MATHEW CHILDS’ 9 LIFE LESSONS FROM ROCK CLIMBING: TED TALK #1

 

Matthew Childs' 9 Life Lessons from Rock Climbing- Matthew Childs

Rating: *****

Mathew Childs’ TED talk is simple yet effective as he talks about the nine lessons from rock climbing he has picked up from experience.

Childs’ presentation focuses on how to focus and have a positive outlook whilst rock climbing and also taking into consideration nine rock climbing lessons. The first being, that you shouldn’t let go, this is obvious due to the risks that this action may hold. As much as you need to let go, you should hang in there as you will soon find a place to progress further. The second is that hesitation is bad, as momentum is very helpful whilst climbing. The third one is that you should plan ahead, not in a way that you are constantly worrying about the harder part yet to come but plan each movement accordingly. The fourth lesson is that the move is the end and the fifth being that you should know how to rest. The sixth lesson is that fear sucks and that you should keep focused on what you are doing rather than the risks you are taking. The seventh is that opposites are good and the eight is that strength doesn’t always equal success. The ninth and final lesson that Childs’ mentioned is that you should know how to let go, this applies so that you do not fall and get hurt. These nine lessons apply to both Matthew Childs’ life and rock climbing, and each rule was presented with a picture and the benefits of each rule.

I personally enjoyed this TED talk as the nine rules not only applied to rock climbing but life in general as well. The rules were beneficial and were simple enough to apply to even the least skilled rock climbers. Next time I go rock climbing, I will be sure to apply some of these rules that Childs’ has suggested and recommend this TED talk to any one whom wishes to take up rock climbing.

By Ellen Kinsey

Childs, Matthew. "Matthew Childs' 9 life lessons from rock climbing”, video on TED.com. TED. Web. April 2009, 21 January 2013.

<http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/matthew_childs_9_rules_of_rock_climbing.html>.