Success, failure and the drive to keep creating | Elizabeth Gilbert

Watch with subtitles in 30 languages on ted.com:
www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gi...
Elizabeth Gilbert was once an "unpublished diner waitress," devastated by rejection letters. And yet, in the wake of the success of 'Eat, Pray, Love,' she found herself identifying strongly with her former self. With beautiful insight, Gilbert reflects on why success can be as disorienting as failure and offers a simple -- though hard -- way to carry on, regardless of outcomes.
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[@pyr666]

i always love seeing writers get on here. they have all the passion of the scientists, engineers and educators, but with the command of the english language to make us all feel it.

[@LightWthoutTheStatic]

***** I'm not sure what you're getting at... I have to agree with pyr.

[@milesrudy870]

Instablaster...

[@moviechic07]

I cried, I finally realized where my home is. Despite the failure I'm going through right now, I feel like I finally see the direction I keep going into, and thats been my home all along.

[@AGNNewsChannel]

+moviechic07 i feel you!

[@KILYAN.MBAPPE107]

yes I feel you 2!!!

[@user-wg7wp5bt4w]

Aman Baloch

[@jamesrudolph4151]

Hi moviechic07, it's me James from the first floor. Apartment A4. You live on the third floor, next to the stairwell, C8, hope this helps!

[@sambridhip]

Hope you made it! :)

[@m.rosariomartinez9492]

"Fight your back to that home, the only way that it has ever been done, by putting your head down and performing with diligence and devotion and respect and reverence, *whatever the task is that love is calling forth from you next.* You just do that, and keep doing that again and again and again." Oh, Elizabeth Gilbert, thank the stars for your mind and your soul being offered to us, geez.

[@deniseserpa1540]

❤❤❤

[@TheRyanLamont]

I love this talk! The way she worded and explained her ideas really inspired me.

[@InsertUsernameHere2]

That is exactly how I feel. Feeling a little low lately but now after watching this video I am keep on trying to find my home.

[@iloveaju]

I am amazed by her simplicity and impactful persuasion in her findings throughout her lives.

[@srimansrini]

Eminent writer Elizabeth Gilbert passionately talks about getting involved in something irrespective of its outcome. Tinged with philosophical thoughts of success and failure, this talk gives us enormous hope and that's life-affirming. Highly recommended.

[@DrNolledo]

As an aspiring/struggling writer, I found this very inspiring and heartfelt. I read about a lot of authors who've done their time, but they can still be moving. Write on!

[@shinjinobrave]

How do you do you ever plan on writing anything of value, if you're blown away by this trite, cliché bullshit? I'd say quit while you're,... behind.

[@amnerysfernandez6329]

Elizabeth Gilbert is very inspirational and motivating. Just because you fail on some things does not necessarily mean you cannot succeed.

[@the8thsagetowobola]

'Your home is whatever it is in this world that you love more than yourself.' Thank you.

[@adamsharpe9452]

A great talk about not giving up, about pursuing what you love, about no longer thinking in terms of successes & failures, but in outcomes.

[@ronniestar8762]

She talks so beautifully and so relatable, bless those people who gave her a standing ovation deserved

[@maiang7448]

I have started learning English for 6 years because a stupid reason but now i consider it is my life. When i began i learned it with my passion, i didn't understand why during a long time i didn't know '' I learn english for what''. Fortunately, now i found my purpose and i promise i 'll make my dream come true. Thanks for reading. My grammar is wrong some places and i hope you will help me to correct it

[@abc78920]

I totally agree with everything she said. When you create a work, do if for YOU. Don't do it for other people. People's interest are going to fluctuate all over the place. As long as you stay true to your self. and speak to your own passions, you'll be fine and you'll be a much happier artist. Trying to please the public will drive you batty! I wrote my first novel last year. Some people like it, some don't. Nevertheless, I wrote the novel for me and about me to shed my own inner demons. It's not a matter of whether the story is good or bad. It's just my story! That's it!

[@aliccoop33]

Eat, Pray, Love is one of my favorite books. She is AMAZING!

[@mightygoodmagic]

Oh, how refreshing! She's such an amazing speaker -and writer, and overall creative force.

[@pagusmusic6254]

So true, it’s so hard not to focus on failure or success when doing things you love but that’s the key to really enjoying your passion

[@aamrits]

excellent talk. Without focusing on her success or failure as a writer, she tells us how to be content with ourselves, that is by doing what we love the most. That is going to liberate us from all our insecurities.

[@TheHeartOne]

Love Elizabeth Gilbert! Every time I listen to her, I am inspired to complete my first novel!

[@deniseserpa1540]

That's It! Believe in yourself, keeo writing! Always "fight tour way back home, to your writing". You will bê able to do It, no Mater the results ❤

[@WeirdBrainGoo]

This was a really inspiring speech. There are people who've had to give up their most beloved thing, e.g. a football player who gets paralyzed. But one person doesn't have to have one single thing that's worth living for. The ex-football player could do something else to fund a junior football team, or he could discover something entirely different that he loves doing. Just some thoughts I had...

[@1954patrizio]

Amen - to your definition of home is totally correct.

[@khaingthazinsoe6857]

This's such a beautiful speech. I even cried. Now I realize that I need to go back to my home. My home, the thing that I always enjoy doing, yes, I will definitely go back to my home, no matter what.

[@Linchful]

I liked the talk. She centered her speech in one idea. Pride changes who we are If you "change" because people adore/hate you for something you did, you gotta change back. Find your passion, it's a good reference for finding yourself.

[@amaria_official]

This is so incredibly true for not only writers but artists of all kind. I am making music - not in a away people would see it as "successful" but I could never think of stopping it ever. This is my home.

[@ShadesofSho]

this talk is so inspiring in that whether you are successful or you have failed it's so important to go back 'home.' Everything just works out at the end of the day.

[@thamayimaodza2148]

This is gold. Absolutely magnificent. Liz Gilbert’s mind-WOW. 😊

[@mars__2961]

Beautiful speech, never mind how many time you fail or choose the wrong path, bc in the end your truest and purest inner-self will come out to shine! 💖 Plus she said the most beautiful quote... we are our home 💚

[@Elinsinba]

A kind soul with wisdom and soothing voice. Thank you!

[@lqdwzrd]

I am so glad her words are timeless and preserved here. Love it!

[@sirijantey]

Omg, this is so good. I need this voice in my head, my lungs, and the whole system to push myself again from the place I no longer want to be in.

[@Lulurara12]

I totally understand her meaning even though the event scale was different in my life. I studied more than 5 years from elementary school kid to enter special purpose high school and finally got in. but I suddenly felt lost in both way. First way was success. Especially by other people’s view. All the adult who I met at that time said “you are such a great,smart kid”. Even though I felt nothing special point from me than before. They just started to recognize me as a successful person. Actually that was very stressful and unthankful care. And the other way was failure. I got most terrible score in the first mid exam. And at that time I felt huge struggle between two gaps. I took one year off from my school and finally quit it. And for the long time I kept asked myself why I decided to get in that school. And the answer was just simple. Because I loved “Language”. (That was a special purpose high school for Language) When I felt lost and very depressed Language was the only thing that I did everyday without anyone’s care. So I started to study again and also found the job called “International Interpreter” And now I’m on a way to move on. The only regret I have is the fact that rebounding time was too long. But I also feel thanks to God cuz during that time I grew up and realized about life. But I really wish to do not face this time again😂 I’m sure that this struggling will come again as a different form one day in a future but now I got an wisdom and power to face it. Thanks to God and also to her who helps me to realize what I faced during last few years. Thanks.

[@rahullovesthepayne8690]

Came here because of Taylor, stayed here for her words.✨🌸

[@ShankyLightfoot]

I have never read any of her books but she is a great motivator!

[@jejekoma]

Wow, this concept is life-changing.

[@KhanhTheLearner]

Your talk gave me a lot of hope but it also made me question where my home is. I suddenly realize that I have always let parents, teachers, and the society tell me what I was supposed to be good at and what I was supposed to do. I never really put a lot of effort or felt any passion or comfort in anything I've done in my life. But at least I know that once I have found my home, I would defend it and would never get lost out there in success or in failure. Now if only I could find a talk on locating my passion or talent...

[@traceyobrien3358]

Thank you for your beautiful insights into negotiating life's challenges.

[@redbougainvilia2544]

Wow! such powerful words and exactly what I needed to hear now... Thank you for reminding me of what my HOME is and what is worth doing over and over again despite success and failure.

[@unicornofwargaming5299]

I'm in the middle of writing my first book. I'm 19, just graduated high school, and the pressure to make this work is insane. I was on a roll with my first draft for five months... then I hit a brick wall. I lost my motivation, my voice, my message, and I fell into a place where I had perpetually given up and accepted a failure that haven't even arrived. I'm still trying to get back into the flow and find my roots, but this Talk always brightens my spirits.

[@IamTheBuckethead]

Really appreciate the thoughtfulness of this. It's something that I strive towards.

[@appscoteam8105]

This is beautiful advice that truly inspires.Keep this in your mind when you feel lost.

[@tatixss]

This inspired me alot! Thank You Elizabeth! Beautiful Talk!!

[@scablet]

I love the signature of all things! My favorite!

[@iamsuccessful2041]

I am very happy and learned a lot of things from her that how she failed multiple times and the attitude of not giving up and she worked hard for it to make her dream turn into a reality!!✌🏻😎

[@andreadaley4058]

Oh goodness I didn't make it to the end I was just in tears so great is my devotion to being a mom to my adult kids struggling with their health challenges. No matter the outcome, a worthy devotion.

[@user-vk4bc8ki9n]

Thank You, thank You, thank You again! It was very important for me - to listen to your words. I am a painter, and I teach another people during last 10 years how to create the pictures. But I could not to make pictures myself because of the fear. Thank You for your lecture.

[@mallikarjunbairi3896]

These speeches are really magnificent and anybody can develop an ardent interest towards English

[@mohitbilala2423]

writing is a big power to influence the people and change the mindset and i appreciated the all those people who their spent life to writing

[@woodsarthobbies6515]

I enjoyed this. It is all true. I also read all the below comments. Loved the discussion and exchange of ideas.

[@sdogboe]

Thank you Liz ! Each time I feel lost, I realise afterwords that it's because, I was disconnected ! I was out of my home !! ❤❤❤❤

[@suzettehernandez8200]

Beautifully spoken!

[@ShaySun]

I love her. Thank God for her honesty, humility, and badassary 🙏🏼

[@bigballs3095]

She said everything i needed to hear today i was totally gonna try add my two cents here I’m the comment section but as i was trying to make clear what i wanted to write in my head the really talented lady in this video done went and said everything i wanted to.

[@bartholomeweshiwani246]

Very informative many greats rarely talk about their failures prior to them becoming successful....

[@alexisjavierriosmorales9633]

To night, I took my laptop so as to find something that don't make me feel hipocrate with myself. so as to feel that at least I do anything well and then... I found you. Thank you for your words, I really needed.

[@vasilyaraxmonowa7832]

Brillant speech which inspire me learn & love English more than ever before

[@LizDelaney3]

Thanks so much for this. I loved listening to you speak. Sticking to something you love takes courage and persistence...

[@SPAPBrocker]

Beautiful points. Also supports being indipendant from outcome.

[@aimeeane]

You are the amazing teacher that I've never yet had the chance of experiencing in real-life. Thank you for everything you do :)

[@phoquang1665]

Y

[@luciannacoelho1519]

Amazing. Touched my very heart.

[@maryfinlayson675]

her last Ted talk was a few years ago...it had to do with creativity. It was one of the top 20 Ted talks! now that was an inspirational, I got so much from that. This one is less inspiring, seems more like an update on how her subsequent books after "eat, love, pray" were received. I read them all and "Signature of All Things" was great and I'm happy that it is now on the New York bestseller list (yayyyy). I am such a fan of hers that I would read anything she put out. I find her Facebook page VERY inspirational, tidbits from her everyday thought processes.

[@leeanucha]

I don't like eat pray love but i love her new book "big magic" very good book for anyone who create stuff, us all really.

[@imfromchina.4048]

I love this lady.

[@vickisigh2674]

im crying watching this again omg….

[@PriyaKarthika]

An amazing talk. Really loved your energy and the honesty. It got to me in such depths I can't possibly fathom. 😃

[@dammee]

This is just what I needed to hear today, Thank you.

[@ibz3293]

This was such a beautiful talk

[@surashreekamat1381]

Thank you. I know i am going to listen to this many many times. God bless

[@alecfleming373]

Thank you! Needed this. I relate in music and my kids.

[@mirelladlima5278]

Very helpful to dive deep into one's own personal life to find out one's true purpose, one's true love, one's God gifted talent to pursue with singular devotion thru the ups and downs no matter what the outcome.🙏

[@marybrewer2203]

Thank you, Liz.

[@katepinkett4649]

Liz, you are one of my heroines. Thank you for this talk.

[@agboolaademola1975]

Waooo…I got that very clear Elizabeth. Thanks for that amazing paradigm shift for me, I don’t need to worry about success of failure, my worries if am not going to try. Flip to right or left are both flip and comes with lessons.

[@glorynnadozie9456]

Great Inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert! "Go back home"

[@SOSM209]

Nuggets of Wisdom, Very Touching..Giving up is Easy !!

[@erinsmithglennthescarvinar7307]

This is my medicine today. Thank you.

[@user-vi8rz9ow7w]

Thank you for such an inspiring talk It made me think about what I'm really keen on and move forward my dream despite difficulties

[@robinfletcher6718]

this is so incredibly correct. Just extraordinary

[@patrickzaldevar1291]

Just finished her book, Big Magic, and man how her speaking coincidentally matches how exactly I imagined her talking from the book. Wow.

[@ashishnigam900]

Idk where is my home 😞 but I'll keep going.One thing is for sure...managing success is equally important as managing failure.period.

[@Mindsaw]

Great life story. You definitely kept moving forward and did not quit

[@daniel_thegr8chef]

Thank you, Elizabeth Gilbert 😘

[@ranjithkumar12011201]

Hats off to confidence in her..love you

[@Sandyficslick]

This was such a boost to find my home. Thank you!

[@northcacalacka545]

I once read a blurb on a wall at a part time job that was really true. It said, "Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it". This gal is right about the extremes of success and failure. She reacts well to things that have happened to her.

[@aleina223]

By far, the best Ted Talk! Bravo! 👏👏👏

[@ArthaDoyle]

I'm really impressed with her public speaking skills. She sounds like a pro with lots of experience. Good to learn from.

[@jannelserrano1592]

Lessons learned. Do not give up. Always go back home meaning to that one thing that you love more than yourself

[@epoint605]

Wow! Finally a Ted Talk that left a lasting impression on me

[@warriors_of_light5559]

Wow! Truly inspiring and eye-opening!

[@hussein688]

Videos like this remind me why I subscribed to this channel.

[@cinnsuamongar]

Great talk. Positive energy. Some people may thing you're talking about success. I know you are talking about doing what you love whether you are successful or not. Get a job. Do what you love on the side. Don't starve.

[@exploringdimensions4all853]

What a fabulous gift this video is!

[@yt-sh]

Shes one in a billion! You can criticise anyone and everyone but it doesnt matter because you are happy doing what you want rather than what you should....

[@fivebigideas9553]

WOW, that was just a mind-boggingly inspiring speach! 'Doing what you love even more than yourself'

[@randreasw]

Thank you for answering a long time question I've had. You've helped my realize where my home is. :-)

[@hanhanz4965]

I love the way she mentioned writing as her beloved vocation. As a catholic, I'm left with nothing but the desire to keep writing. Many would disagree but I believe becoming a writer has always been my vocation. There's no fame, no wealth to keep me from writing. I don't care if I have to spend the next few years not being rich as long as I get to come "home". Greet speech, Liz.

[@billyrowe0064]

That was so beautiful. She might be above Brene Brown in my book. Amazing speech. Really.

[@denisepatnodlic.ac.7612]

creativity is key....keep the energy moving. best wishes.......from a small business owner.

[@denisepatnodlic.ac.7612]

Thank you!

[@bellashiza90]

She's a really great speaker. Not all writers can do that

[@ImranAliRathore]

As usual, an inspirational story!

[@ednac8932]

So inspiring, the spirit to keep going and not quiting doing what we love - Elizabeth Gilbert. Planning to read your work :)