Homework for Life | Matthew Dicks | TEDxBerkshires

"Homework for Life" is a strategy that I originally began using to generate more story topics for the stage, but as I began to use the strategy daily, it changed my life. It made everything about my life so much more vivid and slowed my life down remarkably. It's a strategy I teach to my storytelling classes often, and I've had people tell me that it has replaced therapy and meditation for them. It truly changes lives. Powerful.
Matthew Dicks is the internationally bestselling author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, Something Missing and Unexpectedly, Milo, and others. He has published work in Reader’s Digest, Huffington Post, The Christian Science Monitor and DoubleTake Comics.

When not hunched over a computer screen, he fills his days as an elementary school teacher, a storyteller, a wedding DJ, a minister, and a Lord of Sealand. He has been teaching for 17 years and is a former West Hartford Teacher of the Year.

Matthew is a 19-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 3-time GrandSLAM champion.

Matthew teaches storytelling and public speaking throughout the world including at Yale, University of Connecticut Law School, Purdue University, Kripalu, and Graded School in Brazil.

Matthew grew up in the small town of Blackstone, MA, where he made a name for himself by dying twice before the age of 18 and becoming the first student in his high school to be suspended for inciting riot upon himself.
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

[@EthanSmith]

Hate finding out the answer I needed 8 years ago, existed 8 years ago. But at least I found it today.

[@vnsmk]

This is Nhattan your 5th grade student 2020-2021, I just finished the first homework for life.

[@mysteryman595]

Keep going! I just started and I'm 26

[@mshklh2099]

@@mysteryman595 Let’s go I’m 22!

[@guusvanrees-old]

He IS amazing at storytelling! Gonna commit to this with faith. I know I will stick to it because I am learning storytelling anyway for my personal brand on X

[@GianDON12]

June 09, 2021 I was working at a clinical laboratory as a phlebotomist 2 years ago and being new to it all, I still didn’t know how much I’d like this job. At that time, I was grateful for the job and any experience i could get at the early stages of my career. One afternoon, close to the end of a busy day, an old man comes in. He looked like someone in his 80s. He didn’t particularly standout being as I see so many old people regularly and his face was hardly recognizable as he had a mask on his face. We exchanged friendly remarks and the usual patient screening questions I asked. To my surprise, what stood out for me from this old man was not his wrinkled looking face or his white hair, but rather the way he spoke. Here is my boring, repetitive and mundane questions I’d ask to every patient, and here is this old man responding to me with so much vigor. I was 22 that day and I swear from the way we spoke, it sounded like I was the one near it’s death bed. So finally I asked him, “Don, you speak with such beauty and profoundness that I need to ask you how you are able to learn it”. He told me that he used to be a writer when he was younger but when he retired, he then started to pursue his passion in poetry. Because it peaked my interest, I asked him if I could hear one of his most favoured poems that he made. He was shocked, I don’t know if it was because of what I had asked of him, or his body is finally reacting to the blood I took from him. He started reciting his poem. I was entranced, I listened to his poem which was about 8 minutes long and I could tell from just listening to him reciting it, it was made with so much care, so much love, so much passion and so much hurt. I listened to those 8 minutes thinking I was being shown a part of his life and I listened with intent because to write something so beautiful has always been something I wanted to do. So when he finished he told me the story about the poem, about his wife of 30+ years, the life they built, and the day he lost her in her battle with cancer. I teared up a little. Afterwards when it was time to go, I told him how grateful I was to be able to hear his poem. he smiled and told me this “No young man, Thank you for giving an old man like me, an ear to hear”. I went back home, wrote it in my entry. 2 years later I still remember that day and to this day, I’ve been using it for interviews or just for a good story.

[@aylan.6212]

Beautifully written. Thank you!

[@alexanderthegreat4512]

I feel so fortunate to have found this video at the age of 21 & not 75 🙏. Ever since highschool these past few years flew by and I assumed that was normal because everyone older than I said they would. Every day has felt mundane & every month feels like a week. But this, this is a key to adding more meaning to my life. Just another reason to get up from my bed each day. 😊

[@tyonnabuyshouses4468]

This is happening to us all love. Not just to you. I'm 35 yrs and i feel as though time is not moving any slower but speeding past us all

[@NishthaGehija26]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the innocence with which Matthew is delivering it. The fact that he hasn't been bitten by the bug of the pretentious world is commendable. PS: I have started doing homeworks for life and also recommended it to at least 5 people in the last two weeks.

[@lulucao5334]

I don't know why, I started tearing up from the first story he told. And my tear didn't stop the whole time.

[@Sammh]

This man was my twin brother’s, and older sister’s elementary school teacher, and now my teacher, for life.

[@beginagain4033]

sweet comment. v cool.

[@truptiraut3017]

I write emails to myself, throughout the day - reflecting on life tasks and lessons...

[@ABUS3DON]

That lady on the front row, noading and wiping her tears

[@donkowalewski]

In less than a month of doing this, I know it's changing my life. For example, this was the first year we didn't have a Santa-believer as your twelve year old learned the truth from friends at school. I don't remember how it all happened with my 14 and 15 year old years ago when they found out, but NOW I know my 12 year old first confessed to her 15 year old sister, who then relayed the revelation to my wife and I said to my wife it was HER job to talk with my 12 year old about it - not that I couldn't or wouldn't. But I remembered my wife tearfully and broken-heartedly giving a tearful confession and explaining how much she loved being Santa to my other children, so I thought our final "believer" should also have that tear-filled moment. So now I have a story about the actual sequence of events AND of how amazing it is to BE SANTA and why. Thank you, Matthew!!!!!!!!!!

[@itsmytube62]

THAT is just lovely.

[@brianwong]

Been doing this for a while now and can testify to the benefits he described to be accurate. In addition, I do keep a "photo of the day" in my Notion app. For those who are not writers, taking a single shot helps a lot when time travelling back to your notes. And yes, it only takes about 5 mins a day. Well worth it.

[@Hikaru-Makimura]

What did you photo at? Selfie or ...?

[@drew4982]

7:45 Homework for life example. In case you were wondering how to do it exactly. Welcome!

[@missamychan]

wow! doing it. loving it.

[@drummermomcjs]

Thank you Matthew for the assignment, I gladly take up this assignment and look forward to the many jewels and gems, nuggets of precious moments that can be shared and treasured for eternity. Thank you for such a wonderful idea, and way to become a better me who will love others more effectively and enjoyably.

[@theresafrancomacaro698]

"Dander in the Wind," what a powerful image. Love it.

[@beginagain4033]

What a doll man!

[@majathykjrjeppesen7240]

I just started doing this. My first story was that i gave my mom a peace of Cake, because she has the flu.

[@ryanbrownx1]

Piece of cake

[@avinashprasadfilms]

Good one 🍰..."piece of cake" 🤣

[@charitygrant4542]

I haven't discovered that I'm an important person in this world yet but MDicks is my favorite author. His fiction slays me. I didn't discover his MOTH moments till years after I discovered his books. He reinvents himself with every book since Something's Missing. He's from another planet.

[@rafaellara9264]

What I wrote in the page in which I will be doing this homework. If your days and years are flying by, and everyday feels mundane, try this exercise. You'll quickly realize the good and special things in your days, making each different and worth living. You might even feel glad you went through a tough situation during your day, just so you can write about it at night. And the best part, doing this will allow you to always recall and relive those moments.

[@pratikkadel3196]

I came across Homework For Life 10 days back in Story Worthy Book. And this whole homework helps me get the most out of a day. It is not very difficult and takes around 5 minutes max to get done which makes me more consistent. I am glad I found this exercise and I am going to do this homework for life every day from now. Thank you, Matthew Sir for this amazing book :)

[@flyingguitarist7026]

Bro , How is it going now ? any transformation? able to to tell stories vividly?

[@awine1031]

You have no idea the perfect timing coming across this is for me. Thank you Matthew for sharing this. The past 30-40 years, I don't know, I can't count how many New Years I said I was going to be that "Published Writer." I have dozens upon dozens of copybooks just filled with years of broken thoughts and mangled stories. Once again during the holiday hoopla, and celebrations I whisper to myself I will be ready in January because the time is now. I became inspired this latest holiday when I came across the Moth in November, but just stumbled upon you last week. I've been devouring each and every one, wishing I could tell a story like you. I came across this Ted X last night, and it was all I could think about today. Couldn't wait to sit down tonight to "Do My Homework" just watched it again to see what I should title it each night. A simple red underlined "Homework" will do. I'm looking forward to reading "Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" and "The perfect comeback of Caroline Jacobs" they are in route from Barnes & Nobel. Storyworthy has been preordered, which I'm sure you'll have good advice as to how to make that "Homework for Life into the stories I know are in me. So this time next year I'm either going to be a gihugic failure once again at realizing my dream, or I will have sent you a copy of a published essay with my thanks. Wish me luck.

[@jamescain6542]

I’m interested to see how things are going? Hope you are continuing with your dream!

[@keshakellogg5995]

Angela, thank you for sharing! I hope you are well and that your moments are adding up. ♥️

[@AkachukwuMadueke]

💛💫

[@a.unknown.a7912]

Writing down your story of the day allow you to self reflect and watch your own journey through life as "time flies." Thank you so much for this talk. 😊

[@whit2642]

I came across this after being suggested his book Storyworthy on my Kindle. This sounds amazing and like the perfect addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy!

[@Odihmantich]

Dude! I’m listening to this guy and just wanna cry 😅 edit: Songwriting youtube channel brought me here

[@donnamay7045]

I'm getting ready to start my community writing and storytelling classes - I will be sharing forward. Thank you!

[@jontiong]

thanks for uploading this :). humorous yet convincing

[@taylorbreaksitdown4578]

Matthew, you are an inspiration.

[@1LifeWorks]

Awesome, Matthew! I do something very similar, but I'm going to tweak my system to yours. Thank you for sharing your gift!

[@marlogarnsworthy2134]

I'm convinced. Starting tonight!

[@lynneheygster2453]

Beautiful. I am going to do this. Thank you.

[@JonDavis]

Love this - listening to storyworthy at the moment and will be following through with the HFL as I really struggle to extract the moments to look back on.

[@HMALDANA]

Beautiful idea, Matthew! Thanks for sharing!

[@Hikaru-Makimura]

Just done writing the first entry for today!

[@footlongsubzero1128]

Agghhkkkk homework?!?!? Really??? Lol 😁 feels like I'm back in highschool again. Can't wait to try this. Thanks Matthew 🙏 Much love from Melbourne Australia 🤙

[@dancemarathon]

Starting tonight. To think that I've been struggling so to find the "perfect" story to tell and you have shared this incredible way to see them-Thank you.

[@heyjoe8916]

How has your commitment to this been? Just saw this today, wondering how difficult it is!

[@rifkyakh]

How was that? please tell me if you read this message. I'll try this homework for life start from January 1, 2022 (3 days more)

[@gonzalonovoaphotography]

Hey Alice, you wrote this comment 3 years ago. We're dying to know how things worked out... can we have an update please?

[@lynne3778]

love it!! have just done today's

[@sharonlovesart4985]

Thank you.

[@AnimalCoin]

Love it. I started using my Evernote (I love Excel too, but Evernote more 😜) to save snippits of my life. I have them in date sort order (month/day) to see them again next year etc. I have fallen in love with doing this & so your homework assignment is perfect to add in to what I already do. Thank you! You are truly special.

[@DrHansPeterWurst]

Been doing this practice for years now, but in the morning on the following day. Though didn't have the best strategy implementing it.

[@mshklh2099]

So this is like Saving in a video game? Let’s goo

[@swathipavan685]

I’m going to start doing this homework!

[@thepratikkulkarni3088]

Gem of a person!

[@get8am]

I love this

[@mr_mr]

So good!

[@kelyrin-douceuretdessin9476]

My self-confidence is so awful that imagining myself telling a FIVE MINUTES story seems HUGE and never-ending !!!!

[@brianmcdonald8095]

You can do it!

[@GeetanjaliShetty]

Fantastic 😍😍😍

[@AkachukwuMadueke]

This is so beautiful!!! Got you from Ali's PTYA

[@kiefermorrow4770]

He was my 5th grade teacher

[@ShivanS]

Like with a lot of things, I wish I did this 10 years ago.

[@ShivanS]

Next best time is now.

[@jeremyhall682]

im doing it

[@1footflash]

I remember you discussing this on The Gist with Mike Pesca. I've really enjoyed you on that show, and look forward to hearing/watching you on youtube. Do you have your own channel? Thanks for sharing!

[@janedoe-ih6wn]

Yes he does

[@sridhara7932]

Homework for life...I came here before going to Story worthy...

[@huhwhatwhere]

I'll do my homework.

[@debrahamel]

But what did the woman in the elevator say to you?

[@jessemcdougall1700]

And what happened with Charlie and the food!

[@rizkyramadhan3227]

Hi, this is Kiram and I just want to start this homework. I will be back in a year and share my experiences, am I done or not.

[@PursuitofBetter]

Who else is here from Ali Abdaal?

[@AkachukwuMadueke]

I am!

[@user-rp3ye1by8f]

Оу бэйби

[@sealy999]

Whps here from aliabdaal?

[@craigmalcom6294]

Haha yeah me. Good to see the context to the idea!

[@MsCloe17]

I’m not, but I watch his channel!

[@anomorales]

Songwriters button

[@shubhamgautam5295]

Aisa toh kuch todd info nahi diya bhai tumne, Jo book mai likha hai wohi yahan bol diye . Aise thodi chalega Matthew bhai.

[@AFreshWordOrg]

Who are the three people who didn’t like this?

[@careerlinguist]

that's exactly what I was thinking!! :)