Anti-Involution: Redefine Success | Teodora Raicevic | TEDxRDFIS Youth

Teodora opens with a parable about an eagle raised among chickens who eventually learns to fly despite ridicule from his peers. She uses this story to introduce the concept of 'involution' — a term she defines as the exhausting, inward cycle in which people compete with each other for the same narrow goals, pushing themselves to the limit only to stay in place. She argues that society, particularly in high school and career contexts, traps people in this cycle, causing them to forget their own potential.

She then shares her personal background growing up in Serbia's public school system, where she worked extremely hard — staying up until 1–2 a.m. to study while maintaining a rigorous volleyball schedule. Despite earning straight A's, competing in math competitions, and making the senior volleyball team at age 14, she still felt deeply unsatisfied. She realized she had fallen into the trap of comparing herself to others and competing for external validation, which made her own achievements feel meaningless.

To address this, Teodora introduces the psychological concepts of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. She acknowledges that extrinsic motivation — comparing oneself to others or seeking approval — can serve as a useful 'start button' for short-term goals or overcoming inertia. However, she argues it is insufficient for long-term pursuits that require sustained focus and energy. Intrinsic motivation, or drive that comes from within, is what enables people to persist through obstacles.

She illustrates this distinction through her volleyball journey. She initially started playing to emulate popular girls (extrinsic motivation), but over years of practice fell genuinely in love with the sport. This intrinsic love carried her through physical injuries and mental setbacks. She describes volleyball as a sanctuary — a place where external anxieties dissolve and she feels most like herself.

Volleyball also taught her a key life lesson: 'the point is not over until the ball touches the ground,' meaning one should never give up while there is still a chance. She concludes by redefining success not as winning trophies or being the best, but as discovering genuine passion, discipline, and values through the journey itself. She urges the audience to find their own equivalent of volleyball — something that makes them feel happy, accepted, and truly themselves — and to remember that success is not about being the best chicken in the nest, but about remembering you were born to fly.