5 tips to discover your full potential | TJ Kostecky | TEDxBard College
In his TEDx talk “Building Bridges by Living Daily with Your Eyes and Heart Open,” educator and soccer coach TJ Kostecky blends personal stories, soccer wisdom, and life philosophy to teach the power of perception, empathy, and intentional action. With lessons drawn from Leo Messi, Brooklyn bodegas, and the Bard Prison Initiative, TJ invites us to widen our lens, believe in others (and ourselves), and create ripple effects of kindness and connection. TJ Kostecky is the lead innovator of Vision Training, a leadership development program that empowers individuals to discover their full potential and form meaningful connections through subtle shifts in perspective. His academic career spans three decades and six universities and has seen him in diverse roles, such as a coach, athletic director, professor, and entrepreneur, each contributing to his unique perspective on leadership. TJ published his self-help book Eyes Up! in 2024. Good Housekeeping released their list of the 26 Best Self-Help books that work, and Eyes UP! was #5. He is currently the Head Men’s Soccer Coach and Co-founder of the Bard Leadership program at Bard College. In 2020, he was inducted into the Ukrainian Sports Hall of Fame. TJ resides in Tivoli, NY, where he enjoys longboarding through the village streets, hiking the Catskill Mountains, and engaging everyone he meets in conversation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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