Achieving Greatness Is A Choice: Byron Reese at TEDxAustin

Eternally optimistic, Byron Reese challenges us to consider the excuses we conjure to explain why others are achieving what we aren't.
An accomplished high-tech trailblazer, inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, father and author, he shares his childhood dreams and leaves us with an infectious sense of possibility as we wonder why we ever chose to give our own up?
Extend the conversation and expand on ideas with Byron Reese: join their Opal Brainstorm at tedxaustin.our...
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)

[@SyberPrepper]

Such a great message that "greatness" is not a destiny afforded to a small elite group. Greatness is a decision available to anyone. What a great video! Thanks.

[@aasthamehtatech]

A gem to awaken watchers into believing in self-potential & capability to bring change in the world for good, being great!

[@kathyselbrede]

Wow!! Thank you Byron! Everyone should hear this talk! It's we common little people - not the gifted or privileged or "elite" - who run the world! I needed this and will be using this talk as a reference in my own project.

[@jordanbarlow1838]

LOVE Byron and such an inspiring man to work alongside. So honored to be in his presence!

[@spiffyspaceace]

Im writing an English research paper on the great gatsby right now, and im definitely going to use this TED talk as a source

[@Grautung]

THIS IS SO FRICKN* GREAT. LOVED IT! :D Thank you, Byron Reese and TED :)

[@ByronReese2]

Thank you! My reply is four years late, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

[@Gobble_de_Goop]

This guy does not blink.

[@missvaldez4700]

I loved this. Funny, fantastic and real

[@ByronReese2]

Thank you - that means alot.

[@anthony.francis993]

great talk, really enjoyed it..thank you,

[@LaraCoffer]

Love it. So inspiring

[@ByronReese2]

Thank you!

[@iceicekodi6402]

great talk

[@lisaengelbrektson]

His groove back! (Amazing...)

[@ByronReese2]

I love that line - thank for the comment.

[@velocity2516]

Something changed inside me

[@RekMone]

It is spiritless to think that you cannot attain to that which you have seen and heard the masters attain. The masters are men. You are also a man. If you think that you will be inferior in doing something, you will be on that road very soon. Master lttei said, "Confucius was a sage because he had the will to become a scholar when he was fifteen years old. He was not a sage because he studied later on." This is the same as the Buddhist maxim, "First intention, then enlightenment.'' (From the Hagakure)

[@debbiewilliams6716]

What a shame - the website he talked about does not exist. TED does not confirm that the content presented is truthful? SMH

[@abishekgr2609]

1:01 "not about movie stars or athletes, but about people who did great things"-- What is that supposed to mean??

[@corwaincyrus5]

+Abishek GR lol, i was thinking the same thing

[@corwaincyrus5]

+Abishek GR I just hope Kobe wasn't there,,

[@sushisamosa222]

muhammad ali is disappointed. I'm sure he didn't mean it though..

[@Mrstudmad]

good talk, although I do think that greatness is both a destiny and a decision.

[@Mrstudmad]

It depends on you see life, it all depends in our believes :)

[@foreverduke4059]

I will summarize it in one word : Laziness

[@RieComp]

More of a practice

[@64SGH]

Everyone has greatness but only some will be able to show this in the society they are in, Eg. if you r an inventer with the solution to the energy crisis but have no money to build the prototype and also have no intent to make money out of the idea you wont get far in todays scociety due to the fact everything to day need's to earn money.

[@santiagopalomino3700]

Cool:)

[@KhazWolf]

"It's OPTIMISTS that are pushing for change!" You have no fucking clue buddy. Pessimism drove me to push for change so hard I nearly got myself killed. Pessimists just eventually have to make a choice between fighting their ten thousandth losing battle or saving their own health. Then some fucking optimist comes in and takes credit for all the work we did setting shit up.

[@originalguru86]

your gay.

[@KhazWolf]

Colton Williams What's this about my gay? Oh, I see, that was just your bad grammar. Sorry I didn't realize.

[@originalguru86]

your gay.

[@KhazWolf]

Colton Williams What's this about my gay? Oh, I see, that was just your bad grammar. Sorry I didn't realize.

[@originalguru86]

your gay.

[@josephang9927]

Sequoya invented a writting system inspired in the latin alphabet because no one cared about teaching indigenous people how to write. He did not invent a language.

[@fieryglimmer]

inegotiate site is a fiction that hasn't been published. Such a shame (sham). Poor execution to plug a site that does not exist. Accuracy isn't a priority? Delivery status doesn't matter? We all know the answer to this. Hey, Reese, there's no candy in the wrapper! This is on TED! Don't you guys vet this stuff? TED isn't for fluff, and there's plenty of talent to make it happen by asking for help with a concept instead of announcing a fiction.I google +'d this BTW, PUBLICITY, pressure: sink or ?

[@OnlyKnowsGod]

This guy hasnt been to the uk... All the examples are from countrys outside a typical class based society.. Some may say what about india and gandi.. Gandi was a lawer and a south african immigrant.. Who himself said knew very little of indian peoples problems.. A class bases society prevents many from excelling in a great number of fields. Through education rights. Money and multiples of these.. You have to live so most do settle... As life must go on.. Greatness may come but it doesnt feed you

[@InfinityCurve]

Ironically, this video is rather mediocre.

[@AbdallahBotan]

great talk