When problems hit, we like to fix them. There are many reasons we do this … some people don’t like the stress of an unsolved issue, some are trying to keep their jobs, others like to keep their boss happy, or some are trying to turn the focus away from themselves. Mostly though, we have this amazing natural ability to bring things back to the way they were. Living systems (of which we are one) strive to reach equilibrium. In times of stress we very quickly resort to restoring balance and making things the way they were before the stress came along. Understandable, but not highly effective.

When trying to deal with deep rooted problems, it is easy to focus on technical things that need fixing. I don’t mean technical in the IT/technology sense but rather problems which have a definite answer and can often be solved with experts. This simpler, more logical and easier problem to solve is simply a scapegoat, a cloud that takes our attention comfortably away from the real problem.

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I love to be inspired. Especially by great thoughts and ideas. TED does this for me, every time.

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

- About TED

If you haven’t watched any of these videos, then you really should. I’ve found them to be some of the most inspiring and thought provoking talks. Here’s a few of my favourites:

• Do schools kill creativity? by Sir Ken Robinson. A very humorous and inspired challenge to our notions of education.
• A journey to the centre of your mind by Vilayanur Ramachandran. A fascinating view into the way our minds work when impaired by some very specific mental disabilities.
• My stroke of insight by Jill Bolte Taylor. Jill’s a brain scientist and has had an amazingly unique experience – she was able to analyse her own stroke as it occured.

Take some time out of your day and listen to a few TED talks. You’ll be glad you did it.