Ideas worth spreading

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable

9,375,537 views |

Luvvie Ajayi Jones |

TEDWomen 2017

• November 2017

Luvvie Ajayi Jones isn't afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. "Your silence serves no one," says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi Jones shares three questions to ask yourself if you're teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down -- and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Luvvie Ajayi Jones isn't afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. "Your silence serves no one," says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi Jones shares three questions to ask yourself if you're teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down -- and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Listen and subscribe to Luvvie's podcast, Professional Troublemaker.

About the speaker

Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Author, speaker, podcast host

See speaker profile

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, podcast host and sought-after speaker who thrives at the intersection of humor, media and justice.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Anchor, 2014 | Book

This book felt like I was reading a mirror of myself. It’s about a Nigerian girl who moves to the United States, starting a blog that tells the truth, as she sees it, about race in the United States. And her love story, about the complications of emotions. The first time I read this book, it was in one day. Chimamanda is one truthteller I have incredible respect for.

Paolo Coehlo | HarperOne, 1993 | Book

The Alchemist

The idea that "when you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it" is captivating. The optimism in that sentiment is the type of hope we need to know that change, in whatever way, is possible. That our efforts aren't futile. The night before I started writing my own book, I read this one to remind me that I can climb the mountain I was about to embark on.

Toni Morrison | Vintage, 2004 | Book

The main character Sula is a bringer of chaos. She had no boundaries and just brought bad news wherever she was. So people tried to be their best in order to neutralize her foolishness. I see inspiration in the story of Sula, because the people around us who are ridiculous should motivate us to be our best selves, especially in trying times. Our challenge now is to be the best and the biggest fighters. Especially for those on the margins. For those who don't look or live like us. For the poor, the Muslims, the trans community, the differently abled, the gay, the forgotten.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Listen and subscribe to Luvvie's podcast, Professional Troublemaker.