How the Power of Attention Changes Everything: Jeff Klein (Transcript)

Jeff Klein at TEDxGrandRapids

Full transcript of author Jeff Klein’s talk: How the Power of Attention Changes Everything @ TEDxGrandRapids conference.

Listen to the MP3 Audio: How the power of attention changes everything by Jeff Klein at TEDxGrandRapids

TRANSCRIPT:

Jeff Klein – CEO of Working For Good

Good afternoon. Welcome back. What an awesome day! What an awesome community!

Seven years ago, life was a bit intense for me. I had just become a full-time single dad, no small thing. And I was also deeply immersed in the beginning of what we now call the conscious capitalism movement.

My eight-year-old daughter Merrill Fay and I were living with friends and I was doing my best to juggle it all. One day I was getting ready to run out — run some errands, and I barked, “Merrill Fay, let’s go” and I started moving. And I realized that she wasn’t.

“Merrill Fay, come on, let’s go right now.” And she just stood there like a statue.

“What are you doing? Come on. We’ve got to go now.”

“Dad, if you want me to move, you have to connect with me first.” Swear to God.

Yeah you can imagine how I felt, right.

So I got down on one knee so I could be eye to eye with her. “Oh my gosh, you are so right. I am so sorry. You know, I’m a bit stressed out and overwhelmed. I’ve got so much to do. I really need your support.”