We are living in a society where we are used to taking the stage on social media, but how often do we let ourselves be audience members?
Being a deliberate observer can be stimulating, thought provoking, and challenge behaviours in incredible ways.
Documentaries
We love documentaries. Good ones. A good documentary will allow you to see the world through different perspectives. It will teach you something you didn’t already know (we love personal growth)! Plus, documentaries make us more empathetic towards other humans, towards causes, and towards our planet.
Click here to see our favourite documentaries on The Borden Big List.
Maximize your impact: Screen your favourite doc at your local theatre. Through Tugg, you can organize your own personal screening and they’ll handle the logistics. It’s a great way to spread an impactful message and spend meaningful time with your friends.
TED Talks
TED’s mission is to spread ideas, through short, powerful talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design. Best of all, they’re free! If you’ve never had the pleasure of watching the TED Talks below, we highly recommend:
START WITH WHY — HOW GREAT LEADERS INSPIRE ACTION (Simon Sinek): In 2009, Simon Sinek started a movement to help people become more inspired at work, and in turn inspire their colleagues and customers. This is the third most popular TED video of all time.
THE EMPATHY OF FOOD (Anna Lappe): Organic matters. Period. It isn’t just about you, it’s about ALL of us. Please care. PLEASE. If you haven’t yet seen this Tedx Talk, please watch it, and then share it.
THE POWER OF BELIEVING THAT YOU CAN IMPROVE (Carol Dweck): There is power in believing in your own potential, as Carol Dweck describes in her TED Talk. The Power of Yet is the idea that any one of us is capable of improving, growing, learning, and doing better. In other words, the things that we can’t do, or the things that we don’t understand, are simply things we can’t do… yet, and don’t understand… yet.
EVERYDAY LEADERSHIP (Drew Dudley): Drew’s TED Talk will inspire you to lead through what he calls “Lollipop Moments” in your everyday interactions.
HACKSCHOOLING MAKES ME HAPPY (Logan LaPlante): 13 year-old Logan LaPlante wants to be happy and healthy. In this TEDxTalk, he explains how hacking his education is helping him achieve this goal.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH OUR FOOD SYSTEM (Birke Baehr): We can learn a lot from 11 year-old Birke Baehr, who argues in favour of green and localized food production.
THE TRIBES WE LEAD (Seth Godin): Seth Godin argues the Internet has revived a human social unit from the distant past: tribes. Founded on shared ideas and values, tribes give ordinary people the power to lead and make big change.
Maximize your impact: Don’t forget to spread the ideas that resonate with you online and offline!
People Watch
Okay, so this isn’t something you watch on a screen — but we are firm believers that the best things are happening in real life. Spending time around other people is one of the most important ways we can reconnect with our humanity, and maybe even make new friends.
Maximize your impact: The best thing about being in the field is that you’re right there to make a difference where you can. If you see someone who needs help crossing the street, offer that help. Pick up litter. Hold the door open for someone with a heavy bag. Be present, be generous, and be for others.
When we’re open to learning and tapped in to our surroundings, we can really start to make a difference. Sometimes it pays to be an observer. Just make sure what you learn is put to good use, and never… unknow.
