I need to finish some medical research, and your short written contribution will be very welcomed. Do you have a minute now or later?

[@lynns3782]

Wow wow wow. At 55 years old I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up...at a time when many of friends are planning their early retirement. This talk hit me like a ton of bricks. Thank you for inspiring me like nothing I’ve heard before. 🙏🏻

[@avantikaphuyal6793]

god bless you , i recommend you to join tony robbins and dean graziosis team , follow them , join their courses and all , there are soooo many women like you , over 50/60 with dreams and changes and ik youll find a great community there . It'll be helpful for you. idk if youll ever read this but whoever sees this, and they are over 30/40 or whatever age but have big dreams but situatiion is not to their liking or suicidial or anything, i recommend tony robbins . it helped me so i want someone else to expierence it too : ) 🙏🏻

[@ParamMakkar]

I agree, this was truly a very eye opening and insightful talk. 🤯

[@marivn8156]

Same 😊

[@sitifaizah9908]

Hi Lynn... I'd like to know how are you doing today?

[@patobl08]

@@sitifaizah9908 same here!

[@daviddawson1313]

"If I were a successful performer people would see me on stage and be moved to change something in their life.." As she stands on stage and changes something in someone's life. I almost cried. Great TED talk.

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

+Dameion Dawson Thank you. Yes.

[@alexisjennifer6541]

Contact

[@trinathompson6573]

Everything

[@trinathompson6573]

T

[@trinathompson6573]

U

[@laurenerickson2794]

Any child that grows up having to keep their guard up feel like they can’t dream is SOOOO TRUE

[@samaxamen]

"Career satisfaction doesn't come from what you do. It comes from who you get to be while you're doing it..."

[@vineetkhurana4832]

"What we are qualified to do is not necessarily what we are meant to do "

[@ApexBovine]

I'm seeing a lot of comments like "what about the sad kids that can't dream?" "I genuinely don't know what I want to do..." And such. Well I can't tell you definitively what you should do (not without actually meeting you and seeing what kind of person you are, anyways.) but I can give you the bit of advice someone gave me about finding somewhere to start. He told me to picture the last time I'd smiled while doing something. After stressing about unsuccessfully finding work for like 5 weeks, smiles where few and far in between. So I thought about it and came up with gardening. Just for shits and giggles I had planted a potato plant a week back and I'd taken great care to keep that little bugger alive. And I realized just how much I liked it - I was actually having a blast. So I started there and thought "how can I make this into a job?" The logical answer was a plant nursery ofc. I was lucky enough to have a few within reasonable distance of home so I applied as a yard hand. I'll spare you the rest. The long and short of it is this: what makes you happy? Decide that and you're set. :) hope this helps, friends.

[@AsmaaPurity]

ApexBovine thank you so much i ll try the same way I ve been trying every method to know who i am like crazy Hope thie will make a change

[@seapearltoo1]

Excellent advice...better than most!!!

[@GUESSMYZAIS]

❤️

[@richardbowers3647]

Your getting closer!

[@mpero3]

I got goosebumps reading your story! Congratulations on your new work/play/smile time!

[@skarsms]

"Any child who has to keep their guard up all the time and doesn't feel safe can't dream."

[@Jim-yn3tt]

As a firefighter/medic for over 16 years in a small city, I can honestly say, I hate it, and its killing me. I love your video and agree with all you said. Being a divorced dad with a teenage son in a small city limits me a bit, but videos like this keep me going I hope to one day have that aha moment.

[@memc4903]

sending goodness to you jim. may you have your aha moment. your comment touched me because my boyfriend is an EMT in a small town right now, and I can see how stressful that career is.

[@karabuller]

I hope it hasn't killed you Jim! I hope you are finding meaning in your work, whatever it may be today.

[@Jim-yn3tt]

@@memc4903 Thank you. I am doing well. I took early retirement and now work in an office at a retirement home and the best part, No Stress ! I get plenty of time off to pursue other interest as well. Thanks!

[@NRM888]

"Who your job allows you to be..." THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION....

[@gideonpalmer8809]

yes, it should be whom

[@QTalent100]

Same here

[@TheRbruce55060]

right!

[@grankaa]

Laura, could you please write a book specifically about people who had a terrible childhood and weren't allowed to dream? This could literally save my life... And thousands of others, I'm sure! Thank you for your amazing and inspiring speech :)

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

I'm sorry you've had it tough. I don't have a book (yet) addressing that issue head on but my book, Living Your Best Life, is the book I wrote that echoes what I did to overcome childhood obstacles. I don't share the details of that time in my life, but the program is 100% based on how I recovered myself. Work it!

[@janX9]

Hey me too! LOL

[@leogolive]

Sounds like my childhood. I dreamed, I just had to keep my dreams hidden and never attempt to achieve them.

[@tammyesponnette5434]

Exactly what i was just thinking! I was adopted at 3 days old into a "family" of narcarssism and neglect. I could write a book. Never any support of any kind. Sucked.

[@maryrankin9869]

Listen to Adeles new album. She explains her story and it resonated with me.

[@shodapad07]

'Career satisfaction does not come from what you do, it comes from who you get to be while doing it' - Amen

[@LauraGomez-zj8iy]

I've been looking for a talk like this to shake me up. I have been studying like crazy all of my life to get a golden star, an approval, a degree. Now that I have finished, it is completely useless. I have no idea what I want to do. I'll try your approach on what I want to feel. That was a real eyes opener! Thank you a lot!

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

Laura. I've heard from many, many young people like yourself who took the 'gold star' course and did well but find themselves lost after graduation. (or they go back to school to keep getting gold stars.) You were taught how to succeed and you did it well. What wasn't taught was how to feel fulfilled. I hope you find new criteria for success. Good luck.

[@Plyde001]

Laura Gomez I'm sorry to hear that, but I do hope you find what you really want to do to achieve that satisfaction/fulfillment. I'm about to graduate in high school and I'm still clueless about what course or career path I should take. Now I know that I'm not the only one. Thank you!

[@nalineepruttanopajai3437]

Laura Gomez thats me too!! Finally made hard decision and became voice actress which dont need any academic backgroung at all

[@lauragomezcruz6633]

Thanks for answering! Great talk by the way :)

[@lauragomezcruz6633]

Good luck with that! I wish I could go back to high school to make again my decisions, I have two masters now hehe, so it's a little difficult to change my background now :p

[@sreevidhyaea8068]

We're are told we can be anything we want to be when we grow up but when we go to pick that college major tho , the question changes from "what you want to be when you grow up?" to "how are you going to make a living with that?" Story of my life.

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

Now, the key is to find the pieces of what you wanted to be when you grew up and put those elements into how you are making a living. It can be done.

[@kilgrave0926]

Or you can't even study that major because it's too expensive for you and you have to pivot...well the pivot is not always successful

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

What? Are you kidding? Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Do what you want to do. It is your life, and you only get one. Don't care about other people's opinion so much until it does not allow you to enjoy your life and be who you want to be. The people who are telling you those things are not living their lives that way. Neither should you.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

@@kilgrave0926 Do it anyway. There are grants and loans. Wasting your life is more expensive.

[@frog6054]

@@Michelle-pn9xt True but we still have to pay the bills.

[@lolopcallulu3082]

I’m 14 years old and this honestly brought me to tears... I’ve always been super creative (singing, dancing, drawing, knitting, interested in coding, photography, loved projects and learning, wondered about people and why they do what they do, always loved history and grammar and different languages and culture, always wanted to travel the world) and I love making people feel like they matter, putting smiles of people’s faces and helping people and showing them care and bettering them as a whole... please help me find careers... I’m desperate and I’m watching this late at night because by tomorrow I have to have picked my classes for sophomore year which will basically shape the rest of my high school experience which shapes my college experience which shapes my life... thank you and good night... God bless you all and your situations... seriously though please help me, I’m really desperate and emotionally exhausted...

[@fortgangforassembly3678]

I hope you are excited about the classes you chose. I know there seems to be so much pressure to know at 14 what you want to do with the rest of your life, but you do not. Do/study what you enjoy right now. What matters most are all those wonderful things you listed above which have nothing to do with what job you'll ultimately perform. Take those things you listed above and list all the careers you could fit those qualities into. It will be many so realize that career satisfaction does not come from 'what' you do but rather from 'who' your job allows you to be. Choose areas of study/career that allow you to "make people feel they matter, putting smiles on their faces, etc." Good luck

[@pelliorosh]

This is a year late, but don't fall for the hype that high school choices set the tone for the rest of your life. Classes you choose in high school won't dictate the rest of your life. Your path will be one that comes off the page. You don't have to stay small minded and chained to other peoples pre set paths for you. Do well and learn and have fun in high school. But your future isnt locked into place there. Just try to be. Experience life and just follow what interests and excites you.

[@caioviverdias]

Hi, I just realized that you might be 17 by now, so you're almost at yout graduation or already graduated. I hope high school was good for you and that you found what you really wanna be, but for what I see, you would be a great fit for a carrer counselor, so you could search about that and professional orientation.

[@magnushultqvist]

Am I the only one? I never heard that I can be whatever I want. It was more like "there must be something you can manage"

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

Change it. Change what you heard to whatever would motivate you now. It's an old story that doesn't serve you anymore.

[@slowdancer5563]

Yeh, me too. You need to find a good job and stick with it, is what I was told.

[@bryant1749]

you can :) life is birth and death, but you can do whatever you'd like in between

[@hanans9992]

You don’t understand how much I needed this video. I have been struggling to find a new job that will be rewarding and fill my heart and spirit.

[@thatsenglish4u372]

I've done so many things, and at 58, I look back and wonder what I will do next. This is the first real blank page I've seen for a long time. So I am doing this channel as a beginning. It's like - wow. The abyss.

[@MesRevesEnRose]

I watched this talk months ago, saved it, rewatched it now and I'm still moved by it. It's such a simple concept but forces you to rethink yourself and your career in a much more productive and realistic way. For example as a kid, I wanted to be a human rights lawyer-fashion designer-psychologist LOL, and I now am gearing my career towards fintech consultancy in the fashion industry. It always bothered me that I could never reconcile all my radically different dreams and my radically different actual career trajectory... I was like why am I so random and complicated? 😂 Your talk made me realize my yolk is threading that line between being an advocate, a consultant and an innovator. For so long I struggled because I wanted to be a lawyer but not actually be a lawyer lol. I thought I failed for never following up on my dream to be a human rights lawyer-fashion designer-psycjologist LOL. But now I realize it was never the actual jobs that were the dream. It was just the idea of using my expertise to consult others and bringing about innovative solutions. Now I can stop being so narrow-minded and think less in terms of job names to see whether I'm accomplishing my goals and I can use my newly discovered yolk to guide me in future choices. I have watched a lot of talks about finding purpose but nothing reasonated with me or was as directly applicable as this one. 😊

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

YES!!! That's it. I hope you've found more ways to live that yolk since you commented here.

[@sharersale6480]

What did this realisation lead you to, if you don't mind sharing?

[@littlelilacbunny]

As a lawyer, my advice is to not go into law 😂😂

[@zephyrkhambatta]

Wow just watched it again. It's so true. My resume looks like a Safari. The only thing holding it together is... me. I like that.

[@zephyrkhambatta]

I had this tab open for a while and saved it for later. I think I've healed enough now and the Universe led me back here... and man... I've thought every single thing you just said, for the past week, about my own life. Awesome! Thanks!

[@CMOOFFICIAL954]

Take action! You got this

[@quoteme.goddess9891]

Her approach is phenomenal, and very, very relatable. I CAN actually use what she's said, for myself.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

I think that is the point.

[@rebeccaphengvath6521]

For someone who is currently between jobs and just searching what I'm good at and would enjoy doing, this speech really spoke to me. I just shared this with all of my friends!

[@audreyheart2180]

"Career satisfaction does not come from what you do, it comes from who you get to be while you're doing it. And the beauty is, who you get to be, is the real you." --- Laura Berman Fortgang

[@bewhoiam7130]

I would like to live in a world that you mentioned "A world where people stop competing at work because they realize that they are so unique that there's nobody to compete with. Everyone's unique, we don't cross over, we don't have to compete." Thank you :)

[@ladybird491]

LOVE YOUR COMMENT 😊

[@iihithereii]

This woman is amazing. I've been so incredibly stuck since I left my business for 6 months. I've watched countless videos and read countless articles but listening to her advice has brought me some much needed clarity and focus. Thank you so very much.

[@shodapad07]

'Who you get to be is the real you' - Amen

[@karan4412]

Formula: Something from the past whether it has come true or not+ Re-examine it's true significance+ Married with your skill set of today= A better chapter.

[@louisb5563]

For the 1st time I heard someone who made sense of this topic...FINALLY!

[@joannegiovanniello5993]

I too am searching for my ah-hah moment. I currently work for a huge corporation, who just notified about 250 of us, that they are closing our office and we will be out of a job. I am really looking to find who I really am and change my career to what will really make me happy (and be able to make a livable wage). I think a lot of us probably feel this way. What a great video!

[@mamayaaopoku6284]

I think my yolk is helping people share their story, giving them a platform for their voice to be heard. I want to be a marketer/ advertising copywriter and a fashion buyer. I admire both occupations because of their ability to help others tell their story. Clothing is a form of self-expression. Being a buyer allows me to help people dress to impress, express, and for comfort. Advertising is about telling the clients story.

[@reemalhalbouni]

This is amazing, and came to me right on time I'm 17. you cracked me when you said that people know what they wanna do but they're afraid of what they have to do about it. :" Thank you ❤️

[@quinsomnia4934]

My love of animation and biology doesn't match the curriculum, but now I know what I love is communication, bringing understanding, and the collaborative parts of those fields. I hope I can carve myself a creative patch in science communication. I want to help people understand the importance of the work done by artists, and biologists alike. Film is just my medium for that.

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

Fabulous. I love to hear this. Create it!

[@Nokss87]

This made me cry 😢😭🤧 and the question is WHO do I get to be?! 😭😭😭

[@CMOOFFICIAL954]

Haha you can be whoever you want 😃

[@peggyhakanson3139]

OMG!!! This is why I love what I do...I have a job that has given me the gift of being happy! I love that the participants I teach look forward to my arrival each day as much as I look forward to being with them. Heaven.

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

FABULOUS!

[@sallybowles2781]

SO true! I am going through a crisis and the first thing I did was to look at my resume...

[@niharbhagat]

Wow! This comes at the right turn of time.

[@ananyapandey830]

"We do not what we want to do. We're just too afraid to say it because then we'll have to do something about it"

[@emank8137]

Wow this talk gave me so much clarity! I literally paused the video and discovered my "yolk" with a bit of reflection and introspection. As a new grad, I'm much more clear on which jobs will give me the satisfaction I yearn for.. Because I realized what makes me come alive.

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Go for it. Good luck!

[@dteodora8043]

Laura Berman Fortgang sxsss

[@dteodora8043]

Eman K has

[@dteodora8043]

Laura Berman Fortgang has

[@merrilyg]

Beautiful and so inspiring since I am finishing my 1st bachelors degree next week at age 49. It feels so strange, but quite intuitive that what you have said has always been inside me. I just never knew how to express it. Thank you so much for doing it so eloquently. I am more prepared than ever at finding exactly where I need to be, and I will experience it one day at a time as I explore myself, and my world -- including the people around me. And I will do it with such joy. Thank you!

[@endofanage223]

What's your bachelor in?

[@godiseverything1482]

What are you planning on doing next?

[@nuurie107]

"And I will do it with such joy". Amen sister.

[@emank8137]

Love this! This concept of looking back at all your previous roles that you enjoyed and seeing the common thread is like Simon Sinek's concept of Your Why.. Why you've done the things you've done. Excellent reminder!

[@kskitchen-fw7uy]

This actually helped me so much. It took the pressure away from choosing one career and made me realise that I just want to care for people. BAM! This would be a great video for Grads.

[@Mrshami94]

Significant thing + with skills of today = satisfying new chapter

[@jayleon9911]

8:19 put me instantly into tears I thought she had an answer.

[@ensemblemagazine7104]

One of the best Ted Talks I've watched

[@gl8218]

Her point of uniqueness from 10:18-10:28 should be among the lines in every work contract you get to sign for!

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

[@senik64]

"you do know what you wanna do in life but you're just so afraid to say that so you must do something then" that hit me hard ops

[@Mateus.Matthew]

What you said on the family background impacting one's dreaming (or lack of) -- that really was a great assessment. Thank you for this revelation, Ms Laura Berman Fortgang!

[@MaddeMay33]

I was ❤️❤️❤️ing this talk until she said brushed off children from dysfunctional homes who never had the chance to dream 🙋🏻‍♀️. I thought she would come back around to it but she never did. I honestly feel worse than I did before watching this video… But if you’re someone who had the luxury of stability and building a career that just not be right for you, then this video is 🌟! She’s funny, engaging and a natural performer/motivator! I hope you find inspiration ✌🏼

[@Facadeghimire1302]

True friend never leave if they are drowning them selves also they will help the other one and save their friend life. Finding a true friend is very difficult in this world. 🙏

[@mlbf4700]

After looking for employment for over 6 months, I don't care WHAT I do. I'm perfectly capable of doing many things if given a chance. Just want to take care of my kids and help people.

[@laurabermanfortgang405]

It's not pretty out there in the job market and it's hard not to get discouraged. Think of who you can ask to introduce you to others. It's hard to ask but it's more effective than just sending out resumes. All ways have to happen at the same time. Don't give up.

[@reneepalma8429]

I am struggling to find the words. My road has become tough and cloudy and listening to you was a refreshing blessing. My vow is no longer applicable...

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

Well done. Once you see the vow clearly, you can correct it!

[@FernandoLopezAmill]

Thank you for the lesson +Laura Berman Fortgang. Love it!

[@tmosest]

Thank your for this great ted talk. You're tone, gesticulations, and enthusiasm is truly inspiring.

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

I'm delighted. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[@kittyaftxn6588]

not like at all because not or teen age.

[@nat1XP]

I genuinely dont have any idea what i want to do

[@Wishful---Thinking]

nat1XP Then rather think not what you would DO but who you would BE. Maybe that shift in angle of attack will get you moving towards an occupation. Best of luck!

[@chrish6001]

nat1XP You don't provide much context. How old are you? I'd say it's normal not to know what you want to do before post secondary school. Good ideas are to volunteer in a wide variety of areas. You'll find there are basic skills you need to have to be able to help any organization or business. The newest recommendations are not to follow your passion at first but to become proficient in some areas. Passion often follows when you get good at something. You can get aptitude testing at some employment agencies and schools that may give you ideas about careers you never knew existed. Some testing may be free depending on your situation and where you live. In the meantime, volunteer, keep learning and practicing.

[@nat1XP]

Chris H I was 19 when I posted this. The plan is just find something I can do

[@StephanieTips]

Judging by the way you put it, it's like you're saying "I can't do many things. I only plan on finding one I can do and stick to it". That's rather sad. There are so many tests you can take online that can judge your personality such as the 16personalities test www.16personalities.com/ Some people take birth chart readings (very helpful too, they helped me a bunch). And then ultimately you will choose whatever you feel more interested in or attracted to. Talking to people who work as what you plan on becoming is also fundamental because they will show you the pros and cons, they will tell you what your tasks will really consist of and more. There are so many steps you can take!

[@AsmaaPurity]

Me too and i m tired That s why i opened youtube I am feeling so down right now Having an it engineer degree Can t find a job all my friends had people to provide them jobs I don t even like the it field I want to know what to do i ve tried so many ways in vain What should i do? What should i do? I feel so lost in this life

[@sandmill93]

This video came to me at the right moment cause of the circumstances that I'm going through. Thank you

[@henryantony4615]

You told the Absolute Truth! These days, every teenage boy or girl want to blindly copy others or outsmarts their peers. Very few of us really understood our true calling in this universe. So, please stop competing with others, compete with yourself. Groom yourself to be a better person.

[@maxxjoimedia5023]

This is incredible, thank you! Social and societal restrictions are devastating to both dreams and dreamers and I'm stoked to see your wisdom shine through. Many thanks!

[@simonemanta]

Thank you very much! I'm 32 year old, studying another bachelor, and I continue with the same feeling of " what do I want to do?". Your speech helped me to think more in what I'm focusing on. Thank you!!

[@Plyde001]

Simone Ferreira Thank you! Now I feel good knowing that it's not too late for me to realize what I actually want to do in life that I will be fulfilled in. I'm about to graduate in high school and not knowing my career path makes me feel anxious a little. Hope you find your path and God bless you!

[@amorverdadeiro2259]

Very good your english👍👍 my friend👏

[@viviantangent]

this is great. i loved singing when i was little but i didnt pursue it. i thought i'd put it aside and learn something more academic. but after many years i found that rather than my love of music dissapearing i've just gained a passion for a whole bunch of other creative and artsy endeavors. so i guess the dream never went away it just evolved.

[@Bianca-tj3mt]

Laura, you did a great job! I really tuned-in on the words were you saying and I appreciate you sharing your wisdom. The confidence and maturity on stage was truly inspiring. Thank you!

[@zachsteinert4642]

I’m struggling with having made the vow of never being like my father and that vow having served me well, but not being able to find the new motivation. Fitness and staying in the shape that I want to be in year round.

[@LB-gj1yd]

Wow....thank you for coaching, I stripped everything away and am now completing my certification to become a science teacher. I love middle school kids and know that I have found my meaningful purpose....thank you for the affirmations for my life!

[@bodinmagosson]

There should be a parallel speech called "hire this guy without ever looking at his resume".

[@RubeeRoja]

Yes. NOW we're talking reality!

[@consuellamoorerubalcava5482]

A friend that lived in Australia for a year, says that Australian companies hire you according to your skills. They give you a trail period to prove you can do the job before hired or not.

[@lainpadang8033]

Having food on the table, this is happy! As opposed to, who wants to do a meaninful job, but with less pay. You hit the nail on the head, the answer I've been looking for for decades, thank you for this!

[@davidbuck7295]

To get to the good stuff you need to crack the shell and find the deeper meaning of your career dream. So true!

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

+David Buck YEASSSS!

[@janyrose]

sadly that won't work for people who live in countries were you just can't change careers easily and where you need a certificate and education for the simplest of jobs..

[@juliajohannes4554]

ceh zeh like Germany

[@user-nk8tv8dt8h]

@@juliajohannes4554 How ?? Explain

[@barbarawang1538]

In PRC, women seeking for jobs are always asked questions like "Are you single?", "Do you have a BF?", "When will you get married?", "WIll you have kids?", etc. Super sexist !!!

[@user-nk8tv8dt8h]

@@juliajohannes4554 how can find job that I look for there ?;!

[@ashleyjaggon5837]

Like in Jamaica

[@ashwinivikram1821]

Totally makes sense! loved this talk. Thank you!

[@valeriehartman3705]

This video is right where I need to be. I found my career path and now I am seeking my dream job: to be a visual artist in the music industry. I came to the USA, from France, in 2011, trying to pursue my then career as an office employee. But I could not find work due to lack of experience in America. For eight years, I worked from home, working for a salary of $15 a day... on a good day. Covid changed everything and here I am today. I get down every other day, but I am not giving up. I want to experience the American dream. I should also add that 24 years ago, I was homeless. I believe I deserve my goals to come true.

[@tomhenry4993]

Laura Berman really NAILED it!

[@DaWahine79]

At 40, I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do. But I remember at age 12, I wanted to be an actress. I have many different academic degrees but nothing on acting. Maybe I should try it this time. I feel so alive when I’m onstage when I did community theater...is that what it is?

[@rafrata]

DaWahine79 please do it, it’s never late

[@sweetnaturaasmr8237]

Yes, go for it! That’s part of my plan too! Community theatre makes me feel alive. Look around for opportunities.

[@spazaliciousbim]

I'm 40 too and I've just enrolled in a visual arts diploma-- I love and breathe art--go for it! Xxxxx

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

Acting is a great outlet and fun to do. Being a professional actor is a whole other story---a whole lifestyle that requires almost an entrepreneurial spirit and juggling many balls at one time. Think about what you wanted out of being an actress. Was it teh freedom? The possible fame? The adulation? Being seen? Try to get to the root of who it allowed you to be (yes alive but what else?) The answers are what was really calling you to that. Once you have those answers, is acting the ONLY way to have those things or can that be expressed elsewhere? Just some things to think about.

[@rayofsunshine953]

@@laurabermanfortgang4459 I needed to hear this today, I feel like I am a failure. I tried many different things in life but being married to a narcissist is not easy to make it. I have hope!

[@RaChElLoKa10]

One of the best talks I have heard in a long time. Thanks! I understood a couple things about the way I have acted through my bachelor.

[@justbeinghayden9451]

Thank you that is very helpful! I appreciate the way you tied those ideas together and synthesized the different jobs and how they connect. Thank you!

[@angelavillafane8346]

Thank you for posting the article! I read the comments throughout your video and I identified with those who never had a dream, and I never understood why I was like this. Thank you for addressing that! And thank you for your patience in continuing to respond to each comment that touched on this area... I found gold in one of the responses xoxo

[@viviennehy]

Love it, a really powerful speech with such simple metaphor! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@financetribe6544]

I love this... it's about who you get to be while doing it!

[@ivyclark70]

Beautiful talk! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experiences with us Laura. Egg shell and yoke, very good analogy!

[@RebeccaPurjin1]

Thank you Laura. Many of us will take having a sense of accomplishment, contribution and leaving a legacy over a paycheck any day. You are a vibrant person :)

[@yh2059376]

Wow that was short, sweet, straight to the point but beyond inspiring! I learned so much in those short minutes. I kind of want more of that. I wonder if you are still coaching.

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

Yes, I am. Google my name and we can explore.

[@sh.a.3333]

Amazing and extremely helpful, thank you Laura💖

[@MakeSenseToYourLife]

Great talk! I totally agree. The most important is to keep on revealing your true self through your life and also job, and finally you will get there. It needs courage to take action and patience too. Thank you!

[@lunetstassen4056]

Laura....Thank you so much for this sharing....really interesting and empowering. Your way of thinking makes so much sense. Thank you xx

[@paulamunhoz]

Awesome talk! Very soul-liberating.

[@Xmasishere-vp8zy]

I'm confusing about what to do next in my working life and this video is just like a remedy to me. Very helpful and easy to understand. Thanks a lot.

[@CMOOFFICIAL954]

Ted talks always do the job 🥳

[@markfahey7001]

The only thing that tops the brilliance of your message is your authenticity, love it.

[@laurabermanfortgang405]

Very kind of you, Mark. Thank you.

[@UncompressedWAVmusic]

Beautiful powerful and very different from other career coaches. First I heard or seen or read her. Time to research her ad between jobs and looking to enjoy my next career. Very, very excited about the possibilities.

[@melinakoufalis281]

I wanted to be a script writer, advertising exec, etc. Later I just want to get paid well. Now I want to be appreciated. I dream of a pastries and cake business. I used to help companies get money to train staff. So I have a lot of ideas. But its like I can't see which way to go. currently am looking for a new job and then it will be time to start my pastry business.

[@Wishful---Thinking]

Melina Koufalis I know someone who started cookie sales to her co-workers at a University, got her cookie list down, found professional cooking space as volume increased. She focused on Christmas and sold about 20 varieties of cookies by pre-preparing cookie dough abd having freezer space, hiring short term staff to help and expanded her custoner base by word of mouth and dropping off order materials at her former employer. Eventually she left the secure university job to do this Christmas cookie sales business full time. Why wait? Do trial run of your pastry biz and see what happens!

[@melinakoufalis281]

CMS Sultana I found a lady at the markets accidentally. she has cooking space and helps people start a business too. So thank you. I am going to do it as soon as I can. 😄😄💕

[@Wishful---Thinking]

Melina Koufalis Can i ask that when you start this biz that you will offer tasty vegan versions? So many restaurants offer one dish which takes them off my list as I like variety on one location (as opposed to a long list of places where I will buy just one thing). There are more and more folks finding veganism, many are foodies who like to try new things...a way to distinguish yourself from competition, too.

[@melinakoufalis281]

I was thinking of Vegan actually. That's uncanny. I am definitely going down that road because I myself am going Vegan😄. You are so right👍💖

[@Wishful---Thinking]

Melina Koufalis Are you aware of aquafeba? Its the liquid beans are cooked/canned in. Facebook has a "hits and misses" group that shares recipes using this as an egg replacer...May come in handy if you're thinking vegan cookies, cakes, even a buttercream frosting or a margarine replacement.. Best for the new year!

[@sarapaxton7185]

Great speech! I have watched dozens of videos and read many articles regarding this subject, I have yet to hear such helpful and revelatory content! Thank you Laura!

[@LauraBermanFortgang]

Thank you, Sara!

[@justcatdio]

Love listening to this as it helps me tremendously as I have switched careers.

[@micharogalewicz6249]

Life is unpredictable: I graduated M.A. as language-teacher-to-be. Moved on to study European Studies as M.A., never tought languages but turned interpreter for some years. Dropped it to manage projects - moved to web and digital projects, acquired 2 more languages, moved into innovation and satnav communications and development aid projects. At 41 I have various experiences, speak 6 languages (4 proficiently) and guess what ?- Mostly wonder these days to get back to teaching, just not as a usual school teacher, knowing what languages did to my life. - Just enjoy the path.

[@laurabermanfortgang4459]

Good advice!

[@ambermiller1741]

That was the best Ted Talk I have ever heard... thank you

[@candidacain2513]

Got a little teary eyed from watching this.

[@fatihataheya2718]

i loved this. thank you so very much. i was crying and panicking and having a mental breakdown just a while ago and this sure gave some clarity and perspective. ''career satisfaction doesn't come from what you do. it comes from who you get to be while you're doing it. and the beauty is, who you get to be, is the real you.'' this will forever be drilled in my brain. thank you.

[@skyrasmus4760]

Thank you for this. Just from this video alone, just like your friend who inspires people to feel "WOW''d, I feel like I inspire healing. From an early age, I was in a dysfunctional home with my parents. They always fought verbally and I was always there to try and help my mom. Because of this I was so sure that I would go to college to be a counselor or therapist. Upon leaving my junior level of college, I really just felt that psychology wasn't my bag. Soon after I left to a bigger city. I ended up working in Americorps with homeless youth. I ended up doing a lot of listening to the people I worked with. I talked with them about life, both existentially and practically, to help them understand what they wanted and how to get there. After that, I went to massage therapy school and graduated and opened my own private practice. I wasn't successful at that, but I still love doing massage anyways. Now I'm a caregiver for my family. I care for my 89 year old great uncle who is recovering from a stroke he suffered last year. Hobby wise, I also love theater for the same reasons you do. To inspire people to change their lives for the better of themselves, humanity, and the planet. I'm also passionate about climate science and taking care of plants to better the ecosystem. I love to sing and perform on stage. Expression of emotion to tell a story conveying my feelings in metaphors and poetry to relate to others in order to inspire hope and love when the deck seems stacked against all of us artists and romantic hearts. I've been told I'm a good writer with an inspiring message in any topic I choose to write about. The common yolk in my life seems to be that of a healer. Healing and inspiring through touch, song, poetry, communication, performance, and writing. Now my last step is, at my current age of 27, I have to figure out what I'm going to do next once my great uncle ages to the point in which he is free of his Earthly shell and journeys beyond. I feel this video really helped me to understand myself better, and what my yolk is. And honey, screw Broadway. You're a star on any stage you step foot on. Thank you for this. All my love, ~ S