TED: Why change is so scary -- and how to unlock its potential | Maya Shankar

Maya shares her personal journey of unexpected change, from a promising violin career cut short by injury to becoming a cognitive scientist. She explores how change, though often feared, can lead to personal growth and transformation. Through stories of Christine Ha and Florence Williams, Maya illustrates how change can redefine capabilities, values, and identity. She offers three questions to help navigate life's curveballs, encouraging a shift in perspective to see change as an opportunity for expansion.

What was the narrator's big dream before her injury?

• To become a famous singer

• To become a concert violinist

• To become a renowned painter

• To become a concert pianist

Why do people often fear change, according to the narrator?

• Because it is always negative

• Because it involves uncertainty and loss

• Because it is easy to manage

• Because it is predictable

What did Christine Ha achieve despite her blindness?

• She became a famous painter

• She won a cooking competition

• She became a professional dancer

• She wrote a bestselling novel

What is the first question to ask when facing unexpected change?

• How might this change my relationships?

• How might this change what I'm capable of?

• How might this change my location?

• How might this change my financial status?

What did Florence Williams discover about her need for closure?

• It was essential for her happiness

• It was irrelevant to her situation

• It limited her ability to find joy

• It helped her solve problems

What is the second question to consider during unexpected change?

• How might this change my values?

• How might this change my career?

• How might this change my hobbies?

• How might this change my appearance?

What did the narrator realize about her identity after losing the violin?

• It was irrelevant to her happiness

• It was unchangeable

• It was more stable when linked to deeper values

• It was solely tied to her career

What is the third question to ask when dealing with change?

• How might this change how I define myself?

• How might this change my social circle?

• How might this change my daily routine?

• How might this change my environment?

What does the narrator now anchor her identity to?

• Her love of human connection

• Her physical appearance

• Specific achievements

• Her financial success

How does the narrator view change after her experiences?

• As a limiting factor

• As a source of expansion

• As a predictable event

• As a minor inconvenience