a few years ago my secret identity was revealed to the world
revealed to the world
revealed to the world by my brother shawn Achor and his TED
by my brother shawn Achor and his TED
by my brother shawn Achor and his TED talk entitled the happy secret to better
talk entitled the happy secret to better
talk entitled the happy secret to better work Shawn told the story of how when he
work Shawn told the story of how when he
work Shawn told the story of how when he was seven and I was just five years old
was seven and I was just five years old
was seven and I was just five years old he accidentally knocked me off the top
he accidentally knocked me off the top
he accidentally knocked me off the top of our bunk bed and sent me careening to
of our bunk bed and sent me careening to
of our bunk bed and sent me careening to the floor and before I could let out a
the floor and before I could let out a
the floor and before I could let out a wail of pain and injustice
wail of pain and injustice
wail of pain and injustice he’s blurted out the first thing he
he’s blurted out the first thing he
he’s blurted out the first thing he could think of to cheer me up he said
could think of to cheer me up he said
could think of to cheer me up he said Amy did you see how you landed no human
Amy did you see how you landed no human
Amy did you see how you landed no human lands on all fours like that cheering
lands on all fours like that cheering
lands on all fours like that cheering unicorn Jewish I suddenly began to
unicorn Jewish I suddenly began to
unicorn Jewish I suddenly began to imagine that the potential of this
imagine that the potential of this
imagine that the potential of this positive new identity and I was
positive new identity and I was
positive new identity and I was completely oblivious to the anxious
completely oblivious to the anxious
completely oblivious to the anxious expression on his face as he helped me
expression on his face as he helped me
expression on his face as he helped me back up onto the bed and so began my
back up onto the bed and so began my
back up onto the bed and so began my introduction into the world of positive
introduction into the world of positive
introduction into the world of positive psychology little did I know that my
psychology little did I know that my
psychology little did I know that my brother’s TED talk would one day go
brother’s TED talk would one day go
brother’s TED talk would one day go viral reaching over 15 million views and
viral reaching over 15 million views and
viral reaching over 15 million views and earning me the typecast is Amy the
earning me the typecast is Amy the
earning me the typecast is Amy the Unicorn Thank You Shawn what I didn’t
Unicorn Thank You Shawn what I didn’t
Unicorn Thank You Shawn what I didn’t expect was that someday I too would be
expect was that someday I too would be
expect was that someday I too would be giving talks and as I went to my talks
giving talks and as I went to my talks
giving talks and as I went to my talks businessmen would pass me by and they
businessmen would pass me by and they
businessmen would pass me by and they would suddenly nod to me and tap on
would suddenly nod to me and tap on
would suddenly nod to me and tap on their tiny golden unicorn pins on their
their tiny golden unicorn pins on their
their tiny golden unicorn pins on their lapel as though I were Katniss from The
lapel as though I were Katniss from The
lapel as though I were Katniss from The Hunger Games
Hunger Games
Hunger Games or that I would one day have the
or that I would one day have the
or that I would one day have the opportunity to meet Oprah on the set of
opportunity to meet Oprah on the set of
opportunity to meet Oprah on the set of super soul Sunday and get to work with
super soul Sunday and get to work with
super soul Sunday and get to work with her but not until she after she called
her but not until she after she called
her but not until she after she called out from behind the set bring out the
out from behind the set bring out the
out from behind the set bring out the Unicorn to which I galloped out
Unicorn to which I galloped out
Unicorn to which I galloped out gleefully to meet my idol it was one
gleefully to meet my idol it was one
gleefully to meet my idol it was one thing when my brother had called me a
thing when my brother had called me a
thing when my brother had called me a unicorn at the age of seven but
unicorn at the age of seven but
unicorn at the age of seven but something altogether different when my
something altogether different when my
something altogether different when my own seven year old was caught in my
own seven year old was caught in my
own seven year old was caught in my makeup drawer covered in my my best
makeup drawer covered in my my best
makeup drawer covered in my my best lipstick and she said mommy don’t be mad
lipstick and she said mommy don’t be mad
lipstick and she said mommy don’t be mad you’re a unicorn nice try well being a
you’re a unicorn nice try well being a
you’re a unicorn nice try well being a unicorn celebrity is fun and
unicorn celebrity is fun and
unicorn celebrity is fun and entertaining I think the more magical
entertaining I think the more magical
entertaining I think the more magical part of the story is truly seeing the
part of the story is truly seeing the
part of the story is truly seeing the reach and the power that ted has had to
reach and the power that ted has had to
reach and the power that ted has had to spread happiness in our hyper-connected
spread happiness in our hyper-connected
spread happiness in our hyper-connected world we had technology in our world
world we had technology in our world
world we had technology in our world today that would blown our minds ten
today that would blown our minds ten
today that would blown our minds ten years ago technology from 3d printed
years ago technology from 3d printed
years ago technology from 3d printed organs to the ability to FaceTime with
organs to the ability to FaceTime with
organs to the ability to FaceTime with family members on the other side of the
family members on the other side of the
family members on the other side of the world it’s amazing but in the same
world it’s amazing but in the same
world it’s amazing but in the same ten-year period we’ve seen that
ten-year period we’ve seen that
ten-year period we’ve seen that depression rates have doubled we’ve seen
depression rates have doubled we’ve seen
depression rates have doubled we’ve seen that cyber bullying has increased by 88%
that cyber bullying has increased by 88%
that cyber bullying has increased by 88% and we’ve seen that the number of
and we’ve seen that the number of
and we’ve seen that the number of teenagers who’ve been to the
teenagers who’ve been to the
teenagers who’ve been to the chiropractor for stress-related injuries
chiropractor for stress-related injuries
chiropractor for stress-related injuries like Tech’s neck have gone up by 50% now
like Tech’s neck have gone up by 50% now
like Tech’s neck have gone up by 50% now we live in a world where technology has
we live in a world where technology has
we live in a world where technology has been called the greatest disrupter of
been called the greatest disrupter of
been called the greatest disrupter of human happiness in history is this
human happiness in history is this
human happiness in history is this really true or can our happiness can our
really true or can our happiness can our
really true or can our happiness can our health keep pace with the speed of
health keep pace with the speed of
health keep pace with the speed of innovation we live in a world now where
innovation we live in a world now where
innovation we live in a world now where we have so many distractions our inboxes
we have so many distractions our inboxes
we have so many distractions our inboxes are full to the brim we receive so many
are full to the brim we receive so many
are full to the brim we receive so many different text messages Netflix is
different text messages Netflix is
different text messages Netflix is continually uploading new episodes that
continually uploading new episodes that
continually uploading new episodes that we’re supposed to keep up with we have
we’re supposed to keep up with we have
we’re supposed to keep up with we have technology creeping into every crevice
technology creeping into every crevice
technology creeping into every crevice of our lives faster than we know what to
of our lives faster than we know what to
of our lives faster than we know what to do with it and what we can currently
do with it and what we can currently
do with it and what we can currently assimilate or even evaluate what this
assimilate or even evaluate what this
assimilate or even evaluate what this means for us and so we try to live our
means for us and so we try to live our
means for us and so we try to live our best lives but we find ourselves
best lives but we find ourselves
best lives but we find ourselves overwhelmed and frustrated we find
overwhelmed and frustrated we find
overwhelmed and frustrated we find ourselves not able to figure out what
ourselves not able to figure out what
ourselves not able to figure out what are we going to do with this technology
are we going to do with this technology
are we going to do with this technology gee how does it impact our lives and as
gee how does it impact our lives and as
gee how does it impact our lives and as I speak to audiences around the globe
I speak to audiences around the globe
I speak to audiences around the globe what I’ve noticed is that there’s this
what I’ve noticed is that there’s this
what I’ve noticed is that there’s this deep concern that’s been echoed over and
deep concern that’s been echoed over and
deep concern that’s been echoed over and again where are we heading right now
again where are we heading right now
again where are we heading right now where do we want to be heading in the
where do we want to be heading in the
where do we want to be heading in the future and when we when we think about
future and when we when we think about
future and when we when we think about this there’s some burning questions that
this there’s some burning questions that
this there’s some burning questions that continue to bubble up and emerge the
continue to bubble up and emerge the
continue to bubble up and emerge the questions like how can I be happy in the
questions like how can I be happy in the
questions like how can I be happy in the midst of all this distraction how can I
midst of all this distraction how can I
midst of all this distraction how can I teach my kids positive boundaries in the
teach my kids positive boundaries in the
teach my kids positive boundaries in the middle of this technological world
middle of this technological world
middle of this technological world dominated by negativity and how can I
dominated by negativity and how can I
dominated by negativity and how can I actually use technology to help me to
actually use technology to help me to
actually use technology to help me to become more happy to be more have more
become more happy to be more have more
become more happy to be more have more meaning in my life and so these three
meaning in my life and so these three
meaning in my life and so these three questions continue to resonate and I
questions continue to resonate and I
questions continue to resonate and I want to address the three of them today
want to address the three of them today
want to address the three of them today starting with how can we actually be
starting with how can we actually be
starting with how can we actually be happy in the midst of all this
happy in the midst of all this
happy in the midst of all this distraction in our lives
distraction in our lives
distraction in our lives the average smartphone user user
the average smartphone user user
the average smartphone user user actually checks their phone 150 times a
actually checks their phone 150 times a
actually checks their phone 150 times a day now 150 times a day now if you
day now 150 times a day now if you
day now 150 times a day now if you conservatively estimate that each time
conservatively estimate that each time
conservatively estimate that each time you open and close your phone it takes
you open and close your phone it takes
you open and close your phone it takes approximately one minute that would
approximately one minute that would
approximately one minute that would account for 250 or 2.5 hours every day
account for 250 or 2.5 hours every day
account for 250 or 2.5 hours every day just opening and closing your phone
just opening and closing your phone
just opening and closing your phone unlocking and locking it two and a half
unlocking and locking it two and a half
unlocking and locking it two and a half hours that’s the equivalent of 38 days a
hours that’s the equivalent of 38 days a
hours that’s the equivalent of 38 days a year just opening and closing your phone
year just opening and closing your phone
year just opening and closing your phone this is crazy I mean the impact of
this is crazy I mean the impact of
this is crazy I mean the impact of distraction on our work is absolutely
distraction on our work is absolutely
distraction on our work is absolutely mind-boggling in my in the process of
mind-boggling in my in the process of
mind-boggling in my in the process of writing my book called the future of
writing my book called the future of
writing my book called the future of happiness I actually wrote a chapter on
happiness I actually wrote a chapter on
happiness I actually wrote a chapter on distraction and then so in the process
distraction and then so in the process
distraction and then so in the process of writing I decided I’m going to run an
of writing I decided I’m going to run an
of writing I decided I’m going to run an experiment to figure out just how
experiment to figure out just how
experiment to figure out just how distracted am I really and in the course
distracted am I really and in the course
distracted am I really and in the course of five minutes I discovered five or six
of five minutes I discovered five or six
of five minutes I discovered five or six interruptions in just that short period
interruptions in just that short period
interruptions in just that short period of time a text message came through a
of time a text message came through a
of time a text message came through a news alert a calendar notification the
news alert a calendar notification the
news alert a calendar notification the doorbell rang and then my mom called and
doorbell rang and then my mom called and
doorbell rang and then my mom called and at which point I just gave up trying to
at which point I just gave up trying to
at which point I just gave up trying to focus I think sometimes we actually
focus I think sometimes we actually
focus I think sometimes we actually think that that distraction is thrust
think that that distraction is thrust
think that that distraction is thrust upon us but I actually think that
upon us but I actually think that
upon us but I actually think that sometimes we invite distraction into our
sometimes we invite distraction into our
sometimes we invite distraction into our lives I think that sometimes we make
lives I think that sometimes we make
lives I think that sometimes we make ourselves the victims of distraction
ourselves the victims of distraction
ourselves the victims of distraction because when I ran my
because when I ran my
because when I ran my five minute experiment I could have
five minute experiment I could have
five minute experiment I could have turned off my phone and it would have
turned off my phone and it would have
turned off my phone and it would have eliminated three or four distractions to
eliminated three or four distractions to
eliminated three or four distractions to help me focus on writing my book but I
help me focus on writing my book but I
help me focus on writing my book but I didn’t how many of you out there have
didn’t how many of you out there have
didn’t how many of you out there have been having a really important
been having a really important
been having a really important conversation with a friend or a
conversation with a friend or a
conversation with a friend or a colleague and in the middle of this
colleague and in the middle of this
colleague and in the middle of this important conversation a text message
important conversation a text message
important conversation a text message comes through and in the middle of that
comes through and in the middle of that
comes through and in the middle of that your flow of conversation is lost this
your flow of conversation is lost this
your flow of conversation is lost this is something that happens to all of us
is something that happens to all of us
is something that happens to all of us these days and it doesn’t even surprise
these days and it doesn’t even surprise
these days and it doesn’t even surprise us anymore we find that we are so
us anymore we find that we are so
us anymore we find that we are so overwhelmed with the amount of
overwhelmed with the amount of
overwhelmed with the amount of technology coming into our lives that
technology coming into our lives that
technology coming into our lives that these distractions seem normal in our
these distractions seem normal in our
these distractions seem normal in our lives
lives
lives a recent phone survey actually studied
a recent phone survey actually studied
a recent phone survey actually studied how many people would pick up the phone
how many people would pick up the phone
how many people would pick up the phone in certain settings and fifty percent of
in certain settings and fifty percent of
in certain settings and fifty percent of individuals said that they would pick up
individuals said that they would pick up
individuals said that they would pick up their cell phone in the middle of dinner
their cell phone in the middle of dinner
their cell phone in the middle of dinner which doesn’t surprise me fifty percent
which doesn’t surprise me fifty percent
which doesn’t surprise me fifty percent said that they’d actually pick up their
said that they’d actually pick up their
said that they’d actually pick up their phone in the bathroom and even worse
phone in the bathroom and even worse
phone in the bathroom and even worse one-third said that they would pick up
one-third said that they would pick up
one-third said that they would pick up their cell phone during sex
their cell phone during sex
their cell phone during sex not okay I mean really we find that
not okay I mean really we find that
not okay I mean really we find that distractions leave us feeling so desired
distractions leave us feeling so desired
distractions leave us feeling so desired so needed that it can become
so needed that it can become
so needed that it can become intoxicating and addictive and instead
intoxicating and addictive and instead
intoxicating and addictive and instead what we realize is that in the process
what we realize is that in the process
what we realize is that in the process of choosing after happiness with our
of choosing after happiness with our
of choosing after happiness with our technology we wind up running right off
technology we wind up running right off
technology we wind up running right off the happiness cliff like Wiley coyote we
the happiness cliff like Wiley coyote we
the happiness cliff like Wiley coyote we splat to the bottom of a canyon before
splat to the bottom of a canyon before
splat to the bottom of a canyon before we realize that the ground has dropped
we realize that the ground has dropped
we realize that the ground has dropped out beneath us and we’re no longer
out beneath us and we’re no longer
out beneath us and we’re no longer feeling as happy as we thought we were
feeling as happy as we thought we were
feeling as happy as we thought we were these distractions invade our lives and
these distractions invade our lives and
these distractions invade our lives and find ways to keep us from getting to the
find ways to keep us from getting to the
find ways to keep us from getting to the things that we really want to do in life
things that we really want to do in life
things that we really want to do in life to find our potential to be the kind of
to find our potential to be the kind of
to find our potential to be the kind of people that we want to be so is the
people that we want to be so is the
people that we want to be so is the solution to take a sort of digital detox
solution to take a sort of digital detox
solution to take a sort of digital detox or a South Beach tech diet I don’t think
or a South Beach tech diet I don’t think
or a South Beach tech diet I don’t think so I think that we know from past
so I think that we know from past
so I think that we know from past experience right that diets are just
experience right that diets are just
experience right that diets are just short-term interventions they’re not
short-term interventions they’re not
short-term interventions they’re not long-term solutions instead I think we
long-term solutions instead I think we
long-term solutions instead I think we need to learn how to live with the
need to learn how to live with the
need to learn how to live with the complexity of life and not escape from
complexity of life and not escape from
complexity of life and not escape from it I think we need to find a way to be
it I think we need to find a way to be
it I think we need to find a way to be in this world and find happiness in the
in this world and find happiness in the
in this world and find happiness in the midst of the distraction it’s time that
midst of the distraction it’s time that
midst of the distraction it’s time that we ground ourselves and intention it’s
we ground ourselves and intention it’s
we ground ourselves and intention it’s time that we find a way to actually be
time that we find a way to actually be
time that we find a way to actually be able to do find something that grounds
able to do find something that grounds
able to do find something that grounds us into what we really care about what
us into what we really care about what
us into what we really care about what we’re really doing in the same way that
we’re really doing in the same way that
we’re really doing in the same way that a third prong on an electrical outlet
a third prong on an electrical outlet
a third prong on an electrical outlet helps to channel and focus our energy so
helps to channel and focus our energy so
helps to channel and focus our energy so we need to tap into a third prong which
we need to tap into a third prong which
we need to tap into a third prong which I define as a system of guiding beliefs
I define as a system of guiding beliefs
I define as a system of guiding beliefs and principles that help us decide when
and principles that help us decide when
and principles that help us decide when where why and how we use technology in
where why and how we use technology in
where why and how we use technology in our lives now this might mean for you it
our lives now this might mean for you it
our lives now this might mean for you it might mean setting a rule in your family
might mean setting a rule in your family
might mean setting a rule in your family that during the dinner hour you’re going
that during the dinner hour you’re going
that during the dinner hour you’re going to set up a phone stack in the middle of
to set up a phone stack in the middle of
to set up a phone stack in the middle of the table and the first person to reach
the table and the first person to reach
the table and the first person to reach to grab their cell phone loses dessert
to grab their cell phone loses dessert
to grab their cell phone loses dessert or maybe it means setting an intention
or maybe it means setting an intention
or maybe it means setting an intention when you wake up in the morning that the
when you wake up in the morning that the
when you wake up in the morning that the first thing you look at in the morning
first thing you look at in the morning
first thing you look at in the morning is not going to be your cell phone which
is not going to be your cell phone which
is not going to be your cell phone which might be hard some other people that I
might be hard some other people that I
might be hard some other people that I know of actually had to set up visual
know of actually had to set up visual
know of actually had to set up visual reminders to help them control the
reminders to help them control the
reminders to help them control the impulse control and to help them be more
impulse control and to help them be more
impulse control and to help them be more the person that they want to be my
the person that they want to be my
the person that they want to be my friend Raj Daniels runs a tech startup
friend Raj Daniels runs a tech startup
friend Raj Daniels runs a tech startup in Dallas called open time and he
in Dallas called open time and he
in Dallas called open time and he decided that he was surrounded by
decided that he was surrounded by
decided that he was surrounded by technology so often he needed a simple
technology so often he needed a simple
technology so often he needed a simple gut check to help him remember when he
gut check to help him remember when he
gut check to help him remember when he should be checking his phone and so he
should be checking his phone and so he
should be checking his phone and so he set up and said when he thought about
set up and said when he thought about
set up and said when he thought about UNT’s wiping to unlock his phone he
UNT’s wiping to unlock his phone he
UNT’s wiping to unlock his phone he would look at his phone lock screen and
would look at his phone lock screen and
would look at his phone lock screen and it said towards my goals or away from my
it said towards my goals or away from my
it said towards my goals or away from my goals and if he found that his intention
goals and if he found that his intention
goals and if he found that his intention for opening his phone was moving him
for opening his phone was moving him
for opening his phone was moving him away from his goals he simply tucked the
away from his goals he simply tucked the
away from his goals he simply tucked the phone back in his pocket and proceeded
phone back in his pocket and proceeded
phone back in his pocket and proceeded with his day visual reminders like this
with his day visual reminders like this
with his day visual reminders like this are so important for helping ground us
are so important for helping ground us
are so important for helping ground us to our intentions helping us to become
to our intentions helping us to become
to our intentions helping us to become the person that we want to be and it
the person that we want to be and it
the person that we want to be and it makes it that much easier for us to turn
makes it that much easier for us to turn
makes it that much easier for us to turn off non-essential notifications when we
off non-essential notifications when we
off non-essential notifications when we connect why this matters to us and who
connect why this matters to us and who
connect why this matters to us and who we want to be and how we hope to get
we want to be and how we hope to get
we want to be and how we hope to get there so the second question I often
there so the second question I often
there so the second question I often hear from people is how do I teach my
hear from people is how do I teach my
hear from people is how do I teach my kids positive boundaries in a negative
kids positive boundaries in a negative
kids positive boundaries in a negative digital world one of my husband his name
digital world one of my husband his name
digital world one of my husband his name is dr. Bobo which is a whole other story
is dr. Bobo which is a whole other story
is dr. Bobo which is a whole other story he’s actually an adolescent medicine
he’s actually an adolescent medicine
he’s actually an adolescent medicine doctor at a clinic in Dallas called
doctor at a clinic in Dallas called
doctor at a clinic in Dallas called young men’s health and wellness and in
young men’s health and wellness and in
young men’s health and wellness and in his clinic every single day parents and
his clinic every single day parents and
his clinic every single day parents and their teens come in and the parents are
their teens come in and the parents are
their teens come in and the parents are always asking how do I set appropriate
always asking how do I set appropriate
always asking how do I set appropriate tech boundaries for my teens and in
tech boundaries for my teens and in
tech boundaries for my teens and in particular there was this one day a
particular there was this one day a
particular there was this one day a woman walked in she was agonizing over
woman walked in she was agonizing over
woman walked in she was agonizing over whether or not to
whether or not to
whether or not to her son who was socially awkward get us
her son who was socially awkward get us
her son who was socially awkward get us a snapchat account and she knew the
a snapchat account and she knew the
a snapchat account and she knew the statistics she knew that social media
statistics she knew that social media
statistics she knew that social media accounts can often lead to greater
accounts can often lead to greater
accounts can often lead to greater isolation that it can increase the
isolation that it can increase the
isolation that it can increase the chance of bullying but she awesome knew
chance of bullying but she awesome knew
chance of bullying but she awesome knew that if she didn’t let her son get a
that if she didn’t let her son get a
that if she didn’t let her son get a social media account it might actually
social media account it might actually
social media account it might actually further isolate him from his community
further isolate him from his community
further isolate him from his community parents feel like they’re stuck in a
parents feel like they’re stuck in a
parents feel like they’re stuck in a catch-22 but the truth is that
catch-22 but the truth is that
catch-22 but the truth is that technology is just a tool bullying and
technology is just a tool bullying and
technology is just a tool bullying and isolation can happen anywhere but what’s
isolation can happen anywhere but what’s
isolation can happen anywhere but what’s important is thinking about how we can
important is thinking about how we can
important is thinking about how we can set up our children for success by
set up our children for success by
set up our children for success by teaching them positive boundaries for
teaching them positive boundaries for
teaching them positive boundaries for living in a technological world
living in a technological world
living in a technological world dominated by negativity we need to teach
dominated by negativity we need to teach
dominated by negativity we need to teach our young people positive skillsets for
our young people positive skillsets for
our young people positive skillsets for coping in the modern world we need to
coping in the modern world we need to
coping in the modern world we need to teach them positive habits like
teach them positive habits like
teach them positive habits like journaling gratitude acts of kindness
journaling gratitude acts of kindness
journaling gratitude acts of kindness meditation exercise we need to help our
meditation exercise we need to help our
meditation exercise we need to help our young people align the positive offline
young people align the positive offline
young people align the positive offline identity with their online identity
identity with their online identity
identity with their online identity rather than trying to keep up with the
rather than trying to keep up with the
rather than trying to keep up with the Joneses we need to teach them the
Joneses we need to teach them the
Joneses we need to teach them the importance of authenticity which dr.
importance of authenticity which dr.
importance of authenticity which dr. Brene brown refers to she defines it as
Brene brown refers to she defines it as
Brene brown refers to she defines it as the process of embracing who you are as
the process of embracing who you are as
the process of embracing who you are as opposed to who you think you’re supposed
opposed to who you think you’re supposed
opposed to who you think you’re supposed to be every day when we teach our young
to be every day when we teach our young
to be every day when we teach our young people how to create greater
people how to create greater
people how to create greater authenticity in their relationships we
authenticity in their relationships we
authenticity in their relationships we set them up for a future of success
set them up for a future of success
set them up for a future of success because social support is the greatest
because social support is the greatest
because social support is the greatest predictor of long-term happiness and
predictor of long-term happiness and
predictor of long-term happiness and success in our lives we need to also
success in our lives we need to also
success in our lives we need to also help our young people we by setting up
help our young people we by setting up
help our young people we by setting up invisible fences and our environments to
invisible fences and our environments to
invisible fences and our environments to help them learn where boundaries ought
help them learn where boundaries ought
help them learn where boundaries ought to be for the future and one of these
to be for the future and one of these
to be for the future and one of these invisible boundaries that I set up
invisible boundaries that I set up
invisible boundaries that I set up recently in my house is called kids
recently in my house is called kids
recently in my house is called kids Wi-Fi and it’s simply a router that
Wi-Fi and it’s simply a router that
Wi-Fi and it’s simply a router that plugs into the wall like a nightlight
plugs into the wall like a nightlight
plugs into the wall like a nightlight and it hops onto my home router Network
and it hops onto my home router Network
and it hops onto my home router Network and it enables me to control not only
and it enables me to control not only
and it enables me to control not only when my kids are on the internet but
when my kids are on the internet but
when my kids are on the internet but also what they see and what their
also what they see and what their
also what they see and what their friends bring into my house as well and
friends bring into my house as well and
friends bring into my house as well and I kid you not
I kid you not
I kid you not one day after installing kids Wi-Fi my
one day after installing kids Wi-Fi my
one day after installing kids Wi-Fi my fashionista nine-year-old daughter came
fashionista nine-year-old daughter came
fashionista nine-year-old daughter came running to me she said mom the
running to me she said mom the
running to me she said mom the Internet’s broken what were you
Internet’s broken what were you
Internet’s broken what were you searching for sweetie I’m just cute
searching for sweetie I’m just cute
searching for sweetie I’m just cute girls short skirt that Oh
girls short skirt that Oh
girls short skirt that Oh score one for Mom we as parents can’t be
score one for Mom we as parents can’t be
score one for Mom we as parents can’t be everywhere all the time and it’s time
everywhere all the time and it’s time
everywhere all the time and it’s time that we start learning how to fight fire
that we start learning how to fight fire
that we start learning how to fight fire with fire
with fire
with fire by using technology to help us automate
by using technology to help us automate
by using technology to help us automate so many of these boundaries that we
so many of these boundaries that we
so many of these boundaries that we can’t protect our kids from everything
can’t protect our kids from everything
can’t protect our kids from everything by using invisible fences we set
by using invisible fences we set
by using invisible fences we set ourselves up to be able to help make
ourselves up to be able to help make
ourselves up to be able to help make invisible senses not invisible kids
invisible senses not invisible kids
invisible senses not invisible kids because sometimes we think that fences
because sometimes we think that fences
because sometimes we think that fences actually hold us back but instead they
actually hold us back but instead they
actually hold us back but instead they make us more mindful they make us more
make us more mindful they make us more
make us more mindful they make us more free and they ultimately make us happier
free and they ultimately make us happier
free and they ultimately make us happier and teach our kids where appropriate
and teach our kids where appropriate
and teach our kids where appropriate boundaries are for the long run the
boundaries are for the long run the
boundaries are for the long run the third question I often hear from
third question I often hear from
third question I often hear from audiences is what okay technology is
audiences is what okay technology is
audiences is what okay technology is great and all but how do I use
great and all but how do I use
great and all but how do I use technology actually make me happier in a
technology actually make me happier in a
technology actually make me happier in a meaningful way we’re fortunate enough
meaningful way we’re fortunate enough
meaningful way we’re fortunate enough today to be living in a time where the
today to be living in a time where the
today to be living in a time where the cognitive revolution has collided with
cognitive revolution has collided with
cognitive revolution has collided with the technological revolution giving us
the technological revolution giving us
the technological revolution giving us the opportunity to peel back the layers
the opportunity to peel back the layers
the opportunity to peel back the layers of our mind to really understand what’s
of our mind to really understand what’s
of our mind to really understand what’s happening in our lives on a day to day
happening in our lives on a day to day
happening in our lives on a day to day basis in real time and fitness trackers
basis in real time and fitness trackers
basis in real time and fitness trackers are just the beginning we have new
are just the beginning we have new
are just the beginning we have new technology new wearables in our
technology new wearables in our
technology new wearables in our environment that are going to be
environment that are going to be
environment that are going to be transformational for understanding how
transformational for understanding how
transformational for understanding how to bring about positive change in our
to bring about positive change in our
to bring about positive change in our lives over the past few years I’ve had
lives over the past few years I’ve had
lives over the past few years I’ve had the opportunity to be able to test out a
the opportunity to be able to test out a
the opportunity to be able to test out a number of gadgets and apps actually
number of gadgets and apps actually
number of gadgets and apps actually hundreds actually hit this point and I
hundreds actually hit this point and I
hundreds actually hit this point and I have literally been shocked by posture
have literally been shocked by posture
have literally been shocked by posture trainers I’ve been pricked by blood
trainers I’ve been pricked by blood
trainers I’ve been pricked by blood testers I’ve had my skin peeled off by
testers I’ve had my skin peeled off by
testers I’ve had my skin peeled off by velcro adhesive I have gotten my skin in
velcro adhesive I have gotten my skin in
velcro adhesive I have gotten my skin in the game and in the process of this I’ve
the game and in the process of this I’ve
the game and in the process of this I’ve actually discovered some really amazing
actually discovered some really amazing
actually discovered some really amazing wearables and gadgets that I find to be
wearables and gadgets that I find to be
wearables and gadgets that I find to be transformational in my life and one of
transformational in my life and one of
transformational in my life and one of those is called the spire stone and the
those is called the spire stone and the
those is called the spire stone and the spire stone is a small lava shaped rock
spire stone is a small lava shaped rock
spire stone is a small lava shaped rock that clips on to your bra strap or your
that clips on to your bra strap or your
that clips on to your bra strap or your waistband and all it does is it measures
waistband and all it does is it measures
waistband and all it does is it measures your breathing to help you understand
your breathing to help you understand
your breathing to help you understand are you feeling tense or calm or focused
are you feeling tense or calm or focused
are you feeling tense or calm or focused and if you’re feeling tense it begins to
and if you’re feeling tense it begins to
and if you’re feeling tense it begins to vibrate
vibrate
vibrate well this technology was fascinating to
well this technology was fascinating to
well this technology was fascinating to me I’m at naturally anxious person and
me I’m at naturally anxious person and
me I’m at naturally anxious person and so I liked the feedback loop of being
so I liked the feedback loop of being
so I liked the feedback loop of being able to understand my breath patterns
able to understand my breath patterns
able to understand my breath patterns and remember to breathe but about five
and remember to breathe but about five
and remember to breathe but about five days into testing this device it went
days into testing this device it went
days into testing this device it went from fascinating to fundament
from fascinating to fundament
from fascinating to fundament transformative for me through a series
transformative for me through a series
transformative for me through a series of unfortunate circumstances my daughter
of unfortunate circumstances my daughter
of unfortunate circumstances my daughter who’s nine at that time Anna she managed
who’s nine at that time Anna she managed
who’s nine at that time Anna she managed to break her neck last summer and it was
to break her neck last summer and it was
to break her neck last summer and it was in our backyard pool and fortunately
in our backyard pool and fortunately
in our backyard pool and fortunately she’s fine now and she’s back to doing
she’s fine now and she’s back to doing
she’s fine now and she’s back to doing backflips all over the house but at the
backflips all over the house but at the
backflips all over the house but at the time it was a really dramatic moment for
time it was a really dramatic moment for
time it was a really dramatic moment for our family and I remember driving on it
our family and I remember driving on it
our family and I remember driving on it to the hospital and I happened to be
to the hospital and I happened to be
to the hospital and I happened to be wearing my spire stone at that point and
wearing my spire stone at that point and
wearing my spire stone at that point and on the way to the hospital
on the way to the hospital
on the way to the hospital the spire stone said that I was
the spire stone said that I was
the spire stone said that I was surprisingly calm the whole way I was
surprisingly calm the whole way I was
surprisingly calm the whole way I was combed through the doctor visit and the
combed through the doctor visit and the
combed through the doctor visit and the x-rays and the fitting for this massive
x-rays and the fitting for this massive
x-rays and the fitting for this massive neck brace that she was going to have to
neck brace that she was going to have to
neck brace that she was going to have to wear all summer it wasn’t until after we
wear all summer it wasn’t until after we
wear all summer it wasn’t until after we were walking out of the hospital that
were walking out of the hospital that
were walking out of the hospital that the spire stone started to vibrate
the spire stone started to vibrate
the spire stone started to vibrate saying you’re feeling tense I said I
saying you’re feeling tense I said I
saying you’re feeling tense I said I know my daughter just broke her neck but
know my daughter just broke her neck but
know my daughter just broke her neck but what it made me do in that moment was
what it made me do in that moment was
what it made me do in that moment was really stop and think about why I was
really stop and think about why I was
really stop and think about why I was feeling tense and here’s what I realized
feeling tense and here’s what I realized
feeling tense and here’s what I realized I realized in that moment that I was
I realized in that moment that I was
I realized in that moment that I was actually feeling tense about how other
actually feeling tense about how other
actually feeling tense about how other people in the hospital were going to
people in the hospital were going to
people in the hospital were going to perceive me as a mother of a daughter
perceive me as a mother of a daughter
perceive me as a mother of a daughter with a broken neck instead of thinking
with a broken neck instead of thinking
with a broken neck instead of thinking about how my daughter was feeling in
about how my daughter was feeling in
about how my daughter was feeling in that moment as she was contemplating her
that moment as she was contemplating her
that moment as she was contemplating her new reality for the summer of no
new reality for the summer of no
new reality for the summer of no swimming no lacrosse no gymnastics and
swimming no lacrosse no gymnastics and
swimming no lacrosse no gymnastics and that 30-second feedback loop helped me
that 30-second feedback loop helped me
that 30-second feedback loop helped me to be able to refocus and to mindfully
to be able to refocus and to mindfully
to be able to refocus and to mindfully pivot from being self-absorbed to being
pivot from being self-absorbed to being
pivot from being self-absorbed to being more the mother that I want to be this
more the mother that I want to be this
more the mother that I want to be this is technology at its finest and there
is technology at its finest and there
is technology at its finest and there are so many examples of technology that
are so many examples of technology that
are so many examples of technology that give me hope for the future technology
give me hope for the future technology
give me hope for the future technology from water filtration devices that are
from water filtration devices that are
from water filtration devices that are helping to solve the global water crisis
helping to solve the global water crisis
helping to solve the global water crisis to websites that are now helping to
to websites that are now helping to
to websites that are now helping to crowdsource information to help and
crowdsource information to help and
crowdsource information to help and natural disasters and these are just the
natural disasters and these are just the
natural disasters and these are just the beginning there’s so many technologies
beginning there’s so many technologies
beginning there’s so many technologies what’s amazing to me what’s so beautiful
what’s amazing to me what’s so beautiful
what’s amazing to me what’s so beautiful about the digital era is that you don’t
about the digital era is that you don’t
about the digital era is that you don’t have to have an engineering degree to
have to have an engineering degree to
have to have an engineering degree to create the next big advancement you
create the next big advancement you
create the next big advancement you simply have to have an idea and a growth
simply have to have an idea and a growth
simply have to have an idea and a growth mindset towards technology being able
mindset towards technology being able
mindset towards technology being able and willing to collaborate and learn and
and willing to collaborate and learn and
and willing to collaborate and learn and to do something to actually do something
to do something to actually do something
to do something to actually do something with your idea for instance my family
with your idea for instance my family
with your idea for instance my family family friend in Dallas they have a
family friend in Dallas they have a
family friend in Dallas they have a daughter who’s seven years old and she
daughter who’s seven years old and she
daughter who’s seven years old and she was born with something called sim
was born with something called sim
was born with something called sim brachydactyly which means that on one
brachydactyly which means that on one
brachydactyly which means that on one and she was born with nubs instead of
and she was born with nubs instead of
and she was born with nubs instead of fingers never stopped this little girl
fingers never stopped this little girl
fingers never stopped this little girl from doing gymnastics she can do
from doing gymnastics she can do
from doing gymnastics she can do cartwheels and monkey bars with the best
cartwheels and monkey bars with the best
cartwheels and monkey bars with the best of them but until just recently she
of them but until just recently she
of them but until just recently she started to develop some painful blisters
started to develop some painful blisters
started to develop some painful blisters on her wrists from trying to grip the
on her wrists from trying to grip the
on her wrists from trying to grip the monkey bars in unusual ways and so I
monkey bars in unusual ways and so I
monkey bars in unusual ways and so I told her mom about a resource I’d read
told her mom about a resource I’d read
told her mom about a resource I’d read about online called enable and enable is
about online called enable and enable is
about online called enable and enable is an organization it’s a global community
an organization it’s a global community
an organization it’s a global community of volunteers that helps other people
of volunteers that helps other people
of volunteers that helps other people learn how to 3d print prosthetic hands
learn how to 3d print prosthetic hands
learn how to 3d print prosthetic hands from scratch for just $30 you can do it
from scratch for just $30 you can do it
from scratch for just $30 you can do it at home it’s amazing a week later my
at home it’s amazing a week later my
at home it’s amazing a week later my friend calls me and she says Amy you got
friend calls me and she says Amy you got
friend calls me and she says Amy you got to get over here I said okay I’m coming
to get over here I said okay I’m coming
to get over here I said okay I’m coming got to her house and she said my husband
got to her house and she said my husband
got to her house and she said my husband was so inspired by the Enable website he
was so inspired by the Enable website he
was so inspired by the Enable website he spent all weekend in the frisco library
spent all weekend in the frisco library
spent all weekend in the frisco library and he managed to print our daughter a
and he managed to print our daughter a
and he managed to print our daughter a hand and was symbol dit overnight and i
hand and was symbol dit overnight and i
hand and was symbol dit overnight and i got to watch as his daughter put on the
got to watch as his daughter put on the
got to watch as his daughter put on the hand for the first time and grabbed a
hand for the first time and grabbed a
hand for the first time and grabbed a cup with this huge smile on her face
cup with this huge smile on her face
cup with this huge smile on her face this is the story of one technology one
this is the story of one technology one
this is the story of one technology one idea spreading happiness through the use
idea spreading happiness through the use
idea spreading happiness through the use of technology and it was amazing to me
of technology and it was amazing to me
of technology and it was amazing to me it’s the story of how one website led to
it’s the story of how one website led to
it’s the story of how one website led to a global community that inspired a
a global community that inspired a
a global community that inspired a father to go find a 3d printer to build
father to go find a 3d printer to build
father to go find a 3d printer to build a hand for his daughter and it’s a story
a hand for his daughter and it’s a story
a hand for his daughter and it’s a story I share with you today so that we can go
I share with you today so that we can go
I share with you today so that we can go on social media so that people
on social media so that people
on social media so that people understand the importance of looking at
understand the importance of looking at
understand the importance of looking at resources like this so that we can help
resources like this so that we can help
resources like this so that we can help make the world a better place
make the world a better place
make the world a better place because technology is a magnifier and
because technology is a magnifier and
because technology is a magnifier and it’s only as good as the connections
it’s only as good as the connections
it’s only as good as the connections that we make with it we should be
that we make with it we should be
that we make with it we should be shapers of Technology not the other way
shapers of Technology not the other way
shapers of Technology not the other way around because the tank the same
around because the tank the same
around because the tank the same technology that leads to bullying is the
technology that leads to bullying is the
technology that leads to bullying is the same technology that can now lend a
same technology that can now lend a
same technology that can now lend a helping hand for all the frustration and
helping hand for all the frustration and
helping hand for all the frustration and the distractions and the dangers of
the distractions and the dangers of
the distractions and the dangers of technological era let’s not lose sight
technological era let’s not lose sight
technological era let’s not lose sight of where we’re going and where we want
of where we’re going and where we want
of where we’re going and where we want to be going in the future let’s be part
to be going in the future let’s be part
to be going in the future let’s be part of the solution by mindfully choosing to
of the solution by mindfully choosing to
of the solution by mindfully choosing to use technology for its best and highest
use technology for its best and highest
use technology for its best and highest purposes this is the future of happiness
purposes this is the future of happiness
purposes this is the future of happiness and it’s up to us to create it thank you
and it’s up to us to create it thank you
and it’s up to us to create it thank you so much
so much
so much you
you
you [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment