16 Most Life-Changing Motivational Speeches & What You’ll Gain from Them

It’s all very well reading about ways to get ahead in life, but no account will ever reach you in quite the same way as hearing someone speak about their own experiences. While these people may be household names now, it wasn’t always that way, and this collection of some of the best motivational speeches will move you and inspire you to make your own dreams come true.

16 Most Life-Changing Motivational Speeches and What You’ll Gain From Them

From Arnold Schwarzenneger talking about how he filled every moment of every day with steps to fulfil his ambition of becoming Mr. Universe, to J.K. Rowling’s life as an impoverished single mother, these speeches will fill you with the drive and determination to reach your full potential, and not let anything stand in your way.

Some are long, and some last just a few minutes, but each one will make you want to grab life with both hands and go for what you want, whatever it is.

motivational speech text in english

“Most people have done all that they’re ever going to do – they raise a family, they earn a living, and then they die.”

That’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Wrong! Life is made for greater things, and you are meant for greater things.

When Les Brown was a child, he was labeled ‘educable mentally retarded’, and until a chance encounter with another teacher, he believed that he would amount to nothing. But this one teacher planted the seeds in Les’ head which would blossom and grow, and eventually make him one of the best motivational speakers of all time.

This speech will give you permission to rise above other people’s opinions, to break free of their prejudices, and make a success of whatever you do. Watch ‘It’s Not Over Until You Win! Your Dream is Possible’ and take those first steps towards following your passion and making your dream come true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f0nIhDpXuU

“Stress doesn’t come from the facts, stress comes from the meaning that we give the facts.”

Life is about choices. Every day we’re faced with hundreds of choices, and this speech by Tony Robbins will help you see that it’s the choices, not the conditions, which shape our lives.

Take a moment during this speech to pause and reflect on some choices you have made in the past, and really think about the direction your life took because of them, both good and bad. Tony Robbins explains in his inimitable way that we have the choice to focus on what we want, and that when we focus, we can achieve whatever we want.

Part of Tony’s speech explains how, when the economy is down, some people thrive and some people crash and burn, and the COVID 19 pandemic is the perfect example. Small businesses took a huge hit, and while some of them threw up their hands in despair and said ‘that’s it, it’s over for us’, others adapted, and saw it as an opportunity to expand, diversify, and turn the situation to their advantage.

And that’s the cornerstone of this video – how we react, how we adapt, and how we choose is the difference between success and failure.

“So every rep that I do gets me closer to accomplishing the goal to make this goal – this vision – into reality.”

Be inspired by Arnold Schwarzenneger as he talks about his goal of becoming Mr. Universe. Never wasting a second of his day, Arnie worked in construction, spent 5 hours in the gym, and went to acting classes, all of which took him further along his journey to making his dream come true.

We all have a propensity to waste time, but if you have a goal, if you have a passion that smolders away, take a leaf out of Arnie’s book and make sure that everything you do propels you forward.

And don’t be afraid to fail.

“Your conviction and your convenience don’t live on the same block.”

If you are a fan of The Secret, you will be familiar with Lisa Nicholls. In this video, Lisa tells Tom Bilyeu how she was willing to leave everything and everyone behind in order to grow into the version of herself that she knew she wanted.

Lisa explains how, as a young mother, she was forced to wrap her baby in a towel for two days because she had no money for diapers, and how it was at that moment that she vowed never to be that broke or that broken again.

Change, success, drive
they’re all inconvenient and disruptive, and Lisa Nicholls demonstrates that wonderfully in this emotional and highly motivating interview in which she declares “your story is not meant to be your fortress, your story is meant to be your fuel.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toQmqLwNtho

Eric Thomas had a dream, a goal, and that goal was to be the best motivational speaker in the world. He didn’t achieve this by giving 70%, or 80%
he didn’t achieve it by staying in bed late in the mornings. He achieved it by giving 100% every minute of every day.

Listen to Eric’s words, hear the passion in his voice, and feel the lessons he is giving to you if you want to be the best at whatever you do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtuHZC-ObA8

“If we don’t take control of our environment, it takes control of us.”

This short piece by Tony Robbins has been designed to show you that you are in control of your own environment. Whether you realize it or not, what goes on around you has a massive influence on the way you feel and the way you act.

By taking leadership of your own life, you can defy outside influences and set your own tone for the day ahead, regardless of whatever or whoever is exerting pressure from the outside.

Follow Tony’s example of taking 10 minutes for yourself at the start of every day – for gratitude, prayer or wishes for family and friends, and a recap of what you want to accomplish that day, and your day will continue on that same path of thankfulness, hope, and goals.

“Your mind doesn’t know the difference between something you vividly imagined and something that’s real, literally!”

If you want to emulate the way successful people behave, take these 10 billionaires’ habits and adopt them yourself for 21 days.

Billed by Jim Kwik as being ‘like a magic pill’, these habits will rewire your brain into thinking and behaving like some of the world’s most successful people.

In this 8 minute clip, Jim shares how, for instance, your brain reacts the same way when you imagine your dog walking in as it does when your dog actually walks in, and this can apply to anything. What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

As much as this applies to positive things, it also can be applied to negative things, so if you imagine failure, that’s what you will get. Fill your mind with thoughts of success and that’s what will happen.

None of these habits are difficult to accomplish, but in doing so you will change your entire mindset into one of a hugely successful person, no matter what you want to achieve in life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fzGPwY40Cw

“Don’t leave crumbs.”

If this sounds more like a housekeeping hint and less like a motivational affirmation, you’re 50% right. Our lives do need housekeeping, and not leaving crumbs – i.e. regrets – which will come back and rob your tomorrow of joy, is one of the chores you need to do on a daily basis.

Matthew McConaughey delivers a powerful speech in a gentle way at the University of Houston Commencement Address.

Discussing the five rules he lives by, he will show you how to avoid falling into a trap of entitlement, and why ‘Unbelievable’ is the stupidest word in the dictionary.

With some invaluable life lessons contained inside a highly watchable speech, Matthew McConaughey is an unlikely but very inspiring speaker who has stayed humble despite all his successes.

“There are a lot of sharks in the world; if you hope to complete the swim, you will have to deal with them. So if you want to change the world, don’t back down from the sharks.”

Spoken with eloquence and quiet assuredness, this six-minute speech draws on US Navy Admiral William McRaven’s experience of survival in the Navy Seals.

He explains how making your bed, while seemingly insignificant and even pointless, will set a series of tasks in motion which will ensure that at best, the first job of the day is done, and at worst, you have a neat, tidy bed to fall into at the end of a trying day.

The world is full of people who want to bring you down (the sharks) but if you stand your ground, they will eventually swim away, leaving you to go on to bigger and better things.

“Sometimes life’s gonna hit you in the face with a brick
don’t lose faith.”

Steve Jobs, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Apple Inc. was hit in the face with more than one brick during his 56 years on earth. From being given up for adoption as a baby, to being fired from the very company which he founded, he never let anything get in his way.

In this commencement speech at Stamford University in 2005, Steve explained how his love for what he did spurred him on to rebuild his life in spectacular fashion.

Life dealt a further blow when, in 2003, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

This speech focuses on three stories which, when combined, show how life offers opportunities for change and growth, no matter how dire the circumstances.

Steve Jobs never graduated college, but when he died in 2011, aged just 56, he had a net worth of US$7 billion. He achieved this by doing what he loved, and in this speech he will inspire you to do the same.

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously than you might as well not have lived at all. In which case, you fail by default.”

Let J. K. Rowling inspire you with this 2008 commencement speech at Harvard University. Extolling the virtues of failure and imagination, she tells the graduates how being at rock bottom set her free to pursue her dreams of being an author.

As poor as it is possible to be without being homeless, she created the world of Harry Potter and went on to amass a fortune of ÂŁ795 million, but that without her failures in life, she would never have had the opportunity to do so.

Let her words become your own mantra, and view every failure in your life as a future success.

“We shine, because baby you just can’t dim the sun.”

A beautiful antidote for anyone who has ever felt or been told that they are ‘too much’, Gina Hatzis’ winning Speaker Slam speech of 2018 will give you permission to be unashamedly you.

Although written by a woman for women, this powerful and sometimes humorous speech about being your own authentic self will inspire anyone – man or woman – to shine and never dim their own light to suit other people.

“The first step you need to take is just that
step.”

If you are in need of a short, sharp burst of motivation, listen to this speech by ex Navy Seal, Jocko Willink.

Running for less than three minutes, this recording will inspire you to take a step into whatever you want to achieve. Awarded both the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for service, Jocko Willink is no stranger to taking those brave steps, having come face to face with Iraqu insurgents in Ramadi. He will spur you on to put one metaphorical foot in front of the other, and will leave you in no doubt as to what you need to do to achieve your goals.

“On the other side of your maximum fear are all of the best things in life.”

If you like your motivation with a side order of laughter, watch Will Smith as he talks about fear. Agreeing to skydive on a night out with friends, Will realizes that he actually has to go through with it.

Discussing how fear ruins things (he couldn’t sleep or eat before the jump), Will also discloses that beyond fear was the most blissful experience of his life, and how that principle can be applied to anything in life.

“Only those that can see the invisible, can do the impossible.”

Tyrese Gibson knows success, and in this speech he talks about how it can be achieved, by anyone who wants it.

Actor, singer, author, model
Tyrese seems to have the Midas touch, but he didn’t get it by luck. Follow his words as he gently but passionately guides you along the path you need to take if you have goals and dreams in life.

“I refuse to be another man who lived and died, and wasn’t significant’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzl3CQXMRVo

“If it is written, so shall it be.”

When Steve Harvey’s teacher crushed his dreams of being on TV, the one person who believed in him was his father. He told him to put a piece of paper with his dreams on in his drawer, and to read it every morning and every night.

His dreams came true.

It didn’t always come easy for Steve Harvey though – he spent years living in his car when he had nowhere else to go, but the one thing he never lost was his ambition and determination to see his dreams through to fruition.

A firm believer in the Law of Attraction, Steve still has vision boards and still commits his dreams to writing, and encourages you to do the same in this speech that made Obama cry.

These motivational speeches, and many more like them, show how having guts, determination, and a vision will get you anywhere you want to go, no matter your beginnings in life. These inspirational speakers have suffered loss, sickness, and unbelievable hardships, but the one thing that got them through was their desire to win and their belief that they could.

Immerse yourself in their words of wisdom, and take that next step into your best life.

More on Motivation

  • 8 Rituals to Cultivating True Self-Motivation That Lasts
  • 10 Monday Morning Habits for a Successful Week
  • Motivational Quotes

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30 Famous and Short Inspirational Speeches (5 minutes or less)

  • December 13, 2023

This post is all about the best short inspirational speeches.

Short Inspirational Speeches.

If you are in need of a quick boost of inspiration and motivation, you will find that in this post. I am one of those people who loves to get motivated. That sounds weird, right?

Well, a lot of people these days tend to give motivation a hard time because they don’t believe that it has lasting effects. In other words, they believe that what’s most important is your own self-discipline, because that’s what you have to rely on when motivation isn’t there.

And while I do agree with that sentiment in general, I will never pass up a great motivational podcast or YouTube video! 😀 There’s just something about them that even if they might not have lasting effects, they do truly help pump me up in the moment to get work done. And that’s usually what matters to me the most when I am looking for them in the first place.

So, here are the very best short motivational speeches so you can get that quick fix of motivation that you’re looking for, and ultimately move closer to your goals and dreams.

Short Inspirational Speeches

Believe in yourself speeches.

If you lack confidence or you are doubting yourself, these short motivational speeches will help you to believe in yourself again.

1. Rocky’s Inspirational Speech to His Son | ROCKY BALBOA

In less than 5 minutes, you’ll watch Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) explain to his son that if he wants to have the life he desires, he needs to believe in himself. He needs to stop listening to the people that tell him who he is, and instead go be his own person, and stop looking for someone to blame when things aren’t working out for him because ultimately it’s on HIM. This is one of the greatest inspirational speeches of all time.

2. Find Your Purpose | David Goggins – Motivational Speech

David Goggins is truly incredible. A former Navy SEAL, he has broken records and ran more races than you’d imagine. But the one thing that really stands out about him is his mindset.

Listen to this video if you want to be great. He tells you exactly what you need to do to get there.

Also, if you’ve never read David Goggins’ book “Can’t Hurt Me” , I highly recommend it. He talks about his rough upbringing, and how he was able to essentially become an entirely new person to become a Navy SEAL.

3. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF – Motivational Video (ft. Jaret Grossman & Eric Thomas)

This video is all about how important it is to have the proper belief system. If you truly believe that you are one of the best, you will start acting that you are one of the best, and eventually you may just be one of the best.

4. DON’T LET YOUR DREAMS DIE – Motivational Speech

This YouTube short by Mel Robbins is so good, I had to share it. A light bulb went on in my head when I first watched this. If there is something that is always on your mind, don’t let it haunt you forever because you never put yourself out there to try it. Go and DO!

Motivational Speeches About Not Giving Up

The following short motivational speeches are all about not giving up on your dreams. If you are losing hope, these short motivational speeches will inspire you to keep going.

5. BrenĂ© Brown It’s Not The Critic Who Counts

This speech will give you chills, and it is packed with great lessons about life. Brené Brown is a researcher who went viral for a Ted Talk, and here she talks about how to overcome critics and to keep believing in yourself no matter what. If you are worried about what people think of you, you NEED to watch this.

6. Amazing Motivational Speech by Denzel Washington 

This is another video that gave me chills. The main theme of this famous speech is “ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship”. Stay consistent even when it’s hard. Easy task after easy task won’t get you to where you want to be.

7. Steve Harvey – Inspirational Speech | Motivational Short Video | Incredible You

This short motivational speech by Steve Harvey is short but impactful. If you are someone who stepped out of your comfort zone to pursue something really difficult, and you’re thinking about giving up, this speech may just prevent you from doing so.

8. Ed Mylett on The Power of One More

Ed Mylett shares the story of how his father stayed sober until his dying day, and how Ed himself uses that same philosophy to never give up. Personal stories like these are always the most inspiring.

By the way, if you REALLY want to push yourself and become the best, read Ed Mylett’s most recent book on this same topic, “The Power Of One More” .

Motivational Speeches If You’re Feeling Behind

Are you feeling behind in life? If so, let’s change that. Watch these videos to be reminded that you are on your own unique path. You have no competition other than your past self. These short motivational videos will help you believe that.

9. Before You Feel Pressure – WATCH THIS | by Jay Shetty

Jay Shetty talks to a school class about how there’s no one “perfect” life timeline to follow, and that we are all on our own clock. 

10. Kevin Hart Motivational Speech

If you’ve made mistakes in your life (haven’t we all) this is a great story from Kevin Hart (famous comedian and actor) that will remind you of the power of making mistakes and pushing through hard times.

11. Oprah Winfrey | 5 Minutes For The NEXT 50 Years of Your LIFE

In this video, Oprah talks about the importance of really knowing who you are and what you want in your life. She talks about surrounding yourself with great people, and how to have enormous success. “Let excellence be your brand.”

Listen To These If You Need Perspective

Sometimes in life, we get so caught up in the day to day that we forget what truly matters – the people we love. If you are having trouble with something in life, give these videos a listen, because they just might help you realize what is really important.

12. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Organize Your Day | 1 MINUTE MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO

Are you the kind of person who always complains that you don’t have enough time to do something? If so, you’re not alone. We are all busy humans, running around doing a million things. But if you aren’t prioritizing what you know you should be doing, listen to this video.

13. How to Judge Your Life Using 3 Simple Questions | Brendon Burchard Speech| Goalcast

Have you ever heard of Mortality Motivation? It’s essentially what it sounds like… being motivated by the impending reality of your death. It sounds a little morbid, but it’s actually quite beautiful and it can be really beneficial if you harness it for good.

In this video by motivational speaker Brendon Burchard, he shares how a car accident when he was 19 gave him mortality motivation and changed everything for him.

14. FALL, SUFFER AND LEARN | MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH BY OPRAH WINFREY

This speech by Oprah was given to Harvard graduates, and it’s a unique speech because she talks about failing, even after the major success of her television show for over 20 years.

It’s refreshing to hear that even the most successful people fail. What really matters, though, is what you do with your failure. Do you learn from it and move on? Or do you give up?

15. YOU VS YOU – Best Motivational Video

This is a pretty intense video about competition. If your #1 competition is someone else, you need to change your perspective. Your only competition is YOU. The only thing preventing you from moving forward is you.

16. The Speech That Brought This Entire School To Tears

This is a speech about a man who never really paid much attention to his mother, until she passed away. It’s an emotional reminder to cherish the time you have with your loved ones, because you never know if the next time you see them will be the last time.

In my opinion, this speaker embodies many qualities of the best motivational speakers because he really knows how to capture the audience’s attention and pull on their heart strings.

17. 5 Minutes to Start Your Day Right! – MORNING MOTIVATION

This motivational speech is by a Navy SEAL who will remind you to start each day with a task completed, respect everyone, take risks, step up during tough times, and never give up. If you do these things, the next generation, and the generations that follow, will live better lives than we live today.

18. The Real You – Jim Carrey

This video is one of the best motivational speech examples because it reminds you of something so important: sometimes we can be so focused on earning more money, gaining fame, and becoming admired that we lose ourselves or we lose sight of what’s really important to us in the process.

Jim Carrey talks about how he is a great example of that. He got all of the money, fame, and admiration, and admits that that wasn’t really who he was. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that money and fame, or even getting to the top of the corporate ladder, while nice, aren’t going to be the thing that brings you fulfillment when it’s all said and done.

19. Ed Mylett Motivational Speech

I posted another motivational video by Ed Mylett above, but if you don’t know much about him, prepare to have your world rocked. He’s probably my absolute favorite motivational speaker because he is successful and he works hard, but he’s also (seemingly) a kind, family guy who’s been through a few things.

In this video, he talks about being “the one” that changed his family tree. Take a listen because I’m sure it’ll get you thinking on whether or not you can be “the one” in YOUR family.

P.S. If you love personal growth content, you should check out Ed Mylett’s podcast . I listen to it every week and it is one of my favorites.

20. If You Feel LOST, LAZY & UNMOTIVATED In Life, WATCH THIS! | Tony Robbins Motivation

If you are someone who is constantly blaming others or your circumstances for your unhappiness, you need to listen to this video by Tony Robbins . Bad things happen to us all, it’s up to you to focus on what you can control.

Great Inspirational Speeches About Hard Work

How hard do you think you work? Could you be doing more? If there’s a little voice inside of your heart that knows you could be doing more and better, these motivational videos about the value of hard work will help you push yourself.

And a side note: your chances of having good luck increase the harder and longer you work.

21. You’re Not Tired, You’re Just Weak – David Goggins Motivation

If you’re feeling lazy or like you don’t want to do something, watch this video til 2:25 . It will give you the push you need to put your head down and do the work. It’ll remind you to keep pursuing your goals and to keep challenging yourself. Key takeaway: push yourself beyond your perceived limits.

22. Hard Work & Patience – A Gary Vaynerchuk Original Film

If you want to be motivated to work hard, listen to Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary Vaynerchuk is a creative genius known for his marketing tactics. This famous motivational speech is all about playing “the long game”, as in, working for a long time and having patience instead of working hard for a short period of time and expecting to win quickly.

23. OBSESSION – Best Motivational Speech

This is one of my favorite short motivational speeches because it makes me feel a little more normal for being “weird”. I’m the kind of person who chooses to work on the weekends instead of hanging out with people. Crazy, right? But it’s because I’m working toward a dream of mine and it’s something that’s really important to me. The most important thing to remember: it’s okay to devote yourself to something. It’s the only way to get what you want in life.

24. WORK LIKE HELL – Best Motivational Video

This is a series of motivational speeches about doing a little bit more and outworking your competition. I’m not going to lie – I’m up late writing this post and listening to this very video is what’s motivating me to keep going.

25. The video EVERY woman should watch!

Whether or not you’re a Rachel Hollis fan may be up for debate (and that’s okay!) but I happen to think she’s a great motivational speaker. This entire speech will inspire you to work hard and take massive action – today.

26. NEVER SURRENDER – Powerful Motivational Speech (by Kobe Bryant)

This one minute video by the late Kobe Bryant is one of the most famous short speeches. I read a book recently by his former personal trainer and I learned that Kobe really outworked everyone. He talks about a quote in this video that really stuck with him, and I think it’s great advice if you’re the kind of person who needs motivation to keep working hard.

Motivational Speeches About Working Smart

Have you ever heard the saying “work smarter, not harder”? That saying is all about ensuring that the work you are doing is actually efficient. Are you getting to where you want to go with all of the work that you are putting in? Are you getting closer to your goals and your dreams? Or are you sprinting like a hamster on a wheel and just running in circles?

Here are great videos on the importance of working hard but also working intentionally.

27. SET SYSTEMS RATHER THAN GOALS – Motivational Speech – James Clear

A goal gives you a sense of direction, but if you don’t spell out precisely how you are going to get to a goal, it is useless. You must develop systems. Listen to this James Clear video to gain valuable life lessons.

By the way, James Clear is an author who wrote perhaps my favorite book of all time: “Atomic Habits” . It’s life-changing if you haven’t read it yet.

28. Matthew McConaughey | 5 Minutes for the NEXT 50 Years of Your LIFE

This is one of the best motivational speeches of all time about how to live a great life for YOU. It’s filled with little pieces of wisdom that’ll really get you thinking about how you live your life and in what direction you want to go.

29. Visualization is the key – Bob Proctor

Do you believe in the Law of Attraction? If not, I have to say I’m surprised! I’ve experienced it in my own life more than once, and it is incredibly powerful. Here’s a great video that sums up the power of visualization, and if you want to learn more about the Law of Attraction or manifestation in general, read this post .

This video shows the true power of words, thoughts, and feelings that you have.

30. How to Stay Motivated – Carla Harris

Here is a YouTube short with very practical advice from Carla Harris on HOW to stay motivated. It’s all about having a vision!

This post was all about short inspirational speeches. Which one was your favorite?

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10 Motivational Speeches That Will Inspire You to Take Action Today

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motivational speeches

Whether you’re looking to increase team productivity or turn your daydreams into a reality, motivation is key. But, in the day-to-day of working life, it’s easy to lose sight of end goals and become distracted. Thankfully, the wise words of entrepreneurs, writers, and fictional characters can offer a reinvigorating perspective. The following motivational speeches may give you the push you need to reach your full potential.

1. Steve Jobs: How to Live Before You Die (2005)

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

In this commencement address, the CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc. shared one of the keys to his success: love. His love for the work he did kept him excited about going to work every day and working toward new goals. Often, there is a big difference between what you want versus what other people want for you . Discovering what you’re passionate about, and working toward it with achievable goals , will lead you to success and satisfaction. This is why it is our staff’s number one pick for motivational speeches that will inspire you to take action today. 

2. Ellie (Jodie Foster) Meets An Alien In  Contact  (1997)

“You’re an interesting species, an interesting mix. You are capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone. Only you’re not. See, in all our searching, the only thing that we’ve found that makes the emptiness bearable… is each other.”

While this Sci-Fi classic might seem removed from reality, it offers uplifting advice for the workplace and beyond. In this scene, Ellie finally makes contact with an alien who offers insight into the human condition and the larger universe. To apply the alien’s words to the workplace, think of the power of teamwork. Establishing a diverse and talented team can improve employee happiness and performance. For example, burnout is a common problem at companies. Sharing the workload,  and knowing you can rely on team members and managers for support, can re-motivate employees. When the going gets tough, it’s a comfort to know you’re not alone. 

3. Timo’s (Rick Gonzales) Answer In Coach Carter (2005)

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

In this scene, Timo, a member of the basketball team central to the movie, responds to the question the coach asks throughout the movie: “What is your greatest fear?” Timo’s words touch on the importance of self-efficacy. By believing in yourself, you can deepen your interest and commitment to a given task, and recover faster from setbacks . If you lead a team or company, others will soon be influenced by your can-do attitude. So, stop fearing your own power and shine.

4. Chris (Will Smith) Gives His Son Advice In the Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

“Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period.”

In a world full of naysayers, it’s easy to become discouraged. In this scene from the heart-warming film, Chris offers his son priceless advice: to pursue his dreams mercilessly, without letting other peoples’ ideas of him get in the way. While this motivational speech is noble and beautiful, you might find it challenging to apply to your own life. Here’s where building a strategic plan — with short- and long-term goals— can make pursuing your dreams concrete. With a clear and concise vision for the future, you can put these words into action.

5. Rosalinde Torres: What it Takes to be a Great Leader

“So what makes a great leader in the 21st century? I’ve met many, and they stand out. They are women and men who are preparing themselves not for the comfortable predictability of yesterday but also for the realities of today and all of those unknown possibilities of tomorrow.”

Rosalinde Torres asserts that exceptional leaders are attuned to the world around them. They pay attention to the latest trends in their field and aren’t afraid to abandon tried and true practices for ones that are the future. Basically, she’s advising the opposite of that popular saying, “Keep your head down.” Because, if you do that, you’ll end up reacting to the future instead of making it. Further, you won’t benefit from a broadened perspective that includes different cultures, industries, and readings. Ask yourself, “When is the last time I looked around me and toward the future?” This is the start of great leadership.

6. John Keating’s (Robin Williams) Motivational Speech About Seizing the Day From Dead Poets Society (1989)

​​” Because you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? – – Carpe – – hear it? – – Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.”

John Keating motivates his students with a simple sentiment— seize the day. It might seem like a clichĂ©, but it’s a useful sentiment for those stuck in careers they don’t like or struggling to achieve their next milestone. Most working people will spend around 8 hours a day at the office; that’s a lot of time to spend on something you dislike. So, if you’re feeling uninspired or sick of your career, take Mr. Keating’s advice and don’t waste any more time. What are your strengths and weaknesses and how can your harness them into a fulfilling career?

7. Jim Carrey: Commencement Motivational Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

“When I was about 28, after a decade as a professional comedian, I realized one night in LA that the purpose of my life had always been to free people from concern, just like my dad. And when I realized this, I dubbed my new devotion the Church of Freedom From Concern, the Church of FFC. And I dedicated myself to that ministry. What’s yours? How will you serve the world? What did they need that your talent can provide? That’s all you have to figure out.”

The comedian’s advice for a successful and rewarding life is simple: find how you want to serve the world, and pursue it. While it may take years of exploring to find your talent, sometimes it can be as simple as stepping back and reflecting on those moments when you felt yourself excelling and having an impact on others. Finding your calling might seem overwhelming, but asking yourself what the world needs that you can provide will surely set things in motion. 

8. Rocky’s (Sylvester Stallone) Motivational Speech to His Son In Rocky Balboa  (2006)

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

Rocky’s motivational speech is all about not letting failure define you. This is good advice, no matter your industry. In 2019, 90% of startups failed . But, many successful business people, including Bill Gates and Walt Disney, failed before they succeeded. So, even if the odds are against your, it doesn’t helo to fixate on the negative. In fact, a positive attitude can improve mental and physical health , which will improve your performance in the workplace.

9. Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation (2009)

“There is a mismatch between what science knows and what business does. Here is what science knows. One: Those 20th century rewards, those motivators we think are a natural part of business, do work, but only in a surprisingly narrow band of circumstances. Two: Those if-then rewards often destroy creativity. Three: The secret to high performance isn’t rewards and punishments, but that unseen intrinsic drive– the drive to do things for their own sake. The drive to do things cause they matter.”

There is an outdated belief that rewards and punishments are vital to improving employee performance. Pink argues that intrinsic drive— doing things because of internal satisfaction as opposed to external factors—is the real secret to high performance. So, whether you’re a manager or a new employee, consider why your work matters. Aside from your salary, what gets you to work every day? If these questions are hard to answer, you might need to incorporate or seek out a more creative approach. Pink gives the example of companies giving employees flexible schedules, where they can use their time as they want to accomplish set tasks. The schedule allows for more creativity and independence, and thus improves employee performance.

10. Coach Tony D’Amato’s (Al Pacino) Motivational Speech In Any Given Sunday (1999)

“I’ll tell you this, in any fight it’s the guy whose willing to die whose gonna win that inch. And I know, if I’m gonna have any life anymore it’s because I’m still willing to fight and die for that inch, because that’s what living is, the six inches in front of your face. Now I can’t make you do it. You’ve got to look at the guy next to you, look into his eyes. Now I think you going to see a guy who will go that inch with you. Your gonna see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows when it comes down to it your gonna do the same for him.”

This emotional scene drives home an important point: There is no “i” in team. Both entrepreneurs and executives who work their way up the corporate ladder know that they won’t achieve success all on their own. Attracting and retaining exceptional team members is the foundation of any lasting business. So, think about the skills you’re looking for in an employee and implement a process that’ll allow you to root out those people who will go the extra inch for you. If you’re not in a leadership position, think about the skills that will make you an invaluable hire. 

The Bottom Line on Motivational Speeches

No matter what industry you’re in, you can harness the wisdom of real and fictional characters to achieve your wildest dreams. So, get out there, explore your interests, make connections, and create a fulfilling career.

Related Readings on Motivation

  • Four Basic Motivations of Employees
  • Extrinsic Motivation in the Office
  • The Value of Intrinsic Motivation on Employees
  • 25 Powerful Leadership Quotes That Will Motivate You

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30 Motivational Speeches To Get You Moving Forward Now

I like building and growing simple yet powerful products for the world and the worldwide web.

Published Date : October 29, 2021

Reading Time :

A sense of purpose in your professional and personal life is critical to success. It is useful advice for an impending deadline, an important presentation, or when clients rely on your performance.

Words can revitalize you on both a physical and emotional level. Motivational speeches may help you focus on your objectives and motivate your team. Having the right words to say the right thing at the right moment can transform and challenge your thinking.

You can use these motivational speeches to stay inspired and fulfilled no matter what life throws at you. These speeches will remind you why you do what you do and how much you enjoy doing it.

How Motivational Speeches Move People

People are propelled ahead by motivation. It rouses individuals from their complacency and opens their eyes to the thrilling possibilities . It is where motivational speeches help people to rise beyond the shackles of their ordinary existence.

Although motivation has a profound and even mystical effect on individuals, it is not as elusive as it first seems. The best motivational speeches are those that provoke thinking and meaning.

What Makes The Best Motivational Speeches

Best motivational speeches all have one thing in common: they’re filled with emotion . Emotions influence our decisions, behaviors, and viewpoints in every area of our lives. Motivational speeches are often filled with: 

  • Anecdotes about overcoming adversity
  • Perseverance
  • Achieving success

Speakers who use emotive topics and talking points that the audience can connect to are more likely to motivate the audience.

Plus, make them believe that they can overcome whatever obstacles stand in their way. The feeling of hope often sparks inspiration.

Success Provide the exciting bends in your life and explain how you overcame these obstacles. Show that your struggles shaped you now.
Happiness It focuses on the positive outlook of your mental and spiritual state. 
Youth Encouraging the younger generation to have a happy or positive perspective in life.

Qualities of Good Motivational Speakers

A few of the most effective motivational speakers share the characteristics listed below.

Tell Great Story Speakers who use storytelling to motivate their audiences do so by sharing unique and relevant tales to the audience.
Confident Speakers’ about what they’re doing or saying may be detected by the audience. 
Self-Aware In terms of motivational speeches about life, a great speaker knows who they are and what they stand for. 
Empathetic Great motivational speakers can put themselves in the shoes of people in their audience, distinguishing quality.
Knowledgeable To become a successful motivational speaker, one must be current and informed in their field. Motivational speakers don’t happen to be around; they must be trained and nurtured.

For more knowledge in delivering a Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">motivational speech , here are some tips:

  • Initiate mobility . Speakers begin with a speech , but concentrating the audience on various elements leads to a specific outcome. 
  • Straight to the point . Speakers convince the audience of their credibility while giving their speeches.
  • Make it interesting . An effective motivational speaker knows that standing before an audience and blathering is never appreciated.

Practice your Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech with Orai. Get feedback on your tone, tempo, Confidence <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:305">In the context of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>confidence</strong> refers to the belief in one's ability to communicate effectively and deliver one's message with clarity and impact. It encompasses various elements, including self-belief, composure, and the ability to manage one's <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:108"><strong>Self-belief:</strong> A strong conviction in your knowledge, skills, and ability to connect with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:95"><strong>Composure:</strong> Maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, even in challenging situations.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:100"><strong>Assertiveness:</strong> Expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, avoiding hesitation or self-doubt.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:104"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Countering negative thoughts with affirmations and focusing on your strengths.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Strong body language:</strong> Using gestures, posture, and eye contact that project confidence and professionalism.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Benefits of Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:99"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Feeling confident helps manage <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and stage fright.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:133"><strong>Engaging delivery:</strong> Confident speakers project their voices, hold eye contact, and connect with their audience more effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:137"><strong>Increased persuasiveness:</strong> A confident presentation inspires belief and motivates your audience to listen and remember your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Greater impact:</strong> Confidently delivered speeches leave a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:112">Overcoming <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>: Many people experience some level of anxiety when speaking publicly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:101"><strong>Imposter syndrome:</strong> Doubting your abilities and qualifications, even when objectively qualified.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:92"><strong>Negative self-talk:</strong> Internalized criticism and limiting beliefs can hamper confidence.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><strong>Past negative experiences:</strong> Unsuccessful presentations or negative feedback can erode confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:24"><strong>Building Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="29:1-36:0"> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:102"><strong>Practice and preparation:</strong> Thoroughly rehearse your speech to feel comfortable with the material.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:101"><strong>Visualization:</strong> Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation with confidence and poise.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:100"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Actively replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your abilities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:106"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:157">Consider a <strong>speaking coach</strong>: Working with a coach can provide personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and confidence barriers.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-34:114"><strong>Start small:</strong> Gradually increase the size and complexity of your speaking engagements as you gain experience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="35:1-36:0"><strong>Focus on progress:</strong> Celebrate small successes and acknowledge your improvement over time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Confidence</strong> in public speaking is a journey, not a destination. By actively practicing, embracing feedback, and focusing on your strengths, you can overcome <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and develop the <strong>confidence</strong> to deliver impactful and memorable presentations.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/confidence/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">confidence , and Conciseness <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:326">In the realm of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>conciseness</strong> refers to the ability to express your message clearly and effectively using the fewest possible words. It's about conveying your ideas precisely, avoiding unnecessary details and rambling while maintaining your message's essence and impact.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:33"><strong>Benefits for Public Speakers:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-11:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:137"><strong>Engaged audience:</strong> A concise speech keeps your audience focused and prevents them from losing interest due to excessive information.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:117"><strong>Increased clarity:</strong> By removing unnecessary clutter, your core message becomes clearer and easier to understand.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:137"><strong>Enhanced credibility:</strong> Concise communication projects professionalism and efficiency, making you appear more confident and prepared.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-11:0"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Knowing you have a clear and concise message can help manage <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong> by minimizing the pressure to fill time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="12:1-12:35"><strong>Challenges for Public Speakers:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="14:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:126"><strong>Striking a balance:</strong> Knowing where to draw the line between conciseness and omitting important information can be tricky.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:115"><strong>Avoiding oversimplification:</strong> Complex topics may require elaboration to ensure clarity and understanding.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Overcoming natural tendencies:</strong> Some speakers naturally use more words than others, requiring a conscious effort to be concise.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:41"><strong>Strategies for Achieving Conciseness:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="20:1-25:0"> <li data-sourcepos="20:1-20:92"><strong>Identify your core message:</strong> What is your audience's main point to remember?</li> <li data-sourcepos="21:1-21:128"><strong>Prioritize and eliminate:</strong> Analyze your content and remove any information not directly supporting your core message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:133"><strong>Use strong verbs and active voice:</strong> This makes your sentences more impactful and avoids passive constructions that can be wordy.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:109"><strong>Simplify your language:</strong> Avoid jargon and technical terms unless they are essential and clearly defined.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-25:0"><strong>Practice and refine:</strong> Rehearse your speech aloud and identify areas where you can tighten your wording or eliminate redundancies.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="26:1-26:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="28:1-31:0"> <li data-sourcepos="28:1-28:93"><strong>Use storytelling:</strong> Engaging narratives can convey complex ideas concisely and memorably.</li> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:110"><strong>Focus on the visuals:</strong> Powerful visuals can support your message without extensive explanation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-31:0"><strong>Embrace silence:</strong> Pausing deliberately can emphasize key points and give your audience time to absorb your message.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="32:1-32:404"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="32:1-32:404"><strong>Conciseness</strong> is a powerful tool for <strong>public speakers</strong>. By eliminating unnecessary words and focusing on your core message, you can create a more engaging, impactful, and memorable presentation for your audience. This can also help manage <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong> by reducing the pressure to fill time and enabling you to focus on delivering your message with clarity and confidence.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/conciseness/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">conciseness .

Motivational Speeches From Universities

Motivational speeches from well-known people are given during graduation each year to encourage students.

Here are the best motivational speeches during the commencement exercises of different universities:

1. Denzel Washington – University of Pennsylvania

Denzel Washington’s Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">motivational speech discusses the importance of taking chances in life and how. It is among the finest motivational speeches that are valid for business owners. He stated that when you fail, you should fall forward to his graduation address. Also, he encourages people to embrace failure and grow from it. 

2. Steve Jobs – Stanford University

Definitely among the finest motivational speeches ever! His Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">motivational speech discussed life’s setbacks, such as death, and how understanding death may help people make better life decisions. His comments to the graduating class on the value of learning and pursuing goals were the most valuable advice he could give them.

3. Jim Carrey – Maharishi University

At Maharishi University in Iowa, actor and comedian Jim Carrey delivered one of the most original graduation addresses ever. His takeaway from his Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">motivational speech is: Never give up on your goals and never give up on yourself. Indeed, it is one of the best motivational speeches.

4. J.K. Rowling – Harvard University

Several publishers rejected J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series before it was finally accepted, as is well known. However, before she became successful, she was in a desperate position and was about to become bankrupt. In her Harvard address, she stressed the importance of not being afraid of failure and persisting in adversity.

5. Matthew McConaughey – University of Houston

Next on our list is Matthew McConaughey’s Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">motivational speech . His Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech has various excellent ideas. But, the one that stood out was when he said we should approach happiness constantly.

Ultimately, he discovered that everything came into place when he approached things step by step. After everything was said and done, Matthew McConaughey gave one of the best motivational speeches in recent years.

6. Michelle Obama – Eastern Kentucky University

Michelle Obama delivered a commencement Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech to the Eastern Kentucky University class in 2013. She urged them to keep challenging their assumptions and find a way to make their flaws work for them. Her Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech focused on giving the students motivation about life. 

When it comes to defining moments in your life, it won’t be when you receive a promotion or have a breakthrough in your career.

7. Peter Dinklage – Bennington College

Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage is well-known for portraying Tyrion Lannister in the show. He delivered the Bennington College graduating Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech in 2012. His message to the graduating class focused on perseverance and doing everything it takes to succeed. 

8. John Roberts – Cardigan Mountain School

US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts addressed his son’s graduating high school class in 2017. It’s not good luck; he wishes the grads in his address. He expresses his want for kids to experience loneliness, failure, and defeat from time to time. 

9. Natalie Portman – Harvard University

Actress Natalie Portman addressed Harvard University’s 2015 graduating class during their graduation ceremony. She uses wide brushstrokes from all periods of her life to build a picture in her compelling Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech . Also, she claims to have discovered that taking measured risks may result in life-altering benefits, as she has done it herself.

10. Meryl Streep – Barnard College

Meryl Streep is most recognized as a 16-time nominee and 2-time winner at the Academy Awards. While at Barnard College, she made a memorable graduating address in 2010 that inspired the audience. However, in her address, she emphasized the importance of her relationships with family and friends. 

Become an excellent speaker with the perfect Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">Motivational speech .

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Motivational Speeches From Ted Talk

Reaffirming your Confidence <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:305">In the context of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>confidence</strong> refers to the belief in one's ability to communicate effectively and deliver one's message with clarity and impact. It encompasses various elements, including self-belief, composure, and the ability to manage one's <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:108"><strong>Self-belief:</strong> A strong conviction in your knowledge, skills, and ability to connect with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:95"><strong>Composure:</strong> Maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, even in challenging situations.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:100"><strong>Assertiveness:</strong> Expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, avoiding hesitation or self-doubt.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:104"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Countering negative thoughts with affirmations and focusing on your strengths.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Strong body language:</strong> Using gestures, posture, and eye contact that project confidence and professionalism.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Benefits of Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:99"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Feeling confident helps manage <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and stage fright.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:133"><strong>Engaging delivery:</strong> Confident speakers project their voices, hold eye contact, and connect with their audience more effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:137"><strong>Increased persuasiveness:</strong> A confident presentation inspires belief and motivates your audience to listen and remember your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Greater impact:</strong> Confidently delivered speeches leave a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:112">Overcoming <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>: Many people experience some level of anxiety when speaking publicly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:101"><strong>Imposter syndrome:</strong> Doubting your abilities and qualifications, even when objectively qualified.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:92"><strong>Negative self-talk:</strong> Internalized criticism and limiting beliefs can hamper confidence.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><strong>Past negative experiences:</strong> Unsuccessful presentations or negative feedback can erode confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:24"><strong>Building Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="29:1-36:0"> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:102"><strong>Practice and preparation:</strong> Thoroughly rehearse your speech to feel comfortable with the material.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:101"><strong>Visualization:</strong> Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation with confidence and poise.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:100"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Actively replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your abilities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:106"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:157">Consider a <strong>speaking coach</strong>: Working with a coach can provide personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and confidence barriers.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-34:114"><strong>Start small:</strong> Gradually increase the size and complexity of your speaking engagements as you gain experience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="35:1-36:0"><strong>Focus on progress:</strong> Celebrate small successes and acknowledge your improvement over time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Confidence</strong> in public speaking is a journey, not a destination. By actively practicing, embracing feedback, and focusing on your strengths, you can overcome <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and develop the <strong>confidence</strong> to deliver impactful and memorable presentations.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/confidence/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">confidence in humanity is one of the most powerful benefits of listening to motivational speeches. Next time you need a little additional energy, have this list handy.

1. Elizabeth Gilbert

Famous author and TED speaker Elizabeth Gilbert spoke about how we all have a “genius” that we may unleash. She is the author of the best-selling book Eat, Pray, Love. Gilbert’s Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">motivational speech emphasized the importance of not being intimidated or scared of success. 

2. Tony Robbins

One of the most well-known motivational speakers today is Tony Robbins. This TED lecture, in particular, profoundly affects the listener. It addresses two major issues in its title, “Why We Do What We Do.”

We learn about ourselves and others by asking these kinds of inquiries. What should you remember? You are the only person who can decide whether or not you succeed.

3. Richard St. John

Next on our list of motivational speeches is Richard St. John’s TED Talk from 2005, given by the author, marketer, and analyst. St. John’s address, which was based on his book “8 To Be Great,” gets to the point in a manner that most speeches don’t

The remainder of St. John’s discourse quickly transitions from one intriguing topic to the next without wasting time or words. There are also a few well-placed jokes in there. As a result, even though he covers a lot of subjects, his audience retains what he says.

4. Dan Pink

As a writer, Dan Pink’s reputation is supported by many “legs,” such as his writings and accolades. Also, in the late 1990s, he was the primary speechwriter for former US Vice President Al Gore.

Pink’s TED Talk is a role model for everyone who wants to convert a dull subject into motivating. He started his Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech by examining how most economists see performance, stating, “If you want people to perform better, you reward them. Right? That’s how business works.”

5. Mel Robbins

Regarding speakers, Mel Robbins has a solid reputation for taking a direct and honest stance on even the most emotional subjects. Due to this, she’s not scared to speak her mind regarding difficult issues. She only chooses a person from her audience to underscore her Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech ’s enormous chances of being born.

6. Simon Sinek

First seen in his 2009 TED Talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” Simon Sinek is a best-selling author. Sinek proves he’s not just switching from one stereotyped issue to another. In addition, he encourages audiences to let go of their preconceived notions about the subject to approach it with a fresh perspective.

7. Tali Sharot

Dr. Tali Sharot is dedicated to helping people realize their personal and professional dreams. She works to increase awareness of the impact of emotions on our decisions and behavior. In this TED talk, she talks about how to motivate yourself to change your behavior.

8. Brene Brown

Brene Brown, a Texan with a penchant for ranting and raving, is an authority on shame and vulnerability. A key focus of Brown’s research is human connection. Over 16 million people have seen her motivational TED presentation in which she offers a profound discovery from her studies. It launched her on a personal mission to understand both herself and humankind.

9. Malcolm Gladwell

It wouldn’t be a list of motivational speeches without Malcolm Gladwell’s inclusion. Gladwell tells the tale of a guy who refused to believe in the existence of a ‘perfect’ spaghetti sauce. It contains important insights for executives who want to create work environments where their employees are pleased.

10. Sam Berns

It is one of the best motivational speeches you’ll ever see. A 17-year-old Sam became a public face for Progeria, a hereditary disorder with the evocative moniker aging sickness. While some claimed Sam would never transcend the constraints others had placed on him, he refused to let his illness define him.

He led the life he wanted, ignoring his disease and the things that set him apart in favor of his goals. It’s a remarkable heirloom left by a unique young man.

Best Motivational Speeches From Movies

While narrative and actors are important in movies, speeches leave an impression on audiences. So, here are the best motivational speeches from movies to help you out:

1. Any Given Sunday

To prepare for a rough day, hear this inspiring lecture from a well-known motivational speaker. It focuses on the importance of inches in American Football, even though we prefer to disregard them. He speaks about how his team may gain an inch on their competition by focusing on the little details of winning.

Irrespective of whether or not you saw the film, it provided cinemagoers with one of the most motivational speeches ever. You don’t have to yell or curse a lot. Depending on your personality, it may cause you to enter what we refer to as “the zone.” Speeches in earlier films have included theatrical components; this one does not.

3. Hoosiers

Even though we’re still in college, we’ve already gained enough life experience to realize that working hard doesn’t guarantee a W. Even if we give it our all, dozing off in the library at 3 a.m. on top of our books, that doesn’t guarantee an A. Isn’t it enough if you’re giving it your all?

4. Friday Night Lights

Is it possible for you to speak the truth to your friends while looking them in the eye? That you put out all of your efforts? In this film, Coach Gaines says that if you can accomplish it with love in your heart, you’ve achieved perfection. His message inspires honesty, camaraderie, and love among his team members in this scenario.

5. Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa reminds his kid that life isn’t fair in this scene since he is a father figure in the Rocky franchise. It is like boxing in that how hard you punch back is immaterial. According to him, what matters is how much you can absorb and how quickly you can advance.

6. The Pursuit of Happiness

It’s worth mentioning that the whole picture is moving since it depicts father-son relationships. In this Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech , a father instructs his kid never to give up on his dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem to others. If someone tells you you can’t attain your objectives, don’t believe them.

7. Wolf of Wall Street

The main hero’s Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech in Wolf of Wall Street is encouraging because it takes achievement into account. Seeing examples of people who rose from poverty to riches might encourage others to take risks when an opportunity arises. Since his Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech , having a decent standard of life has become more important.

8. Braveheart

In this scene, William Wallace gives a Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech on the importance of freedom to a human being. For him, independence trumps the monotony of everyday existence. The Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech can motivate listeners to take action instead of just producing food.

9. The Shawshank Redemption

Motivational speeches like this one demonstrate Confidence <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:305">In the context of <strong>public speaking</strong>, <strong>confidence</strong> refers to the belief in one's ability to communicate effectively and deliver one's message with clarity and impact. It encompasses various elements, including self-belief, composure, and the ability to manage one's <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:16"><strong>Key Aspects:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:108"><strong>Self-belief:</strong> A strong conviction in your knowledge, skills, and ability to connect with your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:95"><strong>Composure:</strong> Maintaining calmness and poise under pressure, even in challenging situations.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:100"><strong>Assertiveness:</strong> Expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, avoiding hesitation or self-doubt.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:104"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Countering negative thoughts with affirmations and focusing on your strengths.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Strong body language:</strong> Using gestures, posture, and eye contact that project confidence and professionalism.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:27"><strong>Benefits of Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-19:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:99"><strong>Reduced anxiety:</strong> Feeling confident helps manage <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and stage fright.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:133"><strong>Engaging delivery:</strong> Confident speakers project their voices, hold eye contact, and connect with their audience more effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:137"><strong>Increased persuasiveness:</strong> A confident presentation inspires belief and motivates your audience to listen and remember your message.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-19:0"><strong>Greater impact:</strong> Confidently delivered speeches leave a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:15"><strong>Challenges:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="22:1-26:0"> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:112">Overcoming <strong>fear of public speaking</strong>: Many people experience some level of anxiety when speaking publicly.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:101"><strong>Imposter syndrome:</strong> Doubting your abilities and qualifications, even when objectively qualified.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:92"><strong>Negative self-talk:</strong> Internalized criticism and limiting beliefs can hamper confidence.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-26:0"><strong>Past negative experiences:</strong> Unsuccessful presentations or negative feedback can erode confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="27:1-27:24"><strong>Building Confidence:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="29:1-36:0"> <li data-sourcepos="29:1-29:102"><strong>Practice and preparation:</strong> Thoroughly rehearse your speech to feel comfortable with the material.</li> <li data-sourcepos="30:1-30:101"><strong>Visualization:</strong> Imagine yourself delivering a successful presentation with confidence and poise.</li> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:100"><strong>Positive self-talk:</strong> Actively replace negative thoughts with affirmations about your abilities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:106"><strong>Seek feedback:</strong> Ask trusted individuals for constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:157">Consider a <strong>speaking coach</strong>: Working with a coach can provide personalized guidance and support to address specific challenges and confidence barriers.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-34:114"><strong>Start small:</strong> Gradually increase the size and complexity of your speaking engagements as you gain experience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="35:1-36:0"><strong>Focus on progress:</strong> Celebrate small successes and acknowledge your improvement over time.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="37:1-37:282"><strong>Confidence</strong> in public speaking is a journey, not a destination. By actively practicing, embracing feedback, and focusing on your strengths, you can overcome <strong>fear of public speaking</strong> and develop the <strong>confidence</strong> to deliver impactful and memorable presentations.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/confidence/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">confidence in an optimistic future. You can still use it, even if you have to put in a lot of work to get there while another guy gives up. It would help if you always had an optimistic outlook on life’s prospects.

10. Independence Day

In this film, the president discusses the importance of humanism and goodwill among all countries. His message is motivational because he discusses uniting against common adversaries and preserving lives. If you’re considering international relations, this Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech is a gold mine.

What event did Greta Thunberg speak at in 2019, and what was the focus of her speech?

In 2019, Greta Thunberg delivered a Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. The focus of her powerful address was to criticize world leaders for their inadequate actions toward addressing and combating climate change. Thunberg traveled by sailboat to the summit and accused these leaders of failing to take tangible steps to combat the global climate crisis.

Who is Greta Thunberg, and what is she known for?

Greta Thunberg is a prominent figure in the realm of environmental activism, hailing from Sweden. At the tender age of 20, she has gained international recognition for fearlessly challenging global leaders to address the urgent need for measures to counter the impacts of climate change. Thunberg’s passionate advocacy work centers around raising awareness about the climate crisis and urging policymakers to take concrete actions to combat it. Her inspiring efforts have made her synonymous with the fight against climate change on a global scale.

What insights were found through the analysis of Oprah Winfrey’s motivational speech?

Oprah Winfrey delivered a Motivational speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:374">A <strong>motivational speech</strong> aims to inspire, encourage, and energize an audience. It ignites their passion, sparks action, and instills a sense of belief in themselves and their ability to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool used in <strong>professional speaking</strong> to boost morale, drive performance, and foster a positive and collaborative environment.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:17"><strong>Key Elements:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-12:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:145"><strong>Compelling vision:</strong> Articulate a clear and inspiring vision for the future, outlining goals and aspirations that resonate with the audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:140"><strong>Empathy and understanding:</strong> Acknowledge challenges and obstacles, demonstrating empathy and connection with the audience's experiences.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:134"><strong>Empowering message:</strong> Focus on empowering the audience, emphasizing their strengths, potential, and ability to overcome obstacles.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-10:170"><strong>Storytelling and anecdotes:</strong> Integrate relatable stories, personal experiences, or inspiring examples to illustrate points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="11:1-12:0"><strong>Call to action:</strong> Provide a clear and actionable call to action, motivating the audience to take specific steps towards achieving their goals.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:38"><strong>Benefits of Motivational Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="15:1-20:0"> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:116"><strong>Boosts morale and motivation:</strong> Inspires individuals to strive for their full potential and overcome challenges.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:142"><strong>Promotes teamwork and collaboration:</strong> Fosters a shared purpose and encourages individuals to work together towards common goals.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-17:118"><strong>Enhances confidence and self-belief:</strong> Empowers individuals to believe in themselves and their ability to succeed.</li> <li data-sourcepos="18:1-18:121"><strong>Increases creativity and innovation:</strong> Inspires individuals to think outside the box and pursue innovative solutions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="19:1-20:0"><strong>Drives positive change:</strong> Motivates individuals to take action and contribute to positive change in their personal and professional lives.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="21:1-21:46"><strong>Developing a Powerful Motivational Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="23:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:96"><strong>Define your purpose:</strong> Identify the desired outcome you want your speech to achieve.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:119"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Understand their motivations, challenges, and aspirations to tailor your message effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:134"><strong>Focus on storytelling:</strong> Use compelling stories and anecdotes to illustrate your points and connect with the audience emotionally.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:170"><strong>Practice and rehearse:</strong> Hone your delivery to refine timing, vocal variety, and stage presence. Consider using <strong>public speaking tips</strong> to enhance your presentation.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Deliver with passion and authenticity:</strong> Inject your enthusiasm and genuine belief in your message to inspire the audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:20"><strong>Additional Tips:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:123"><strong>Use humor strategically:</strong> Use humor appropriately to lighten the mood and connect with the audience on a deeper level.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:121"><strong>Embrace your personality:</strong> Let your unique personality shine through to create a genuine and captivating connection.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:121"><strong>End with a memorable closing:</strong> Leave the audience with a powerful quote, inspiring call to action, or lasting image.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Seek </strong>feedback from trusted colleagues or advisors to refine your speech and delivery.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="36:1-36:371">A well-crafted and delivered <strong>motivational speech</strong> can be a transformative experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the key elements, focusing on your audience, and honing your <strong>professional speaking</strong> skills, you can deliver speeches that ignite passion, inspire action, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/motivational-speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">motivational speech without using any filler words, speaking at a conversational pace and maintaining positive Body Language <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:307">In <strong>public speaking</strong>, body language refers to the non-verbal communication cues you give with your body, including posture, facial expressions, gestures, and eye contact. These elements play a crucial role in conveying your message, enhancing its impact, and connecting with your audience.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:34"><strong>Importance in Public Speaking:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-11:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:136"><strong>Complementing your words:</strong> Body language reinforces your spoken message, emphasizing key points and conveying emotions effectively.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:157"><strong>Building credibility:</strong> Confident and positive body language projects professionalism and sincerity, making you appear more trustworthy to your audience.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-9:142"><strong>Engaging your audience:</strong> Dynamic and intentional body language keeps them engaged, prevents monotony, and sparks interest.</li> <li data-sourcepos="10:1-11:0"><strong>Projecting confidence:</strong> Confident body language can help overcome nerves and stage fright, making you appear more relaxed and in control.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="12:1-12:33"><strong>Key Aspects of Body Language:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="14:1-18:0"> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:96"><strong>Posture:</strong> Stand tall with your shoulders back and relaxed, avoiding slouching or fidgeting.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:124"><strong>Facial expressions:</strong> Smile genuinely, express appropriate emotions with your face, and avoid frowning or looking bored.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-16:119"><strong>Gestures:</strong> Use natural and purposeful gestures to emphasize your points, but avoid excessive or nervous movements.</li> <li data-sourcepos="17:1-18:0"><strong>Eye contact:</strong> Make consistent eye contact with different audience members, conveying genuine connection and confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="19:1-19:22"><strong>Mastering the Art:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="21:1-25:0"> <li data-sourcepos="21:1-21:122"><strong>Observe effective speakers:</strong> Pay attention to how successful speakers use body language and analyze their techniques.</li> <li data-sourcepos="22:1-22:144"><strong>Practice in front of a mirror:</strong> Record yourself or practice in front of a trusted friend to assess your body language and make adjustments.</li> <li data-sourcepos="23:1-23:151"><strong>Take a public speaking class:</strong> Many classes incorporate dedicated sessions on body language, providing expert feedback and practice opportunities.</li> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-25:0"><strong>Be mindful and intentional:</strong> Focus on using your body language consciously and strategically to support your message and connect with your audience.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="26:1-26:349">Effective body language is not about rigid positions or forced gestures. It's about finding a natural and authentic way to use your body to support your spoken message and engage your audience. By mastering this crucial aspect of <strong>the art of public speaking</strong>, you can significantly enhance your impact and leave a lasting impression.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/body-language/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">body language . Her Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech delivery was effective and can be an example for aspiring speakers. Yoodli is a tool that can help individuals improve their Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech patterns and English proficiency.

What is the title and significance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech 1963?

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech , delivered in 1963 at the height of the civil rights movement, remains iconic. Standing at the Lincoln Memorial, he addressed a massive crowd with a message of hope, equality, and justice. The Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech ’s enduring power lies in its call to judge individuals by character, not skin color, inspiring generations to dream of a more just future.

Who gave the Nobel Peace Prize Lecture in 2014, and what was the content of the speech?

Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani champion for female education, delivered a powerful Nobel Peace Prize Speech <p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:271">A form of communication involving spoken language, it is used to express ideas, share information, tell stories, persuade, or entertain. Public speaking is a powerful tool used in diverse contexts, ranging from casual conversations to formal presentations.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="5:1-5:27"><strong>Components of a Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="7:1-10:0"> <li data-sourcepos="7:1-7:73"><strong>Content:</strong> The information, message, or story conveyed through words.</li> <li data-sourcepos="8:1-8:106"><strong>Delivery:</strong> The vocal and physical presentation, including clarity, volume, gestures, and eye contact.</li> <li data-sourcepos="9:1-10:0"><strong>Structure:</strong> The organization of the content, typically following an introduction, body, and conclusion.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="11:1-11:21"><strong>Speech in Action:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="13:1-17:0"> <li data-sourcepos="13:1-13:88"><strong>Informing:</strong> Sharing knowledge and facts, educating an audience on a specific topic.</li> <li data-sourcepos="14:1-14:119"><strong>Persuading:</strong> Advocating for a particular viewpoint, using arguments and evidence to influence thoughts or actions.</li> <li data-sourcepos="15:1-15:93"><strong>Motivating:</strong> Inspiring and energizing an audience, fostering action and positive change.</li> <li data-sourcepos="16:1-17:0"><strong>Entertaining:</strong> Engaging and delighting an audience through humor, storytelling, or creative language.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="18:1-18:32"><strong>Public Speaking and Anxiety:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="20:1-20:227">Many people experience <strong>public speaking anxiety</strong>, a fear of speaking in front of an audience. While it's common, effective preparation, practice, and breathing techniques can significantly reduce anxiety and improve delivery.</p><br /><h2 data-sourcepos="22:1-22:32"><strong>Different Types of Speeches:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="24:1-28:0"> <li data-sourcepos="24:1-24:81"><strong>Informative speech:</strong> Focuses on conveying information clearly and concisely.</li> <li data-sourcepos="25:1-25:102"><strong>Persuasive speech:</strong> Aims to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action.</li> <li data-sourcepos="26:1-26:99"><strong>Motivational speech:</strong> Inspires and energizes the audience, building enthusiasm and commitment.</li> <li data-sourcepos="27:1-28:0"><strong>Entertaining speech:</strong> Aim to amuse and delight the audience, often using humor, storytelling, or anecdotes.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="29:1-29:33"><strong>Crafting a Compelling Speech:</strong></h2> <ul data-sourcepos="31:1-35:0"> <li data-sourcepos="31:1-31:106"><strong>Know your audience:</strong> Tailor your content and delivery to their interests, needs, and prior knowledge.</li> <li data-sourcepos="32:1-32:107"><strong>Have a clear message:</strong> Identify the main point you want to convey and structure your speech around it.</li> <li data-sourcepos="33:1-33:111"><strong>Engage your audience:</strong> Use varied vocal techniques, storytelling, and visual aids to keep them interested.</li> <li data-sourcepos="34:1-35:0"><strong>Practice, practice, practice:</strong> Rehearse your speech out loud to refine your delivery and build confidence.</li> </ul> <h2 data-sourcepos="36:1-36:13"><strong>Remember:</strong></h2> <p data-sourcepos="38:1-38:281">Speech is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and influence. By understanding its elements, addressing potential anxieties, and tailoring your delivery to different contexts, you can harness the power of speech to achieve your intended goals and captivate your audience.</p> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/speech/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">speech in 2014. Despite facing threats and violence, she expressed unwavering commitment to her cause, highlighting education’s role in achieving peace and leaving a lasting impact on the world.

What did Janelle MonĂĄe discuss in her 2018 Trailblazer Award acceptance speech?

Janelle Monáe, a trailblazer, urged pushing boundaries and exploring oneself to create inclusive spaces. She highlighted self-discovery’s challenges and rewards, emphasizing authenticity’s power in empowering others.

Who is Janelle MonĂĄe, and what awards has she received?

Janelle MonĂĄe is a multi-talented pop artist who proudly identifies as queer and Black. Known for her powerful voice and dynamic performances, she has garnered recognition for her artistic contributions across various award ceremonies. Some of the awards and nominations she has received come from distinguished organizations such as BET, Billboard Music, ASCAP, and AICE. These accolades celebrate her exceptional talent and artistic achievements in the music industry.

Parting Words

That concludes our selection of the best motivational speeches to get you through the tough times ahead! Let’s take a look at some of the common themes that appear in all of these talks.

  • It’s critical that you like your work.
  • Even if you fail, that’s not the end of the world.
  • It would be better if you aspired to it.

Now, consider the topics that will motivate your listeners to pay attention to your words. You may also use the Orai App to help you enhance your Public Speaking <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Public speaking refers to any live presentation or speech. It can cover a variety of topics on various fields and careers (you can find out more about public speaking careers here: https://orai.com/blog/public-speaking-careers/.  Public speaking can inform, entertain, or educate an audience and sometimes has visual aids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><br /><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Public speaking is done live, so the speakers need to consider certain factors to deliver a successful speech. No matter how good the speech is, if the audience doesn't connect with the speaker, then it may fall flat. Therefore, speakers have to use a lot more nonverbal communication techniques to deliver their message. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><br /><!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Tips for public speaking</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --><br /><!-- wp:list --> <ul> <li>Have a sense of humor.</li> <li>Tell personal stories that relate to the speech you're giving.</li> <li>Dress appropriately for the event. Formal and business casual outfits work best.</li> <li>Project a confident and expressive voice.</li> <li>Always try to use simple language that everyone can understand.</li> <li>Stick to the time given to you.</li> <li>Maintain eye contact with members of your audience and try to connect with them.</li> </ul> <!-- /wp:list --> " href="https://orai.com/glossary/public-speaking/" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex="0" role="link">public speaking skills and capture your audience’s attention. Furthermore, take advantage of the free trial offer and start immediately.

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10 Famous Motivational Speeches You Need to Hear

  • Carolyn Manion Kinnie
  • April 1, 2024

Table of Contents

At The Speaker Lab, we’re dedicated to helping you launch and scale your speaking business. Since we’re dedicated to helping speaking professionals succeed, it stands to reason that we have a few favorite examples of our own! Today, we want to share some of the motivational speeches that our team thinks are most worth the listen. While you can find hundreds of inspirational talks on the internet, we think there’s something really special about these ten talks. Whether you want to be a speaker yourself or just need a mood boost, each of these examples is sure to leave you ample fuel for motivation and reflection! 

Topics of the speeches we cover today range from psychology and relationships, to goal-setting and growth, to effective leadership, to personal stories that carry weighty lessons. For each speech, we’ll include some insights into what really sets these talks apart. We also highly recommend setting some time aside to give each on its own and form your own opinions! Let’s dive into some of these amazing motivational speeches so you can see (or hear!) for yourself why we love them so much. 

1. Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability

We’re going to start with almost a too-obvious choice. You will see BrenĂ© Brown’s name pop up on just about any  list of important motivational speeches. And with good reason! This 2011 TED talk isn’t just one of the most-watched TED talks of all time. It’s an incredible investigation into the roles that connection, shame and vulnerability play in human relationships. It’s also an eye-opening exploration into why we all tend to shrink from vulnerability and what could happen if we flipped the script. And from a purely public speaking standpoint, it’s a great display of Brown’s wit and charisma. If you struggle with vulnerability in your own life or are trying to understand why a loved one keeps shutting you out, Brown’s short but impactful talk might have some answers for you. 

We covered this motivational speech in our recent article about pathos because Brown is a master of emotional connection. She backs up her argument with ample academic research, but connects her message to real, relatable experiences throughout. As she narrates her own experiences in a therapist’s office, she invites the audience to walk through those experiences with her. Making psychological research accessible to the masses is no easy feat, but Brown manages to do it with storytelling and humor. Her greatest lesson, perhaps, comes in how vulnerability can teach how to treat ourselves kindly.

“Our job is to look and say, “You know what? You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”

2. Simon Sinek: “How great leaders inspire action”

Simon Sinek is a world-renowned author and speaker with an incredible knack for delivering profound and easily intelligible advice on leadership, business, and success. He has written several books and delivered many motivational speeches. His TED talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” which grew out of his first book, is perhaps the most well-known. Similarly to Brown’s speech, we think no list of the best motivational speeches would be complete without it. In short, it’s an analysis of how people like Steve Jobs and Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers managed to accomplish amazing, unheard of things. Sinek theorizes that there is a unique way that great leaders communicate, and that’s how they get things done. 

If you’re a leader but don’t understand why your marketing and sales fall flat, or if you long to start a company but don’t know how to tap into what makes people excited about a business, Sinek has wisdom to share for you. His speech is for you if you’ll ever be in a leadership position or struggle to pinpoint your professional mission. And if you’re curious about why people trust certain political leaders and not others, you’ll want to listen to this speech. Sinek is a master of words and he distills a lot of fascinating information into simple stories and lessons about innovation and leadership. Give this one a listen to get fired up about what you believe and how you can make an impact with those beliefs. 

“ People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. The goal is not to do business with everybody who needs what you have. The goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe.

3. Steve Jobs: Stanford Commencement speech  

Commencement addresses can be hit or miss. Sometimes they fill graduating seniors with energy and inspiration for the life ahead, other times they get a few laughs and more than a few yawns. Even celebrities and business leaders aren’t always up to the task of sending young adults off into the world. But in 2005 at Stanford University, Steve Jobs not only rose to the task, but outstripped expectations by delivering an iconic motivational speech that today is the most-watched commencement speech on YouTube. 

If you’ve been around The Speaker Lab for a while, you know we’re big fans of storytelling . Steve Jobs illustrates our favorite speaking strategy by structuring his remarks as three stories. The first: his experience as a college dropout and how it paved the path to his future. The second: his expulsion from Apple that allowed him to found Pixar and meet his wife, among other endeavors. And finally: his first brush with cancer and the second chance at life he was provided. While the last story rings differently in light of Jobs’s death in 2011, the wisdom he draws from the twists and turns of his life is applicable to far more than college seniors. 

The lessons of Jobs’s commencement address are myriad, and it’s a speech you’ll keep coming back to at different points in your life. Fortunately he summed them up himself:

“ Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” 

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4. Randy Pausch: “The Last Lecture: Really Achieving your Childhood Dreams”

Randy Pausch was a pioneer in software and virtual reality development and a longtime professor at Carnegie Mellon University. In his 40s, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given just a few months to live. He delivered a final lecture as part of a series where academics were asked to give a talk on a topic that was deeply important to them–and he spoke about his childhood dreams.

Pausch showed his cancer scans at the start of his presentation, letting his audience sit with the reality of his terminal diagnosis. But his regular jokes (including onstage pushups) lightened the mood and allowed his audience to embark on a journey following his personal and professional ambitions. His lecture became a viral motivational speech and even landed him an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show a few weeks later.

Everybody has childhood dreams. Some people don’t accomplish them, but few forget them. Pausch’s lecture testifies to how having those big dreams can bear great fruit in your personal and professional life. He also provides great examples from his own journey of how going the extra mile–even if it seems crazy–can help you achieve those dreams. This is a long speech, but we encourage you to listen (or read ) in full because it’s so full of inspiration. But in the meantime, here are a few of our favorite lines: 

“Never lose the childlike wonder. It’s just too important. It’s what drives us.” 

“Remember, brick walls let us show our dedication. They are there to separate us from the people who don’t really want to achieve their childhood dreams. Don’t bail. The best of the gold is at the bottom of barrels of crap.”

5. Kelly McGonigal: “ How to make stress your friend “

Stress is something we all deal with, sometimes to an overwhelming degree. Many people try every possible hack to eliminate stress for their lives or live in fear of it. But what if we treated stress as something helpful–or even as a friend? What if we trusted ourselves to cope appropriately with stress rather than letting it ruin our lives? That’s what health psychologist Kelly McGonigal explores in this viral TED talk. 

Challenging the common parlance of stress as the bogeyman is no small task. McGonigal backs up her research with several studies to show that while stress can have deleterious effects on health, it doesn’t have to. She also undertakes some of our favorite tactics here at The Speaker Lab by interacting with her audience to further engage them. While a pop quiz from the stage probably wasn’t on their bingo cards, her in person audience members got a real-time taste of the “social stress test.” (To fully appreciate McGonigal’s point, we recommend pretending you’re in the auditorium with her and attempting to perform what she commands.) Then, she walks her audience through the stress reaction they just experienced and explains how, equipped with new strategies for leveraging stress, they could use that same reaction to approach the situation constructively.  

McGonigal’s research, which has also been published in book form, is not without controversy in the psychology space. But in an ever increasingly stressed out society, her talk could be the motivational speech you need to tackle your stressors head-on. The best part? Turning to the communities around you during stressful events can help you rather than drain you! As McGonigal says:

“People who spent time caring for others showed absolutely no stress-related increase in dying. Zero. Caring created resilience.”

6. Carol Dweck: “The power of believing that you can improve ” 

You’ve probably heard the term “growth mindset” thrown around in the professional and educational space. But do you know who coined it? Carol Dweck is a Stanford psychologist who researches the impact of mindset on how we approach failure and success. She has studied how believing in one’s ability to learn and improve can radically affect our reaction to challenges. Her research claims that by focusing on effort and strategy, we can help students expand their minds and overcome barriers by having a “growth mindset” rather than a “fixed mindset.” 

While her research focuses on students, her TED talk discusses principles with universal application, such as the profound impact of believing we can change for the better. She also explores ideas for constructive communication with the next generation to set them up for success. Do you feel limited by externally applied standards? Have you been put in a box your whole life that you struggle to break out of? Do you throw in the towel easily because you feel that you just can’t win? Dweck’s motivational speech might give you more confidence in your abilities. Our favorite line?

“…praising the process that kids engage in, their effort, their strategies, their focus, their perseverance, their improvement. This process praise creates kids who are hardy and resilient.”

7. Malala Yousafzai: “16th birthday speech at the United Nations”  

Malala Yousafzai is the world’s youngest Nobel laureate and one of the best known human rights advocates of her generation. Her speech before the U.N. in 2014 is a passionate appeal for setting worldwide injustices right. From her harrowing story of being shot in the head, to her advancement of nonviolence, this motivational speech is a moving reminder of how much work each and every one of us can do to lift the burden of the oppressed. 

Though her audience at the time of the speech was a group of world leaders, we can all learn a lot from Malala that applies to our own lives. In addition to her stirring personal story, she lays out a variety of action items that we can all undertake in our communities to lay a foundation for justice. Furthermore, she emphasizes how education and tolerance rather than violence and politics can help win the fight against terrorism. If you ever feel at a loss for what you can do to change the word, Malala is the motivator you need. This speech is also a great model for using your personal story and character or ethos to persuade your audience, which we cover here .

“Dear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness. We realise the importance of our voice when we are silenced.”

“One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.”

8. Joel Osteen: “The power of I am”

Oprah described this sermon by pastor Joel Osteen as life-changing, and you might find it so too! Osteen is a clergyman, but many of his sermons are functionally motivational speeches that can inspire your life regardless of whether you’re religious or not. “The Power of I Am” is about how excessive negativity can control our lives. Osteen argues that when we say “I am ______,” we’re inviting whatever that is into our lives. If we repeatedly say “I am” statements followed by something negative or something we hate about ourselves, we are just digging ourselves deeper into that hole. 

Osteen’s words are badly needed in a world where the internet encourages negative comparison and loneliness is epidemic. He uses examples from Scripture and from his own life to show how talking yourself down becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. This is something we all experience at some point! You mess up, say “I’m an idiot,” and for the rest of the day your idiocy, clumsiness, or incompetence suddenly seems like the most noticeable thing about you. Or maybe an authority figure once identified you with your failures and you internalized it for years and years. Osteen’s sermon is an amazing call to do better. We can carry ourselves with confidence, not pride, and disconnect our flaws from our sense of self. 

“My encouragement is never say negative things about yourself. Most of us would never go up to another person, at least to their face and criticize them yet we have no problems criticizing ourselves. “I am so slow. I am so unattractive. I am so undisciplined”. That is cursing your future. Do yourself a favor and zip that up. We have enough in life against us already. Don’t be against yourself.”

9. Nicole Walters: “Why Excuses Are the #1 Thing Keeping You From Your Goals”  

Nicole Walters is an incredible entrepreneur and businesswoman who quit her successful corporate career to start her own company when she realized her blog was generating her significant passive income. This keynote from a conference for online creators outlines how she managed to do it all
with blood, sweat, tears, and no excuses! 

While Nicole dishes out amazing strategies for building your business and avoiding excuses, this is also an incredible example of how to give a great motivational speech. Our founder Grant Baldwin even did an analysis of her professional speaking performance here . Nicole uses humor, storytelling , and credible examples from her career to show how to avoid excuses and maintain sustainable innovation as you build your personal brand. If you want to start a business or expand your content creation but struggle with ambition and motivation, Nicole is your girl.

Get ready for some hard truths and a lot of humility, because it’s not easy! You can hear even more of her tips on our podcast here . She also came on our podcast for a conversation about race in the speaking industry , sharing her experience as a black woman who speaks professionally. This is a must listen if you’re interested in DEI and how the speaking industry can improve its diversity and inclusivity. 

Nicole is an abundant source of amazing one-liners and truth bombs. Here are two of our favorites to finish off: 

“Excuses are tools of incompetence. Those who specialize in them, are seldom good at anything else.”

“You’re not Kim Kardashian.” 

“Automate systems, not relationships.” 

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10. William Faulkner: Banquet Speech  

For our final must-listen motivational speech, we’re heading back in time. William Faulkner delivered this speech when he received the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature. The threat of nuclear war hung heavy at the time Faulkner received the award. Faulkner himself eschewed the acclaim and reward that his talent deserved. His speech is a testament to the immortality of art and literature. His words elegantly express how art and literature can help humanity survive beyond dark times. 

Especially in an age of AI, media cycles, and overwhelming access to information, a reminder of the power and importance of art is badly needed. Faulkner’s speech is short, but it’s extremely moving. Every sentence drips with the weight of writers and artists who went before him, carrying humanity through crises and catastrophes and helping rebuild and process their wake. Faulkner himself says it best: 

“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet’s voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.”

Mastering how to deliver a great motivational speech is no easy task. We think these paragons of motivational speaking deserve special attention for their mastery and inspiration! And having a solid list of inspirational content to fall back on when you’re feeling down, bewildered, or uninspired is always a good idea.  If you want to become a motivational speaker yourself , taking inspiration from these great talks will help you find your own voice in the speaking industry. ( We can help too! ) 

  • Last Updated: April 4, 2024

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Last Updated on August 9, 2024

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Building a business venture from the ground up isn’t a walk in the park. It requires the combination of an undying spirit of enterprise, sheer resilience, and passion for your trade. That explains why numerous startups take off on a high note, only to begin soaring into financial headwinds barely weeks after their establishment. One of the best ways to keep growing in the world of entrepreneurship is to have a collection of speeches from renowned entrepreneurs that you can always turn to for inspiration. Motivational speeches on entrepreneurship will be instrumental throughout the growth of your business venture. Using these speeches, you’ll be able to determine whether your business is on the right path or not. The quotes will also help you to understand the various challenges that entrepreneurs all over the world go through, as well as develop capacity and resilience to overcome those challenges. We’ve prepared a collection of the best motivational speeches on entrepreneurship from people who have been there and done that. The speeches were collated from industry leaders across various domains, from managers of global tech giants to retail moguls. As you shall find, most of these inspirational speeches for entrepreneurs are more than a couple of minutes long. Therefore, we’ve included short snippets about each one of them, accompanied by YouTube videos that you watch.

1. Pursuit of Happiness by Will Smith

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Excelling despite your background If you’ve already watched the 2006’s sensational film titled The Pursuit of Happyness by Will Smith , then you’re already fairly acquainted with the underlying lesson from this speech. The speech attempts to challenge entrepreneurs to pursue their full measure of happiness and success, despite their background. What makes Pursuit of Happiness one of the best motivational speeches for entrepreneurs is that the scenes are acted out by father and son, which lends more credence to their pieces of advice.

2. Any Given Sunday by Al Pacino

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: The importance of leveraging competitive advantage, however subtle it may seem This motivational speech for entrepreneurs is all about capitalizing on any competitive advantage that your business gains, however insignificant it may seem. Those seemingly insignificant milestones can make a world of difference in terms of outpacing competition.

3. Why We Do What We Do (TedX Speech) by Tony Robbins

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Invisible forces that drive our actions Do you understand why you do what you do? Have you ever asked yourself why you keep implementing the same old business strategies, despite those strategies having proven to be economically unviable in the past? It all has to do with certain invisible forces within you. This speech by Tony Robins might help you understand those forces.

4. It’s Not OVER Until You Win! Your Dream is Possible by Les Brown

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Overcoming challenges Les Brown adds more life to the good old saying that ‘failure is not an option.’ But he doesn’t just stop there. In this sobering and spellbinding speech on entrepreneurship, the motivational speaker addresses what you should do to overcome challenges, so that you don’t lose sight of your dreams.

5. The Most Motivational Talk EVER! by David Goggins

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Success and discipline Self-discipline plays a crucial role in spurring entrepreneurial success, and nobody understands that better than David Goggins . Goggins enjoys a career as a decorated Navy Seal and army ranger, as well as an ultra-marathon runner. He also holds the record for the most pull-ups in 24 hours (4,030). It definitely takes self-discipline to accomplish these feats.

6. Tulane University 2009 Commencement Speech by Ellen DeGeneres

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Overcoming adversity while remaining true to your ideals Ellen DeGeneres is proudly gay. DeGeneres is also an accomplished entrepreneur and media personality. By virtue of her sexual orientation and impressive career achievements, she’s better placed to advise entrepreneurs on the need to overcome adversity without compromising their principles and ideals.

7. Harvard Business School 2012 Class Day Speech by Sheryl Sandberg

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Finding your niche According to this speech by Sheryl Sandberg, success lies in finding a career where you can create maximum impact. Her speech underscores the importance of venturing into an industry that you feel so passionate about.

8. How to Live Before You Die: 2005 Stanford University Commencement Speech by Steve Jobs

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Career and failure If the millions of views on YouTube and other platforms are anything to go by, then it’s safe to admit that this speech by Steve Jobs struck the right chords. In the speech, Jobs explains how his journey to the top as one of the world’s most celebrated tech innovators was a long and arduous one. He also touches on how you can leverage failure to bounce back.

9. The Puzzle of Motivation: 2009 TED Talk by Dan Pink

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: The need to discover and explore intrinsic motivation Many entrepreneurs are motivated by incentives like profits and bonuses. While there’s nothing wrong with these, Dan Pink argues that the greatest motivators of entrepreneurial success lie within us. But these aren’t just his own hypotheses, Dan Pink actually backs up his claims by numerous sociological studies.

10. University of Houston Commencement Speech by Matthew McConaughey

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Pursuing success on your own terms Success means different things to different people. Some entrepreneurs define success in terms of how many global destinations their businesses cover. Others define success by the number of competitors they can outpace within their regions. Matthew McConaughey believes that every businessperson must have their own idea of success and work towards it.

11. The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination: 2008 Harvard Commencement Speech by J.K Rowling

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Failure and imagination In the world of entrepreneurship, failure is inevitable. However, failure shouldn’t stifle your progress, neither should it dampen your resolve to succeed. Instead, it should awaken your imagination and help you discover where your true passions and talents are. These, and more, are some of the vital lessons on entrepreneurship you’ll learn from this speech.

12. Rocky Balboa “Believe in Yourself “by Sylvester Stallone

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Self-confidence The world is a tough and mean place. It doesn’t matter how qualified an entrepreneur you are. It doesn’t even matter how much money you’re ready and willing to invest in a startup. Without believing that you can make it, all of your other efforts will be purely in vain.

13. Gym Motivation by Arnold Schwarzenegger

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Being passionate about your career At first, glance, this motivational speech by Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to be intended exclusively for fitness freaks. However, the speech contains fundamental lessons that entrepreneurs can borrow. It’s all about starting small and using your passion to soar to greater heights.

14. This Is Water: 2005 Kenyon College Commencement Speech by David Foster Wallace

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: The perils of close-mindedness David Foster Wallace’s 2005 commencement speech at Kenyon College attempts to address the dangers of being close-minded. Wallace argues that numerous entrepreneurs fail due to their inability to approach the business landscape with a broad and open mind.

15. 8 Secrets of Success by Richard St. John

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Passion and perseverance 8 Secrets of Success by Richard St. John may be one of the shortest motivational speeches for entrepreneurs on this list. But it contains some fundamentally impactful lessons that every businessperson can put into practice. The speech, which is a condensed version of years of research, focuses on throwing your full weight behind a business idea that you’re passionate about.

16. I Can, I Will, I Must by Eric Thomas

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Sharpening your resolve to succeed This motivational speech by Eric Thomas takes a rather unique approach to entrepreneurship. It seeks to challenge us to focus on the people we love the most as our main source of inspiration whenever we feel like giving up. Thomas argues that thinking about those special people in our lives every day can positively shape our business decisions.

17. Secret to Self-motivation by Mel Robbins

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Self-motivation

Self-motivation is a critical component of success, particularly in the corporate world. However, many entrepreneurs are constantly bogged down by nagging doubts and constant fears, which ultimately drain their positive energies and impede their progress. If you’re one such businessperson, here’s your golden chance to uncover the top secrets to self-motivation.

18. New Year, New You by Tony Robbins

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Reinventing yourself Every year comes with its fair share of blessings and challenges. In this motivational speech, Tony Robbins highlights the importance of making lasting changes in your life and career. Robbins challenges entrepreneurs to desist from focusing on abstract goals and resolutions, and instead focus on what truly matters.

19. Fall Forward: 2011 UPenn Commencement Speech by Denzel Washington

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Failure Denzel Washington highlights the significance of embracing failure in our quests for success. First, he argues that failure is not unique to the uneducated or inexperienced, as anyone can fail. He also adds that the lack of failure is a sign that you aren’t making any meaningful progress. Most importantly, Washington reminds us that failure will help you to identify the strategies that won’t work.

20. Live2Lead by Simon Sinek

YouTube video

Theme of Speech: Leadership Simon Sinek advances a very interesting aspect of corporate leadership – that true leaders don’t delight in taking credit, but taking responsibility. Sinek also opines that many ventures collapse due to their owners’ obsession with their competitors, instead of focusing on growing their own brands.

No business can magic itself into success. The process of building any business empire is both a capital- and time-intensive affair. As a businessman, you should arm yourself with all the requisite resources to get your venture from one point to another.

Motivational speeches for entrepreneurs are some of these necessary resources. We hope you can bookmark the above collection of motivational speeches on entrepreneurship and invoke them from time to time as you endeavor to scale your business to new heights.

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The 12 Best Motivational Speeches of All Time [Ranked]

Get inspired by some of the most influential people on the planet. Learn the best motivational speeches to take action and change your life!

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Brett Helling

Brett Helling is the founder and owner of Gigworker.com. Having worked in the gig economy for nearly a decade, he has mastered freelance, remote, and app-based work. You can learn more about his journey in his book, "Gigworker: Independent Work and the State of the Gig Economy", now available on Amazon.

Key Takeaways

  • Recognizing employees significantly boosts performance, productivity, and morale.
  • Motivational speeches can transform views and inspire action in challenging times.
  • Speakers emphasize courage, perseverance, and embracing failure for personal growth.
  • Learning from successful figures helps ignite passion and boost confidence.

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A  study by Harvard Business Review  made an important discovery: recognizing employees for their work contributes significantly to their performance, productivity, and morale.

This stresses the importance of motivation, especially today, where impossible success stories and unhealthy expectations set by social media smother us.

Now, anyone can motivate you anywhere, be it your classmate during a graduation speech or your CEO during a conference keynote.

After all, motivational speakers don't have to be famous or successful, but they tend to have a specific audience in mind their ideals resonate with.

Usually, their speeches attempt to alter your view of your current challenges, but they can also be a call to action.

We also believe that part of the human experience is feeling overwhelmed and helpless at some points.

Our list of motivational speeches is an attempt to help pull you out of whatever pit you feel stuck in and fire you up for your next journey, be it for personal growth or career success.

Continue reading to get inspired!

The 12 Best Motivational Speeches

Your journey is unique, and we understand that your struggles differ from those of others.

These motivational speeches revolve around various facets of life, and you should find something for yourself below, no matter what challenges you face.

These talks are not ranked in terms of superiority, by the way!

  • Al Pacino: Scent of a Woman – 1992
  • Les Brown: It Is Not Over Until You Win! Your Dream is Possible – 1996
  • Steve Jobs: Stanford Commencement Speech – 2005
  • J.K. Rowling: The Fringe Benefits of Failure And The Importance of Imagination – 2008
  • Will Smith: The Pursuit of Happyness – 2006
  • Elizabeth Gilbert: Your Elusive Creative Genius – 2009
  • Al Pacino: Any Given Sunday – 1999
  • Bill Gates: Harvard Commencement Speech – 2007
  • Jim Carrey: Maharishi University of Management Commencement Speech – 2014
  • Sheryl Sandberg: Get on a Rocket Ship Whenever You Get The Chance – 2012
  • Denzel Washington: Fall Forward – 2011
  • David Foster Wallace: This Is Water – 2005

1. Al Pacino: Scent of a Woman - 1992

Theme:  Courage, Integrity

Few Hollywood actors can match Al Pacino's eloquence, especially in the 1992 movie  Scent of a Woman .

Pacino, playing blind retired army Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, delivered an emotionally charged speech highlighting the importance of courage and integrity near the end.

Slade defended Charlie Simms, a student who stood up for what's right despite adversity and emphasized the importance of integrity. He contended that you must be courageous to act honorably and justly, even when faced with hardship.

He commended Charlie for his unwavering commitment to justice and truth and the immense character it takes to stand up against wrongdoing and not succumb to peer pressure.

The context, you may ask? Charlie was pressured to snitch on his friends, who pulled a prank against the headmaster, Mr. Trask, in exchange for keeping his scholarship. Expectedly, Charlie refused to sell his soul and betray his friends for his benefit.

The movie challenges attitudes common today. The lesson it presents is simple: don't step on others to get your way, and have the courage to stand up to oppression and wrongdoings.

2. Les Brown: It Is Not Over Until You Win! Your Dream is Possible - 1996

Theme:  Perseverance, Ambition

Les  Brown's famous motivational speech started with an interesting quote: "I do not believe that any of us have dreams that were not given to us for the purpose of accomplishing those particular dreams."

This means that Les Brown believes that our dreams are given to us by some higher power or purpose and that we have the responsibility and—focus on this—the ability to pursue them and make them come true.

He spent time sharing his personal story with his audience: how he started from humble beginnings and faced many obstacles that didn't stop him from completely changing his life and finding success.

The takeaway from his speech is that your potential is endless, and failing is part of your journey to success.

To make it in life, protect your ambitions from the criticism of negative people and persevere despite being faced with disappointments, frustrations, and obstacles.

How do you do that?

Surround yourself with people sharing the same hunger for success as you, be creative in finding solutions to problems and ways to  motivate yourself , and understand that your responsibility is to take risks and work hard toward achieving your goals.

3. Steve Jobs: Stanford Commencement Speech - 2005

Theme:  Destiny, Love, Death

Steve Jobs was a pioneer and magnate in the business world before his untimely death in 2011.

His Stanford motivational speech revolves around three stories from his life: connecting the dots, love and loss, and death.

During the first story, Steve Jobs recounted his experiences as a college dropout who attended a calligraphy class at Reed College which seemed utterly useless then.

It didn't dawn on him until later in life that that class was indispensable to designing the typography of Apple computers—the best back then, according to Jobs.

Jobs said to trust in something to build faith in your abilities and pursue your passions, which make all the difference in life. It doesn't matter what it is: karma, your gut, destiny, or whatever you fancy.

Second, he said: "You can only connect the dots looking backward." This is about having confidence that everything you do will have a purpose later in life.

His second story revolved around his getting fired from Apple, the company he started, and his fearless motivation to  try new things  that ensued.

He said that the best thing that happened to him was getting fired. It opened him to new opportunities and enabled him to rekindle new passions.

Jobs said: "Sometimes life is gonna hit you in the head with a brick."

He also added a quote that reflects what  people struggle with  today: "You've got to find what you love."

Never settle. You'll do great in what you love once you find it, and you'll know when you do. It just gets better as the years roll on, too.

Finally, Jobs spoke about the inevitability of death. It was a stark reminder that our time on Earth is limited, and what we do with it is what matters.

We must follow our dreams and not succumb to others' dogma to live a fulfilling life.

4. J.K. Rowling: The Fringe Benefits of Failure And The Importance of Imagination - 2008

Theme:  Failure, Imagination

Among the most inspiring motivational quotes you could read is: "It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default."

What constitutes failure? How do you define success? J.K. Rowling, the mastermind behind  The Wizarding World , says it's up to us to decide.

Rowling shared two crucial lessons she learned from her life experiences: the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination.

You will fail miserably at one point in life. You may even hit rock bottom. For Rowling, rock bottom was a divorce and complete destitution seven years after graduation.

However, that rock bottom could become the foundation of your new life.

It liberates you to connect with your authentic self, start fresh, pursue your dreams, and gain wisdom you can't learn from any other aspect of life.

It's what helped her discover her true passion for writing novels, resilience, and inner security.

Imagination

Rowling also emphasizes the importance of imagination in empathizing with others.

Many choose not to express their imagination, preferring comfort over the courage to step outside and make a positive difference in the world.

She urges us to use it and our intelligence and influence to better the world.

5. Will Smith: The Pursuit of Happyness - 2006

Theme:  Ambition, Dreams

Motivational speakers will often inspire you with long speeches carrying many anecdotes.

After shattering his son's dream by telling him he likely won't become a professional basketballer, Will Smith, in 40 seconds, rectified the situation by telling him what everyone must hear in a speech so short yet so powerfully moving.

"Hey. Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream? You gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they want to tell you you can't do it. You want something? Go get it! Period!"

The Pursuit of Happyness  is based on the real-life story of  Christopher Gardner . We recommend checking it out.

6. Elizabeth Gilbert: Your Elusive Creative Genius - 2009

Theme:  Fear, Success, Determination

Elizabeth  Gilbert's famous motivational speech is more of a philosophical food for thought than a "Get up. Do it."

She spoke about the challenges and pressures of creative people in the modern world. She also explained how differently people have understood their creative impulses from ancient times to the present.

The key takeaway is that today's idea of creativity (as a whole) as something that comes from within the individual is harmful and unrealistic as it's too much responsibility for a single frail being to handle.

Gilbert suggests that we return to the older notion of creativity as something that comes from outside the individual and that we can't control.

What you have to do, in turn, is to keep showing up for your work. Find your niche and keep trying, even if you fail.

It doesn't matter if you do a horrible job.  Learn to enjoy life . Embrace the mystery and unpredictability of creativity. "Olé!" to you if you dare to be creative.

Her talk is captivating, and a summary can't do it justice. Give the video a watch.

7. Al Pacino: Any Given Sunday - 1999

Theme:  Fear, Winning

The speech Tony D'Amato, played by Pacino, gave before his football team's crucial game during the movie  Any Given Sunday  is invigorating.

That said, the talk doesn't apply to football only, as it's about overcoming obstacles of all sorts.

He emphasized that life and football are both games of inches, where the margin for error is small and every inch matters.

His team (and you) must fight for every inch with passion, courage, and sacrifice. His team must also heal together and trust and support each other, as they're all in it together.

Living, to D'Amato, is overcoming fears, doubts, and failures and finding your inner strength and will to win.

This speech is a rallying cry for individuals paralyzed by fear and unable to step forward and achieve their goals.

It's a resounding affirmation message that says: "It's okay. You can do it. And, if you think you can't, you have friends to help you do it."

8. Bill Gates: Harvard Commencement Speech - 2007

Theme:  Change, Progress

During his Harvard commencement speech, Bill Gates reflected on his time at Harvard and the intellectual and social experiences that came with it.

He commented on how the worst part about dropping out of Harvard was his leaving without a sufficient understanding of the world and its inequities and the millions of issues impoverished and less fortunate people face daily.

His speech is a call to action. He emphasized that reducing inequality is humanity's greatest achievement and calls for applying new technologies toward that endeavor.

In other words, Gates urges those who are more fortunate intellectually, financially, and socially to be the change this world needs.

9. Jim Carrey: Maharishi University of Management Commencement Speech - 2014

Theme:  Risk-Taking

People know Jim Carrey for his hilarious roles in comedy classics like Ace Ventura and  The Mask . But did you know that he also has a profoundly deep side that can surprise you?

His commencement speech at the Maharishi University is philosophical and impactful, but one part stands out:

"...Sometimes, it's okay to eat your feelings. Now fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much.

You can spend your whole life imagining ghosts and worrying about the pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what's happening here and the decisions we make at this moment, which are based on either love or fear.

So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect. So we never dare to ask the universe for it..."

Carrey's father chose to be an accountant instead of a comedian in fear of failing. You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance at doing what you love.

The lesson to take away is simple: take risks in life. It's the only way you can progress and truly enjoy it. Decisions based on fear will only get you to a future where you'll be neither proud of yourself nor satisfied.

10. Sheryl Sandberg: Get on a Rocket Ship Whenever You Get The Chance - 2012

Theme:  Opportunity, Personal Growth, Honesty

Sheryl Sandberg  is an ex-Facebook COO. She imparted many crucial qualities that people in the business world should have. Her 2012 speech at the Harvard Business School covers three main points. They are:

Opportunity

Eric Schmidt  said: "If you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat. Just get on."

Lori Goler , Schmidt's co-worker, also compared careers to a jungle gym instead of a ladder.

You'll get tired of working and stagnate if you don't look for opportunities and growth.

Today's overly competitive, hyperconnected world demands a new approach. Viewing jobs how people did thirty years ago is no longer viable.

Sheryl urges us to look for a mission, move in all directions (hence the jungle gym comparison); build our skills, not our resume; and evaluate what we can do, not the title we'll get.

"A good leader recognizes that most people won't feel comfortable challenging authority, so it falls upon authority to encourage them to question."

Being honest in workplaces is difficult, as people fear challenging authority. Sheryl urges leaders to welcome dissenting opinions and feedback, not punish them.

This doesn't apply to leaders only, though. Everyone should ask for input, especially from those who might disagree with them, and listen to their perspectives.

Admit your mistakes and share your vulnerabilities, as it's the best way to build trust and transparency and grow.

Personal Growth

"As you lead in this new world, you will not be able to rely on who you are or the degree you hold. You'll have to rely on what you know."

Pieces of paper don't define you; your skills do. Working on your professional and interpersonal skills to stay ahead of others is crucial.

Focus on talent, skills, imagination, vision, and the ability to communicate authentically.

Developing such skills isn't exactly easy, though. That's why reading is important . We recommend checking out some of these must-read books .

11. Denzel Washington: Fall Forward - 2011

Theme:  Failure, Risk-Taking

Actor  Denzel Washington  gave an inspiring speech about the importance of failure and taking risks at the Pennsylvania 2011 Commencement Address. There are two parts to his speech.

Risk-Taking

"I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nothing. Nelson Mandela said: 'There is no passion to be found, playing small and settling for a life that's less than the one you're capable of living.'"

Washington highlighted how people always tell you to ensure you have something to fall back on. He said he never understood this concept and that falling back on your faith or forward is always better.

His example? Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Few know that because the 1,001st experiment was the lightbulb.

Take risks. People don't care about your failures; they only remember your successes. There's nothing to be afraid of.

Washington also spoke about how every failed experiment is a step closer to success.

He emphasized that you'll fail at some point in your life; you must accept it. He also said you're not trying in the first place if you don't fail.

Failure is inevitable, but what sets the winners apart from the losers is perseverance, and he gave an interesting—and funny—quote to exemplify his point:

"There's an old saying, you hang around the barbershop long enough, sooner or later, you're going to get a haircut. So you will catch a break. And I did catch a break."

It doesn't matter how long it takes to achieve your mission. Small steps accumulate. Take it easy, one step at a time, and you'll inevitably reach whatever you set out to do.

Accept new views, be open to new opinions, meet new people, and take new chances. They're what's going to define you. Keep going forward. Never stop.

12. David Foster Wallace: This Is Water - 2005

Theme:  Thinking, Open-Mindedness

David Foster Wallace 's talk is another overly philosophical didactic that makes you say: "Woah, I never thought of it this way before."

He invites us to free ourselves from the prison of self-centeredness by being more conscious, humble, and compassionate.

His motivational speech mainly revolved around the value of a liberal arts education. He said it's not about the knowledge you gain, it's about being taught how to think and what to pay attention to in life.

Most of us are trapped in our default setting of self-centeredness and automatic thinking, making us unhappy and unaware of what's unfolding around us.

He explained it best in two quotes:

"Learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience."

"But if you really learn how to pay attention, then you will know there are other options. It will actually be within your power to experience a crowded, hot, slow, consumer-hell-type situation as not only meaningful but sacred, on par with the same force that made the stars: love, fellowship, the mystical oneness of all things deep down."

The speech is called "This Is Water" because of the metaphor he proposes at the beginning: fish swimming in water. It's about how we often take life's most important things for granted.

Wrapping Up

Life isn't easy. Sometimes, it can be so overwhelming that we consider giving up on our dreams and aspirations in return for some peace of mind.

Luckily, we don't have to face our problems alone. We learn from them, and motivational speakers ignite our passion to chase our goals with vehement determination and boost our confidence.

We shared some impactful speeches by some of the most brilliant minds the world has ever seen in hopes of implanting one belief in your mind: It's okay. You can make it. And, if you don't, you have a lifetime to make it. Don't give up.

We hope you found these talks as touching as we did. Don't forget to leave your feedback and share this article with your friends if you enjoyed it!

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Home > Blog > Speaking 101 > 10 Motivational Speech Examples To Inspire You Today

10 Motivational Speech Examples To Inspire You Today

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Whether you’re a speaker or not, there come times in all of our lives where we need a little motivation. Maybe you’re struggling to find your purpose or are unsure about your path in life. Maybe you just had a bad day and need a reminder that tomorrow’s a fresh start. In either case, looking to famous speakers – and their corresponding motivational speech examples – is one sure way to boost your mood and help you find the energy to keep on keepin’ on. 

Here, we’ll look at ten different speeches from some of the most famous motivational speakers of the 21st century. Some are serious and take a candid look at difficult issues in the speakers’ lives. Others are humorous, designed to balance tough topics with laughter. 

Whatever tone you need to hear at this moment, at least one of the following speakers is guaranteed to brighten your day. They’re also all incredible examples for you to follow, simply from a speaking standpoint, when you next step on stage or record a virtual event . 

Hopefully, you get as much out of these examples as our own team did and are able to put the corresponding takeaways to good use. 💓

Steve Jobs: Commencement Speech At Stanford (2005)

First of our motivational speech examples is Stanford’s 2005 commencement speech, delivered by the late Apple founder Steve Jobs. Since his passing , much has been said about Jobs, some positive, some negative, with some people going so far as to publish their criticism or praise. However, regardless of whether or not they personally admired him, few will argue against Job’s brilliance. Even for those that scrutinized his business practices or personal life while he was alive, there’s little doubt that he was a major force in shaping the world we live in today through the technology he created. 

In this speech, Jobs’ mindfulness for these differing views is readily apparent, and overall, the entire speech is surprisingly humble. Jobs structures his speech as three simple stories, and of course they’re anything but simple, once you dig beneath the surface. 

One is a rags-to-riches story, which is expected, considering Jobs’ success. Second is a story of adversity in which Jobs explains the issues he faced after being “fired” from Apple. 

But it’s the third story – one about death – that’s truly surprising. It’s not a subject you’ll hear in many commencement speeches, let alone motivational ones. Yet, in telling this story, Jobs manages to present it in a way that it’s not depressing or scary but instead inspires his audience to live life to the fullest. 

In the same way, as you shape your own motivational speeches or as you approach challenging situations, remember that simplicity and logic are all well and good, like the stories Jobs includes at the beginning of his speech. But, if you want to truly stand out and conquer your challenges, be courageous! Approach tough topics head-on, don’t be afraid to be unconventional, and you’re sure to leave a mark, just like Jobs did.

Richard St. John: 8 Secrets of Success TED Talk (2005) 

Second of our motivational speech examples is that of author, marketer, and analyst Richard St. John , namely his 2005 TED Talk. TED Talks have become a staple in the world of motivational speeches, and it’s easy to see why this one made the cut. Based on his book , 8 To Be Great , St. John’s speech cuts to the chase in a way that most speeches don’t. In fact, it’s only three minutes long! 

Plus, although many of his points are simple, the speech itself is structurally brilliant, condensing 7 years of research and 500 of St. John’s interviews into a presentation that, despite its brevity, keeps audience members on their toes. Altogether, it’s a brilliant example of the use of momentum in storytelling. When it starts, for instance, St. John begins with “It all started one day on a plane,” which for many listeners – myself included – would seem like a signal to tune out a bit. It’s like hearing a speech that starts with “Webster’s Dictionary defines
” It works, but it’s used a lot . 

That said, the rest of St. John’s speech is the polar opposite, and quickly jumps from one interesting point to another without any wasted words or time. It also incorporates carefully-placed jokes. That way, even though he covers a lot of ground, his audience remembers all of it. It also allows him to connect with his audience and, unlike many speakers, share his information without appearing to be on a pedestal. 

With your own experiences or motivational speeches, St. John’s speech offers two important lessons. First, keep it simple. You don’t have to be flashy to be memorable. Second, don’t be afraid to laugh. In presentations, humor makes you more relatable and memorable, and in life, it makes hard times easier to handle. 

Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation TED Talk (2009)

Third in our list of motivational speech examples is another TED Talk, this time from career analyst and bestselling author Daniel Pink. As an author, Pink’s built his reputation on many “legs,” including his publications, awards – even a stint as chief speechwriter for former U.S. Vice President Al Gore in the late 1990s.

Like these accomplishments, Pink’s TED Talk is a model for any speaker that needs to take a boring topic – like business or politics – and turn it into something inspiring and engaging. In this case, the former of these topics is presented as a puzzle. To start with, Pink explains the common economic approach to performance, saying “If you want people to perform better, you reward them. Right?… That’s how business works.” 

However, what he says next is what really puzzles you, as a listener: There is a mismatch between what science knows and what business does
.the solution is not to do more of the wrong things, to entice people with a sweeter carrot, or threaten them with a sharper stick. We need a whole new approach.”

Ultimately, the topic of performance in the workplace is a relatively common one and the question “How do I motivate myself at work?” is a common puzzle. But Pink tackles out-of-the-box thinking in an out-of-the-box way and, in the end, concludes his story with a clear takeaway from the evidence and unconventional analytics he’s shared.

Likewise, with your own speeches or decisions, start by considering all the evidence you can find. That’s just a good rule of thumb, no matter what field you’re in. But, after that, try to consider it from another angle. Like Pink’s speech, it’ll make your topic vastly more interesting, and you’re almost guaranteed to grow, personally, because of your learning process.

Mel Robbins: How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over (2011)

Number four of our motivational speech examples belongs to Mel Robbins . As speakers go, Robbins is widely respected for her unique and candid approach to difficult situations, or, as I call it, the “gut-punch” approach. In other words, she’s not afraid to talk frankly about tough stuff. 

Dig beneath the one-liners and snarky comments, though, and Robbins’ approach is really about being direct to the point of bluntness. Some of the things she advocates are platitudes – focus on getting what you want, tell yourself the truth, force yourself out of your comfort zone, etc. – but she always backs it up with data that makes the gut punches land that much harder. 

Beyond her speaking style, however, Robbins is also known for engaging with her audiences. In this speech, for instance, she not only picks an individual from her audience to highlight the overwhelming odds of simply being born (this is the data we just talked about). She then goes on to meld that statistic with a model of the human brain, saying “I describe one side of your brain as autopilot and the other side as an emergency brake” and explaining her method for getting out of your own “autopilot” mode to meet your goals.

In this way, by presenting evidence but then relating it to a real person in the room, Robbins takes a subject that could be complicated or boring and makes it relatable. Likewise, if your speaking material – or your mood – has a tendency to flatline, change things up! Be blunt with yourself and candid with your audience. Then, do whatever you need to connect your message to other’s lives. Just like Pink’s speech, taking this Mel Robbins, “gut-punch” approach will make you relatable and likable, making you memorable.

Michelle Obama: Commencement Speech at Eastern Kentucky University (2013)

Next in our list of motivational speech examples is another commencement speech, this time from former lawyer, bestselling author , and First Lady to the 44th President of the U.S. Michelle Obama. 

Since stepping into the spotlight at the White House, Obama’s been regarded by many as a woman of power, and her personal and professional accomplishments are without question. In some ways, they’ve even helped her become a celebrity. This level of fame, however, is precisely where Obama’s similarity to celebrities ends. 

For many celebrity motivational speakers, speaking is just a gig, and the amount of time they want to spend on it corresponds directly with the money they receive to be there. In cases like these, it’s clear to the audience that the speaker may not even believe what they’re saying on stage or want their audience to succeed. They just want the paycheck. 

Yet, despite Obama’s popularity and prominence, her approach to speaking is anything but flippant or snobby. It’s all about connecting with the audience in a way that shows true generosity of spirit. In fact, every point Obama touches on is quickly translated and related to her audience in a way that’s both personal and powerful, making it clear that this speech isn’t haphazardly thrown together or something she’s said to hundreds of other audiences. It was carefully crafted to tie her core values – resilience, conscientiousness and service – into the setting and the needs of her audience, so they could leave with personalized affirmation and action steps. 

By doing this, Obama never fails to deliver a message that is both moving and quietly powerful. To do the same with your own speeches, follow her lead and remember who you’re there for: not the check, not the glory, but your audience .

BrenĂ© Brown: “The Power of Vulnerability” (2013)

Number six of our motivational speech examples is the shortest on this list, a less than three-minute short film from University of Houston research professor Dr. BrenĂ© Brown . 

Although Brown originally gained traction with her 20-minute TED Talk in 2010, this speech (or “mini-speech,” rather) takes the topic of that talk – vulnerability – and concentrates on a single facet of it. Specifically, she focuses on empathy and the age-old question of how to express empathy rather than sympathy and, in doing so, authentically connect with the person you’re trying to support in the moment. 

It’s a hard question, but, like Richard St. John’s speech, Brown shares a lot in a short message. In many ways, it’s her brevity that forces you to sit up and listen. In a little more than two minutes, her message is simple: When someone you know feels down and alone, don’t try to make things better. Just be there with them, and stick around, even if it takes them a while to bounce back. 

To illustrate her point, Brown presents her speech alongside an animated cartoon in which a fox is the depressed party and a bear comes to her aid. This helps her take a challenging and sometimes uncomfortable situation and not just make it engaging but also light-hearted. 

Similarly, if your speech tackles a tough message, consider presenting with a visual aid to lighten the mood, and keep the message as brief as possible. Don’t be the motivational speaker equivalent of “that guy,” i.e., the speaker who drones on and on but keeps repeating the same basic points. Use your speaking ability and visual aids to make a connection in the way that suits your audience best.

Jim Carrey: Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

Seventh of our motivational speech examples is a 2014 commencement speech, this time from comedian, actor, and artist Jim Carrey. As you’d expect, part of Carey’s charm is his sense of humor, and it’s largely through his comedy that he keeps the audience engaged through serious topics. He’s also mindful of his tendency to walk the comedic line and uses this unpredictability to keep his audience paying attention, as they can pretty safely assume he has another joke up his sleeve.

Additionally, besides humor, Carey also engages his audience with something we’ve yet to touch on: authenticity! Unlike the other speakers in this list, Carey is widely known for his eccentricity more than anything. Most recently, as he’s shared more and more of his artwork, he’s also gained considerable attention for his creativity. Throughout his speech, although many speakers might choose to “dumb down” these attributes, Carey instead thrives on them, staying true to his authentic self, just as he encourages the members of his audience to be. 

To conclude his speech, Carey states: “You’ll come up with your own style, and that’s part of the fun… You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world, and after you walk through those doors today, you will only ever have two choices: love or fear. Choose love and don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.”

With your own speeches – and your own personal choices – keep this mindset close and remember to be yourself. Like Carey says, “you are ready and able to do beautiful things”. Plus, I can almost guarantee there are people out there who could benefit from the stories you have to share. Just stay true to yourself, stay humble, and your audience won’t want to look away.

Simon Sinek: Live2Lead (2016)

Next in our list of motivational speech examples is a speech from writer and TED speaker Simon Sinek . As author of the bestselling leadership book Start With Why , Sinek first appeared in his 2009 TED Talk , “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” 

Since then, he’s gone on to publish a number of additional books centered around leadership as well as how to “wake up inspired, feel safe wherever [we] are and end the day fulfilled by the work [we] do.” These three ideas can be seen consistently throughout his ongoing work, speaking included. 

In this speech, specifically, Sinek deals with leadership in the business world, but his approach is based on the idea of destroying stereotypes everywhere. In short, he’s there to “blow up” paradigms and share new ones, based on his own research and experience. Here, Sinek focuses on “trust” and “communication,” for the former. Then, he proposes replacing them with “empathy” and “perspective,” for the latter. 

Although this may sound ordinary, Sinek demonstrates that he’s not just replacing one stereotypical topic with another. He’s also urging audience members to ditch their preconceptions about that topic, so they can approach it with an open mind. After having done that, he’s then careful to only provide extremely relevant and powerful arguments for his “new take” on the topic. That way, he provides details without overwhelming the audience.

Overall, these switches between “blowing up” and building provide a sense of balance in Sinek’s speech. In your own speeches, aim for a similar balance for your audience. Keep in mind that you’re there to educate but not berate with a ton of new ideas. It sounds simplistic, but staying consistent and on-point is key if you want your audience to leave inspired to act. 

Simon T. Bailey: To Break Through, Find Your True Calling (2017)

Number nine of our motivational speech examples is a 2017 speech from Simon T. Bailey. If you’re a regular SpeakerFlow blog reader, you already know there are many reasons Bailey is legendary among professional speakers. For one thing, his personal branding and digital presence are two of the best in the speaking industry. For another, his humility is seemingly endless despite his success, a trait that’s perhaps best summarized in his book, Success Is An Inside Job : “Success is not significance. Money is not meaning. Power isn’t purpose.”

In this speech, we see this idea reinforced through the third thing that sets Bailey apart, namely his speaking skills. Because he’s talking to a business-oriented crowd, in many ways, this skill isn’t immediately apparent. Truthfully, the first part of his speech is traditional. While it’s undeniably engaging, it’s sometimes a little hard to see why he’s such a renowned orator. 

Then he digs deeper. After his initial “traditional” approach, Bailey pivots to a creative angle, explaining how to “invent your future” and be unconventional in simple ways to slowly change your mindset. He then goes on to incorporate topics like emotional equity and commitment, love and respect as universally important values, and his trip to South Africa to “get free.” Combine this surprising switch from “conventional” to “creative” with Bailey’s optimistic tone, and you can almost feel the audience connecting with him. 

To create the same atmosphere on your own stage, aim for a similar element of surprise. Remember that you’re there to speak for more than a few minutes. Consequently, building up to a powerful ending is crucial, even if that means starting slow. 

Matthew McConaughey: Commencement Speech at University of Houston (2018)

Last but not least in our motivational speech examples list is a 2018 commencement, delivered by Matthew McConaughey. 

As an actor, McConaughey has arguably delivered motivational speeches in almost all of his movie appearances. In fact, whether it’s The Lincoln Lawyer , Mud , We Are Marshall, or Dallas Buyers Club , one of his best tricks as an actor is to take each of his characters by the horns and deliver a rousing speech at a critical point in the film.

Outside of the big screen, however, McConaughey’s commencement address for the University of Houston reflects similar confidence and power, in his words, his clothing, and his body language. As a well-known celebrity, this isn’t entirely surprising, especially considering his famously “swoon-worthy” movie persona. 

That said, when he gets to the heart of the matter, McConaughey dives well beneath the surface. His pointed words about motivation, success, and life being both tough and unfair are striking in a way you don’t always hear from celebrity speakers. He may begin with platitudes and stereotypes. But, the more he explains, the more intimate the speech gets. This makes it more memorable than even his best movie speeches.

So, what can you take away from McConaughey’s speech? Simply put, whenever you’re trying to put your best foot forward, whether you’re on stage or just walking down the street, remember that being memorable doesn’t require heels or a suit. For McConaughey, who here rocks a beard and open-collared dress shirt, it’s his words that make people pay attention, not a flashy outfit or dramatic entrance. 

Likewise, in your own life, the same can be true. Just speak with confidence and conviction, and no matter how you look or what you’re wearing, people will listen. 💖

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Jim Carrey is a very cool person! Every time he’s smiling with charming look, His speech is also very motivating! Thanks for sharing with us,

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Agreed! It’s hard to look away when Carrey’s on stage or on camera, for sure. (And thanks for reading! 😊)

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Usually, I am not doing comments anyone but it’s interesting, I really feel better to hear this.keep it up.

Glad you found these speeches inspiring, and thanks for the kind words! 🙌

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You really don’t need to change the world, you just need to master your own self, align your values, your personality, and your purpose to your vision. That’s the core of making for a better world.

Well said! 🙌

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The STRIVE

BEST SHORT MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH OF ALL-TIME

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Are you looking for a short motivational speech with the power to immediately inspire you? If so, then you’ll love this intense motivational speech. It is one of our favorites, and regardless of it’s age, we believe it still packs a punch.

So, if you’re ready for an epic motivational speech that can give you goosebumps and incite action — read below, and be sure to watch the video after! Enjoy!

Best Short Motivational Speech of All-Time

Best Short Motivational Speech

“WHETHER OR NOT YOU WIN THIS THING, YOU’VE GOT TO DECIDE how you are going to walk out of here when it is all said and done….Because the game is going to go on.

And there is only one rule you need to know about, there are no second chances.

There is only this moment, and the next moment. Every one of those moments is a test…that you get to take one time, and ONLY ONE TIME!

So, if you see an opening, tear into it!

If you get a shot at victory, make damn sure you take it!

SEIZE THAT MOMENT!

That moment is a crossroads where everything you want will collide with everything standing in your way!

You’ve got momentum at your back. Fear and doubt are thundering like a freight train straight at you!

And all you got, the only difference between making history and being history, the only thing, THE ONLY THING you can count on at any given moment is YOU!

It’s you vs. THEM!

It’s you vs. NO!

It’s you vs. CAN’T!

It’s you vs. NEXT YEAR, LAST YEAR, STATISTICS, EXCUSES !!!

It’s you vs. HISTORY!

It’s you vs. THE ODDS!

It’s you vs. SECOND PLACE!

The clock is ticking….. LET’S SEE WHAT YOU GOT !!!”

Video Version of The Speech

Below is the video and source for the motivational speech you just read. Be sure to watch is, as it is every bit as inspiring as the text.

Video Credit: The Proud Patriot

Final Thoughts

There you have it, the most intense short motivational speech of all-time! We hope you leverage the text from this ‘You vs. Them’ motivational speech and the video to get you off your couch, and into the arena of life!

Lastly, if you enjoyed this short but powerful pep-talk of a speech, then you’ll love these other powerful motivational resources:

  • Top 10 Most Motivational Videos Ever!
  • 25 Motivational Mantras That Work
  • 365 Motivational Quotes to Inspire Success
  • Top 10 Motivational Speeches of All-Time

To your success, and until next time,

PS – This ‘You Vs. Them Speech’ is one of our favorites, but Sylvester Stallone created a pretty epic speech as well. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can give it a watch here for some instant motivation: Rocky’s Motivational Speech to His Son .

7 WAYS TO FIND MOTIVATION FOR WORK ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

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The STRIVE is on a mission to inspire and uplift 1 billion people by 2032. Our primary aim is to help as many people as possible believe in the uncommon thought, that they can be more than they are, do more than they've done, and achieve more prosperity than they've ever dreamed possible. Let's achieve the impossible together.

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50 BEST QUOTES TO HELP YOU OVERCOME THE FEAR OF FAILURE

overcoming fear of failure quotes

Most people don’t know this, but one of the greatest obstacles to finding more success, more money, and more happiness in life is related to a fear of failure. In fact, most people actually attribute a lack of success or not getting what they want in life due to a lack of talent, or being born in the wrong place, wrong time, to the wrong family, etc.

“Failure Is A Detour, Not A Dead-End Street.”

Put bluntly, it is our fear of an imagined outcome that keeps most of us stuck. Our fear of this potentially unpleasant outcome paralyzes us.  It keeps us from taking action.  It keeps us holed up in our comfort zones, pinned down to our existing conditions. But, if you can overcome your fear of failure and begin taking action , everything can change for you.

With that being said, if you’ve been letting your fear of failure get the best of you lately, then you’ll love these handful of fear of failure quotes we’ve rounded up for you. Our hope is that they will lift you up and galvanize you to take on that goal or dream you’ve been brushing aside for fear of failing at it. So, if you’re ready for some inspiring quotes to help you overcome the fear of failure, let’s dive in:

BEST FEAR OF FAILURE QUOTES

best fear of failure quotes

1. “It is not failure itself that holds you back; it is fear of failure that paralyzes you.” – Brian Tracy

2. “Do not fear failure, fear the absence of progress.” – Anonymous

3. “The easiest way to deal with the fear of failure is to be more fearful of not taking action, to be more fearful of settling for a life that is far below then what you deserve and what you desire.” – Tony Robbins

4. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

5. “If something is important enough, you should try even if the probable outcome is failure.” – Elon Musk

6. “Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem

7. “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho

8. “When the fear of failure cripples you to the point where you don’t make the call, you’ll eventually get to the day where you see you haven’t lived at all.” – Ms. Moem

9. “It’s hard to fail but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” – Theodore Roosevelt

10. “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” – Jack Canfield

fear of failure quote by jack canfield

11. “Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.” – Zig Ziglar

12. “Don’t fear failure. Not failure, but low aim is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.” – Bruce Lee

13. “Those who are willing to fail win. Don’t fear failure, embrace it.” – John Morgan

14. “Fear stops a lot of people. Fear of failure, of the unknown, of risk. And it masks itself as procrastination.” – Lisa Anderson

15. “90% of all those who fail are not actually defeated. They simply quit.” – John Maxwell

16. “Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” – Napoleon Hill

17. “Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure. It just means you haven’t succeeded yet.” – Robert H. Schuller

18. “Fear of failure leads to failure.” – Paulo Coelho

19. “Don’t let your fear of failure stop you from realizing your dreams.” – Catherine Pulsifer

20. “ Successful people don’t fear failure, but understand that it’s necessary to learn and grow from.” – Robert Kiyosaki

motivational speech text in english

21. “The key to success is failure.” – Michael Jordan

22. “Success is usually the culmination of controlling failures.” – Sylvester Stallone

23. “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”  –  Colin Powell

24. “Regret is the heritage of people who choose to live a fear-driven life.” – Taneka Rubin

25. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”  –  Thomas Edison

26. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”  –  Og Mandino

27. “Great achievers are driven, not so much by the pursuit of success but by the fear of failure.” –  Larry Ellison

28. “Many times, the thought of fear itself is greater than what it is we fear.” – Idowu Koyenikan

29. “Don’t think about the possibilities of failing. Never forget to think about the possibilities of flying.” – Debasish Mridha

30. “Don’t let the fear of failure stop you; the world needs your greatness .” – Emmanuel Apetsi

fear of failure quote about greatness

31. “If you’re trying and failing, you’re still getting one step closer to success than if you’re doing nothing. You don’t fail; you only learn what works and what does not. Failure is not an option only learning and getting better.” – Jeanette Coron

32. “You can’t be paralyzed by fear of failure or you will never push yourself. You keep pushing because you believe in yourself and in your vision. And you know that it is the right thing to do and success will come.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

33. “People get envious of others and fear failure because they define the “game” in the same way the world tells them to define the game.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

34. “The greatest fear we face is ourselves.” – Kobe Bryant

35. “Fear regret more than failure.” – Taryn Rose

36. “I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.” – George Burns

37. “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

38. “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” – Elbert Hubbard

39. “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” – Dale Carnegie

40. “ Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

motivational speech text in english

41. “Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise.” – Anonymous

42. “Failure is success if we learn from it.” – Malcolm Forbes

43. “ For every failure, there’s an alternative course of action. You just have to find it. When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.” – Mary Kay Ash

44. “Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.” – Frederick Smith

45. “One who fears failure limits his activities. Failure is only the opportunity to more intelligently begin again.” – Henry Ford

46. “Don’t fear failure — embrace it! The most successful people in the world failed the most.” – Les Brown

47. “I’ve come to believe that all my past failure and frustration were actually laying the foundation for the understandings that have created the new level of living I now enjoy.” – Tony Robbins

48. “People who avoid failure also avoid success.” – Robert T. Kiyosaki

49. “It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid.” – Publius Syrus

50. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I built my life.” – J.K. Rowling

motivational speech text in english

Bonus Quote Fear of Failure Quote

Bonus: Alright, here’s one last bonus quotes to help you overcome the fear of failure. We feel that it you follow through on this quote, it will help you overcome fear of failing for good.

“All The Excuses In The World Won’t Change One Simple Fact: That Fear Is A Sign To Do Whatever It Is You Fear—and Do It Quickly.” – grant cardone –

Atchyiphobia is a health condition that leads to an extreme fear of failure. If you have not been diagnosed with this malady, then you can, without a doubt overcome your fear of failure .

With that being said, we hope these fear of failure quotes have encouraged you to lean into that which scares you the most. Why? Because that’s where your biggest opportunities await.

Till next time,

PS – If you enjoyed these fear of failure quotes, then you’ll love these quotes about being fearless.

go the extra mile quotes

Going the extra mile is one of the easiest ways to stand out and excel in just about any endeavor. It’s common knowledge, that doing so can and will help you in our life. Yet, so few people do it. So, to help serve as reminder, and motivate more people to go above and beyond in all areas of their life, we’ve pulled together these highly motivating Go The Extra Mile quotes.

We hope this collection of quotes reinvigorates your desire to win, to do what is necessary to stand out from the crowd, and pull away from your competition. So, if you’re ready to get fired up, let’s dive into these quotes about going the extra mile.

BEST QUOTES ABOUT GOING THE EXTRA MILE

motivational speech text in english

1. “Go the extra mile it’s never crowded.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

2. “Those who are willing to go the extra mile are the ones who exhibit a spirit of excellence , which leads to success in all aspects of business and life.” – David Meltzer

3. “What is the distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives merely following? The extra mile.” – Gary Ryan Blair

4. “People of excellence go the extra mile to do what’s right.” – Joel Olsteen

5. “Start going the extra mile and opportunity will follow you.” – Napoleon Hill

motivational speech text in english

6. “Everybody is standing, but you must stand out. Everybody is breaking grounds; but you must breakthrough! Everybody scratching it; but you must scratch it hard! Everybody is going, but you must keep going extra miles! Dare to be exceptionally excellent and why not?” – Israelmore Ayivor

7. “If there is one overwhelming reason to go the extra mile, it is to make sure that you feel better about yourself.” – Mark McCormack

8. “Put going the extra mile to work as part of one’s daily habit.” – Bruce Lee

9. “One of the most important principles of success is developing the habit of going the extra mile.” – Napoleon Hill

10. “There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.” – Zig Ziglar

motivational speech text in english

11. “I write about nerds who go the extra mile and become rock stars.” – Ben Mezrich

12. “Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more.” – Lou Vickery

13. “That “ do it now ” attitude exemplifies the extra mile.” – David Meltzer

14. “Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.” – Denis Waitley

15. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Les Brown

motivational speech text in english

16. “Average brands deliver exactly what is asked of them. Exceptional brands deliver more. Finding novel and surprising ways to go the extra mile turns sceptics into fanatics and passive bystanders into loyal customers who tell their friends.” – Jodie Cook

17. “Constantly think about how you could be doing things better and questioning yourself.” – Elon Musk

18. “It’s so easy to be great nowadays my friend because most people are weak, most people don’t want to go that extra mile.” – David Goggins

19. “There’s very few people who go the extra mile — so go the extra mile and give it all you’ve got.” – Jim Leishman

20. “Always deliver more than expected.” – Larry Page

going the extra mile quote

21. “Love is about going the extra mile even if it hurts.” – Jennifer Flackett

22. “Doing your best in this moment, puts you in the best place for the next moment.” – Oprah Winfrey

23. “Today, do just a little bit more. Turn going the extra mile into a habit – it is what lifts most successful people above the crowd.” – Bob Proctor

24. “Excellence is going the extra mile.” – Joyce Meyer

25. “Go the extra mile, there’s no one on it.” – Grant Cardone

motivational speech text in english

26. “Going far beyond that call of duty, doing more than others expect, is what excellence is all about! And it comes from striving, maintaining the highest standards, looking after the smallest detail, and going the extra mile. Excellence means doing your very best. In everything! In every way.” – Jack Johnson

27. “If I could shout only one message to the whole world regarding life’s secrets, it would be this: That you cannot get something for nothing, but that you can have the best of everything when you give full measure for the good you wish to receive.” – Catherine Ponder

28. “Always be willing to go the extra mile, to do more than is expected of you. There are never any traffic jams on the extra mile.” – Brian Tracy

29. “A great life is the biproduct of going the extra mile to create great moments, great days, great months, and lastly, great years.” – The STRIVE

30. “Never settle for ‘just getting the job done. Excel!” – Tom Hopkins

motivational speech text in english

Bonus Going The Extra Mile Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is one of our favorite quotes about going the extra mile. We added it as bonus, because we stand behind it, and believe it to be 100% true.

“If You Truly Want To Succeed, Be Prepared To Go The Extra Mile.” – napoleon hill –

There you have it, some of the best Go The Extra Mile quotes ever uttered. We hope they rekindle that inner fire that’ll help you push yourself to do more than what’s expected of you. In short, we hope they motivate you to go the extra mile!

That said, please share this page if you enjoyed it. And come back again when you’re in need of the best motivational quotes for succeeding in life.

Till you reach your aims,

PS – If you liked these Go The Extra Mile quotes then you’ll love these quotes extra effort quotes as well as these strive quotes .

Determination Quotes

Determination is a prerequisite of success. In a world full of distractions, doubters, and ceaseless obstacles, it is those who have a resolute and determined purpose, that find a way to achieve their aims.

It doesn’t matter if you’re aiming to lose weight, land that dream job, find true love, or build a fortune, determination will be needed. So, to help inspire the successful attainment of your big goals and inspiring dreams, we’re publishing this collection of inspirational determination quotes.

Our hope is they’ll inspire you to keep pushing forward when times get tough (as they eventually will) and find the determination you’ll need to stay the course till you arrive at your destination. So, if you’re ready for the best determination quotes to inspire you to success , let’s dive in:

DETERMINATION QUOTES FOR SUCCESS

Best Determination Quotes For Success

1. “Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.” – Napoleon Hill

2. “A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose – a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.” – John Maxwell

3. “If we attack our problems with determination we shall succeed.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

4. “Faith will get you to a point. Luck will get you to a point. But to achieve the kind of success you dream about, you need to work. There are no shortcuts, you can’t cheat life, just get to work and don’t stop until you reach your highest potential.” – Denzel Washington

5. “Be like a postage stamp. Stick to it until you get there.” – Bob Proctor

6. “Winners are ordinary people with an extraordinary determination.” – Anonymous

7. “A failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough.” – John C. Bovee

8. “I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose.” – David Livingstone

9. “Nothing can withstand the power of the human will if it is willing to stake its very existence to the extent of its purpose.” – Benjamin Disraeli

10. “Never consider the the possibility of failure; as long as you persist, you will be successful.” – Brian Tracy

determination quote by brian tracy

11. “Drive, determination, passion, and hard work are all free and are more valuable than a pot of cash.” – Richard Branson

12. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” – Og Mandino

13. “The most essential factor is persistence — the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” – James Whitcomb Riley

14. “Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge

15. “No matter what’s happening right now, it’s setting you up for next level growth. Keep breathing. Keep going.” – Marie Forleo

16. “Luck is when determination meets opportunity.” – Richard Branson

17. “With strength and determination you can do anything you want in life, as long as you believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

18. “It’s the size of one’s will that determines success.” – Anonymous

19. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” – Tommy Lasorda

20. “I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” – Zig Ziglar

motivational speech text in english

21. “We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” – Sonia Johnson

22. “A dream doesn’t become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” – Colin Powell

23. “It pays to be smart, but it pays more to be determined, disciplined, dependable, and driven.” – Adam Grant

24. “Do not underestimate the determination of a quiet man.” – Ian Duncan Smith

25. “You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” – George Lorimer

26. “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

27. “If you have discipline, drive, and determination… nothing is impossible.” – Dana Linn Bailey

28. “Determination, with an optimistic attitude is the key to success .” – Dalai Lama

29. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

30. “The determination to win is the better part of winning.” – Daisaku Ikeda

motivational speech text in english

31. “The most essential factor is persistence — the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.” – James Whitcomb Riley

32. “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti

33. “An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great men and little men.” – Thomas Fuller

34. “Victory is the child of preparation and determination.” – Sean Hampton

35. “Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up.” – Rocky Balboa

36. “Determination is the wake-up call to the human will.” – Tony Robbins

37. “All depends on how determined we are to be successful.” – Robert Kiyosaki

38. “Nothing great will ever be achieved without great mean, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.” – Charles De Gaulle

39. “Life is not only merriment, it is desire and determination.” – Kahlil Gibran

40. “Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” – Abraham Lincoln

determination quotes about finding the way

41. “The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.” – Roger Bannister

42. “Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.” – Henry Van Dyke

43. “The difference between men is in energy, in the strong will, in the settled purpose and in the invincible determination.” – Vince Lombardi

44. “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication,  self-discipline , and effort.” – Jesse Owens

45. “Construct your determination with Sustained Effort, Controlled Attention, and Concentrated Energy.  Opportunities never come to those who wait
 they are captured by those who dare to attack.” – Paul J. Meyer

46. “Working hard, being patient and being full of determination is perhaps the most fulfilling way of becoming rich.” – Robert Gardner

47. “Let us not be content to wait and see what will happen, but give us the determination to make the right things happen.” – Horace Mann

48. “Most people fail because they do not have determination and perseverance. Extraordinary people are determined and persevere, that is what makes them extraordinary.” – Catherine Pulsifer

49. “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

50. “The power of determination will make you unstoppable.” – Jean Charest

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51. “If you can’t fly then run. If you can’t run then walk. If you can’t walk then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

52. “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

53. “It is your determination and persistence that will make you a successful person.” – Kenneth J. Hutchins

54. “Never go backward. Attempt, and do it with all your might. Determination is power.” – Charles Simmons

55. “One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat.” – Napoleon Hill

56. “We will find a way or make one.” – Hannibal

57. “There’s only one way to succeed in anything, and that’s to give it everything.” – Vince Lombardi

58. “Take passion and determination anywhere you go and we promise you, you’ll go far.” – Dorothea Jackson

59. “What does it take to be a champion? Desire, dedication, determination, concentration, and the will to win.” – Patty Berg

60. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln

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61. “Everything is going to be fine in the end. If it’s not fine, it’s not the end.” – Oscar Wilde

62. “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” – Zig Ziglar

63. “It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” – Leonardo da Vinci

64. “Faith can move mountains but determination can help you build new ones.” – Nikita Dudani

65. “Motivation can be found in many different ways, if you can focus on your determination to overcome the odds, rather than how easy it is to quit.” – Dr. Phillip Terrance

66. “Determination is our light against the darkness of temporary setbacks, allowing us to push for victory no matter the obstacles.” – Dr. Moses Simuyemba

67. “If you are going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill

68. “I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.” – Langston Hughes

69. “You may be the only person left who believes in you, but it’s enough. It takes just  one star  to pierce a universe of darkness. Never give up.” – Richelle E. Goodrich

70. “A resolute determination is the truest wisdom.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

napoleon bonaparte's quote about determination

71. “In case of doubt, push on just a little further and then keep on pushing.” –  General George S Patton, Jr.

72. “If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair.  Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.  Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance .” – Samuel Johnson

73. “The only good luck many great men ever had was being born with the ability and determination to overcome bad luck.” – Channing Pollock

74. “What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations 
 is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of being able to change things by one’s own efforts.” – Hannah Arendt

75. “It doesn’t matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right once and then everyone can tell you that you are an overnight success .” – Mark Cuban

76. “The determined have the ability to keep going and not give up… even when facing obstacles.” – The STRIVE

77. “The path to success, is to take massive determined action.” – Tony Robbins

Bonus Quote on Determination

Bonus: Here’s one last quote about determination that we’ve decided to list as our bonus. It’s sums up best the essence of determination. Enjoy.

“If You Really Want To Do Something, You’ll Find A Way. If You Don’t, You’ll Find An Excuse.” – Jim Rohn –

There you have it, the best of the best determination quotes for success. We hope you enjoyed the collection and found inspiration and encouragement in each quote.

And if liked them, then you’ll also enjoy these determination related quotes as well:

Grit Quotes | Perseverance Quotes | Persistence Quotes

With that said, please share the page, or any of one of these determination quotes with someone who needs a little push to keep moving forward on their dreams, or anyone whom might appreciate a bit of motivation.

Keep reaching for the stars….

Till you reach them,

Inspiration

american dream quotes

The  American Dream  is the national ethos of the United States. It’s the idea, that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed and attain a better life for themselves and their families. The American Dream is not something that can just be handed out, because it’s a not a guarantee, it’s only a promise. The American Dream is a promise that you’ll have the opportunity to create a better and more prosperous life for yourself, and if you seize that opportunity, with grit, high effort, and focused determination, you can achieve the dream.

So, to help safe guard that idea and ethos that has fueled economic engine of the U.S.A since 1931, we’re publishing this handful of American Dream quotes. Our hope, is that they continue to give hope and inspiration to the millions of Americans who still value and cherish the idea that we all have an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

TOP 25 AMERICAN DREAM QUOTES

1. “The American Dream reminds us that every man is heir to the legacy of worthiness.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

2. “The American Dream of rags to riches is a dream for a reason – it is hard to achieve; were everyone to do it, it wouldn’t be a dream but would rather be a reality.” – Robert Fulton

3. “The American Dream is about freedom.” – Rick Mears

4. “The American Dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American dream is that every man must be free to become whatever God intends he should become.” – Ronald Reagan

5. “The American Dream is the largely unacknowledged screen in front of which all American writing plays out.” – Arthur Miller

6. “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it’s possible to achieve the American dream.” – Tommy Hilfiger

7. “Beware of the trap of instant gratification. Nothing that’s truly worthwhile can be had “now”. The “The American Dream” is not given, its EARNED.” –  Andy Frisella

8. “Anything that comes along that can inhibit your freedom, is by definition, anti-American.” – Joe Rogan

9. “If you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desires.” – Malcolm Gladwell

10. “There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success.” – Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant

11. “The American dream does not come to those who fall asleep.” – Gerald R. Ford

12. “Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart.” – James Allen

13. “It was desire that brought progress to the world.”  â€“ Claude M. Bristol

14. “That some achieve great success is proof to all the others can achieve it as well.” – Abraham Lincoln

15. “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.” – Napoleon Hill

16. “If you can walk, talk, hear or see, you have everything it takes to do something big with your life.” – Patrick Bet-David

17. “Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.” – Norman Vincent Peale

18. “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” – John C. Maxwell

19. “What you believe you can achieve.” – Mary Kay Ash

20. “One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better.” – Colonel Sanders

21. “I have spent my life judging the distance between American reality and the American Dream.” – Bruce Springsteen

22. “Failure is not the outcome. Failure is not trying.” – Sarah Blakely

23. “You will do more good for the rest of the human race enthusiastically going full bore after the things you want, than in any other way, because the only way you can get the things you want is by providing service to others — and the more intense and enthusiastic you are about it, the better will be your service. It’s the way the free-market private enterprise American system works.” – Earl Nightingale

24. “America is unique because it offers you an economic ladder to climb. And here’s what’s exciting: it’s the bottom of the ladder that’s crowded, not the top.” – Jim Rohn

25. “I stayed true to my dreams, and eventually they cam true.” – Kevin Hart

Bonus American Dream Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is one of our favorite quotes about what it takes to achieve the American Dream. We added it as bonus, because we stand behind it, and believe it to be 100% true.

“Your Dreams Are On The Other Side Of Your Grit.”

Great job making it to the end of these American Dream quotes! Feel free to check our other inspiring quotes and resources to inspire you to keep pursuing you dreams.

Till you reach your dream,

100+ MOTIVATIONAL COMEBACK QUOTES TO HELP YOU COME BACK STRONGER

comeback quotes

Everyone appreciates a great comeback story. It doesn’t matter if its about a person who after hitting rock-bottom turns their whole life around, or someone who against all odds achieves their dreams. Rooting for the underdog is baked into our DNA.

“It’s Not Over Till It’s Over.”

With that said, we understand that if you’re reading this page right now, there’s a good chance that you may be experiencing your own challenges right now. You may feel like you’re up against the ropes, or like you can’t turn things around in your life. If that is you, just remember, it isn’t over till it’s over… and you can mount a comeback.

We’ve got your back, and we are rooting for you. Which is why we’ve pulled together some of the most powerful and motivating comeback quotes. Our hope is that these quotes remind you to keep fighting, to stay hopeful, and if you’ve fallen, to get back up. May these quotes inspire you to make your comeback .

BEST COMEBACK QUOTES TO OVERCOME SETBACKS

motivational speech text in english

1. “The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory. That’s the essence of it.” – Vince Lombardi

2. “The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win.” – Kobe Bryant

3. “If I can comeback from where I come from, then you can do it too.” – Tyson Fury

4. “Nothing is cooler and more attractive than a big comeback, and that’ll be me.” – Steven Adler

5. “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.” – Anonymous

6. “What defines us is how well we rise after falling.” – Lionel Block

7. “Celebrate small victories. Although they may not yet count as your big comeback, these will help re-establish your self-esteem and empower you to take on the challenges that lie ahead.” – Salma El-Shurafa  

8. “Great people make failure the cornerstone of their success.” – Anonymous

9. “You don’t lose if you get knocked down; you lose if you stay down.” – Muhammad Ali

10. “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” – Les Brown

Comeback Quote About Setbacks

11. “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling

12. “Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead.” – Les Brown

13. “It’s not over till you WIN!” – Les Brown

14. “I am making the comeback of the century.” – Bob Backlund

15. “A setback only paves the way for a comeback.” – Evander Holyfield

16. “I wanted to show the world that it can be done. Anything is possible with the right mindset. If you believe in yourself and you sacrifice and dedicate, with the right help you can come back.” – Tyson Fury

17. “Failure is not the end. Failure is the the start of your comeback story.” – Anonymous

18. “I’m always making a comeback but nobody ever tells me where I’ve been.” – Billie Holiday

19. “When life knocks you down, get back up, and whatever you do, don’t stop swinging!” – The STRIVE

20. “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth

babe ruth quote to help you make a comeback

21. “I just showed the world tonight, everyone suffering from mental health. You can comeback, it can be done.” – Tyson Fury

22. “To anyone who is struggling early in the morning or late at night in pursuit of your dream, struggles that many will never see, and to any leaders out there, who believe in someone who does not yet believe in themselves, keep going. Keep going, because WILL always finds a WAY.” – Tom Brady

23. “A great champion deals with setback with a comeback.” – Donna de Varona

24. “Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.” – Og Mandino

25. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

26. “Success is how high you bounce after you hit bottom.” – General George Patton

27. “Failure is often a prerequisite for your success; not a life sentence.” – Anonymous

28. “Setbacks are part and parcel of life. But, if you can see each set back as but another opportunity to spring you further ahead of where you were before your set back, you’ll become unstoppable.” – The STRIVE

29. “Today’s struggle is tomorrow’s strength, and today’s failure is tomorrow’s reward.” – Comeback Quote

30. “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.” – Rocky

Motivational Rocky Comeback Quote

31. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life.” And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

32. “The true measure of success is how many times you can bounce back from failure.” – Stephen Richards

33. “The secret to mounting a successful comeback is to never stop believing.” – Nathan Lee Morales

34. “Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But soon or late the one who wins, Is the one who thinks he can!” – Walter D. Wintle

35. “A champion is defined by the adversity he overcomes.” – Anderson Silva

36. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou

37. “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” – Billie Jean King

Halfway There

You’re more than halfway done, great job! With that said, we hope these comeback quotes are reigniting the fighting spirit within, so you can overcome whatever challenges you may be facing in life.

If you’re not feeling fired up to make your comeback yet, well then, by all means, please keep hammering away at these comeback quotes. The best is yet to come!

38. “The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated
it is finished when it surrenders.” – Ben Stein

39. “All good ideas start out as bad ideas, that’s why it takes so long.” – Steven Spielberg

40. “Sometimes it takes a thousand tries to win.” – Rihanna

Rihanna Comeback Quote

41. “There’s nothing as exciting as a comeback – seeing someone with dreams, watching them fail, and then getting a second chance.” – Rachel Griffiths

42. “It’s never too late to make a comeback.” – Christina Katz

43. “You can’t master your future if you’re still a slave to your past.” – Rihanna

44. “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

45. “My comeback was not about winning or losing; it was about the feeling of being able to compete at top level again.” – Thomas Muster

46. “The biggest comeback is making yourself happy again.” – Anonymous

47. “I don’t know if God is a sports fan or not, but I do know this: He loves a good comeback.” – Lane Kiffin

48. “I just think, as a people in general, we should always look at ourselves as the underdog, so we should always go harder than the next person.” – Shaggy

49. “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin “

50. “Sometimes, a winner is a dreamer who just won’t quit.” – Rudy

Rudy comeback quote

51. “But ultimately what matters most is resilience–the ability to quickly rebound from failures, indeed to see failure as a stepping stone to success.” –  Arianna Huffington 

52. “A comeback is a setback that did its homework, learned the lesson, and then moved forward.” –  Eleanor Brownn

53. “When you’re crying, your tears may be watering the seeds of your come-back.” – Steve Maraboli

54. “Live the Life of Your Dreams. When you start living the life of your dreams, there will always be obstacles, doubters, mistakes and setbacks along the way. But with hard work, perseverance and self-belief there is no limit to what you can achieve.” – Roy T. Bennett

55. “When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.” –  Eloise Ristad

56. “Brick walls are not there to keep us out, they are there to show us how much we want something.” – Randy Pausch

57. “I was the undersized underdog who people never gave a chance. From that, the motivation to prove people wrong just grew and grew.” –  Baker Mayfield

58. “We develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and obstacles.” – Stephen Covey

59. “It’s possible that you can bounce back from adversity and reinvent your life.” – Atlas Rowe

60. “You must fail a hundred times to succeed once.” – Sylvester Stallone

comeback stronger quotes - Stallone

61. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas Edison

62. “If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you like to win, but you think you can’t, It is almost certain you won’t.” – Walter D. Wintle

63. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

64. “Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.” – Lou Holtz

65. “The belief that I could still do it, inspired me to work harder.” – Phil Mickelson

66. “I had to develop the mentality and stay positive about making my comeback.” – Alonzo Mourning

67. “So don’t give up , don’t look down, cause your time is gonna come around.” – Kevin Rudolpf

68. “Your “I CAN” is more important than your IQ.” – Robin Sharma

69. “You can make a comeback, but ONLY if believe you can.” – Nathan Lee Morales

70. “The secret to life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” – Paulo Coelho

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71. “In business, setbacks are a part of the game. Whether it’s small losses (losing a deal to a competitor), or big ones (the inability to break even); failure is normal. But, so is dusting yourself off and bouncing back when those setbacks come your way. In fact, your success as an entrepreneur is directly related to how well you bounce back from failure.” – Emily Andrews

72. “It’s not whether you get knocked down, its whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi

73. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

74. “I think it’s more than whether or not you win or lose. It’s having that opportunity on that final round, final nine, to come down the stretch with a chance to win.” – Phil Mickelson

75. “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice a work hard for it.” – Lionel Messi

76. “Start today creating a vision for yourself, your life, and your career. Bounce back from adversity and create what you want, rebuild and rebrand.” – Germany Kent

77. “Yesterday I dared to struggle, today I dare to win.” – Bernadette Devlin

78. “Unlike an external enemy, the inner enemy cannot regroup and launch a comeback once it has been destroyed from within.” – Dalai Lama

79. “Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.” – Robert Downey Jr.

80. “I stayed true to my dreams, and eventually they came true.” – Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart Comeback Quote

81. “We can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light.” – Coach Tony D’Amato, Any Given Sunday

82. “Setbacks have an upside; they fuel new dreams.” – Dara Torres

83. “In every adversity lies the seed of an equal or greater opportunity.” – Napoleon Hill

84. “Every setback has a major comeback.” – Russell Wilson

85. “I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” – Tom Landry

86. “Losers quit when they fail. Winners fail until they succeed.” – Robert Kiyosaki

87. “I’ve always made some legendary comebacks since 1998 when it first started. So that’s kind of just been my MO for my whole career.” – Serena Williams

88. “Everyone falls down. Getting back up is how you learn how to walk.” – Walt Disney

89. “I never view mistakes as failures. They are simply opportunities to find out what doesn’t work.” – Thomas Edison

90. “One has to remember that every failure can be a stepping stone to something better.” – Colonel Sanders

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91. “If you can look up, then you can get up.” – Les Brown

92. “There are better starters than me but I’m a strong finisher.” – Usain Bolt

93 . “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.” – Zig Ziglar

94. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” – John F. Kennedy

96 . “The most successful people see adversity not as a stumbling block, but as a stepping stone to greatness.” – Shawn Anchor

96. “If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If you fail, are you going to try again? The human spirit can handle much worse than we realize. It matters How you are going to finish.” – Nick Vujicic

97. “In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

98. “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

99. “Adversity cause some men to break; others to break records.”

100. “You can’t make a comeback if you don’t get back up.” – Atlas Rowe

motivational speech text in english

101. “Falling down is part of life. Getting back up is living.” – Anonymous

102. “One’s best success comes after their greatest disappointments.” – Henry Ward Beecher

103. “From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn. That goes for your private life as well as your career.” – Niki Lauda

104.   “We all get distracted, the question is, would you bounce back or bounce backwards?” – Kendrick Lamar

105. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

106. “The best story is a comeback story.” – Nathan Lee Morales

107. “It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” – Chuck Palahniuk

108. “Nothing is cooler and more attractive than a big comeback, and that’ll be me.” – Steven Ader

109. “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford

110. “Once you’ve hit rock bottom the only way is up.” – Anonymous

motivational speech text in english

111. “Quite or make a comeback. The choice is yours.” – Anonymous

112. “You can’t lose confidence in yourself, or you’ve lost already. When you get knocked down, you’ve got to keep getting back up.” – Tim Tebow

113. “It is in the valley of failure that we sow our seeds of success.” – James Altucher

114. “In show business, everyone loves a comeback story.” – Chris Connelly

115. “You’re gonna have to go through hell. Worse than any nightmare that you’ve ever dreamed. But in the end, you know you’ll be the one standing. You know what you’ve gotta go. Do it. Do it!” – Apollo Creed

Bonus Comeback Quote

Bonus: Out of all our comeback quotes this one is a bonus as it comes from someone who knows a thing or two about making a comeback. Once ridiculed by his class and his teacher after telling them about his dream to be on the Television someday, to then eventually having to live out of his car, homeless, for three whole years while he struggled to reach his dream, Steve Harvey knows what it means to make a comeback.

“Your Setback Is Just A Setup For Your Comeback.” – steve harvey –

Alright, there you have it, the best of the best when it comes to comeback quotes. We hope you got what you came for
 massive amounts of encouragement to help you keep your eye on the prize, a reminder to never surrender, and new inspiration to aid you in mounting your own personal comeback.

Your victory is just around the corner!

PS – If you enjoyed these comeback quotes, then you may enjoy one of these extremely inspiring comeback stories:

  • Tyson Fury Comeback Story
  • Sylvester Stallone Comeback Story
  • Rudy Comeback Story
  • Grant Cardone Comeback Story

THURSDAY WORK MOTIVATION TO HELP YOU FINISH THE WEEK STRONG

You Vs. Thursday Motivation

Everyone knows Monday is one of the most challenging days of the week to get motivated. But Thursday’s can be just as menacing. Thursday’s are menacing because the motivation (or lack thereof) that we feel on this day can catch us off guard. If you woke up this morning and thought to yourself, “I can’t believe it’s not Friday yet?” or “Dang, it’s barely Thursday?”, then you’ve got a Thursday motivation problem.

The good news is, you’re not alone. Everyone experiences low motivation from time to time, especially on Thursdays. And the even better news is, we’ve pulled together a few quotes and handful of related resources to help you find some of that elusive Thursday work motivation.

With that said, if you’re looking for that second-wind that we could all use on Thursday to finish the week strong, let’s dive in:

Best Quotes for Thursday Work Motivation

Best Thursday Work Motivation Quotes

1.  “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” – Benjamin Franklin

2. “On Thursday, no matter how difficult and distracting life is, our job is to focus, to work through it, to keep our eyes and our efforts where they belong.” – Rick Pitino

3. “The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost

4. “On this Thursday take nothing for granted. Look around and show gratitude for your work, your family, and your friends.” –  Theodore W. Higginsworth

5. “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.“ – Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. “Thursday is one day closer to my expectation that everything I have done through the week culminates in progress.” – Byron Pulsifer

7. “Everything is either an opportunity to learn and grow or an obstacle that keeps you stuck…you get to choose.” – Thursday Thoughts

8. “Don’t stay in bed unless you can make money in bed.” – George Burns

9. “If you keep doing what you been doing, you’ll keep getting, what you been getting.” – Steve Harvey

10. “Great things never come from comfort zones.” – Anonymous

11. “Your competition is hoping you’ll take it easy today, don’t.” – The Strive

12. “Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” – Babe Ruth

13. “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence .” – Quote for Thursday

14. “Let this Thursday be filled with possibilities – be aware of the opportunities around you; don’t just go through the day, live the day with your eyes and your mind open.” – Anonymous

15. “Hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but improves its chances.” – B.J. Gupta

More Thursday Motivation For Work

You’re halfway through our Thursday work motivation resource. Great job! We sincerely hope these curated quotes are motivating you.

But don’t stop now, as there are still a handful of other resources that could help you find the energy to make this Thursday one to remember.

Related: Ways to Find Motivation For Work

16. “Happy Thursday! P.S. It’s almost Friday.” – Thursday Saying

17. “The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude!” – Anonymous

18. “You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.”  –  Stephen C. Hogan

19. “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs

25. “Action will destroy your procrastination.” – Og Mandino

21. “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

22. “ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley

23. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis

24. “The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” – Anonymous

25. “Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn

26. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

27. “Nothing screws up your Friday like realizing it’s only Thursday.” – Anonymous

28. “I see a light at the end of the tunnel… hopefully its not a freight train!” – Mariah Carey

29. “Start your Thursday with an attitude of optimism. It’s going to be a good day!” – Kate Summers

30.  “Stay positive, work hard, make it happen.” – Thursday Quote

31. “Remember no matter how fast you run, you can’t be the winner if you don’t finish.” – Israelmore Ayivor

32. “The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.” – Helen Keller

33. “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson

34. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Teddy Roosevelt

35. “Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort . If you strive for the top and miss, you’ll still ‘beat the pack.” – Gerald R. Ford

36. “The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.” – Elbert Hubbard

37. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. ”  –   Thomas Jefferson

38. “You are what you do, not what you say you do.”  –  Carl Jung

39. “The extra energy required to make another effort
 is the secret of winning.” – Denis Waitley

40. “Starting strong is good. Finishing strong is epic.” – Robin Sharma

Related: Workplace Motivation

Thursday Work Motivation Bonus

Bonus: Here’s a little motivational speech that will surely help you with finding some of that motivation to finish your Thursday strong. Here it is….

You Vs. Thursday Motivation

Just click on the image or watch it here .

There you have it, a handful of quotes to inspire you this Thursday, as well as access to a few additional resources for finding motivation for the end of your week. We hope you found at least a little bit of motivation so you can finish the week strong.

With that said, if you found value in this page, or if you see someone who is treating their Thursday like it was a Monday , please share this encouraging page with them. Because you just never never who needs a little Thursday motivation for work.

PS – If you enjoyed theseThursday motivational quotes for work, then you’ll definitely love these quotes to push you to work hard everyday of the week: Work Hard Quotes

100+ DAVID GOGGINS QUOTES TO HELP YOU GET AND STAY INSPIRED

Motivational David Goggins Quotes

David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL, Iraq War veteran, accomplished endurance athlete, and highly sought after public speaker. He’s authored the New York Times Best-selling book ‘You Can’t Hurt Me’, along with his new book, ‘Never Finished’, and has become an icon when it comes to the power of self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work.

Having transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into one of the toughest men alive — becoming the only person in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, we feel it’s safe to say that Goggins knows a thing or two about self-motivation, determination, and rising up to accomplish the impossible. As such, we’re publishing some of the best David Goggins quotes to help you peer into a mind that knows how to easily overcome obstacles and defy the odds.

So, if you’re ready for a strong dose of motivation and tough love, let’s dive into these powerful David Goggins quotes:

BEST DAVID GOGGINS QUOTES FOR MOTIVATION

Best David Goggins Quotes on Success

1. “Never let people who choose the path of least resistance steer you away from your chosen path of most resistance.” – David Goggins

2. “No one is going to come help you. No one’s coming to save you.” – David Goggins

3. “Life is one big tug of war between mediocrity and trying to find your best self.” – David Goggins

4. “The path to success will leave you callused, bruised, and very tired. It will also leave you empowered.” – David Goggins

5. “There is no better way to grow as a person than to do everyday something you hate.” – David Goggins

6. “Everybody comes to a point in their life when they want to quit. But it’s what you do at that moment that determines who you are.” – David Goggins

7. “I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done.” – David Goggins

8. “You can tolerate doubt as a backseat driver, but if you put doubt in the pilot’s seat, defeat is guaranteed.” – David Goggins

9. “We all have the ability to come from nothing to something.” – David Goggins

10. “Suffering is the true test of life.” – David Goggins

Inspiring David Goggins Quote on Life

Motivational David Goggins Quotes

David Goggins is not big on leaning on external motivation, but, his quotes sure are motivating, and these quotes in particular are his most motivating. So, if you’re looking to get fired up to take action and get to work on your goals, these motivational David Goggins quotes will help you get it done.

11. “Nobody cares what you did yesterday. What have you done today to better yourself?” – David Goggins

12. “Be more than motivated, be more than driven, become literally obsessed to the point where people think you’re f*cking nuts.” – David Goggins

13. “Don’t focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim at what you are willing to earn.” – David Goggins

14. “Comfort zones: If you live in one too long… that becomes your norm. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” – David Goggins

15. “Tell yourself the truth! That you’ve wasted enough time, and that you have other dreams that will take courage to realize, so you don’t die a f**king pussy.” – David Goggins

16. “If you want to get better, do the things that no-one else wants to do. Do the things that no-one is even thinking about doing.” – David Goggins

17. “I thought I’d solved a problem when really I was creating new ones by taking the path of least resistance.” – David Goggins

18. “Everybody wants a quick fix. You may get results, but they won’t be permanent. The permanent results come from you having to suffer.” – David Goggins

19. “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” – David Goggins

20. “ Mental toughness is a lifestyle.” – David Goggins

David Goggins Quotes on Mental Toughness

21. “Read a record number of books in a given month. If you’re focused on intellectual growth, train yourself to study harder and longer than ever before.” – David Goggins

22. “Everybody comes to a point in their life when they want to quit. But it’s what you do at that moment that determines who you are.” – David Goggins

23. “If you don’t challenge yourself, you don’t know yourself.” – David Goggins

24. “I’m different than most people… when I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I’m thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s as if my Journey is everlasting and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins

25. “It’s possible to transcend anything that doesn’t kill you.” – David Goggins

26. “Failure is an option. It’s what you do with the failure that makes you who you are. Our failures mold us. I have failed at several things in my life. What sets some of us apart, is that when we fail, we can’t sleep at night. It haunts us until we have our time at redemption.” – David Goggins

27. “From the time you take your first breath, you become eligible to die. You also become eligible to find your greatness and become the One Warrior. But it is up to you to equip yourself for the battle ahead.” – David Goggins

28. “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the mud. Get out there and get after it.” – David Goggins

29. “Very few people know how the bottom feels, but I do. It’s like quicksand. It grabs you, sucks you under, and won’t let go. When life is like that it’s easy to drift and continue to make the same comfortable choices that are killing you, over and over again.” – David Goggins

30. “It’s time to go to war with yourself.” – David Goggins

motivational david goggins quotes - go to war with yourself

Mindset Quotes by David Goggins

This next batch of quotes by David Goggins are related to the importance our mindset plays in how we show up in the world and achieve our goals. They provide excellent insight into how David has used his mind to achieve the impossible , and how you can too.

31. “We’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.” – David Goggins

32. “The only thing more contagious than a good attitude is a bad one.” – David Goggins

33. “When your mind is telling you that you’re done, that you’re exhausted, that you cannot possible go any further, you’re actually 40% done.” – David Goggins

34. “Denial is the ultimate comfort zone.” – David Goggins

35. “People take classes on self-help, mental toughness, breathing control — the only way to get tougher is to put yourself in hellacious situations.” – David Goggins

36. “You have to build calluses on your brain just like how you build calluses on your hands. Callus your mind through pain and suffering.” – David Goggins

37. “If you’re not physically and mentally prepared for what life is going to throw at you, then you’re just going to crumble, And then, you’re no good to nobody.” – David Goggins

38. “The more things you can do to get outside of that zone that makes you feel good, the stronger your mind is going to get. It starts getting used to doing things like this. It’s not fun, but now my mind is used to it.” – David Goggins

39. “Whenever you decided to follow a dream or set a goal , you are just as likely to come up with with all the reasons why the likelihood of success is low. Blame it on the fu**ed-up evolutionary wiring of the human mind. But you don’t have to let your doubt into the cockpit!” – David Goggins

40. “The mind is the most powerful thing in the world.” – David Goggins

david goggins quote

41. “The reason it’s important to push hardest when you want to quit the most is because it helps you callous your mind. It’s the same reason why you have to do your best work when you are the least motivated.” – David Goggins

42. “Most of us we live in a box, and we don’t want to go out of that box at all, ever. Outside of that box is all these possibilities of life, but what we do is shackle our mind and we are a prisoner in our own mind.” – David Goggins

43. “In a human being your character is your foundation, and when you build a bunch of successes and pile up even more failures on a fu**ed-up foundation, the structure that is the self won’t be sound.” – David Goggins

44. “To develop an armored mind — a mindset so calloused and hard that it becomes bulletproof — you need to go to the source of all your fears and insecurities.” – David Goggins

45. “Only when you identify and accept your weaknesses will you finally stop running from your past.” – David Goggins

46. “Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance, and beautiful silence.” – David Goggins

47. “Only you can master your mind, which is what it takes to live a bold life filled with accomplishments most people consider beyond their capability.” – David Goggins

48. “Everything in life is a mind game! Whenever we get swept under by life’s dramas, large and small, we are forgetting that no matter how bad the pain gets, no matter how harrowing the torture, all bad things end.” – David Goggins

49. “Our culture has become hooked on the quick-fix, the life hack, efficiency. Everyone is on the hunt for that simple action algorithm that nets maximum profit with the least amount of effort. There’s no denying this attitude may get you some of the trappings of success, if you’re lucky, but it will not lead to a calloused mind or self-mastery.” – David Goggins

50. “It’s so easy to be great these days, because everyone else is so weak.” – David Goggins

so easy to be great quote by david goggins

Inspiring David Goggins Quotes

This next set of quotes consists of some of the most inspirational David Goggins quotes source from his book, interviews, and social media activity. We think they’ll inspire you to want to push your limits and aim for the stars in all you do.

51. “You’re probably living at about 40 percent of your true capability.” – David Goggins

52. “The worst thing that can happen to a man is to become civilized” – David Goggins

53. “You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.” – David Goggins

54. “ A warrior is a guy that goes, I’m here again today. I’ll be here again tomorrow and the next day.’ It’s a person who puts no limit on what’s possible.” – David Goggins

55. “If you can get through doing things that you hate to do, on the other side is greatness.” – David Goggins

56. “The only way that you’re ever going to get to the other side of this journey is by suffering. You have to suffer in order to grow. Some people get it, some people don’t.” – David Goggins

57. “We live in a world where a lot of people need goals, motivation, and a lot of other words to get started. It’s just a big excuse to not get started.” – David Goggins

58. “A warrior is not a person that carries a gun. The biggest war you ever go through is right between your own ears. It’s in your mind. We’re all going through a war in our mind, and we have to callus our minds to fight that war and to win that war.” – David Goggins

59. “The only reason why I became successful was because I went towards the truth. As painful and as brutal as it is, it changed me. It allowed me, in my own right, to become the person who I am today.” – David Goggins

60. “It may be satisfactory, but that’s another word for mediocrity.” – David Goggins

david goggins quote on mediocrity

61. “We are all great. No matter if you think you’re dumb, fat, been bullied, we all have greatness. You gotta find the courage. It’s going to be hard work, discipline , and the non-cognitive skills — hard work, dedication, sacrifice — that will set you apart. – David Goggins

62. “Before you start a goal — let’s take care of our insecurities because they are going to surface when you put yourself in the crucible and you’re suffering.” – David Goggins

63. “A lot of people put motivational quotes up on the wall, and all they do is collect dust. Become what that quote says. Live it every day.” – David Goggins

64. “A normal person would give up. They’d say, fu** it, it’s just not meant to be, and refuse to torture themselves one minute more. But I wasn’t wired normal.” – David Goggins

65. “Show people, don’t tell people!” – David Goggins

66. “Most of us fail in life because we are afraid of what everyone around you is thinking. That’s 100% truth.” – David Goggins

67. “When you fall down, focus on the solution, not the problem You might quit or fail 100 times. Keep that clear picture of where you want to be.” – David Goggins

68. “Be true to whoever or whatever you are  and wear it like a bandage of honor. Fit in with one person and one person only: yourself.” – David Goggins

69. “Motivation is crap. Motivation comes and goes. When you’re driven, whatever is in front of you will get destroyed.” – David Goggins

70. “Life is the most brutal endurance sport of all time!” – David Goggins

motivational speech text in english

71. “When you’re exhausted, weak, and tired and everyone around you looks just as bad as you or even worse- that’s the perfect time for you to make a statement. You let everyone around you know that when their life ends, that’s when yours begins.” – David Goggins

72. “If you want to be one of the few to defy those trends in our ever-softening society, you will have to be willing to go to war with yourself and create a whole new identity, which requires an open mind.”  – David Goggins

73. “Most people who doubt you, doubt you because they can never see themselves doing what you are trying to do.” – David Goggins

74. “What put distance between me and almost everybody else in that platoon is that I didn’t let my desire for comfort rule me.” – David Goggins

75. “My work ethic is the single most important factor in all of my accomplishments.” – David Goggins

76. “In every failure a lot of good things will have happened, and we must acknowledge them.” – David Goggins

77. “Thicken your skin. Become more of a human being. Don’t be afraid of the reflection in the mirror.” – David Goggins

78. “If you choose to do something, Attack It.” – David Goggins

79. “Don’t focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim at what you are willing to earn!” – David Goggins

80. “Your entitled mind is dead weight. Cut it loose.” – David Goggins

David Goggins Quote on Entitlement

81. “Most of us are motivated as hell to do anything to pursue our dreams until those around us remind us of the danger, the downside, our own limitations, and all the people before us that didn’t make it. Sometimes, the advice comes from a well intentioned place. They really believe they are doing it for our own good but if you let them, these same people will talk you out of your dreams, and your governor will help them do it.” – David Goggins

82. “Life is one big mind game. The only person you are playing against is yourself.” – David Goggins

83. “Starting at zero is a mindset that says my refrigerator is never full, and it never will be.” – David Goggins

84. “We can always become stronger and more agile, mentally and physically. We can always become more capable and more reliable. Since that’s the case we should never feel that our work is done. There is always more to do.” – David Goggins

85. “We are all fighting the same battle. All of us are torn between comfort and performance, between settling for mediocrity or being willing to suffer in order to become our best self, all the damn time.” – David Goggins

86. “We need to surround ourselves with people who will tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear, but at the same time not make us feel we’re up against the impossible.” – David Goggins

87. “In life, there is no gift as overlooked or inevitable as failure.” – David Goggins

88. “Luck is a capricious bi***. It won’t always go your way, so you can’t get trapped in this idea that just because you imagined a possibility for yourself that you somehow deserve it.” – David Goggins

89. “Self-talk and visualization are the two keys to my success.” – David Goggins

90. “In this life, we’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.” – David Goggins

goggins quotes

91. “We are all guilty of allowing so-called experts, or just people who have more experience in a given field than we do, to cap our potential.” – David Goggins

92. “In this life there are countless trails to self-realization, though most demand intense discipline , so very few take them.” – David Goggins

93. “To exist in this world, we must contend with humiliation, broken dreams, sadness, and loss. That’s just nature. Each specific life comes with its own personalized portion of pain. It’s coming for you. You can’t stop it. And you know it.” – David Goggins

94. “We live a life defined by the limits we imagine and desire for ourselves because it’s comfortable as hell in that box.” – David Goggins

95. “We all need to start looking at obstacles very differently in life. Obstacles are purely hidden opportunities.” – David Goggins

96. “You have to learn to be the person who really doesn’t care if it is 70 and sunny or 20 and windy. You just don’t care and continue moving forward . The obstacle is the opportunity if you are willing to see it that way. Stay hard!” – David Goggins

97. “There is so much poison that people are feeding people’s minds these days. People want to see you lesser than them. A lot of people want to see you on your back. Be careful who you listen to in this world- they may very well be the infection that keeps your brain sedentary.” – David Goggins

98. “In life, when you miss the shot that can tie the game, before you put your head down, look at the scoreboard because I bet you still have time in the game. And in this game of life, anything can happen at any given second that can turn the tide in that game!” – David Goggins

99. “The Spartans were masters of pain. They knew how to embrace it and push through it. They didn’t just endure pain, they welcomed it. That’s what made them so powerful.” – David Goggins

100. “Taking souls all day everyday.” – David Goggins

taking souls quote

101. “I seem to annoy people just by doing me. Well, guess what? A lot of people annoy the hell out of me by not working to their full potential, being lazy and making excuses for their lot in life.” – David Goggins

102. “When you make excuses, you’re running from the truth.” – David Goggins

103 . “The only way we can change is to be real with ourselves.” – David Goggins

104. “Be uncommon amongst uncommon people.” – David Goggins

105. “It’s a lot more than mind over matter. It takes relentless self-discipline to schedule suffering into your day, every day.” – David Goggins

106. “Analyze your schedule, kill your empty habits, burn out the bulls**t, and see what’s left.” – David Goggins

107. “Don’t let your body or mind do exactly what it wants to do. Take control.” – David Goggins

108. “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the fu****g mud.” – David Goggins

109. “ Find strength in the misery, cause you can get a lot of power in misery.” – David Goggins

110. “Stay Hard!” – David Goggins

David Goggins Stay Hard Quote

111. “You’re gonna find peace by going to war with yourself.” – David Goggins

112. “What makes me me, is the dungeon.” – David Goggins

113. “There’s always going to be that mutherf****r in the sewer you came from, that’s grabbing at your fu****g ankle as you’re leaving that sewer, that’s gonna drag your right the f*** back down because you figured it out.” – David Goggins

114. “Every morning starts with a run, and that’s because it’s the one thing I hate to do more than anything in the world. So, that’s like my cup of coffee.” – David Goggins

115. “The most important step we’ll ever take in life, is our next one.” – David Goggins

116. “They don’t know me son!! Who’s gonna carry the boats… and the logs?” – David Goggins

117. “The struggle is real. It never gets any easier… you got to get harder.” – David Goggins

Bonus David Goggins Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is our last David Goggins quote that we want to leave you with. It’s a painful truth, but we all need to hear it, and never forget it….

“You Don’t Get Better On The Daggum Couch.” – David goggins –

Related: David Goggins Net Worth

We hope you enjoyed this collection of motivating David Goggins quotes. If any of them inspired you, please share the page or the quote with someone whom you think could use a friendly nudge from David Goggins to step up their game.

With that said, we hope these quotes help you follow Goggins’ lead to keep your mind strong and stay hard!

PS – If you enjoyed these David Goggins quotes, you may enjoy this inspiring David Goggins Story of Success.

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January 7, 2009

Top 100 Free Motivational Speeches, Lectures, & Podcasts

To give you a boost for the year, we’ve updated our top 100 free motivational audio & video learning resources that we have featured on our site. For the past years we’ve featured a Monday Motivation email every week as part of our Free Resource of the Day Emails . From these resources we’ve selected the top 100 free motivational audio & video resources. You can check them all out by clicking the titles below. We’ve attempted to order them according the best of the best, but they are all highly motivational free resources to inspire you to greater health & wealth in all areas of your life. Also we now feature over 10,000 free audio & video learning titles in our free directory. You can check them all out here:

LearnOutLoud.com Free Audio & Video Directory

Here are our Top 100 Motivational Free Resources:

1. I Have a Dream Audio and Video

From our first edition of the Free Resource of the Day e-mail we wanted to start out with a special one. One of our favorite free titles in the directory is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s classic “I Have a Dream” speech. Delivered on August 28th, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., King’s passionate call for justice and equality was the battle cry for the civil rights movement in America. Choose from an audio version of the speech from American Rhetoric or a video version from YouTube.

2. The Words of Christ: From the Book of Matthew

This audio book, released by ThoughtAudio.com isolates everything uttered by Christ in the gospel according to Matthew. Extracted from the narrative of the Bible, Christ’s message is distilled to its core values. Simple in its language yet still potent in its ever-present challenge to humanity, this is as unfiltered of a view of the gospel as one might ever find. This recording is a wonderful opportunity to engage with the gospel from a new point of view. This audio book is available to download in multiple MP3 segments.

3. Steve Jobs Commencement Address at Stanford University

Steve Jobs delivered this commencement address at Stanford University and it’s one of the more inspiring commencement addresses we’ve ever had a chance to hear. Jobs tells three stories of endurance through his education, his career, and his diagnosis with cancer, and through it all his advice is: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” This address is available on streaming video and video download from YouTube.

4. Zig Ziglar’s Inspiring Words of Encouragement Podcast

There’s not much motivational content on our site that can rival Zig Ziglar’s Inspiring Words of Encouragement Podcast. Ziglar passed away at the age of 86 in 2012. His podcast includes over 250 individual podcast episodes from the audio archives of Zig Ziglar! Listen to podcasts on Wisdom, Hope, Faith, Gratitude, Overcoming Fear, Discipline and Commitment, Success, Emotions and Attitudes, Values, Persistence, Happiness, Goals, Positive Thinking, Relationships, Forgiveness, Sales Advice, Parental Wisdom, Ethical Leadership, Love and Romance, and we could go on and on and on. Each of the podcasts has a description below it, so it should be easy to pick out ones in the areas you need motivation. Listen to one of the greatest motivators of all time with over 5 years of podcasts from Zig Ziglar! Note: It may take a moment to load because the podcast feed is quite massive.

5. Stephen R. Covey on Living a Principle-Centered Life

Dr. Steven Covey passed away in 2012. He was the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and a few years back he gave an outstanding address at Montana State University on living a principally-centered life. He explains how those who live without principles tend to evaluate themselves according to what others think. He also encourages the incoming freshman he is addressing to not cram their studies in order to just get by in college, as that is a bad habit that Covey confesses he had which robbed him of much of the value of his early college education. This streaming video lecture is available on YouTube.

6. 50 Things I’m Going to Do Today

One of our all-time favorite audio downloads is 50 Things I’m Going to Do Today. Written and narrated by Brian Johnson, CEO of Zaadz, Inc., “50 Things” is a great collection of tips to live your life by. Ranging from “Hit The Rock” and “Pay Your Bills with a Smile” to “Act ‘As If'” and “Embrace Opposites,” you’re in for a real treat if you haven’t listened to this already. And if you have it’s probably time for another listen. Enjoy!

7. Dalai Lama on Ethical Self-Awareness & Personal Transformation

In this free video from UCTV, His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses a packed crowd at UC-Irvine on the topic of “Ethical Self-Awareness & Personal Transformation”. With humor and humility the Dalai Lama speaks on the importance of awareness in overcoming anger and other negative emotions. This event is available on streaming video from YouTube. For over 75 talks and audio books by the Dalai Lama go to our Dalai Lama Audio & Video Page .

8. The Best of Steve Pavlina’s Blog

Steve Pavlina’s popular blog “Personal Growth for Smart People” gets over 2 million visitors per month. Writing on topics as diverse as sleep optimization, natural food diets, relationships, and time management, Pavlina has displayed a fascinating willingness to adjust his lifestyle for the better. We’ve been avid readers of his blog for years and are excited to present his ideas on audio for the first time !

Our free audio book for May features six of his most popular blog posts of all time . Download this free 1-hour audio book as an introduction to his unique take on personal growth. Included in this free sampler program are audio renditions of these classic Pavlina blog postings: How to Discover Your Life Purpose, 30 Days to Success, How to Become an Early Riser, Ten Reasons Not to Get a Job, How to Decide When to End a Long-Term Relationship, and The Law of Attraction.

9. John Wooden on True Success

The legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden passed away in 2010 at the age of 99. Under Coach Wooden, UCLA won a record ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period. John Wooden left a legacy of leadership wisdom through his numerous books including his conception of “the Pyramid of Success”. In this talk delivered at the TED conference a few years ago, Wooden talks about true success being the satisfaction of knowing you that put forth your utmost effort in the game despite whether you win or lose. He readily quotes poetry and other sources of his inspiration throughout his life. This 20-minute talk is loaded with wisdom from a lifetime of success, and it is available on streaming video and video download from TED.com.

10. 1993 ESPY Award Address

Listen to this truly inspiring address by legendary American college basketball coach Jimmy Valvano, delivered just a few months before he died of cancer in 1993. Valvano encourages us to laugh, think, and cry everyday and to never give up which is the motto of The V Foundation which he established as a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to find a cure for cancer. This 13-minute speech is available on streaming video through YouTube and MP3 Download through American Rhetoric.

11. Time Management

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch is best known for his talk “ The Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams ” which he gave while he had terminal cancer about a year before he passed away on July 25, 2008. After that lecture he gave another great lecture at the University of Virginia in November 2007 on “Time Management”. Pausch clearly learned from the best when it came to time management and in this hour long talk he packs in advice on time management for almost every area of your life such as prioritizing tasks, managing meetings & phone calls, delegating assignments, dealing with email, and also taking time to say thank you. He ends the lecture with a poignant reminder that the more efficient you are the more you can spend time with the ones you love because some day you might wake up and find out you don’t have much time left.

12. Tony Robbins Asks Why We Do What We Do

Self development expert Anthony Robbins speaks at the TED Conference on what motivates people. Robbins insists that he isn’t a motivator, but instead he is out to find what motivates people and what is it that makes the difference in the quality of people’s lives. He discusses briefly the core human needs that drive people. This talk is available on streaming video from Google Video.

13. Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: PBS Special

Author and motivational speaker Dr. Wayne Dyer has been writing bestselling books for years and with many of his bestsellers he has done a PBS special sharing some of the ideas in his latest book. A few years back he wrote the book Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao which covered ideas in Lao-tzu’s classic text, the Tao Te Ching . In his “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life” PBS Special, Dyer shares many of the ideas from the Tao Te Ching and how they impacted his life. While Dyer has always taught the importance of changing your thoughts to create change in your life, he explains how meditating on the Tao Te Ching clarified for him the new thoughts that one should be thinking. Watch this free PBS special available on YouTube.

14. How to Live on Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Listen to this short motivational audio book by British author Arnold Bennett. Written in 1910 this manual for managing your time contains ways to not only increase your productivity but also improve the quality of your daily life. Bennett addresses white-collar workers who begrudgingly work the standard 40 hours per week and see little time for anything else. He points to ways people can take advantage of the extra time they have away from work to improve the quality of their lives. He suggests waking up earlier, reading or reflecting on the train to work (or in today’s case listening to audio books during your commute!), and taking advantage of the evenings and weekend time to improve yourself through reflection, the arts, and literature. It is a great examination on how we use our time and it’s only 1 Hr. 30 Min. long. It is well narrated by Mark F. Smith at LibriVox.org.

15. 25 Life Purpose Lessons from Sounds True

Sounds True has launched a wonderful new section of their site that features 25 Life Purpose Lessons to help you grow in your passions, your career, and your wealth in the coming year. With 5-15 minute audio lessons from Sounds True’s best business & wealth teachers such as Rick Jarow, Mark Albion, John Mackey, Fred Kofman, and Vicki Robin, these 25 life lessons will propel you towards your goals with vision & motivation. Note: These exercises are streaming audio only and not downloadable.

16. Inside Personal Growth Podcast

Host Greg Voisen at www.insidepersonalgrowth.com has created over 200 podcasts interviewing top authors in the area of personal growth. Past interviews include: Brian Tracy, Byron Katie, Dan Millman, Daniel G. Amen, David Allen, Gary Zukav, Gay Hendricks, Guy Finley, Joan Borysenko, John Robbins, Lisa Nichols, Marshall Goldsmith, Michael Gerber, Ram Dass, Robin Sharma, Rick Hanson, Sharon Salzberg, Shawn Phillips, Sylvia Browne, Thomas Moore, Tony Alessandra, and many others. The podcast feed always has the latest 10 interviews and the entire archive of podcasts can be accessed on www.insidepersonalgrowth.com . Enjoy these podcasts from this exceptional collection of personal growth author interviews.

17. Yes You Can

In this free downloadable audio program author and motivational speaker Jim Donovan demonstrates in dozens of ways how our thoughts become the outcomes of our life. Through positively shifting what our focus is we inevitably move toward our goals and become happier, healthier, and wealthier. This motivational program is available on MP3 digital download through LearnOutLoud.com.

18. Millionaire Upgrade

Download this free audio book of wealth advice by Richard Parkes Cordock. Drawing off some of the ideas of Napoleon Hill’s Think & Grow Rich and inspired by the true story of a flight with Sir Richard Branson, Millionaire Upgrade tells the story of man who gets on a plane and sits next to a self-made millionaire who lets him in on the secrets of his business success. The book contains entrepreneurship advice for anyone looking for something more than being a standard employee at a job they aren’t passionate about. It’s narrative structure provides for very enjoyable listening with key lessons emphasized along the way. This audio book is available to download for free from Audible.com, and it’s also available on MP3 audio download from the Millionaire MBA website. We’ve provided links to both on our page.

19. Tim Ferriss: Accelerated Learning in Accelerated Times

Watch this recent talk from Tim Ferriss, who is the bestselling author of The 4-Hour Work Week and The 4-Hour Body . Through his ongoing learning experiments, Ferriss has developed a method for learning things quickly. He encourages people to disregard conventional knowledge when it comes to learning just about anything as most conventional learning strategies are slow and ineffective. He describes the rapid methods he used to learn languages and to accomplish some of the physical feats he accomplished in his book The 4-Hour Body . He closes the talk with giving people the best behavioral techniques for carrying out his methods until your goals are accomplished. It’s great condensed knowledge from accelerated learner Tim Ferriss. This talk was delivered at the Long Now Foundation and is available on streaming video from FORA.tv.

20. I’ve Been to the Mountaintop

On April 4th, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. The night before he was assassinated Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his prophetic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. In this stirring speech Dr. King looks back on his life and is thankful for all the positive changes in civil rights that occurred in his lifetime, and he is grateful to have lived in the second half of the 20th century when masses of people all over the world were standing up for freedom and human rights. Listen to this speech on streaming audio or download it on MP3 from American Rhetoric.

21. David Allen: Getting Things Done

In this Google Talk David Allen introduces some of the ideas in his bestselling book and time management system Getting Things Done . He provides advice on dealing with email, creating to-do lists, and getting into the right quadrant in order to get the most done. He includes many nuggets of wisdom from the decades he has spent studying and perfecting his system of time management. This 45-minute talk is available on streaming video on YouTube.

22. Self Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self Reliance is perhaps Ralph Waldo Emerson’s most famous essay. This version, narrated by Brian Johnson from Zaadz, is both thought-provoking and inspirational. Ralph Waldo Emerson pushes the listener to break free of the dependence on society and the masses of man and to rely solely upon oneself. Always pushing us to follow our own nature & intuition, Emerson denounces those who allow themselves to be victims of society or history. He wants great men to rise from the limitations of cultural institutions and stand as giants casting shadows over the ages. Throughout the essay there is wisdom loaded in every sentence and it can be listened to again and again. Download this free classic audio book on MP3 directly from LearnOutLoud.com.

23. The Surprising Science of Motivation

Learn how to better motivate yourself and others in this recent popular TED Talk. In this talk writer Daniel H. Pink lays out the facts about what drives the best results in business. In study after study any work that requires creative problem solving does not benefit from external rewards such as money. Only mechanical tasks benefit when there is reward and punishment, but when creative solutions are required, workers are more motivated when they feel there is intrinsic value to what they are doing. Pink lays out some of the ways businesses have benefited by implementing policies to encourage the best in right brained, creative thinking. This talk is available on MP3 download and streaming video from TED.com.

24. The Art of Original Thinking

Author Jan Phillips is currently offering her audio book The Art of Original Thinking: The Making of a Thought Leader for free on MP3 audio download directly through LearnOutLoud.com. This unabridged 6-hour audio book sets out to inspire new thought leaders for the new global paradigm we are entering. She provides many insights from her own life and quotes other unique thought leaders to aid us in creatively thinking outside of the box. She also explores the new thinking that is emerging in the areas of business, politics, religion, the environment, and more. Download this free audio book generously offered by author Jan Phillips and feel free to check out her website: www.janphillips.com .

25. Dr. John Ratey on Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

We all know exercise is great for the body, but in this lecture Dr. John Ratey talks about the many ways neuroscience is discovering how great exercise is for the brain. His book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain lays out the research and amazing case studies that show how exercise can improve brain function. In this 50-minute talk at Google Dr. Ratey summarizes his findings showing how exercise improves performance in schools and the workplace and its effectiveness at overcoming disorders like ADHD, depression, Alzheimer’s, and more. Learn the latest findings on exercise and the brain with bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist John J. Ratey.

26. Introduction to Your Mind: Two Guided Meditations

Before you plunge into action, start things off with these two free guided meditations. They were published by Mi Ka El Mindchanger through our TeachOutLoud self-publishing tool. Through these two 10-minute meditations Mi Ka El leads you through the practice of mindfulness meditation with insights on how to transcend your thoughts & feelings and come into awareness of your true Self. These excellent meditations can be downloaded on MP3 through LearnOutLoud.com and listened to again and again. Thanks Mi Ka El for this great free resource!

27. Quotations of Mahatma Gandhi

Listen to these humble words of wisdom from Mahatma Gandhi. This inspiring audio title from ThoughtAudio.com features quotes from Gandhi on his various methods of living out his quest for truth. These quotes are well narrated by Michael Scott and available on MP3 Download.

28. Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

In this hour-long talk delivered at Google, author and brain researcher Dr. Daniel Siegel explains his definition of the what the mind is. He takes us on a quick overview of the functions of the brain, from the spinal cord all the way up to the prefrontal cortex where he argues that the uniqueness of humans stems from. From his research and experience Siegel lays out nine integral functions of this part of the brain including reflective awareness, empathy, morality, and more. He then talks about his discovery of mindfulness and how the practice of mindfulness cultivates all these functions of the middle prefrontal brain. Dr. Siegel expresses his hope that along with reading, writing, and arithmetic, the 4th of reflection would be taught in education to help cultivate mindfulness and healthy brain function. This talk is available from Google and can be watched on YouTube.

29. Dan Buettner: How to Live to Be 100+

Dan Buettner talks about the findings of his team as they studied the world’s “Blue Zones,” communities whose elders live with vim and vigor to record-setting age. He talks about a culture in Okinawa where the elderly were seen as the peak of society and they don’t have a concept such as retirement. There they stay in close knit communities and have a strong sense of purpose, they make it a rule to eat only up to the point that they are 80% full, and they have physical activity built into their everyday lives. In America one of the communities that lives the longest are a group of Seventh Day Adventists in Southern California who take a whole day every week to worship God, to be in nature, and to socialize within their faith-based communities. For more tips on living to 100 definitely listen to this talk from TEDxTC available on streaming video and MP3 audio download.

30. John F. Kennedy Inauguration Speech 1961

50 years ago, on January 20th, 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States and he delivered his famous Inauguration Speech encouraging Americans to: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”. This 13-minute speech confronted the Cold War, and Kennedy called for Americans and all global citizens to take responsibility for the freedom of mankind. At a time when the threat of nuclear war was looming, President Kennedy called for a new generation to rise up and seek peace while at the same time be willing to fight to defend freedom. It’s an inspiring speech delivered at a precarious time in our nation’s history. It’s available on streaming video courtesy of C-SPAN on YouTube and on MP3 download from AmericanRhetoric.com.

31. Alpha Break

Listen to this free 12 Min. MP3 download offered by Effective Learning Systems. This spoken word program is designed to put listeners in a relaxed state both mentally and physically. It can be used again and again at any time during the day. Download this free MP3 from LearnOutLoud.com.

32. Monday Again?!: Four Essentials For A Healthy Lifestyle

Start your week with this free audio book titled Monday Again?!: Four Essentials For A Healthy Lifestyle by Marquese Martin-Hayes. In the 1-hour book Marquese lays out strategies to use thinking in order to change our perspective on Mondays and on everyday. Marquese published this titles through our TeachOutLoud service. It’s a very good listen.

33. Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn

Watch this popular talk with Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living and many other books on the benefits of mindfulness. In this talk at Google Kabat-Zinn discusses what mindfulness meditation is and then he leads the group on a mindfulness meditation practice where he provides guidance into the practice. After the meditation is over he fields questions about the experience and covers things such as the issue of falling asleep and much more. This talk is 1 Hr. 15 Min. and is available on streaming video through YouTube.

34. 21 Meditation Exercises from Sounds True

Learn how to meditate! Our good friends at the publisher Sounds True recently launched a section of their site which is their Guide to Meditation, designed for people who have heard about meditation but don’t know where to begin. The site features 21 free streaming audio meditations from many of Sounds True’s best teachers including Shinzen Young, Adyashanti, Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron, and more.

35. SermonIndex Classics Podcast

Listen to these podcasts from SermonIndex. These podcasts cover many aspects of Christianity and Christian Living, including sermons from Jim Cymbala, David Wilkerson, Zac Poonen, Keith Green, A.W. Tozer, Duncan Campbell, Ian Paisley, Leonard Ravenhill, and many other popular preachers from throughout the 20th century. For more free classic sermons check out the offerings we feature from SermonAudio.com.

36. Jill Bolte Taylor’s Stroke of Insight

In this moving talk delivered at the TED conference, brain researcher Jill Bolte Taylor provides a first-person account of her own stroke and the experience of losing control of her bodily functions as well the functions of the left side of her brain. Instead of it being a painful or frightening experience, she said the stroke put her in a intense state of bliss and nirvana. Sharing this experience became her motivation for recovery. This talk is available on streaming video and MP3 download from the TED.com website.

37. Change Nation Podcast

The Change Nation Podcast features interviews with leading experts and inspirational speakers about ways individuals can make positive changes in their personal and professional lives. Host Ariane De Bonvoisin talks with authors and speakers such as Les Brown, Gay Hendricks, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Tim Ferriss, Jack Canfield, Mike Dooley, David Bach, and dozens of other great teachers of change. Topics covered include getting orgranized, starting a business, finding a job, nurturing a relationship, getting fit, eating right, and much, much more. Ariane is an excellent host and many recent interviews are available as both audio & video podcasts.

38. UCSF Mini Medical School Audio Podcast

In this series from the University of California, San Francisco, faculty members and other nationally-recognized experts give the latest findings on a variety of health and medical related topics. Topics include “Fad Diets: Do They Really Work?”, “Nutrition in a Bottle: A Scientific Review of Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements”, “The Biology of Depression: How Stress Affects the Brain and the Body”, “Staying in the Now: Maintaining Mental Health Through Mindfulness”, “The Science of Healthy Aging: Living Better Not Just Longer”, “Back Pain and its Management: Myths and Misconceptions”, and many more interesting lectures. Learn the latest in medical research from the University of California, San Francisco with these audio podcasts.

39. Martin Seligman on Positive Psychology

In this TED talk Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology and the author Authentic Happiness and Learned Optimism , looks at ways healthy people can lead happier, more engaged, and more meaningful lives. While Seligman acknowledges that psychology has done a pretty good job over the past 50 years of making miserable people feel less miserable, he shows that there is a whole other realm of positive psychology which he and a group of other psychologists are only beginning to study. Seligman tells some of his findings on what contributes to healthy states of mind and what fosters genius. Going beyond the conventional, pleasure-seeking form of happiness, Seligman points to practices that truly give life meaning. This talk is available on streaming video and MP3 audio download from TED.com.

40. The Masters of The Secret Podcast

This podcast features conversations with teachers that were featured in the movie The Secret. Bill Harris, director of the Centerpointe Research Institute, conducts the conversations which cover the spiritual and practical applications of the law of attraction by the teachers that are interviewed. The teachers included in this podcast so far are John Assaraf, Hale Dwoskin, Joe Vitale, Jack Canfield, Dr. Michael Beckwith, Lisa Nichols, and James Ray. Start your week with these inspirational talks!

41. Meditatio Talks (Meditation Talks): To the Monks of Gethsemani Abbey

Offered by Medio Media and The World Community for Christian Meditation, these are talks delivered by Fr. Laurence Freeman O.S.B. to the Monks of Gethsemani Abbey. In the eight talks featured in this title Fr. Freeman discusses Christian meditation and how to remain in a prayerful state at all times. This free title was published through our TeachOutLoud service and it is available on MP3 download directly through LearnOutLoud.com.

42. Six Nightingale-Conant Self Development Podcasts

Download hundreds of podcast episodes from six new podcasts offered by the world leader in personal development since 1960: Nightingale-Conant . Each podcast covers a specific area of growth for your personal and professional life. And Nightingale-Conant has provided each podcast with a specific title and description so you can find exactly the podcasts you are looking for. Here they are with some descriptions of each podcast:

Mind and Body by Nightingale-Conant.com Podcast – On this podcast you’ll learn from world-renowned experts about ways to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. Teachers on this podcast include Luanne Oakes, Ph.D., author and inventor Doug Hall, American psychiatrist Gerald Epstein, and many other mind/body experts.

Wealth Building by Nightingale-Conant.com Podcast – Wealth wisdom from popular authors such as Joe Vitale, Dr. Dolf de Roos, Napoleon Hill, David Bach, Brian Tracy, Jay Abraham, Robert Kiyosaki, Robert G. Allen, and other teachers with tips for building wealth.

Spiritual Growth by Nightingale-Conant.com Podcast – Nourish your soul and energize your spirit with the wisdom of respected spiritual teachers such as Wayne Dyer, Gregg Braden, Byron Katie, Marianne Williamson, Stuart Wilde, Debbie Ford, Sonia Choquette, Richard Carlson, Dan Millman, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Deepak Chopra, Joan Borysenko, and more.

Business Strategy by Nightingale-Conant.com Podcast – Get the edge in business with top strategies from authors like Jay Abraham, Jay Conrad Levinson, Michael E. Gerber, Roger Dawson, Seth Godin, and other leading business speakers.

Sales Training by Nightingale-Conant.com Podcast – Boost your sales and learn some of the most effective strategies and techniques ever developed for prospecting, relationship building, negotiating, closing, increasing referrals and more. This podcast features advice from teachers like Zig Ziglar, Jeffrey J. Fox, Roger Dawson, Brian Tracy, and other sales leaders.

Personal Development by Nightingale-Conant.com Podcast – Master the critical skills of time management, communication, self-discipline, attitude and more, under the guidance of Earl Nightingale, Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Vic Conant, Jim Rohn, Stephen Covey, Jack Canfield, Roger Love, Tony Alessandra, Denis Waitley, Marc Victor Hansen, and many, many more great authors. Note: This podcast is massive with 300 podcasts on the feed, but for some reason only four podcast episodes are showing on our site. Click through on the feed or over to iTunes to see all the podcasts for this one.

Enjoy this great collection of podcasts from a personal growth company with 50 years experience: Nightingale-Conant!

43. Eckhart Tolle on Living with Meaning, Purpose, and Wisdom in the Digital Age

Spiritual teacher and Power of Now author Eckhart Tolle visited Google headquarters last week to give a talk entitled “Living with Meaning, Purpose and Wisdom in the Digital Age”. In this 90-minute conversation with Google’s Bradley Horowitz, Tolle talks about technology and the Internet. While he feels no technology is good or evil in itself, Tolle is concerned that our digital age is ramping up the “doing” and “thinking” mind at the expense of paying attention to “being” in the present moment. He provides many helpful suggestions to take time out for “being” for anyone that spends a lot of time at the computer and on the internet. At the end of the talk he fields questions from Google employees. This talk is available on streaming video through YouTube.

44. A Peaceful Warrior Brings His Zaadz to Life: Brian Johnson Chats with Dan Millman

In this special LearnOutLoud.com interview Entheos Academy Founder Brian Johnson chats with Way of the Peaceful Warrior author Dan Millman. The discussion is around finding your life’s purpose and finding ways to get paid doing what you love. Brian and Dan share many stories about their path including a number of the setbacks they experienced along the way. Dan talks about the many teachers he has had including the person he met which is the character of “Socrates” in his book Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Enjoy this free conversation exclusively on LearnOutLoud.com.

45. Inside Out Weight Loss Podcast

Listen to this podcast from Personal Life Media hosted by leading diet and weight-loss coach Renee Stephens. Renee features dozens of podcasts on her feed and she encourages listeners to start with the first podcast which covers her personal story of how she overcame compulsive overeating along with the methods of weight loss she’ll be using in the podcast. Instead of focusing on a diet plan or what you should or shouldn’t be eating or doing, Renee focuses on transforming the mind so that you can in turn transform your body. Using techniques such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnotherapy, and Positive Psychology, Renee teaches listeners how to lose weight from the “inside out”.

46. Change your Mind, Change your Brain: The Inner Conditions for Authentic Happiness

French Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard talks about his interesting life in which he left his career as a scientist after getting a Ph.D. degree in molecular genetics and he went to practice Tibetan Buddhism in the Himalayas. He talks about the Tibetan Buddhist practices for achieving happiness. Since his 35 years of practicing as a Buddhist monk he has returned to the science of the mind and the brain to study happiness and presents many of the recent scientific findings. This hour-long Google Talk is available on streaming video from YouTube.

47. Change Your Life with Cheryl Richardson Podcast

Listen to these podcasts hosted by inspiring author and life skills coach Cheryl Richardson as she talks with other personal growth experts on ways to change your life for the better. In more recent podcasts (which are on the bottom of the podcast feed on our page) she talks with Iyanla Vanzant about her remarkable life, Julia Cameron about the challenge of creativity and writing, and Geneen Roth about the new outlook on food which she conveys in her bestselling book Women Food and God . In past episodes you can listen to, she interviews Dr. Joan Borysenko, Gregg Braden, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Louise Hay, Debbie Ford, Natalie Goldberg, Harville Hendrix, and many others. Listen to some of these great interviews on how to change your life.

48. Dan Ariely: The Upside of Irrationality

Use irrationality to help you overcome bad habits and achieve your goals. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely’s bestselling book Predictably Irrational showed how people frequently make irrational decisions regarding their health, their spending habits, and much more. In this lecture Ariely talks about his latest book The Upside of Irrationality where he shows the negative and positive effects of irrationality and how we can use irrational means towards our own rational objectives. He tells of experiments and examples where irrational incentives were used to help fight global warming, to motivate people to take care of their health, and to prevent people from texting while they’re driving. It’s one of the most fun lectures we’ve watched to all year.

49. Herbert Benson: The Relaxation Revolution

Learn about the science behind the beneficial effects of mind/body relaxation! Dr. Herbert Benson is an American cardiologist, a bestselling author on health and well-being, and the founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. In this talk Dr. Benson discusses his latest book Relaxation Revolution which details the science behind the benefits of relaxation practices such as meditation, yoga, and repetitive prayer. While traditional medicine focuses on surgery and medication, Dr. Benson explains that more and more studies are showing the significance of stress and the importance of relaxation when it comes to holistic mind/body health.

50. Wealth Wisdom Podcast

Listen & subscribe to LearnOutLoud’s Wealth Wisdom Podcast where we showcase classic wisdom on business & finance from many wealth & success classics. To start off with we’re offering Benjamin Franklin’s The Way to Wealth, which is an essay written by Franklin that contains a condensed collection of the wealth advice he had presented in Poor Richard’s Almanac during its first 25 years of publication.

51. Dr. William Dement on Healthy Sleep and Optimal Performance

Dr. William Dement is one of the leading authorities on sleep, sleep deprivation, and sleep disorders. In the 1950s he was part of the sleep research team that discovered REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and connected it to dreaming. Since then he has founded the Sleep Research Center at Stanford University and authored numerous papers and books on sleep, and he teaches one of Stanford’s most popular courses called “Sleep and Dreams”. In this one hour talk at Google, Dr. Dement presents many of the findings he has made throughout his career. He talks about studies that reveal that healthy sleep is key to high-level performance and productivity, and that the sleep debt of numerous nights without enough sleep causes significant reduction in the quality of performance of physical and mental activities. Dr. Dement also speaks about sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy. Learn more about something you do everyday with this enjoyable talk on sleep.

52. John Selby: Tapping The Source Videos

Start your week with some free, short video meditations from personal & spiritual growth author John Selby. On his YouTube channel Selby has added over a dozen videos that introduce you to his mindfulness techniques. In recent videos he introduces his latest book Tapping the Source which has also been made into a movie featuring dozens of self help authors. The book elaborates on the ideas of Charles F. Hanel and his classic self help manual The Master Key System . You can check out more from Selby here: John Selby Audio . Enjoy these free videos from John Selby. We’ve posted a few of the best meditations to our page and the rest can be viewed on YouTube.

53. The New Psychology of Depression

From Oxford University comes this 3-hour series covering “The New Psychology of Depression”. Dr. Danny Penman and Professor Mark Williams (co-authors of the book Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World ) discuss the global health problem of depression and the current methods for treating it including medication and therapy. They then discuss Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) which Professor Williams co-developed. They describe what MBCT is and the success that it has had in preventing relapse of depression in the many studies that have been conducted throughout the world. Anyone who has experienced depression or knows someone who has should listen to this great series on the latest information about treating depression. Note: To play the podcasts click the Download File links.

54. Overcoming Life’s Disappointments

Start your week off with this talk from Rabbi Harold Kushner, the author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Rabbi Kushner discusses one of his latest books Overcoming Life’s Disappointments. He uses stories of Moses to illustrate ways of confronting moments in our lives which don’t live up to our dreams. He emphasizes that without failures we can’t really have successes, and that those who fail to have disappointments in life are often those who failed to try to realize their dreams. This talk is available on streaming video through FORA.tv.

55. Success.com Interviews Podcast

Listen to the Success.com Interviews Podcast with host & founder of Success.com Robert Stuberg. Podcasts include Brian Tracy discussing “Million Dollar Habits”, Michael Gelb discussing his book Discover Your Genius, and many other interviews with success industry leaders. Get motivated and inspired with these free audio interviews.

56. J.K. Rowling Speaks at the 2008 Harvard Commencement

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling delivers some wise words of wisdom during her Harvard Commencement address in 2008 which she entitled “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination”. She talks about how failure in her life after a divorce and when she was living in poverty helped her to eliminate everything that wasn’t most important to her. And she talks about what she learned of human good and evil in her work for Amnesty International. She points out how fortunate the graduates of Harvard are and encourages them to succeed and fail and live rich lives.

57. Mental Efficiency

Listen to this audio book on how to exercise one’s mind for maximum efficiency. English novelist Arnold Bennett uses his wit to convey how we work hard at the up keep of our physical bodies, while we often do little to workout our minds. He gives examples of ways to give the mind a workout. He also features essays that explore the presentation of self, breaking free from the past, relationships and marriage, and how to achieve success. This audio book is well narrated by Ruth Golding at Librivox who has a lovely British accent. It has a running time of 3 Hrs. and is available on MP3 download.

58. The Perils of Indifference

In this speech, holocaust survivor, author, and activist Elie Wiesel speaks of indifference as the worst possible response to atrocities that have occurred throughout the 20th century and continue to occur. Speaking before President Clinton, he denounces indifference of American leaders with the knowledge they had of the holocaust during the war. At the end he points to signs of hope that the world is no longer allowing indifference as a response to crimes against humanity.

59. AM Focus

Listen to this 13-minute visualization & relaxation process for focusing in the morning from Dr. Patrick Porter. Dr. Porter guides you through positive affirmations for your day. Combined with soothing music, this audio program is a great way to begin your week. This free audio download was published through our TeachOutLoud service and is available on MP3 download through LearnOutLoud.com.

60. Authors@Google: Dr. Mark Hyman

Dr. Mark Hyman has written a series of books focused on optimal health such as Ultraprevention, Ultrametabolism, and his latest The UltraMind Solution. In this talk delivered at Google, Dr. Hyman talks about The UltraMind Solution and how to look at brain & mind health through the lens of the health of the whole body. While many psychiatrists like to have one medication for a disease (such as Prozac for depression), Dr. Hyman argues that these diseases need to be looked at in a personalized and all-encompassing way. First the symptoms need to be evaluated and then all of the possible causes of these symptoms need to be considered. He focuses a lot on how diet & nutrition affect the mind & body and how improving the health of the body can lead to an UltraMind! This talk is available on streaming video from YouTube.

61. Brendon Burchard Video Presentations

Brendon Burchard is the founder of Experts Academy which teaches people how to share their expertise and get their message out there, and earn money while doing so. He has authored Life’s Golden Ticket and his latest bestselling book that just came out is The Millionaire Messenger: Make a Difference and a Fortune Sharing Your Advice . On his website BrendonBurchard.com, Brendon offers a lot of free video presentations and he currently includes a free 12-minute walk through of a chapter from his book which contains 10 steps on how to become a Millionaire Messenger. In other videos he shares inspiring stories including talking about the near fatal car accident he was in when he was 19 years old that turned his life around. Brendon Burchard has worked closely with personal growth guru Tony Robbins, and he’s got a very dynamic way of presenting his advice. Watch some of his videos today!

62. Jason Fried: Why Work Doesn’t Happen at Work

37signals co-founder and Rework author Jason Fried makes some provocative suggestions regarding why work doesn’t get done in the workplace. He suggests that interruptions are the key component contributing to the lack work accomplished in the workplace and that managers and meetings are to blame. He relates the stage of work to the stages of sleep and in order to get the best work done one needs to go through these stages without interruption. This talk was delivered at the TEDxMidwest Conference and is available on streaming video and MP3 audio download.

63. A Conversation with Anthony Robbins

Watch this hour-long Charlie Rose interview with motivational speaker Anthony Robbins. In this interview Charlie Rose seeks to understand what makes Tony Robbins tick and how he has been able to motivate millions of people to make positive changes in their lives. Robbins provides answers about what drives him and also what drives most people in their everyday lives. He covers the importance of certainty, spontaneity, contribution, and love in creating a meaningful life and achieving one’s goals. Charlie Rose asks Tony some tough questions and Tony responds confidently about his life’s work. This interview is available on streaming video through CharlieRose.com.

64. Zencast

Zencast has been offering Zen Buddhism teachings on podcast for many years now and the great thing is they’ve kept all their podcasts up on their feed so each of them can still be downloaded. Included on this feed is an unabridged recording of the key Buddhist text The Dhammapada translated and read by Zencast host Gil Fronsdal. Fronsdal also teaches a five part “Introduction to Meditation” class. Other frequent speakers on Zencast include Thich Nhat Hanh and Eckhart Tolle. Latest on the feed is a Mindfulness Meditation Course. These podcasts are essential listening for anyone looking to learn more about Zen Buddhism.

65. Karen Armstrong: 12 Steps to a Compassionate Life

Comparative religion author Karen Armstrong talks about her latest book Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life in this talk delivered at the New York Public Library. Armstrong cites the “golden rule” as a central tenet to all the major world religions and argues that compassion needs to be at the forefront of all religious practice in our globalized and interconnected world. She emphasizes that compassion is not pity and that true compassion requires action and also practice. She gives some of the steps in her book which is a self help manual of sorts for people who wish to live more compassionately. During the Q&A Armstrong discusses her own current religious beliefs. This talk is available on streaming video from FORA.tv.

66. Do What You Fear & Grow Stronger

Download this free 13-minute podcast by Project Management trainer & author Michael Greer. In this podcast Michael Greer begins with some quotes on overcoming fear and the importance of facing your fears. He tells a personal story of how he went from singing in the shower to singing for a rock band as a teenager, and the various steps he took to overcoming his fear of singing in front of a crowd. He also relates these methods of tackling fear to leadership & management and the ways leaders can encourage their teams to overcome fear.

67. Law of Attraction Podcast

Listen to this podcast from Exceptional Wisdom Radio featuring interviews with teachers of the Law of Attraction popularized in the book and the movie The Secret . In this podcast you’ll hear an interview with contributor to The Secret and bestselling author Mike Dooley as he discusses the system he calls “The Matrix” which reveals the interconnectedness of your dreams and how they flow together. Also on the podcast is another contributor to The Secret , Joe Vitale , who tells of how he went from being a homeless man in Dallas to a bestselling personal growth author with titles such as The Attractor Factor and Expect Miracles . There are over 20 other podcasts on the feed covering the Law of Attraction. And if you like this podcast check out over 250 podcast episodes from all the different shows on Exceptional Wisdom Radio on their massive personal growth podcast: Exceptional Wisdom Radio Podcast .

68. Dare to Live Without Limits: The 10 Basic Principles

Bryan Golden, author of the book Dare to Live Without Limits, offers his ten basic principles for living a limitless life. These principles are:

# You are what you think about # Set goals # Plan how to reach your goals # All we have is today # Never ever give up # Education never ends # Control your own emotions # Guard your time # Have an attitude of gratitude # What you project you receive

In this 15 minute MP3 download, Golden provides the detailed advice and motivation about these ten principles. This title was created and offered for free through our TeachOutLoud service. For more information about the book Dare to Live Without Limits visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com.

69. Escape Self-Absorption through Positive Emotions

Barbara Fredrickson is a social psychologist and researcher on positive emotions. Her recent book Positivity details her research in the area of positive emotions and in this talk Fredrickson defines and describes the positive emotions which she studies and the greater impact they have on health and social relations. Moving past the fight or flight psychology of negative emotions such as anxiety, she discusses her broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions which broaden one’s awareness and encourage novel, varied, and exploratory thoughts and actions. This talk is available on streaming video Boston University’s BUniverse website and if you like it there are a number of other videos on the site with Professor Fredrickson.

70. Authors@Google: Dean Karnazes on Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days

In this inspirational talk ultramarathon man Dean Karnazes speaks about his book 50/50 in which he writes about his experience of running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days. Karnazes tells motivational stories from his experience and the ups and downs that he faced. In the Q&A he gives info about his weekly running and workout routine, what he eats on a daily basis, and many other fascinating tidbits about his mega endurance. Asked what he does while he’s running for so long, he responds that he listens to music, dictates his writings into a voice recorder, and listens to audio books! For anyone pursuing goals, this is a great motivational talk that will help you to seek to defy your limitations. The 45-minute talk was delivered at Google and is available on streaming video from YouTube.

71. A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis

If you’ve ever been interested in hypnotizing yourself, this audio book might be a good place to start. This book by Melvin Powers covers the history and applications of self-hypnosis. The book purports to explain how self-hypnosis can alleviate distressing symptoms, substitute strong responses for weak responses, help overcome bad habits, create good habits, and help one’s power of concentration. Find out for yourself how effective self-hypnosis is. This book is adequately narrated by Andrea Fiore and is available on MP3 download from LibriVox.org.

72. The Jillian Michaels Show Podcast

Personal trainer Jillian Michaels is best known for being a trainer on the TV show The Biggest Loser where she pushes obese people to lose a significant amount of weight. This is a podcast of Jillian’s radio show where she talks about a number of topics related to diet & nutrition along with health & fitness. She also provides some personal growth and motivational advice. In these 45-minute shows she talks off the cuff with another host named Janice and the shows are entertaining and informative. The last 15 minutes of the show she answers questions from callers. Enjoy these podcasts from this popular personal trainer.

73. Jack Kornfield’s Dharma Talks

Listen to dharma talks by Buddhist meditation teacher Jack Kornfield offered through DharmaSeed.org . On the Dharma Seed website you can stream and download any of the 50 talks and we also feature the latest to stream and download on our page. In recent talks Kornfield discusses lovingkindness, the importance of joy in spiritual practice, and the freedom from attachment. He tells many wise stories throughout the talks. They’re all available on streaming audio and MP3 download from DharmaSeed.org.

We’ve also added a handful of other teachers who have dharma talks on DharmaSeed.org:

Over 350 Dharma Talks by Joseph Goldstein

Over 200 Dharma Talks by Sylvia Boorstein

Over 70 Dharma Talks by Sharon Salzberg

Over 15 Dharma Talks by Dr. Rick Hanson

And they even offer a few Dharma Talks from our friend: Dr. Dan Siegel

74. The Steve Chandler Podcast

For motivational success coaching check out The Steve Chandler Podcast, which features book excerpts and interviews from Steve Chandler on improving relationships, creating wealth, and managing business. Chandler narrates his audio books and their sound quality is professional. Download this podcast on MP3 today.

75. Alain de Botton: A Kinder, Gentler Philosophy of Success

In this talk at TEDGlobal philosopher Alain de Botton looks at the contemporary notion of success and why he feels it is such a source of anxiety for so many people. He finds that in today’s world the appearance of equality, such as Bill Gates dressing just like everybody else, makes most people feel they too can be rich & successful. He also relates contemporary success to the meritocracy that exists today when people are made to feel that they own their successes and failures. And he looks at how failure is treated today by referencing the tabloids that often portray failures without any empathy, whereas in past societies tragedy was often used to encourage empathy of people that might’ve failed at something. Ultimately Alain de Botton encourages you to try to not live according to the models of success around you, but to instead make success your own! An excellent TED talk available on streaming video and MP3 download.

76. Dr. Deepak Chopra on Spiritual Solutions

Author Deepak Chopra recently stopped by at Google and gave this talk on his latest book Spiritual Solutions . The thesis of his book is that no problem can be solved at the level of awareness in which it was created. In this hour-long talk he discusses some of the ways we can overcome contracted awareness and enter the realm of spiritual solutions. The last half of the talk he answers questions about being overwhelmed with global problems, remote viewing, and near-death experiences.

77. Get-It-Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More Podcast

The Get-It-Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less Podcast offers weekly ideas on how to enhance productivity. Whether you are trying to organize your desk, want help prioritizing your workload, or need advice on how to fit in exercise time, these podcasts offer clever solutions to everyday obstacles. The host delivers his valuable insight with a snappy sense of humor and a knack for finding clear solutions that you can begin applying immediately to your work and life.

78. Dr. Dean Ornish on Healing

In this talk from the TED conference, holistic healing physician Dr. Dean Ornish prescribes easy and effective ways that you can prevent heart disease and other illnesses through changes in lifestyle and diet. He also points to the numerous ways in which diet and exercise can actually help to treat existing illnesses including cancer. Dr. Ornish addresses carbohydrates and fats and their relation to the obesity epidemic in America, along with ways people can lose weight and still be healthy. This talk is full of great pointers for improving your health. It is available on MP3 download and streaming video from TED.com.

79. Worrying Well: How Your Brain Can Turn Anxiety and Stress Into Calmness and Confidence

In this audio & video presentation from UCTV Martin L. Rossman, MD takes a look at good worry and bad worry and the stress and anxiety bad worry can cause. He examines what is going on in the brain with these emotions and how we can use the power of the healing mind to reduce stress and anxiety. At the end he leads the group on a guided imagery meditation for reducing stress. This talk is available on MP3 download from the UCTV website and on streaming video from YouTube.

80. The Skinny on Obesity

For great motivation on losing weight, watch this new series from UCTV Prime called “The Skinny on Obesity”. This 7-episode series (lasting one hour total) features Dr. Robert Lustig and two of his UCSF colleagues who look at the obesity epidemic and what has been driving it in the last 30 years. Dr. Lustig’s previous UCTV video Sugar: The Bitter Truth went viral and has received over 2.5 million views to date.

In this new series Lustig’s message is presented in an even clearer and more powerful way with the help of animations and documentary footage. He presents the science of obesity, debunking the idea that “a calorie is a calorie” and showing how the massive increase in fructose and sugar into our daily diets has led to a skyrocketing obesity epidemic which contributes to our most common diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. These short videos explain how sugar consumption and obesity have now become a major public health concern in the same way that drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol are through their unavoidability, toxicity, abuse, and negative impact on society. A must-watch from UCTV!

81. Oprah Winfrey’s 2008 Stanford Commencement Address

Oprah Winfrey packs as much advice as she can into this 30 minute Commencement Address which she gave to the Stanford graduating class of 2008. Through stories in her own life, she relays life lessons like: “Grow into being more of yourself”, “Listen to your gut”, “If it doesn’t feel right don’t do it”, “If you’re not sure what to do, get still”, “If you struggling, then help others who are struggling”. And there are many more lessons relayed here in Oprah’s wonderful speech.

82. Letting Go with Guy Finley Podcast

From Contact Talk Radio comes the Letting Go with Guy Finley Podcast featuring hour-long talks with speaker and best-selling author Guy Finley. Focusing on spiritual and emotional development, Guy Finley touches on issues which affect us all: relationships, fear, addiction, stress/anxiety, peace, happiness, and freedom. Listen to over a dozen podcasts from Guy Finley on the Letting Go with Guy Finley Podcast.

83. Extraordinary Leadership

Audible.com is exclusively offering a free audio book to you by Robin Sharma, author of the bestselling book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. The title they’re offering is called Extraordinary Leadership, and this inspirational program is aimed at bringing out the leader in all of us. Sharma fills this audio book with anecdotes and words of wisdom regarding what it takes to be a great leader in all aspects of life. Extraordinary Leadership is available from Audible.com on audio download.

84. 23 Intuitive Development Exercises from Sounds True

Listen to 23 Intuitive Development Exercises from Sounds True. In these exercises you’ll hear teachers such as Judith Orloff, Caroline Myss, Cyndi Dale, Laura Alden Kamm, and many more. These teachers cover what intuition is and how you can further develop it. Note: These exercises are streaming audio only and not downloadable.

85. The Game of Life and How to Play It

This free audio book download from Librivox is a self help classic. Florence Scovel Shinn was a New Thought spiritual teacher and in this book she teaches of the game of giving and receiving. With chapters on prosperity, love, karma, intuition, and more, she teaches how to apply the game of life to these areas. Throughout the book she gives real life examples of these principles in action. This 3-hour audio book is available on MP3 download from Librivox!

86. Mindfulness as a Foundation for Health

Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh recently led a 3-hour workshop on mindfulness at the Googleplex and this entire workshop can be viewed on YouTube. After about an hour of music and introductions, Thich Nhat Hanh gives a talk and answers questions for two hours. He provides many insights of how people can incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives from walking to eating to washing the dishes. Listen to the wisdom of 85-year-old monk Thich Nhat Hanh and his message of mindfulness and peace.

87. Leading at Google: Tony Hsieh on Delivering Happiness

Tony Hsieh is the CEO of the online shoe retailer Zappos.com and the author of the recent book Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. . He spoke at Google on his book and the ways he has made Zappos one of the top rated places to work in the U.S. along with delivering some of the best customer service of any company. From their unconventional hiring methods to developing their unique corporate culture, Tony Hsieh shows how he grew Zappos to become an online retail giant that was bought in 2009 by Amazon.com for $1.2 billion. Hsieh also gives insights into his studies of the science of happiness and how he applied his findings to his business. Whether you’re a business leader or a regular employee, learn how you can create happiness in the workplace and deliver happiness to your customers. This Google Talk is available on streaming video from YouTube.

88. The Chopra Center for Wellbeing Podcast

From the The Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, California comes this podcast featuring a number of high quality meditations. The podcast of guided meditations is typically hosted by davidji, the master Chopra Center educator. He leads meditations complete with soothing sounds and music. In one podcast Deepak Chopra leads a Global Peace Meditation and Lecture. Listen to these soothing podcasts from The Chopra Center.

89. Theatre of the Mind Podcast

Listen to this podcast on the mind and many aspects of consciousness. Host Kelly Howell (creator of brainsync.com ) has interviewed over 100 guests since she started podcasting in 2006. In more recent interviews she talks with Peter A. Levine on “Healing Trauma” and James S. Gordon, M.D. who talks about “Healing Depression” and “Getting Unstuck”.

Past interviews include Caroline Myss, Michael Gelb on “Wine Drinking for Creative Thinking”, Colin Tipping on “Radical Forgiveness”, Richard Bandler who is the co-developer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Michael Bernard Beckwith on “Spiritual Liberation”, Dan Millman on “The Life You Were Born to Live”, Gary Renard on “The Disappearance of the Universe”, Dr. Gay Hendricks on “Five Wishes”, Byron Katie on “Four Questions to Change Your Life”, Gregg Braden on “The Divine Matrix”, Bruce Lipton on “How Beliefs Control Biology”, and many other self help authors. Kelly Howell proves to be a good interviewer for this large collection of authors who focus on the mind and the body and where consciousness is headed. Download some of these interviews today.

90. Balance, Stress, and Optimal Health

Dr. Emmett Miller is known as one of the pioneers of holistic mind/body medicine. In this Google Talk he describes how he came to study holistic medicine and get beyond the specialization of most doctors. He eventually looked at stress and the far reaching implications it has on a variety of diseases. Dr. Miller dynamically demonstrates how humans have maladapted to the stresses of modern civilization and he suggests ways that we can release and relax from the ongoing stresses we face. He ends the talk with an excellent guided relaxation complete with music. Learn to maintain balance and reduce stress in your own life. This talk is available on streaming video on YouTube.

91. Seth Godin on Standing Out

Seth Godin feels that days of status quo marketing through the television industrial complex are coming to an end. People are too busy to pay attention to the nonstop advertising of average products for average people. What grabs people’s attention is something remarkable, or rather something worth making a remark about. And their remarks spread the ideas or products to the world and make it a success. Learn about the cutting edge of spreading ideas with this talk by Seth Godin.

92. The Think Thank Tank: 3 Powerful Principles To Increase Effectiveness!

In this motivational speech, international speaker Al Argo encourages listeners to think more about their actions, relationships, goals, and obstacles before proceeding with each day. Above all he motivates people to be grateful and of service to everyone. Much like Zig Ziglar, his inspired delivery uplifts listeners. This free speech was uploaded through our TeachOutLoud service, and is available on MP3 download directly through LearnOutLoud.com. This title includes a downloadable worksheet to help listeners follow along with his speech.

93. Authors@Google: Marion Nestle on What to Eat

Nutritionist and author Marion Nestle looks at food from the angle of politics and business in the United States in this talk delivered at Google. She briefly discusses her book Food Politics which looks at how the food industry was deregulated in the 1980s which led to the production of more food and greater portions and eventually to the obesity epidemic we have today. She also discusses her latest book What to Eat where she examines the marketing tactics of the food business from how grocery stores are laid out to how junk food is marketed to kids. She offers signs of hope for healthier eating in America in the movements for organic food, locally grown fresh food, and other grassroots movements related to food. This talk includes slides and is available on streaming video from YouTube.

94. Living Green Podcast: Effortless Ecology for Everyday People

In this podcast brought to you by Personal Life Media, host Meredith Medland interviews guests who are practicing and preaching eco-friendly ways of living. Shows cover healthy eating, eco-conscious entrepreneurialism, enviromentally-friendly shopping, energy conservation, and more. Listen to interviews with the founder of the Burning Man festival Larry Harvey, American mycologist Paul Stamets, and visionary green event planner Sarah Haynes, among many others. Enjoy this podcasts from Personal Life Media!

95. Relationships for Revenue Growth

Master networker and Never Eat Alone author Keith Ferrazzi delivers a talk at the “YES WE CAN” Avon Global Summit on the power of building great relationships in business. While many people have casual business associates, Ferrazzi demands that the business relationships we build need to go deeper and that we need to seek to enable others to contribute. When many people in the business world today don’t have time to focus on networking and relationship building, Ferrazzi tries to show how connecting to business associates on a personal level can open doors which we’d never thought existed, and he provides many examples of this in action. His talk gets a great response from the ladies of Avon. It’s available on streaming video from YouTube on the “keithferrazzi” channel and if you enjoyed it there are a number of other hour long talks which he delivered available on his YouTube channel.

96. Extra Tips for The Freeway Guide to Maximizing Your Money

In this downloadable offering from the The Freeway Guides, financial expert Peter Bielagus gives tips to maximize your money. He covers ways to improve your credit score, to pick your financial advisor, to choose the right loan for a home. and how to get the most out of applying for financial aid. This title is available on MP3 download directly through LearnOutLoud.com.

97. Q&A with Dr. Amen

Dr. Daniel G. Amen is a psychiatrist and the bestselling author of Making a Good Brain Great . In this media resource on his site he answers some of the most popular questions he has been asked over the years covering many points on brain health. He answers questions about the best supplements to take for the brain, methods of treatment for various psychological conditions, and addresses many other interesting brain inquiries. Enjoy these answers from a doctor who has dedicated his life to looking at the brain. This Q&A audio is available on streaming audio from the Amen Clinics website.

98. Living and Working On Purpose Podcast

Listen to this podcast from Exceptional Wisdom Radio hosted by Life On Purpose author Brad Swift. In the podcast Brad interviews nearly 100 people who are living a life with passionate purpose. There’s a podcast where Brad Swift is interviewed by his wife and he presents his ideas about what it means live life “on purpose”. In other interviews he talks with developmental biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton who presents the ideas in his book The Biology of Belief about how our experiences and our minds are shaping our genes all the time. He also interviews Rev. Michael Dowd about his book Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World . Browse these and many more interviews on the “Living and Working On Purpose Podcast”.

99. Suze Orman at Google

Bestselling author and financial advisor Suze Orman spoke at Google last year delivering a lot of great financial advice with candor and wit. She starts the talk by telling her rags to riches story from living in a van in Berkeley, California and working as a waitress to learning about finance and becoming a top employee at Merrill Lynch. Orman’s advice focuses on the current state of the economy and what to do and not to do when it comes to credit cards, real estate, retirement plans, and a lot of other big personal finance issues. Watch this one hour talk of Suze Orman at Google.

100. Simon & Schuster Health, Diet, & Fitness Video Podcast

The publisher Simon & Schuster puts out a number video podcasts and one of their strongest categories is self development. Currently on their Simon & Schuster Health, Diet, & Fitness Video Podcast they feature over 140 brief video podcasts with interviews of their authors and book introductions to their numerous books in this area. Dr. Mike Moreno reads from Chapter 1 of his book The 17 Day Diet Essentials in which he introduces his system of dieting cycles designed to allow you to lose weight quickly and keep losing weight over a period of time by “confusing your body” with a continually new diet plan. You can also watch a podcast interview with author Geneen Roth in which discusses her book Women Food and God and how food is intertwined into every aspect of our lives. Other video podcasts feature Dr. Mehmet C. Oz and Dr. Michael F. Roizen, and many more of their bestselling authors.

Is that enough free motivation for you? 🙂

Never Give up on Your Dream, Motivational Speeches

When you show courage in the ..., template: letter to request to attend a conference, do you want to attend a ..., motivational speech template to congratulate your team, an excellent safety motivational speech, i recently saw safety ....

  • guest speaker
  • motivational speaker
  • meeting planner

funny motivational speaker never give up

When you show courage in the face of adversity, you change your life and others.

The most provocative motivational speeches in the world won't settle for average and have triumphed through adversity. We are most inspired by people who have experienced difficulty and never give up. 

JOIN THE MOVEMENT Subscribe to  Climb Outside Yourself

Luck is great, but life is meant to be experienced. Sometimes the only way out of stress is through it; face struggle to overcome challenges in life. Many times battle happens to help teach us a lesson. We can either learn from that lesson or deny it. 

From an   evolutionary perspective ,   the human mind's primary goal is to keep you safe. Sometimes this leads to self-sabotage as it's just easier to stay in your comfort zone and avoid risk. However, great things never come from mediocrity. Quit settling for average and strive for   extraordinary .

Below are words I've written down inspired by powerful survivors. As a motivational keynote speaker , I meet many people who have survived and thrived in misfortune.

The following is a starting point for a motivational speech to find strength in stress, conquer fear and live your dreams.

Motivational Speech Template, Never Give up on Your Dreams

Boldly go in the direction of your dreams.

Try, try, try and try again. Feed your mind ideas of success, not  failure .

Remember, the only way you can fail is if you give up. Every time you fail, you come one step closer to success.

You are not scared; you are courageous. You are not weak; you are powerful. You are not ordinary; you are remarkable.

Do not back down, do not give up.

When you look back on your life, don't have regrets. Believe in yourself,   belief   in your future, you will find your way.

A fire burning inside you is mighty; it is waiting to burn bright. You are meant to do great things.

Following your dreams can be both terrifying and exciting. 

Courage is facing fear. Fear of failure holds most people back. You are not most people. 

Persist and persuade others about your plans, as they are real. Nobody can do this but you. Nobody will get in the way of our dreams.

Most people master the obvious; you create something that wasn't there before. It's bold, it's beautiful, and it's you.

Give it your best, and your dreams will come to life. Success is yours.

Go for your dreams; it is your turn.

..............................................

The best motivational speech is personalised; take these words and alter them for your audience. Most people thrive on inspiration, and we don't get enough. It's the repetition of words that foster action and purpose. 

For more inspiration from the man who inspired me the most in life,  funny keynote speaker , Bill Clennan, Check out his inspirational poem, The Reward is Within.

Keynote Plenary Speakers ideas to kickstart a speech

Topics: motivational speaker , funny motivational speaker , inspiration , success , Featured , Topmotivationalspeakers , keynotespeakers , nevergiveuponyourdreams , virtual keynote speaker , webinar speaker , female keynote speaker , wellness keynote speaker

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Ray Lewis Motivational Speech Transcript

Ray Lewis

Transcript of football player Ray Lewis’ motivational speech.

motivational speech text in english

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motivational speech text in english

Ray Lewis: ( 00:06 ) Today, I wanted to just really hit on something, dealing with pain. I asked my mom one day, I said, “Ma,” I said, “Would you buy me a deck of cards?” She said “Junior, I don’t gamble in my house. Ain’t no cards coming on my house.” I said, “Mom, I don’t need them for gambling. I don’t want them for gambling I just need a deck of cards, Mom.”

Ray Lewis: ( 00:41 ) My mom, for years, from the time I was four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, I never saw a woman take so much physical abuse than the way I’ve seen my mother beaten every freaking day of my life. But I can’t help her because I’m not strong enough. I don’t have the muscle to get these men off my mother.

Ray Lewis: ( 01:21 ) My mother’s a very high-yellow woman, and every time they hit her, she would bleed from her eyes. She would walk around for days with sunglasses on in the house. I said, “Ma, I need a deck of cards.”

Ray Lewis: ( 01:38 ) Last altercation we got in, my stepfather hit my mama so hard in the face, I caught him and I looked at him with this rage and this pain in my eyes, like, “One day, one day.” And I took this deck of cards, and I couldn’t live in the house so I had to live in the garage, and after this last altercation we had with this guy, I ran to my garage and I grabbed this deck of cards, and I flipped a seven, and I started doing seven pushups.

Ray Lewis: ( 02:14 ) I flipped a six, I did six. I flipped a nine, I did nine. I flipped a two, I did two. I flipped another nine, I did nine, until I got all the way through the deck, Jack, Queen, King, worth 10. Ace is 25 and Joker’s 50. Until I got sick and tired of what pain felt like in my gut. It didn’t even matter to me no more because I started shuffling them all over again, and that’s when I started doing my sit ups.

Ray Lewis: ( 02:40 ) Because I wanted to make sure sports wasn’t the reason why I started training. It was to make sure a man never put his hands on my mama again. And I told my mama, “No pain will ever stop me from taking care of you and my brothers and sisters.”

Ray Lewis: ( 03:01 ) That’s why I started doing what I started. Sports was a byproduct of what people started to see. It was the behind-the-scenes that was driving me crazy. There’s two sides to pain that I don’t think a lot of people really understand.

Ray Lewis: ( 03:31 ) There is one side of pain that’s the suffering and the discomfort side of pain, but then there’s another side of pain that’s called effort. It’s called glory. It’s called if you can find a way to push through pain, there’s something greater on the other side of it. And if you never tap into it, it’s because the first time you felt it, you backed off. The first time you felt that burn, that first time you felt that … It’s too much, and we rationalize with ourselves to where we automatically stop.

Ray Lewis: ( 04:08 ) That’s why a bunch of us give up in life so quickly. That’s why kids have a problem finishing things in today’s time, because soon as they feel a small bit of discomfort or things ain’t right, oh, they gone. “I can’t do it no more.”

Ray Lewis: ( 04:29 ) But, supposed I told you the greatest pain of my life is the reason I’m standing here today.

Ray Lewis: ( 04:40 ) I dare you to take a little pain. Go through it. You’re not going to die because you’re feeling a little pain. You ain’t going to die. At the end of pain is success. Pain is temporary. It may last for a minute, or an hour, or a day, or even a year, but eventually, it will subside, and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it will last forever.

Ray Lewis: ( 05:25 ) On the other side of that pain, on the other side of that pain, on the other side of that pain is your promise.

Ray Lewis: ( 05:39 ) At 10 years old, I picked up these deck of cards, and one day, I counted them and I found out there was 52 of them in the deck of cards. 52. And I turned my greatest pain into my business, with the greatest achievement ever is the touching a Lombardi trophy. 52 cards. And ironically, my number end up being 52.

Ray Lewis: ( 06:15 ) There’s not a person on my team in 16 years that has consistently beat me to the ball every play. That ain’t got nothing to do with talent. That’s just got everything to do with effort. And nothing else. 15 straight years. 12 Pro Bowls later, if you want numbers, I don’t saw all of it, and the only thing that’s kept me around is my effort.

Ray Lewis: ( 06:48 ) So, when you put on this, all I ever knew because I wasn’t the number one recruit, I wasn’t the number one linebacker, I wasn’t even number one media guy, all I ever knew was effort would get me seen on tape. Effort will get me noticed to get to the league. Effort would one day take care of my mom and my kids. Effort, which is between you and you. Nobody else can give you effort.

Ray Lewis: ( 07:20 ) Effort is what’s inside, man. And I’m still grinding because the next critic is talking about, “He getting too old.” Keep watching me if I am! Nobody ain’t got to convince me of what I do. I do what I do because I do what I do, because I’m built from something, and man didn’t create it.

Ray Lewis: ( 07:42 ) Every one of you men in here have that opportunity, man, but ask yourself the question personally, how much time you really waste? For real. Or do you really represent this? I represented because it’s all I had. It’s the only brotherhood I ever been formed to. That’s why, when I see y’all perform on Saturdays, that is my peace. That’s why I run to the hotels. I don’t need to talk to nobody before my games. I just need to see what I once came from.

Ray Lewis: ( 08:14 ) I sat in the same chairs you guys sat in, man. I sat around the greatest athletes in the world, and then I found myself totally different because everybody was asking the question, “Who is this kid?” I’m just sharing my story to tell y’all, every time you think somebody got it good, man, it ain’t always good.

Ray Lewis: ( 08:37 ) Some people just make up their mind, and they just grind and say, “To heck with it, man.” Because sometimes, that’s all you can do. How much of our brains are we really going to use? I use mine to tell somebody today, September 11th, when I step on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers, if that’s what God’s will is, there’s no other man out there willing to give up what I’m willing to give up. I said that in 1993 when I said I wanted to be the greatest Hurricane, and the only thing that I got in the middle of all of that distance is the only thing that follows work: It’s results.

Ray Lewis: ( 09:19 ) There is no other blue print. I ain’t got no other secrets to tell y’all today. I ain’t come here for nothing else but to tell you if you want to do something, work at it. If you want a better relationship with God, work at it. If you want to understand why pulling your pants up is important, why yes ma’am and no ma’am is important, why being in the meetings with complete silence when somebody walks in because it’s presence and essence that determines respect.

Ray Lewis: ( 09:49 ) It’s all we talking about. The power respect is never to disrespect. That’s why I was the first one sitting down in the meeting, “Oh, I ain’t got nothing to say. Y’all do y’all good. I got to listen. Something out there I need to grab from it.” Sitting on the same football field as you am, in 1993.

Ray Lewis: ( 10:11 ) And I made a quote, and some people call it controversial. I call it confidence. I said that I might be the greatest player to walk up out of University of Miami. I did not say that because I thought I was better than everybody else. I said that simply because I was willing to put in the work to now be back here 18 years later and tell you the only brotherhood I still have.

Ray Lewis: ( 10:48 ) You’ve got to say yes to your life. You’ve got to say yes. “Yes to my dreams. Yes to me. Yes. I can make it. Yes, I can. Doesn’t matter how many failures I’ve made. Doesn’t matter how many mistakes I’ve endured. Doesn’t matter about my defeats. Doesn’t matter about what I’ve done.”

Ray Lewis: ( 11:18 ) Sits on my chest in a shirt form, but that real Hurricane is found in my heart, because this where it all came from. Same path y’all walk. Same cafs y’all going in. Same Greentree y’all walking up and down. I mean, I had one pair of jeans in college for at least two years. At least two years.

Ray Lewis: ( 11:44 ) What drives you? Because I feel home. And when you home, ain’t much to say. Our work spoke for itself. That’s where our swagger came from. Our swagger came from, we worked as a unit. When I came to the University of Miami, there was one mind, one set, one heartbeat. It was impossible to get to us because if you saw us somewhere, you saw 15 or 20 of us. Got to stop leaving each other. Got to stop hanging out without each other. The streets ain’t chasing the same things you chasing.

Ray Lewis: ( 12:27 ) There’s many temptations out there. Just stay focused, man, as a team, though. As a team. That’s all I knew when I was here. That’s what kind of kept me focus, that I finally ran into a team, and you guys have that same thing. Because this you, this you will never die. It will never die, so it’s up to you to carry that. It’s up to you to carry that every Sunday, every Saturday, everything gets talked about.

Ray Lewis: ( 12:58 ) I got to commit my very being to this thing. I got to breathe it. I got to eat it. I got to sleep it. And until you get there, you will never be successful in life, but once you get there, I guarantee you, the world is yours.

Ray Lewis: ( 13:12 ) You [inaudible 00:13:13] yesterday? Know what you carry when you carry this U on your chest. Know what you carry, man. You carry a legacy. A legacy of greatness. And greatness is a lot of small things done well, day after day, workout after workout, obedience after obedience. Day after day.

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Keynote Speaker, Patrick Schwerdtfeger

Motivational Speech: Go BIG! (full script)

Full Motivational Speech Text Transcript

The full transcript of Patrick Schwerdtfeger’s motivational keynote speech entitled “Go BIG! Creating an Unfair Advantage” is included below. But first, here is a 19-minute video describing the proprietary structure Patrick developed to write an effective keynote speech and ensure a powerful close. We recommending watching the video before reviewing the word-for-word transcript below.  

  Patrick Schwerdtfeger has a detailed blog post (over 4,000 words) describing the process of becoming a keynote speaker, including embedded videos and complete disclosures about the business of professional speaking and his own experiences along the way. It’s the highest-traffic post on this website. Read the post here:  

How to become a Motivational Speaker

  Patrick customizes his keynote programs for every event, but the transcript below provides the complete ‘stock’ version for you to evaluate as you wish. There are headings throughout the text below. They are only included for organizational purposes and correspond to the structure described in the video above. There is a science to effective speech writing and Patrick Schwerdtfeger structures his speeches similar to a song, with verses and a chorus. The headings below will allow you to follow along with that structure.

Copyright, 2012, Patrick Schwerdtfeger. All rights reserved.

Go BIG! Creating an Unfair Advantage

  Introduction – The Wealth Dichotomy

Keynote Mastery: The Personal Journey of a Professional Speaker

So, we’re here today to talk about leadership and doing BIG things, about taking it to the next level. But as you unfortunately already know, we’re facing some pretty cold hard facts.

The economy isn’t exactly BOOMING out there, is it? It’s more like BUSTING and there’s no way around it, short of printing more money at the Fed or racking up the biggest national debt in human history … and even that isn’t working very well! If the economy was a Hollywood movie, it would’ve gone straight to DVD and then to the bargain bin at Blockbuster … if of course, there were still a Blockbuster. The unemployment rate is still close to 8% nationwide and above 10% in California where I live.

And then there’s the whole Greece situation. What a disaster that is. That’s like a bug just LOOKING for a windshield! So the Euro’s on the ropes, Japan’s in trouble and the federal deficits are so far off the charts that they have to make new charts. Things aren’t exactly rosy out there, right? It’s a difficult time and the future looks about as secure as Lindsay Lohan driving along the San Andreas fault … while texting on her cell phone … with a cocktail in her hand.

Meanwhile, you may find this interesting: the number of millionaires has actually doubled since 1997. Doubled. Can you believe it? The same is true for people worth over 10 million or 100 million. It’s even true for billionaires. Doubled! Think about that for a moment. So if the number of millionaires has doubled in the last 15 years and it has; that means only 15 years ago, HALF of today’s millionaires hadn’t YET acquired their wealth.

And it’s also a fact that the overall number of millionaires in 1997 had doubled since 1982 – 15 years earlier – which means that only half of the HALF had their wealth back in 1982. That means that Ÿ of ALL of today’s millionaires made their wealth in the last 30 years! Now think about THAT. They didn’t INHERIT their wealth. They made it themselves, during their own lifetimes.

In America, 93% of millionaires are first generation millionaires, and only 3% of them are professional athletes or the luckiest of celebrities. So a full 90% of today’s millionaires made their wealth themselves in some sort of business venture, high-paid career or successful investment strategy.

And it’s not just happening in America either. It’s happening in the UK and all across Europe as well. It’s happening in places like India and China. It’s happening in Russia. Lord knows, it’s happening in Russia, where they don’t even remember that crazy concept called “communism” anymore, unless you’re part of the millions who are still living on subsistence wages. It’s true Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s a worldwide trend: new wealth is here. And if you’re like me, that’s one bandwagon you’d happily jump into!

So what we have is this strange dichotomy where most of the population is really struggling to make ends meet white at the same time there’s also this OTHER group that’s doing really well and planning their prosperous futures. We’re not talking about a small division here. We’re talking about a Grand Canyon-scale continental divide, only there aren’t any tourists taking pictures. On one side, all you have is long lines, abandoned factories and foreclosed homes. But on the other, you have gated communities, luxury yachts and exotic sports cars.

What’s the deal? How did we get here? Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about today. Because the truth is that there’s never been a better time to be ambitious. There’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur. There’s never been a better time to think BIG!

There’s actually a very interesting misunderstanding of “the division between rich and poor”. Most people believe that the division is between people who earn $150K or less each year and those who earn $250K or more, but that’s not the division that’s widening. In fact, that division is getting narrower. The actual division between rich and poor is between those making $500K or less each year and those making $10MM or more.

That’s the true division! That’s the division that’s widening. That’s the division they’re talking about. It’s just that nobody wants to talk about those kinds of numbers. Earning $10MM each year is so far outside most people’s reality that it no longer seems believable … but it’s the reality in our society.

Introduction – Sir Richard Branson

I’m sure everyone here is familiar with the name, Sir Richard Branson. He’s the CEO and founder of Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic and all the other Virgin companies. He’s famous for saying that the fastest way to become a millionaire is to start out as a BILLIONAIRE … and then start an airline.

Now, obviously, that’s intended as a joke … perhaps a joke you only need a billion or two dollars to get, but a joke nonetheless. Nobody takes a comment like that seriously. But in a way, it’s also a classic example of what I like to call “top-down” thinking.

Most people, when they think about becoming a millionaire, think about slowly struggling from $1,000 to 10,000, and then fighting their way to $100,000 before finally arriving at $1,000,000. But in Branson’s tossed off quip, he starts out ABOVE the target and then comes down on top of it from above. And I guarantee it’s a soft, safe and happy landing. I love that.

Introduction – Chorus – Skyscrapers

For me, I’ve always looked at life a little bit in the same way. I always imagine life’s goals as skyscrapers. The vast majority of people compete against each other trying to climb the stairs or cram into the elevators. And that DOES work. You can climb your way to the top. It’s a lot of work but if you keep at it, you’ll get there eventually. Maybe a little worse for wear but … eventually.

But the FASTEST way to get to the top floor of a skyscraper isn’t to climb the stairs or squeeze into the elevators. No. The fastest way to get onto the top floor of a skyscraper is to parachute down onto it from above! That way, you can bypass all those crowded staircases and elevators – and all those people whose deordorant wore off hours ago – and land directly on the top floor.

The people who are succeeding these days are approaching their goals differently than the rest of us. So what are they doing? They’re ending up on the top floor of their skyscrapers. How are they doing that? And what can we learn from them?

Sometimes it seems like the distance between you and those success stories is SO huge, but that gap can close quickly. In 1996, after 12 publishers turned her down, Joanne Rowling was living on social security when she finally sold her first Harry Potter story for ÂŁ1500. Less than 2 years later, the rights were auctioned off in the US for $105,000 and within 5 years, she was a multi, multi, multi-millionaire. It’s as if she knew a wizard or something! Things can change quickly.

I’m going through this journey myself. I’m building my life and my career, just like each of you, and I practice what I preach. I DO all the things we’re going to be talking about today, and I can tell you, it’s changed my life. And it all begins with a different mindset.

Introduction – Chorus – Less Competition

It’s about thinking BIG! Because here’s the funny thing … when you shoot higher, you actually encounter LESS competition along the way, not more. In many ways, it’s actually EASIER to shoot for the stars than it is to shoot for “realistic” goals.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a proponent of blind optimism. I’m actually a bit of a pessimist myself. But statistically, very few people shoot for MASSIVE goals. Most people shoot for “realistic” goals. Everyone wants to be REALISTIC. Well, there’s some fascinating research around this topic, and it turns out that shooting for the MASSIVE goals isn’t such a bad idea after all.

Just think about it for a second. Pick one of your work or business goals, say, for the next 12 months. It doesn’t really matter what it is. Just pick anything. Now, what’s the 10x version of that goal? Seriously. Take it and multiply it by 10 or even 100. Don’t double it or triple it. No. Make it WAY bigger, by ORDERS of MAGNITUDE! What’s the STEROID version of that goal? The Donald Trump version … without the hairdo of course.

Now between those two, the BIG one and the original one, which do you think has more competition? Chances are, the original one is far more common, and consequently you have a million other people who have the same goal. That means more competition. Meanwhile, the big massive audacious goal is so crazy, so outlandish, so insane, that few people would even think about it, much less embrace it as their own. Most people just don’t have the guts to go after such massive goals, or the wherewithal to keep going.

And it’s too bad, because it’s a lot more fun! It’s more exciting. And as we’ll see, those big massive goals aren’t as crazy as you might think.

Verse #1 – Yoga Instructor

Let me give you an example. When I was just getting started, I was in the real estate business and I used to teach these classes at local adult education centers. They were community centers that had catalogs full of programs that people could take. Most of them were in dancing or yoga or grief counseling or dating or Tibetan basket weaving or whatever. But there I was; I had a course about understanding complicated home mortgages … not exactly the best fit for that picture. I was more like the “one of these things is not like the other” program option. Anyway, these places send out thousands of catalogs and people sign up to attend whatever classes they want.

Looking back now, it was such a disaster. You’d get a handful of people at each class but it was never more than 10 people. One day, I had one of my classes and – get this – a grand total of ONE person showed up. So brutal, but it ended up being a fascinating evening. In fact, it actually ended up changing my whole perspective on life.

You have to understand, this was a difficult time for me. I wasn’t making ANY money and was giving these courses to try and find new clients. The people who showed up were possible clients for me. So coming in and finding ONE person in the room … well, at the time, it just seemed like all the failures in my life were sitting RIGHT THERE in all those empty chairs. It was awful.

So there he was: this one guy. My audience of one; his name was Howard and he was a yoga instructor. Now, I’ve met a lot of yoga instructors. I’ve even dated one or two! And from my experience, I can tell you that most of them are struggling to make ends meet. I mean, some do better than others but they’re generally not rolling in cash. You know what I mean? Well, this guy was a different story.

Keep in mind that there are only 2 people in the room – Howard and me – so I did my session but we ended up talking about all sorts of stuff. This guy was a bit of a local celebrity, at least in the yoga world. And he was attending my course because he had a number of INVESTMENT properties and wanted to learn more about real estate financing.

A yoga instructor with multiple investment properties? Given my dating experience, “investment property management” didn’t come up in conversation very often so suffice it to say, I was baffled.

Turns out, this guy did a LOT more than just teach yoga. He held these 4 and 5-day yoga RETREATS in Sedona and Santa Fe and a few other exotic desert locations. And these retreats weren’t cheap either. They cost thousands of dollars and they were featured right there on his website homepage.

He had written a few books too, all about the “yoga lifestyle” and they were featured on his website as well.

So … who knew? When he first said he was a yoga instructor, I didn’t say it out loud but in my head, I dismissed him as just another hokey left-wing meditation type with worn out Birkenstocks and too much hair in all the wrong places. I pictured someone teaching yoga at the studio down the street, nothing more. But when he told me about these retreats and the books, my whole perspective changed. This guy was a GURU. And taking my course, as it turned out, wasn’t his first brilliant idea!

Bottom line; this guy was an expert; an authority. He had a following, an audience, and he was helping people change their lives! In social dynamics theory, they talk about “frames”. A frame is your point of reference when you interact with someone. Well, my frame completely changed. When he first said “yoga instructor”, I had one frame; a small frame … a short-sighted one. But when he told me about the retreats and books, I immediately shifted into a new frame, a much bigger frame.

Verse #1 – Wine Jelly

So about a year later, I had started giving another course about online marketing. I had published a podcast series about the mortgage business and it became really popular. It was the exact same content as the course I was giving. But at the time, there weren’t a lot of people podcasting about the real estate business so my series really took off and I got a good deal of attention because of it. So I started giving this course about online marketing.

I was giving it one evening and one of the attendees had a small business selling “wine jelly”. Yes, it’s jelly made from wine and trust me, I didn’t understand it any more than you do. I live in northern California so the Napa Valley is right up the road. So this guy was producing and selling wine jelly. I don’t know if you’ve tried this stuff or not. I’ve never tried it myself as I generally try to stick with the old-fashioned liquid variety, but apparently it’s tasty.

But we started talking about websites and how to present your business online and I asked him what his MENU of products was. He told me he had a variety of different options ranging from a $4 jar to a package of jars for $26. So this guy was selling products ranging in price from $4 to $26. Now, I don’t know about you, but there isn’t really anything that inspiring to me about this product line-up. To me, I think of a retail shelf vendor and not much more than that.

It made me think about Howard and his little yoga empire, so I told this guy that he should introduce an annual 3-day luxury retreat up in Napa. On one of the days, he could have maybe a workshop teaching people how to make wine jelly in their own homes. And on another day, he could include a private tour of a fancy winery. He could serve 3 meals each day and have wine jelly paired with each one. I told him he should charge $3,000 and feature it right on his homepage.

Poor guy; I totally caught him off guard. He said, “but what if nobody buys it?” “Who cares?” It doesn’t matter if anyone buys it or not, at least not in the beginning. So who cares? The point is that if he featured this annual 3-day retreat on his website, it would completely change the frame for people who found him online. In the first case, he’d be selling little jars of jelly; nothing special. In the second case, he’d be selling a hobby, a passion, a lifestyle! He’d hold the keys to a parallel universe; a world full of culture, romance and good food.

The point is that we can project ourselves or our businesses in any way we choose. It’s up to us! Think back to the 10x version of your own goal, the steroid version, the Trump version. If you present THAT version, people will react totally differently than if you present the smaller version.

And don’t second guess whether people will want to engage on a deeper level or not. You have no idea what people would do. I’ll tell you something: never underestimate the passion of your audience! There are people in your audience who are more passionate about what you do then YOU are!

Verse #1 – Michael, Stephanie and Laurel

My agent is Michael Larsen. He’s a literary agent. He helps me get my books published. Anyway, there are hundreds, probably thousands, of literary agents out there. But 10 years ago, he and his wife decided to start the San Francisco Writer’s Conference. They never asked anyone’s permission. They just did it. And guess what? They didn’t have any competition. Nobody else had done that before. And this past year, it was labeled as the best writers conference in the country!

I have a friend named Stephanie. Actually, the reason I know her is because she’s published a number of books as well, and actually worked with Michael Larsen herself a number of years ago. Anyway, in the meantime, she started a small publishing company called Authority Publishing. She specializes in non-fiction books and works mostly with business professionals who want to build their reputation. Anyway, last year she decided to start her own conference – and it was a virtual conference – called the Non-Fiction Writers Conference. And guess what? She didn’t have any competition! Because nobody else was doing it. Nobody else thought that big, but she did. She had 100 people at her first conference but that increased to over 300 just one year later and now she’s at the center of a thriving community.

Another friend has an online business selling premium foods like caviar, foie gras and truffle mushrooms. I don’t know if you guys are aware of this or not – I wasn’t – but there’s a new trend out there called “culinary tourism” where rich people pay a bunch of money to travel to different parts of the world and eat the best of all the local specialties. So she calls me one day and tells me about this trend and that she’s now promoting a 14-day trip to Italy for – get this – $16,000 … and you have to GET to Rome. The flight’s not included. She has a good profit worked into the price the trip is going to include the best of everything. And guess what? She has very little competition! She already has a good customer base and many of those people are rich foodies who love to travel, and travel WELL. And people are signing up!

The point is that she thought bigger. They all did. Michael thought bigger. Stephanie thought bigger. Laurel thought bigger. And because they set their sights on much larger targets, they had almost no competition along the way. They just had to take action and get it going. If they did a good job, and they all did, the rest took care of itself.

Verse #1 – Barack Obama

In 2008, by the time the American election finally came around, Barack Obama had over 60,000 people BLOGGING on HIS website. It’s true. He did something no politician had ever done before. Instead of focusing only on his OWN message and trying to get it out there as much as possible, he invited OTHERS to develop and share the message themselves.

Obama’s website was amazing. You could sign up and create an account. You could be “friends” with people. You automatically became part of a ‘neighborhood’. You could attend events. You could host your OWN events. And yes, you could start your own blog right on HIS website. By Election Day, he had over 60,000 people blogging on his website.

Obama expanded the frame. Instead of just PARTICIPATING in the conversation, he actually FACILITATED the conversation. He invited the electorate to participate themselves and that added transparency and credibility to his campaign.

And besides that, his website literally had hundreds of thousands of pages of content on it. John McCain’s had maybe a thousand at the most. So when people searched for ANYTHING political on Google, what do you think popped up? McCain or Obama? That’s right. Obama came up FIRST at the top of the list every time.

Whether you like him or not, Obama changed American politics forever. He leveraged social media, he engaged the citizens and he won a decisive victory. But more than anything else, he thought BIG. And as a result, he built the largest grassroots organization in American political history, he held some of the biggest rallies in American political history and he raised more money than anyone in American political history.

Verse #1 – Sir James Dyson

Amazing things happen when you start to think BIG. Look at Sir James Dyson, the man who invented the Dyson Vacuum Cleaner. Nobody wanted to manufacture his revolutionary product so he set up his own facility. Today, he employs over 3,000 people and sells products in over 50 countries around the world. He thinks BIG and he’s a billionaire as a result. I bet some of those manufacturers are feeling pretty stupid about their decision.

Verse #1 – Chorus – 10x Your Highest Price

It’s up to YOU how you present yourself, your business and your ambitions. It’s up to YOU to decide what to shoot for. It’s up to YOU to determine what game you want to play.

What’s the most expensive product you sell? Just think about it. Now, take that price and multiply it by 10. What could you sell at THAT price? A new product? A package of products? An annual retreat somewhere? Think BIGGER. Think bigger about your business. Think bigger about your life.

How can you INVOLVE your customers? How can you help them achieve their OWN aspirations within YOUR business model? Obama gave his followers a way to become leaders WITHIN his campaign, and they signed up in droves! And like Sir James Dyson, how can you see past the obstacles and push towards your dreams?

Verse #2 – Natural Human Effects

There’s actually some amazing research concerning this. It’s rarely a coincidence that these success stories unfold the way they do. Turns out, when you set an intention and take action towards it, a powerful domino effect begins. In particular, 3 fascinating effects – natural human effects – start to play a role.

Verse #2 – Radiate Emotions

First, people radiate their emotions and thoughts. It’s involuntary. We do it whether we want to or not. The research into this stuff is a combination of neuroscience and behavioral psychology. Imagine two people entering a crowded room: very similar people physically. But one practically glows in the dark while the other fades into the shadows. How are those two people ACTUALLY different from each other … other than the fact that one of them might be radioactive?

We all know people like this – people that stand out, not people who are radioactive. But they do radiate! They’re like human magnets. Everybody loves them. It has to do with internal congruence. It has to do with their subconscious alignment. People like that have very strong and consistent beliefs.

Most people have CONFLICTING beliefs. On the one hand, they’re like “yes, yes, I can do it” but on the other, they’re saying “yeah, I’m not so sure.” They simultaneously have beliefs that point in opposite directions. But some people have all their beliefs pointing in the same direction. You know what I call that? It’s CONVICTION. People with congruent beliefs have conviction!

So who is that in YOUR life? Is it you? Is it someone you know? I’m not suggesting that you can have the same impact on others that they do. It’s impossible to replicate someone else’s personality. You have to be yourself. But you can definitely GROW in that direction. By thinking more positive thoughts and aligning your internal beliefs, you will automatically radiate more positive energy, and people around you will notice. Either consciously or subconsciously, at some level, they’ll notice. They might not know exactly what you’re up to but they’ll know that SOMETHING has changed.

I’m also not suggesting, by the way, that you adopt some naively positive perspective on life. The world isn’t perfect, and people who think it is drive me as crazy as I’m sure they do you! I know this woman back home and every time I see her and ask how she’s doing, she always says she’s EXCELLENT! Perfect! Incredible. Never better. If she’s always doing “excellent”, how will I know when she’s ACTUALLY having a good day?! Will a rainbow shoot from her mouth??

I have good days and bad days. We all do. And I promise you: when I’m having a good day, you’ll know! Because I get excited! Like today; I love what I do and I’m super excited to be here, so I’m having a GOOD day. Other days aren’t as good and I try to keep it real but let me tell you, when I’m having a good day, people notice and they swarm around with curiosity. Don’t they? When you’re in a great mood, people notice!

Verse #2 – Thoughts Become Things

Second, thoughts have a habit of becoming THINGS in your life. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying: you become what you think about. It’s true. You generally become what you think about most. It’s just like: you almost always find what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for good news, you’ll find it. If you’re looking for bad news – well, first off, it’s much easier to find these days – but yes, you’ll find it. If you’re looking for reasons why you can’t lose weight, you’ll find them. If you’re looking for reasons why you’re unhappy, you’ll find them. But if you’re looking for reasons why you ARE happy, you’ll find those too.

There are real quantifiable reasons for this. Your focus determines your life experience. When I moved from Vancouver Canada – where I grew up – down to LA back in 1998, I bought a dark green Volkswagen Jetta. And when I started driving it, I noticed other Jettas everywhere I looked. Hasn’t that happened to you? They were everywhere! Was there actually more than before? No, of course not. It’s just that I was more AWARE of them so I saw them everywhere around me.

I had to drive a lot for work back then. I was always on those massive California freeways, so I probably saw at least 10,000 cars every day. Which ones did I notice? I noticed the Jettas. They may have accounted for only 1 in every 100 cars, but my mind was tuned to Jettas and that’s what I noticed.

The same thing happens for anything you think about. Do you believe there’s no opportunity anymore? Do you believe your future is destined to be filled with struggle and strife? If so, that’s exactly what you’ll find. You’ll find reasons everywhere around you that PROVE that you’re right. There’s no opportunity! The world sucks. You’re right. But if you believe the world is FULL of opportunity, you’ll start noticing different things. I promise. You’ll notice the things that support your beliefs.

There’s nothing hokey about this. It’s not psychobabble and it’s not pie-in-the-sky hype either. It’s all perfectly natural. Your thoughts determine what you notice in the world. It happens every day of our lives.

This is extraordinarily powerful stuff, and yet it’s incredibly simple. We all have the ability to CHOOSE our own thoughts. We can intentionally focus on anything we want. That’s what affirmations are all about. And by focusing on something, we’ll automatically start noticing things that are in line with our focus.

So what do you focus on? What do you think about thousands of times each day? The research finds that most of us have about 50,000 thoughts every day; some a bit more and some quite a bit less! The problem is that about 95% of those thoughts are exactly the same thoughts we had yesterday and they day before that and the day before that. So what do YOU focus on every day? Besides the hot new receptionist or the UPS guy, that is. Okay, fine, but just for a minute. Okay, are you back? Can we move on?

Now, what COULD you focus on? Don’t get dirty now! Come on, let’s stay on track. Seriously, what COULD you focus on? You can focus on anything you like. You control that. What’s your 10x goal? Think about it. What is it? How could you get there? See? You can focus on anything you want. And believe me; if you make that one tiny change and do it consistently, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in your life.

Verse #2 – Passion Inspires Action

Third, ACTION is attractive. In fact, action is addictive, not just for you but for everyone around you. I used to think that the opposite of happiness is sadness but that’s not true. The opposite of happiness is NOT sadness. The opposite of happiness is BOREDOM! And most people in the world today live in a boredom TRANCE. Right? I’m sure you already know a few. Maybe you have one or two living in your home!

They get up each morning, go to work, come home again, complain about their day, eat some food, watch TV, go to bed, rinse and repeat, starting all over again. And SOME of them make a habit of skipping a few of those steps too, don’t they? They’re in a boredom trance, yes? And when people are in a boredom trance, they always do the minimum. In work, life, whatever, they instinctively choose the easiest path; the path of least resistance.

But when you’re EXCITED and taking ACTION, the opposite is true. When you’re excited, people get inspired by YOUR excitement, and it’s amazing how people pop up out of the woodwork and want to help. Everyone wants to be where the action is! People crave excitement. They’re desperate for inspiration.

Look around. You can see this everywhere. Who’s the doer in your life? Who’s the cheerleader in your circle? Who’s the one with a rainbow shooting out of their mouth? Who’s the one who’s always on the move, doing something exciting?

Yeah, I know. Those people can also be pretty annoying, can’t they? Who would want to be like THOSE people? Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to be annoying. I’m telling you that PASSION is infectious!

Seriously, look anywhere. It’s the artists who sing with PASSION that climb the charts. It’s the politicians who speak with PASSION that get more votes. It’s the businesses who operate with PASSION that dominate their industries.

Obviously, we’re talking about POSITIVE intentions here. We’re not talking about malicious intentions. We’re talking about doing something GOOD, something ADMIRABLE, something ATTRACTIVE, something AWESOME! And when you combine an awesome intention with passionate action, let me tell you, people get inspired!

Verse #2 – Intrinsic Motivators

Daniel Pink wrote a book called “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” and it turns out that, yes, and you may or may not believe this shocker, money is a good motivator – obviously – but only for simple routine tasks. When zero creativity is required, money works great. But for more complex tasks, most people aren’t actually motivated by money at all. In fact, money can often make things worse!

I know, I know, some of you are thinking “that’s a problem I’d gladly deal with!” But the research finds that people are primarily motivated by 3 things: autonomy, mastery and purpose. People like being able to make their own decisions: autonomy. They like improving their own skills: mastery. And they like contributing to a greater cause: purpose. I do, you do, we all do.

So here it is: if you take passionate action towards a positive intention, and you don’t start bossing people around, and you let people use and develop their own natural skills, your whole community will naturally gravitate towards you and enthusiastically support your goal.

Think back to the last time YOU were doing something awesome. Now, think about the people around you. It happens. If you want to build momentum around a great cause, just start DOING something worthwhile.

Verse #2 – Law of Attraction

A lot of this sounds like the Law of Attraction, doesn’t it? I’m sure many of you have heard about “The Secret.” It’s a best-selling book and there’s also a movie by the same name. Is that what we’re talking about here? Or is this a much broader topic?

The truth is that the Law of Attraction and most religions overlap in a lot of areas. What is meditation REALLY? It’s prayer. What is visualization? It’s faith. What’s the “universal life force” they keep talking about? The “universal life force” is God.

The Law of Attraction might seem new, but it’s actually been around for centuries. It’s all the same thing. And now it turns out that there are actual logical reasons why this stuff really works. Again, first, you radiate your thoughts and emotions. We all do. Second, your thoughts become things in your life. You become what you think about. And third, action inspires more action!

Do you see how this all fits together? When you embrace a positive intention in your mind, you immediately start RADIATING that thought and excitement. And just by HAVING that thought, you start noticing things around you that will help you achieve it. And by taking ACTION towards your intention, people are inspired to help. And it all starts with one thought!

Verse #2 – Chorus – Am I crazy?

The reality is that “going BIG” starts with the smallest step imaginable. It starts with a step you can take right now, sitting here today. It starts with having the AUDACITY to identify a super-awesome intention and the COURAGE to embrace it as your own. And if you DO, the entire universe seems to CONSPIRE to help you achieve it.

Am I crazy? Is this all just a bunch of ‘hocus pocus’? No, it’s not. We just went through it. It’s just a series of logical human reactions. It’s perfectly natural … but it’s also an UNFAIR advantage for those who understand it.

Look at the most successful people, in any area of life: business, personal, religious, whatever. What do they do? They embrace massive POSITIVE intentions and then take passionate action towards them. And they always seem lucky, don’t they? Everything just seems to go their way. That’s NOT luck. It’s the unfair advantage they tapped into.

I’ll tell you what: luck and hard work are correlated! If you work hard, if you take passionate action on something, YOU will appear lucky too. These are natural forces and we just need to think BIG and take ACTION, and the rest will take care of itself.

Verse #3 – Soldiers in Iraq

So let’s talk about getting started. And this is one of my favorite subjects right now. Check this out: there are US soldiers who have been in Iraq or Afghanistan on multiple deployments, who can now look down a street in one of those cities over there and be able to predict with incredible accuracy whether or not there’s a bomb on that street.

When researchers ask these soldiers how they do it, they generally can’t answer. They just FEEL it. This is incredible to me. The fact is that your subconscious mind can process about 10 million observations in any given setting, but your conscious mind can only keep track of about 40! So that means 99.999996% of your observations, you’re not even consciously aware of.

These brave young soldiers have been in those situations so many times that they’ve developed an INTUITION. There are thousands of tiny little indicators they might see. Maybe people are walking differently. Maybe it’s quieter than usual, or louder. I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been in those situations. But they HAVE and their subconscious minds pick up all these tiny cues, and they get a FEELING about it without even consciously knowing what isn’t right.

Verse #3 – Chess Players

Doesn’t this happen to you? You meet someone and just get a FEELING about them? That’s your intuition. A recent study involved some chess masters and chess novices. They took these players individually and showed them a chess board with a game already in progress. They could look at the board for 5 seconds and then the curtain went down and they had to recreate what they saw on a fresh board.

Well, not surprisingly, the chess masters were easily able to recreate the entire board; every piece. They saw the whole story. They saw the strategy. They saw exactly what was going on. So they could easily recreate the pieces on the board.

But the chess novices only got 4 or 5 pieces right and that was it. To them, it meant nothing. They didn’t know the game so the position of all the pieces was completely arbitrary. They didn’t have the necessary experience or invaluable expertise that the masters did.

Verse #3 – Defining Intuition

It’s the same thing. It’s intuition and you can actually BUILD it with experience and expertise. We ALL have it already. Who here has kids? I’m sure you can look at your kids for ONE second and know if they’re in a good mood or a bad mood. You just know. You can tell. Well, if they’re teenagers, the bad mood option is probably the default but you get my point.

Here’s another example: have you ever driven a car and seen another car in front of you – say, Volkswagen Jetta – and you just KNEW they were going to change lanes? They were in their lane. They hadn’t put on their blinker. Nothing had happened yet, but you just KNEW. You saw something, you don’t know what, but it was something, and now you just KNOW they’re about to change lanes. And then, sure enough, they do.

This is intuition, and you have it because in both cases, you have experience and expertise in those situations. You see your kids all the time. You drive your car every day. And there are countless other situations where the same thing happens. You develop an intuition and it seems almost like a superpower to people who are less familiar with those situations.

Verse #3 – Developing Intuition

So if intuition is developed as a result of experience and expertise, what’s the fastest way to INTENTIONALLY develop it in other areas of your life? That brings us back to your personal goal on steroids, remember? The 10x goal? The fact is that intuition is basically a superpower when it comes to achieving that super-sized goal. People who have intuition are at least twice as effective as those who don’t.

When I was first learning to rollerblade, it was harder than running. When I got better at it, it was easier than walking. Why is that? It’s the same thing. When I was first getting started, I didn’t know what to focus on so every single muscle was tense. I wasn’t familiar with the motion and was scared about falling down. But when I got good at it, I knew what to expect. I had familiarity so I only used the muscles that were necessary to continue the motion. And if you rollerblade yourself, you know how easy it can be.

Here’s another example: if you want to learn how to snowboard, you’re much better off going 5 days in a row than going once each week for 5 weeks. In both cases, you’re on the mountain for 5 days but in the first case, you’re immersing yourself in the experience, and that immersion allows your subconscious mind to notice the patterns and see the connections. Immersion allows you to learn something much faster. It allows you to develop an instinct for it. It allows you to develop intuition.

When you have intuition in your career goals, you know right away if the project you’re working on is going to be effective or not. You know if you’re on the right track. And if something doesn’t add up, you know it immediately, allowing you to change course quickly. Developing intuition in your career will allow you to go twice as far in half the time.

So specifically, what’s required to develop intuition? Experience and expertise. And what’s the fastest way to gain experience and expertise? Intentional immersion. Intentional immersion is the fastest way to gain experience and expertise, and that’s what will leave you with intuition.

Verse #3 – The 10,000 Hour Rule

In his book “Outliers”, Malcolm Gladwell talks about the 10,000 hour rule. His whole premise is that the people who reach the top of their field weren’t genetically superior then everybody else. They just worked harder, that’s all. They immersed themselves into it. He argues that anyone who works on a skill for 10,000 hours will end up becoming world class.

He looks at professional hockey players and Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and The Beatles and many more and in every case, these people had been developing their skills for at least 10,000 hours. And if you break that down, that could be 3 hours a day for 9 years, or 9 hours a day for 3 years.

It doesn’t matter how you slice it, it’s a simple formula. And if you think about your own area of expertise, you probably already have hundreds of hours invested, if not thousands. The point is we can all adopt that rule ourselves. We can all recommit to our true passions and continue logging those hours. We can all become world class in the area we’re most passionate about. We have control. This is something we can choose to do.

Verse #3 – Read 5 Books

Intuition accelerates everything we’ve been talking about. Not only can you start a powerful domino effect by embracing an intention and taking action towards it, but you can also develop this additional superpower to accelerate your progress towards it. Let me tell you one simple thing that you can do immediately – like TODAY – to put this whole thing in motion.

Once you’ve selected that massive goal-on-steroids we talked about at the beginning, get online and search for the 5 best books you can find on the topic. It’s easy to find these lists about virtually ANY topic. So do some research and select the 5 best books in YOUR field, then buy them.

Now for me, I’m a very slow reader and always feel unproductive when I’m sitting on the couch reading, kind of like I feel when I’m on the couch eating donuts and watching Seinfeld reruns, so I get audio books instead. That way, I can listen to them while I’m at the gym or driving my car or on a flight somewhere. You can obviously do either but make sure it’s a format you’ll actually get to and enjoy. And then start reading them, one by one.

When you’re done, read them again. Seriously, when it comes to non-fiction books – especially the good ones – it’s amazing how much you get the second time around. In fact, I recommend going over them 3 times each. Read through all 5 books and then start at the beginning again. And if they recommend any other books that catch your attention, get those too. By the time you read through all of them 3 times, you’ll be blown away at your own expertise.

Also, it’ll change the things you think about – and we’ve already talked about that – and it’ll change the way you talk about your goals. You’ll start developing the intuition that comes from expertise. It’s not like you have to spend 10,000 hours before you see any progress. That’s not what Malcolm Gladwell was saying, and it’s not what I’m saying either. By the time you get to 10,000 hours, you’re already world class. But there are tons of incredibly valuable milestones along the way.

Verse #3 – Chorus – Getting Old

A friend of mine told me recently that ‘getting old’ is when you wish you still had the body that you never liked in the first place. I’ve seen old high school pictures of him too, by the way, and he’s not kidding! Look, everybody has big dreams and it’s not that they try to get there and fail. It’s that they never even try in the first place! For one reason or another, most people think they’re not ready to go after their dreams. They’re always waiting for some future milestone before they really put themselves out there; before they finally take that risk.

Let me tell you something: we’re not getting any younger. For the rest of your life, you will NEVER be more ready than you are right now! I actually think it’s easier to start BEFORE you’re “ready”, because getting started is a lot more difficult than changing direction. Changing direction is easy. Getting started is hard! So jump in today and change course later if you need to.

You know, all of us here today, we all have one thing in common. No matter how old we all are respectively, TODAY is the oldest we’ve ever been! None of us have ever been any older than we are right now. We’re all breaking new ground in our lives; day by day, minute by minute, second by second. So believe me; the time to take action towards that 10x goals is right now. Well, wait until we’re done here, but right after that!

Verse #4 – My Own Story

I feel like I’m living proof of all this myself. I’ve written 3 books and spoken at conferences all around the world, but the truth is that I never had one of those incredible undeniable home-run success stories that most speakers have had.

The way most speakers become speakers is by accomplishing something incredible. Maybe they started some super successful business, or they climbed Mount Everest, or they saved a baby from a burning building … or they married a Kardashian. I don’t know and it doesn’t really matter, but they did something! Well, that wasn’t true for me.

My biggest claim to fame is that I have no claim to fame! And as unrealistic as my intentions seemed at the time, I never felt like I was competing with anyone. I never asked for anyone’s permission. I just started doing it – doing what I wanted to do – and playing my game as big as I could … and the incredible thing is that it just rolled right out in front of me without anyone ever trying to slow me down.

I mean, again, I’ve written 3 books about my topic. And I research my topic like a madman. I read every book I can find. I want to be the best at what I do. But I always thought that I’d need some massive VICTORY to do this – to be a speaker – and it’s not true. All I needed was my intention and a little good old-fashioned elbow grease, and the rest took care of itself.

Verse #4 – Overnight Success Stories

Everybody wants to hear an overnight success story. Even when the “overnight success” took 15 years, they still want to hear the “overnight” part. It’s ingrained in our culture. That’s what people want. They want to know the ONE thing that changed everything. They want to know the ONE moment when the whole thing took off like a rocket to fortune and fame. That’s not how it works! That almost never happens!

I’ll tell you what success is. Success is the accumulation of 10,000 tiny victories and 100,000 tiny failures! That’s what success is!

You know, I’m going to call my 4th book “Fail Your Way to Success” because that’s the story of my life. I’m like a professional failure! Some of you may suddenly be feeling much closer to me personally now, and that’s good. Because I think I’ve failed at everything I’ve ever done … the FIRST time. But then you learn and you try again. And then again and again, and you get a bit better every time.

You just keep going. You keep working towards your goals. And step by step, things take shape. And of course, there are countless frustrations along the way. But there are also countless tiny miracles that keep you going. And people take notice and people try to help, and you keep working and working. And before you know it, things start to shift. Your trajectory changes and the victories start piling up.

Verse #4 – Sweden – Chicken Thighs

Let me tell you about one of my tiny miracles. I could tell you hundreds of these, but I’ll go with just this one. It was a Thursday evening in September, 2007, and that was definitely a difficult time for me. I wasn’t making any money. I was really struggling.

I won’t tell you some extravagant sob story, I’ll stick with the usual sob story instead … but let me give you an idea of how things were for me back then. In fact, I need to go back a bit further so stay with me. On December 30th, 2005, the end of the year, I made a New Year’s resolution for 2006 and that resolution was to work out in the morning instead of the evening. That’s a pretty minor goal, yes? But it represented a big shift for me because I had to figure out what my routine would be for dinner.

You see, when I worked out in the evening, I had a protein shake after my workout and that was it. But if I worked out in the morning, I’d have to eat a real dinner. Believe it or not, I hadn’t done that in years. And meanwhile, I didn’t have a lot of money so it had to be something healthy AND inexpensive.

But I dutifully put together a perfectly balanced meal that cost less than $3 per day: 2 chicken thighs, a sweet potato and half a head of broccoli. I went to Costco that very same day and stocked up on supplies. I bought the chicken thighs in these huge bulk packages and then stored them, 2 at a time, in Ziploc bags. So I also bought a big multi-pack of Ziploc bags. You know, that’s how everything is at Costco. It had 4 boxes with 100 bags in each box.

Anyway, in December of that next year, 2006, almost a full year after I started my new routine, I finished my second box of Ziploc bags. And that’s when it hit me … like a sack of potatoes, chicken thighs and broccoli … I had eaten that meal – 2 chicken thighs, a sweet potato and half a head of broccoli – 200 times in less than one year!

It’s times like that when you realize how pathetic your life truly is. It’s times like that when you realize how LITTLE you’ve accomplished. It’s a sobering thought, for example, that when Mozart was MY age, he had already been dead for 6 years! I don’t know about you but that would absolutely RUIN birthday for me.

Pathetic. But seriously, we’ve probably all had moments like that. No, I wasn’t homeless. I never declared bankruptcy. I’ve never been on a reality TV show. I was never stranded in the snow without shoes lost in the wilderness without food or water or anything like that, but things were really tight. Things were difficult. And it’s moments like that, honestly, when you rely on your faith to get you through.

Verse #4 – Sweden – Submit Proposal

Anyway, I was sitting at my desk in September 2007, almost another year later, furiously brainstorming different ways I could get my career off the ground. But I was definitely stuck on the runway, emotionally exhausted and absolutely frustrated. I remember; I was half way through a Corona that evening. I was sitting at my desk, wondering what else I could do, besides sit at my desk drinking beer. And while I was enjoying the hell out of that beer, what I really needed was money. No way around that.

Quite suddenly, I thought to myself, “I should speak at a conference.” Right out of the blue! So I went to Google and searched for the phrase “internet marketing conference.” Well, as it turned out, there’s actually a conference CALLED the Internet Marketing Conference so it obviously came up first.

The conference was based in Stockholm, Sweden, and there was a tab on their website that read “Speakers” so I thoughtlessly clicked on it. There was another tab that read “Submit a Proposal” so I clicked on that one too, and it brought me to this online form that I could fill out.

So there I was, my beer half empty, staring at this online form on my computer screen. Should I fill it out? I had never spoken at a conference in my life! What could I propose?? Maybe I should have another beer first, no?

But I came up with a great title that day. Seriously, it was one of the best titles I’ve ever come up with. My friends tell me it’s the ONLY great title I ever came up with. I proposed a session called “Monetizing Trust: Leading Your Audience from Rapport to Revenue.” It was a great title. It was juicy. It was spicy. It was spicy. I’m certain the beer helped so I took a quick chug and pressed on. Suddenly inspired, I wrote a brief description and clicked SUBMIT.

Now, please realize that I never expected to hear back. The whole thing was such a stretch. So completely unlikely and improbable that I almost forgot about it. Well, the beer may have helped with that as well. Anyway, that was Thursday evening. I got nothing on Friday, nothing on Saturday and nothing on Sunday. But I woke up on Monday morning and an email had come in about 2:00 AM – the middle of the day in Sweden – and it said “we’re interested in your topic.” “Can you give us more details?”

And I was like “oh my God!” I didn’t know what to do. Should I grab some more beer?

But we managed to email back and forth, and they ended up selecting me to speak at their conference in November, just 2 months later. I was stunned! Shocked. Overwhelmed. And I was scared to death. I mean, literally, I was SCARED – TO – DEATH.

But here’s the interesting thing: I found out much later that one of the primary reasons they picked me was because I was an American from Silicon Valley. Wow. That’s pretty interesting. Being an American from Silicon Valley is nothing special when you live in San Francisco. But in SWEDEN, it’s a big deal. Being an American gave me credibility over there. Imagine that!

And THEN, when I got back from the conference, I got more credibility at HOME … because I spoke in Sweden! Do you see how that worked? I got credibility in both directions! It was as if I had cold called Angelina Jolie and she somehow said yes, I had taken her out on a date and now every beautiful woman back home was fighting over my number!

That’s when I learned – and this is very true in the speaking business – that the hardest place to get paid to speak is in your own backyard. You’re much better off trying to speak in exotic destinations in far off lands. And since that time, my speaking business has taken me to India and Dubai and Aruba and Cancun and Portugal and a long list of other exotic destinations … which is awesome!

But the point is that it was a crazy insane goal – speaking in Sweden – not the Angelina Jolie thing, that makes perfect sense – but that’s exactly why it worked. It never would’ve happened if the conference had been in America. It simply would’ve happened. And that’s been the short story of my whole career. I just kept shooting for massive goals, and nobody ever stood in my way. Well, except for Brad Pitt, that is, but I’m working on that.

Verse #4 – Chorus – Bridge – Small is Better

Is this making sense? When you “go BIG”, all the rules change! And you know what else? It has never been easier for ordinary people to achieve extraordinary success. All the trends in business, all the trends on the internet, and all the trends in social media … they all favor small businesses and individuals.

Even the BIG companies are literally tripping over themselves trying to act like LITTLE companies. It didn’t used to be that way. It used to be good to be big. Not anymore. These days, it’s better to be small. Sorry ladies but it’s true.

The statistics are actually pretty breathe-taking. More than half of the books sold on Amazon aren’t available in a single bookstore. More than half the songs sold on iTunes aren’t available on CD. Today’s world favors micro-niches. It favors people who specialize in some super-specific thing. And the internet gives them all the tools they need to find customers all around the world.

A 19-year-old Marine took Mila Kunis to his prom because he asked her for the date on YouTube while he was stationed in Iraq. She said yes. That never would’ve been possible 10 years ago!

Verse #4 – Chorus – Bridge – Occupy Wall Street

Look, there’s a lot of ANGER out there these days; anger at the system, anger at the rich. With the Occupy Wall Street movement, believe me, I’ve seen it firsthand. And you know what? They’re right. The system DOES favor the rich. It’s true and we all know it. So you’re faced with a choice. You can try to change the system, and good luck with that! OR, you can change yourself, and THAT you can do today. You can switch sides and BECOME what you have the potential to BE!

There are simple things you can do right NOW that will put the wind at your back. There are decisions you can make today that will put the odds in your favor. And there are actions you can take that will give you that UNFAIR advantage.

I know it’s difficult. I know it’s hard. I know what it’s like to eat chicken thighs and broccoli for dinner 200 times in a single year!

But I also know what it’s like to fly to Sweden because I filled out a simple online form with a beer in my hand and hardly a dime in my pocket. I know what it’s like to speak in Dubai to a ballroom full of Arabs and Sheiks. And I know what it’s like to look back and wonder how I managed to get so lucky.

I’ve seen both sides of this coin, and THIS side is BETTER. You only live once. You were born on one date and you will die on a different date. Right now, we’re in between those two dates. Your life is NOT over. So what are you going to do from now until then end?

If you have ambition, if you have dreams for your life, if you have a message to share, THIS is the time to get it out there. There has NEVER been a better time to make your dreams a reality. There has never been a better time to craft your very own World Domination Strategy. There’s never been a better time to go BIG! It’s exciting. It’s fun. And it’s what life is all about.

END – thanks for reading!

Patrick Schwerdtfeger is a keynote speaker who has spoken at conferences and business events in cities across the United States and Canada as well as destinations in Mexico , the Caribbean , Europe , the Middle East and Asia . Please contact us if you have an upcoming event that you’re working on.  

Angelica

totally awesome! I will write more later but you are in the right place and so am I. I needed to hear this really bad! Thank you!!

arpit

Hi.. Thanks 4 providing this to read. I am realy inspired form this… Today i knew 1 beautiful thing that it doest mater what u have done.. The thing matters is what u what in future… And now i am starting to react on the thing on which i just think off.

Thank you again Arpit Bohra

jaya

really inspiring…

Barnabas Sigei kipyegon

Comment it’s really inspirational script I have ever come through, hope I would read more of your story

Zakir

Very Inspiring speech…..

Zakir Munawar Hussain

Very Inspiring speech by Mr. Patrick.

COMMENTS

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