The Application Grind

When people think of a TEDx talk they picture the stage lights, the red circle, and the applause. What they do not see is the grind of the application process.

I applied to a lot of events. And yes, I got rejected. More than a few. By the time I was on my tenth application, they all started to blur together.

Here is what surprised me. About 70% of the questions were the same from one application to another. Each venue had its own twist, but most of the questions repeated.

That is when I realized I needed a system. I kept a running document with my answers. When another application asked the same thing, I could copy, paste, tweak, and move on. It saved hours and kept me sane.

So if you are dreaming of a TEDx talk, remember: the road is not glamorous. It is persistence, organization, and resilience. Every “no” is just getting you closer to the “yes” that matters.

Watch my video capture of the application process of the journey.