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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.

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.

“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 £795 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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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 Brené 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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30 Famous and Short Inspirational Speeches (5 minutes or less)

• December 13, 2023

This post is all about the best 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. Brené 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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About Taylor

A few years after graduating college, Taylor made it her mission to become debt free. After paying off all $60k of debt, she began to blog about what she's really passionate about: personal development. Nowadays, Taylor blogs about the topics of Mindset, Money, Health, and Career for women.

"It's Per$onal" is a super popular and anonymous blog series about the personal lives and finances of women all over the world. Check it out!

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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.

Qualities of Good Motivational Speakers

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

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:

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 Monáe 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 Monáe, and what awards has she received?

Janelle Monáe 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.

Practice makes a man perfect. Start practicing and become a professional speaker.

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The 24 Best Motivational Speeches Our Employees Have Ever Heard

Published: July 19, 2023

It was halftime during one of my 7th-grade football games. And we were losing 14 - 0. With our knees planted in the grass, my team was quietly huddled, drenched in sweat and defeat. Suddenly, it was game over.

That's when our assistant coach burst into our circle and shattered our pity party, delivering one of the best motivational speeches I've heard to this day.

I can't directly quote him because he said some inappropriate things for a blog post (and, in hindsight, probably for a bunch of 13-year-olds too).

The point is he harnessed the power of words to rejuvenate a physically and emotionally drained team. And we came back clawing to win the game.

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Motivational Speech

A motivational speech can come from anywhere or anyone, but it usually has a specific audience in mind.

Whether it's a graduation speech, an all-company meeting, a championship sporting event, or a conference keynote, these speeches are designed to change how their listeners see the challenges facing them in the future.

Like in sports, being motivated at work is crucial for your performance. This rings especially true when you have a looming deadline, an important meeting, or colleagues or customers depending on your performance.

Think about the last time you felt generally unmotivated. What brought you out of that feeling? Sometimes all it takes to get you going is a good night's sleep or witnessing the benefits of your labor.

Still, other times, you might listen to someone say something that resonates with you — that alters how you've been looking at a particular task or problem.

Motivational speeches and speakers can come in all different forms, but this is the one thing they have in common — resonance. They resonate with the right listener at the right time and in the right way.

Who knows, this article is doing some for you right now. (I can dream, can't I?)

We selected 24 of the best motivational speeches from business, sports, entertainment, and other fields to help you stay motivated no matter what your work throws at you. Watch these videos if you want to feel inspired by a project.

Trust me, I was wiping my eyes after I saw them. And while the messages vary from speech to speech, they can put you in the optimal frame of mind for tackling and crushing your next big challenge.

(Disclaimer: Some speeches may contain NSFW language.)

Elon Musk: "The Importance of Never Giving Up" (2020)

Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

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

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

Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Al Pacino: "Inch by Inch" (1999)

Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

The Best Motivational Speeches of All Time

1. elon musk: "the importance of never giving up" (2020), theme of speech: perseverance and resilience.

Elon Musk's "The Importance of Never Giving Up" speech about perseverance and determination is decisive.

In this speech, Musk emphasizes failing and learning from failures as keys to success. He recounts his life and career, demonstrating how he overcame challenges.

One key takeaway from Musk's speech is his advice to adopt a growth mindset.

Musk encourages listeners to view setbacks as learning experiences. He also highlights the value of perseverance, persistence, and taking risks.

Elon Musk's word serves as an upbeat reminder that perseverance, patience, and the desire to attempt things repeatedly in the face of difficulty are essential for success.

"If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it."

2. Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Theme of the speech: empathetic leadership....

The "Leading with Empathy" talk by Angela Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and compassion in leadership.

According to Ahrendts, leaders must view their employees as whole people with lives outside of work. Leaders can instill trust, respect, and mutual support in their employees and organizations.

Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of team mission as well. Leaders can inspire their teams by connecting them to a greater goal.

She believes that working together fosters creativity, innovation, and growth.

"Leading with Empathy" is a powerful reminder that leadership requires more than technical knowledge. To truly inspire and motivate their employees, leaders must understand their emotional needs and create a supportive, inclusive environment.

"Empathy is the glue that holds relationships together, whether they are personal or professional."

3. Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Theme of the speech: sleep and productivity.

The Huffington Post's founder, Arianna Huffington, emphasized the importance of sleep to overall health. In her 2023 speech, "The Power of Sleep," she discusses how sleep deprivation affects our health, productivity, and happiness.

Huffington observes that we have been taught to sacrifice sleep for success. She also mentions that well-rested employees are more creative, efficient, and effective.

To address these issues, Huffington proposes a cultural shift that recognizes sleep as essential to health and wellness.

She advises individuals and organizations to prioritize sleep, avoid technology before bedtime, and create a restful sleep environment. Sleep, according to Huffington, is a necessity, not a luxury.

By recognizing the importance of sleep, people and businesses can enhance their health, productivity, and general well-being.

Arianna Huffington's "The Power of Sleep" speech in 2023 emphasizes the importance of sleep and the dangers of sleep deprivation.

It promotes a culture where getting enough sleep is essential for health and well-being.

"Sleep is the Swiss Army knife of health, it does everything."

4. Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

Theme of the speech: inclusion and diversity.

Apple CEO Tim Cook advocates for inclusion and diversity. He has been instrumental in the company's initiatives to advance fairness and equality inside its ranks and across the technology sector.

Cook has prioritized diversity and inclusion at Apple because he believes it is proper and necessary for innovation and business success.

Unconscious bias training, diverse recruitment, and employee resource groups contributed to his success.

Outside of Apple, Cook has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and immigration reform. He has raised awareness of these issues and advocated for social change as a business leader.

Tech leaders and others have lauded Cook's commitment to diversity and inclusion. He has raised awareness of these issues, leading to significant change at Apple and elsewhere.

"Inclusion and diversity are not just buzzwords, they are fundamental values that drive innovation and creativity."

5. J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Theme of speech: failure.

In J.K. Rowling's 2008 Harvard commencement speech, the Harry Potter author explored how two phenomena -- failure and imagination -- can be crucial to success.

While failure can help you understand where your true passion lies, and where you should focus your energy moving forward, imagination is what will allow you to empathize with other people so you can use your influence to do good.

“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

"You have to understand your own personal DNA. Don't do things because I do them or Steve Jobs or Mark Cuban tried it. You need to know your personal brand and stay true to it."

6. Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

Theme of the speech: gender equality and leadership.

Sheryl Sandberg's 2021 talk, "Lean In," encourages women to lean into their careers and leadership roles. She urges women to stand up for one another and themselves to overcome societal and cultural hurdles.

Sandberg highlights the need to have distinct objectives and goals and be prepared to take calculated risks to achieve them.

She also underlines how crucial it is for more female leaders to advance diversity and gender equality across all industries.

Sandberg's speech also emphasizes collaboration. She urges women to mentor other women and look for sponsors and mentors themselves.

The "Lean In" talk by Sheryl Sandberg emphasizes women's voices and perspectives in all aspects of society.

To remove barriers and foster more inclusive and varied workplaces and communities, Sandberg urges women to pursue their professional ambitions with confidence and with the help of their communities.

"We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored."

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

Theme of speech: taking risks.

Jim Carrey might make a living as the goofiest comedian around, but in 2014, he combined classic Carrey humor with unforgettable insight at Maharishi University of Management's graduation ceremony.

Jim Carrey opened his speech dishing punchlines, but he eventually opened up about his upbringing and the role fear plays in our lives. You can actually hear the amazement in the students' reactions in the video above.

“I learned many great lessons from my father -- not the least of which is that you can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

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

Theme of speech: life and career.

Considering the YouTube video of Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford commencement speech has 24 million views, it's likely that you've seen this one already.

In the speech, Jobs plays on two themes: connecting the dots (anecdote: how taking a calligraphy class helped inspire the design of the Mac) and love & loss (anecdote: how getting fired from Apple helped inspire his greatest innovations).

Perhaps the most memorable part his speech comes at the end, when he quotes the (now-famous) lines from the final issue of his favorite publication, The Whole Earth Catalog:

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

9. Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Theme of the speech: discovering true happiness and fulfillment in life..

In "The Pursuit of Happiness," famed actor and motivational speaker Matthew McConaughey provides his enlightened viewpoint on obtaining true happiness and fulfillment.

McConaughey presents a genuine and approachable study of what it means to live a fulfilling life through sincere storytelling and personal anecdotes.

The speech discusses the significance of authenticity and remaining true to oneself. McConaughey encourages people to define their success rather than succumb to social pressures or external expectations.

He stresses aligning our behaviors and decisions with our fundamental values and passions.

McConaughey expresses his conviction in the power of thankfulness and the importance of living in the present moment. He encourages people to create a grateful mindset, recognizing the blessings and possibilities surrounding them.

By appreciating the present and finding joy in the journey, individuals can experience more profound happiness and fulfillment.

"Happiness is not a destination. It's a state of mind, a journey, and a choice we make every day."

10. Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

In his 2011 UPenn commencement speech, Denzel Washington highlighted three reasons why we need to embrace failure in order to be successful. First, everybody will fail at something at some point, so you better get used to it.

Second, if you never fail, take that as a sign that you're not really trying. And third, at the end of the day, failure will help you figure out what path you want to be on.

“Fall forward. Here's what I mean: Reggie Jackson struck out twenty-six-hundred times in his career — the most in the history of baseball. But you don't hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs.

Fall forward.

Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Did you know that? I didn't know that—because #1,001 was the light bulb. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.”

11. Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Theme of speech: perseverance.

Last year at INBOUND, Vera Jones told a moving story about the life lessons she's learned from raising her blind son.

She explains how having faith in your future and letting it lead you toward your true purpose will help you overcome blinding obstacles.

She also discusses how following your passion and trusting your vision develops empathy, which is a critical leadership skill.

“Passionately play your position no matter how bad things get. You are significant. Why we are here is not for our own glory. Ultimately, we're here to lead and serve everybody else. By doing that, we encourage others to do the same.”

12. Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Theme of Speech: Self-Belief and Confidence

Oprah Winfrey's 2020 speech "The Power of Self-Belief" emphasized the importance of self-assurance. She attributed her success to her unwavering self-assurance.

According to Oprah, self-belief is not about being arrogant or overconfident. She stresses the significance of overcoming self-doubt and fear, which can prevent people from reaching their goals.

Oprah used personal stories to demonstrate how self-confidence has aided her in life and work. She encouraged her audience to believe in themselves and to embrace their inner strength.

The Power of Self-Belief" reminded us how important it is to have faith in ourselves and our ability to succeed.

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."

13. Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Best known for his role in the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, actor Charlie Day had lots of wisdom to share during the 2014 commencement speech at his alma mater, Merrimack College.

Day explained to the audience how college degrees are inherently valueless, since you can't trade them in for cash. Instead, it's you, your hard work, and the risks you take that provide real value in life.

“You cannot let a fear of failure or a fear of comparison or a fear of judgment stop you from doing the things that will make you great. You cannot succeed without the risk of failure.

You cannot have a voice without the risk of criticism. You cannot love without the risk of loss. You must take these risks.”

14. Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

The video above is an animated excerpt from researcher Brené Brown's speech, " The Power of Vulnerability ." In the speech, Brown explores how our fear of not being good enough (among other fears) drives us to shield ourselves from our own vulnerabilities.

The alternative to wearing this emotional suit of armor: Embrace vulnerability through empathizing with others.

"Empathy is a choice, and it's a vulnerable choice. Because in order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling."

15. Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

Theme of the speech: embracing dedication, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of greatness..

Bryant emphasizes setting ambitious goals and working tirelessly to achieve them. Through captivating storytelling and personal anecdotes, he reveals the sacrifices and relentless effort required to excel at the highest level.

Bryant's speech is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, and a growth mindset in attaining greatness.

The speech also explores embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Bryant shares how setbacks and challenges can fuel personal growth and resilience.

He encourages individuals to embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as motivation to push beyond their limits.

Bryant's speech goes beyond the realm of sports, offering valuable insights and life lessons applicable to all areas of life.

His relentless pursuit of greatness and unwavering commitment to excellence inspires individuals striving to achieve their goals and dreams.

"I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I just want to chill.'

We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it."

16. David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

From the opening minutes of David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech , in which he questions commencement speech conventions, it's clear that Wallace has some serious wisdom to share.

The crux of his speech: Many of us are oblivious to our own close-mindedness. We picture ourselves as the centers of our own, individual universes, instead of seeing the bigger, more interconnected picture.

“If you're automatically sure that you know what reality is and who and what is really important, if you want to operate on your default setting, then you, like me, probably won't consider possibilities that aren't annoying and miserable.

But if you've really learned how to think, how to pay attention, then you'll know you have 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 fire with the same force that lit the stars: love, fellowship, the mystical oneness of all things deep down.”

17. Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Theme of the speech: cultivating a growth mindset for personal and professional development..

In "The Growth Mindset," Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, and author, delivers an enlightening speech on the power of adopting a growth mindset for personal and professional growth.

Dweck's extensive research on mindset and achievement provides the foundation for her impactful message.

Dweck explains the difference between a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their abilities are fixed traits, and a growth mindset, where individuals believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning.

She demonstrates how a growth mindset fosters resilience, learning, and innovation through relatable stories and compelling examples.

Dweck's speech resonates with individuals seeking personal and professional development, as she provides insights into how adopting a growth mindset can positively impact all areas of life.

Her research-based approach and engaging speaking style make "The Growth Mindset" an inspiring resource for individuals striving for continuous growth and improvement.

"The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset."

Famous Short Speeches With Inspirational Takeaways

18. al pacino: "inch by inch" (1999), theme of speech: teamwork.

Yes, this speech is from a football movie (Any Given Sunday), but trust me: This isn't your stereotypical rah-rah-go-get-'em sports speech. It's deeper than that. It's about life, and loss, and ... gosh darn it just listen to Al Pacino.

He's pouring his soul out!

“Either we heal as a team or we're gonna crumble, inch by inch, play by play, till we're finished. We're in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me.

And we can stay here and get the $&#@ kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell, one inch at a time.”

19. Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Theme of the Speech: Empowerment and Collaboration

Satya Nadella's 2023 lecture, "Empowering Others," emphasizes the importance of leadership that empowers others rather than focusing on personal success.

He emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging in which everyone feels respected and able to accomplish their best work.

Nadella also discusses the significance of technology in positive development. Some of society's most important issues may be resolved by technology, but proper development and application are required.

According to Nadella, empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for outstanding leadership. He suggests that Leaders listen to and understand. their team members' needs and motivations.

Leaders can develop a culture of trust and collaboration that will help the team flourish.

Satya Nadella's "Empowering Others" provides a special message about leadership in the current day. By emphasizing diversity, empathy, and responsible innovation, Nadella encourages audiences to strive for excellence while being mindful of their impact on others and the world.

"Success is not just about what we achieve individually, but what we enable others to achieve."

20. Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Theme of speech: never give up.

I had to put this one next since it plays along the same themes as Denzel Washington's UPenn speech. In the scene above, from the 2006 film Rocky Balboa, the title character (played by Sylvester Stallone) is having a heart-to-heart with his son.

The advice he gives him: Don't let your failures or the adversity you face slow you down. Keep. Moving. Forward.

“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!”

21. Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Theme of speech: don’t let them bring you down.

Here's another speech from the big screen, this time from the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness.

In the scene above, Will Smith's character explains to his son why he shouldn't pursue basketball (because he'll end up being "below average") before having a major change of heart.

“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 can't do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”

22. Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Action and Overcoming Self-Doubt

The "The 5 Second Rule" speech by Mel Robbins promotes action to achieve goals and overcome concerns and doubts.

When confronted with a decision or action that needs to be completed but you are hesitating or procrastinating, countdown from 5, and then act. According to Robbins, this method breaks habit loops that keep us unhealthy.

Counting down and taking action may assist us in overcoming uncertainty and self-doubt and moving toward our objectives. For success, Robbins also promotes mentality and self-talk.

She believes that to realize our potential, we must consciously reframe negative thoughts and limiting beliefs.

Mel Robbins' presentation "The 5 Second Rule" is a practical and efficient technique to overcome procrastination and achieve goals.

Robbins inspires listeners to take command of their lives and achieve by emphasizing attitude, self-talk, and positive actions.

"You are never going to feel like doing the things that are tough, difficult, or uncertain, but you have a choice."

23. Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Spirit and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth examines the significance of perseverance and resilience in achievement in her book "The Power of Grit." According to Duckworth, grit—passion and determination—is essential for long-term success and overcoming obstacles.

Duckworth addresses grit and mentality, believing that people who view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than threats will develop resilience and determination over time.

She advocates for a growth mindset, which believes people can acquire intelligence and other qualities through hard work. Duckworth places a premium on rigorous practice to achieve skill and mastery.

She recommends soliciting feedback, setting challenging goals, and intentionally improving abilities and succeeding. Angela Duckworth's "The Power of Grit" illuminates long-term achievement.

Duckworth emphasizes attitude, focused practice, and resilience to urge listeners to acquire grit and pursue their passions with tenacity.

"Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality."

24. Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

Theme of speech: inspiring and believing in your team.

The Miracle on Ice is still considered the biggest upset in Olympic hockey history. And for good reason. The Soviet Union won six of the last seven Olympic gold medals, and the U.S. team consisted only of amateur players.

It was obvious the Soviets were better. But, in the movie Miracle, which told the incredible story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, Kurt Russell's character — Coach Herb Brooks — knew that this game was different.

The U.S. was better than the Soviets that day. And his speech conveyed such a strong belief in his team that they pulled off one of the greatest sports moments of the 20th century.

“If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game… Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can!

Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players, every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time.”

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Top 20 Motivational Speeches to Supercharge Your Spirit

Last Updated on February 22, 2024

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Posted by: Igor Ovsyannnykov

Igor is an SEO specialist, designer, photographer, writer and music producer. He believes that knowledge can change the world and be used to inspire and empower young people to build the life of their dreams. When he is not writing in his favorite coffee shop, Igor spends most of his time reading books, taking photos, producing house music, and learning about cinematography. He is a sucker for good coffee, Indian food, and video games.

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16 Inspirational Speeches for Career and Life Lessons (+ Speaker Traits)

Erika Giles | July 9, 2020 | Inspiration | 11 min read

The Most Inspirational Speeches of All Time

• 1.  J.K. Rowling – Harvard University
• 2.  Jim Carrey – Maharishi University
• 3.  Steve Jobs – Stanford University
• 4.  Al Pacino – Any Given Sunday
• 5.  Tony Robbins – TED Talk
• 6.  Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happiness
• 7.  Matthew McConaughey – University of Houston
• 8.  Sylvester Stallone – Rocky Balboa
• 9.  Denzel Washington – University of Pennsylvania
• 10.  Yoda – The Empire Strikes Back
• 11.   Elizabeth Gilbert – TED Talk, 2009
• 12.   Michelle Obama – Eastern Kentucky University
• 13.   David Goggins – Driven
• 14.   Peter Dinklage – Bennington College
• 15.   John Roberts – Cardigan Mountain School
• 16.  Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - LA Lakers

Being motivated at work and in life is crucial for your performance. This is true when you have an approaching deadline, an important meeting, or customers depending on you.

The power of words can physically and emotionally rejuvenate you. Inspirational speeches can guide you to keep performing at your best and drive your team to achieve their goals . The right words at the right time can change you and challenge you.

No matter what is thrown at you in life, you can use these speeches to stay motivated. 

How Inspiration Impacts People

Inspiration helps propel people forward. It pushes apathy away and awakens people to new and exciting possibilities. They're able to transcend their limitations and mundane lives. 

It can help all people to become more creative and help them to progress toward their goals if they are open to it. 

Although inspiration impacts people in several meaningful and often magical ways, it is not something as elusive as it seems. Inspiration is everywhere, and it can be captured, activated, and manipulated. 

Most often, inspiration is found in others who say something or do something thought provoking and meaningful. 

What Makes a Speech Inspirational?

Great inspirational speeches all include one key thing – emotions . Emotions motivate actions and beliefs in any given aspect of life. Inspirational speeches are often loaded with tales of struggle, resilience, trials, endurance, and breakthroughs. All things that most people can relate to.

The philosopher, Aristotle, once said that people tend to believe in people who can be perceived as trustworthy or in those who have proper values and morals. This means that speakers who understand the concerns their audience has and empathizes with them are more likely to connect with their audience and gain their trust. 

Speakers who select emotional themes and talking points that people can relate to are more likely to inspire those in the audience with their stories. 

The key to this is making others feel as though they aren’t alone, and that they too can overcome the roadblocks in their way because someone else has. Hope is one of the most powerful emotions that sparks inspiration. 

Next, comes an excellent oral delivery. Facial expressions, tone of voice, and appropriate pausing all help to make a speech that much more effective and inspirational. 

7 Qualities of the Best Motivational Speakers

Here are seven traits, qualities, and characteristics that some of the best motivational speakers have.

1. They Tell Great Stories.

The ability to tell a great story is one of the core qualities that a motivational speaker needs to help add value to the lives of listeners. Motivational speakers tell original stories to provide the audience with fresh and relevant information. 

More importantly, the best motivational speakers paint a picture that lets the audience put themselves into the story so they can feel the emotions to understand the lesson better. 

2. They Are Passionate About What They Do.

Great speakers are often passionate about wanting to change others for the better, and the amount of passion a speaker has translates into their presentation. The audience can tell when a speaker is passionate about their subject matter because it will reflect in the speaker’s enthusiasm and excitement when they perform. 

Passion is infectious, and when a great speaker is passionate, it inspires the audience to cultivate passion as well. 

3. They Are Confident.

It is essential that motivational speakers have confidence in themselves and in their message.

Audience members can tell when speakers are nervous or unsure about what they are doing or saying. This automatically causes the audience to doubt the speaker, and it may invalidate the message. 

Great speakers have confidence that reflects in their speech and gestures while they are on stage, which in turn inspires confidence in the audience. It helps to engage them and makes them believe in what the speaker is saying. 

4. They Are Self-Aware.

A great motivational speaker understands who they are and knows exactly what they stand for. They are also aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

They use their strengths to make a speech more effective, and they work on improving their weaknesses.

5. They Show Empathy.

A defining mark of a great motivational speaker is their ability to put themselves in the shoes of those in their audience. They do their best to understand their audience’s motivation, fears, hopes, challenges, and worries. 

This helps them tailor their speech to appeal to and inspire their audience. Empathetic speakers are also individuals who have gone through what they talk about. 

They have been where the audience is, and they understand what that is like, which helps make a pure connection with them.

6. They Possess Knowledge.

Any motivational speaker must remain up to date and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. Motivational speakers aren’t born; they are made.

This means that they must grow and learn to become an expert with great knowledge and insight to share with others. 

7. They Have a Sense of Humor.

Motivational speeches tend to discuss serious topics, and great speakers know how to add fun anecdotes or jokes when it is appropriate to do so. 

Humor often makes a speech more memorable. Plus, it enthralls listeners, and everyone likes someone with a good sense of humor. 

16 of the Best Inspirational Speeches of All Time

We all need some inspiration from time to time. If you are in need of inspiration, look no further than these 16 best inspirational speeches of all time. 

1. J.K. Rowling – Harvard University

It's well known that J.K. Rowling's famous Harry Potter series was turned down by several publishers before it was finally accepted. But before her success, she was in a dire situation and was on the brink of bankruptcy.

Despite constant rejection, she kept trying and finally her efforts paid off. Her Harvard speech delivered some valuable life lessons about not fearing failure and persevering no matter how bad things get.

2. Jim Carrey – Maharishi University 

Actor/comedian Jim Carrey gave one of the most unique and emotional commencement speeches ever at Maharishi University in Iowa.

In his speech , he offered the students powerful and inspiring words about life, the future, and urged them never to settle for anything less than what they want. His message: Never give up and follow your dreams!

3. Steve Jobs – Stanford University 

This is one of the greatest inspirational speeches! In his commencement speech , Jobs discussed how he dropped out of college after six months, then took another 18 months to figure out what his life's work would be.

He quit college because his parents were struggling financially, and he couldn't see the value in an education that was draining his parents life savings.

His speech talked of the setbacks in life, including death, and how being aware of death can help you make better choices in life. At the time, Jobs was dying of pancreatic cancer, and his inspirational words on the importance of acquiring knowledge and following your dreams was the best life lesson he could bestow upon the graduates.

4. Al Pacino – Any Given Sunday

This movie features an inspirational speech about how even the simplest things can inch you closer to your dream.

Pacino's speech motivated the players on his football team to do whatever it takes to win. The takeaway? The little things you do every day will lead you to success.

5. Tony Robbins – TED Talk

Tony Robbins is one of the most famous motivational speakers around. This TED talk is particularly inspirational. It's topic, “Why We Do What We Do,” asks two key questions: What drives you? What motivates you to do your daily tasks?

By asking these questions, we're able to explore ourselves and appreciate others. The takeaway? We are our own path to success!

6. Will Smith – The Pursuit of Happiness

Considered one of the best motivational speeches in film, this scene starts with Smith and his son playing basketball. When his son shouts “I'm going pro,” Smith decides to try and temper his son's expectations, telling him he never excelled at basketball, so he shouldn't expect to.

His son is visibly disappointed, and Smith launches into his speech proclaiming, “Don't ever let somebody tell you that you can't do something, not even me.” He tells his son, “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. You want something, go get it. Period.”

The takeaway? Only you can decide to chase a dream. No one can stop you besides yourself. 

7. Matthew McConaughey – University of Houston

McConaughey delivered some pertinent points in his speech to the graduating class, but the one that really stuck out was "joy being a constant approach." He said, ”Joy is always in process; it's always under construction."

He spoke of how he takes everything one step at a time when he's making a film, and how when he truly enjoys his craft, things just fall into place. The takeaway? “Define success for yourself.” Figure out what you want to achieve and enjoy the entire journey.

8. Sylvester Stallone – Rocky Balboa

In the sixth film in the Rocky franchise, Stallone gives one of the most inspirational speeches of all time. He starts with, “The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows,” and goes on to talk about the value of hard work and commitment.

“It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” The takeaway? Even when your back is up against the wall, winners never give up!

9. Denzel Washington – University of Pennsylvania

In this commencement speech, Denzel Washington speaks about how nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks, adding that when you fall in life, fall forward . He speaks of embracing failure and using it as a chance to learn.

This is especially true when it comes to being an entrepreneur. The most important thing isn't winning or losing, it's getting out there and giving it everything you've got!

10. Yoda – The Empire Strikes Back

Ok, you can't have a list of inspirational speeches without at least one offering from Yoda!

In this speech from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back , Yoda is teaching Luke about the ways of the force. The key teaching? Whether or not something can or can't be done is all in your head and your heart. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible!

The takeaway? In the words of Yoda, “Do or do not. There is no try.”

11. Elizabeth Gilbert – Ted Talk

Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of the bestselling book Eat, Pray, Love , gave an inspiring Ted Talk about the "genius" in all of us.

In her speech, she mentions that everyone can be a creative genius in their work and that the best years of our work and creativity are never behind us if we think of creative genius as something we borrow. 

The key takeaways from Gilbert's speech are to not be daunted or afraid of success. Just keep showing up and doing the work that you love without the anguish of what it will turn into. 

12. Michelle Obama – Eastern Kentucky University

In 2013, Michelle Obama addressed the graduating class of Eastern Kentucky University. She encouraged them to continue learning to challenge their perspectives, and she told them to find a way to turn their weaknesses into strengths. 

The key takeaway from her speech is that the defining moments in your life will not be the moment you get the promotion or breakthrough to a classroom. They will be the days that you have to claw through to keep going.

As long as you keep working and pick yourself up when you fall down, then you will develop skills to apply to anything you do in life. And your resilience can be used in service to others. 

13. David Goggins – Driven

David Goggins is a former Navy Seal and Army Ranger who participates in ultra-marathons. In his talk, he discusses suffering and how you can turn hurt into strength. He talks about how you can still be successful and happy without guidance if you just stay true to who you are because you define greatness. 

The takeaway from Goggins' talk is that we all have greatness no matter what. You just have to find the courage through hard work and discipline. 

14. Peter Dinklage – Bennington College

Peter Dinklage is an actor who is known for his role as Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones . He gave the 2012 commencement address at Bennington College.

In his address to the graduates, he discusses persistence and doing whatever it takes to get to where you want to be. He also mentions that you shouldn't wait until you are ready to do what you love. 

The key lesson from his speech was to give yourself permission to fail early instead of waiting for permission. Show the world you're ready by doing it. 

15. John Roberts – Cardigan Mountain School

John Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States, gave the commencement address at his son's high school in 2017. In his speech, he wishes the graduates bad luck instead of good luck.

He tells them that he hopes they will be lonely, fail, and lose from time to time. He says all of this to say that these things are the greatest teachers of compassion, true friendship, and sportsmanship. 

The key takeaway from Roberts' speech is that there is always a message in your misfortunes, and you should not be afraid to fail. If you fail, you should get up and try again. 

16. Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson - LA Lakers

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, tenured WWE superstar & mega Hollywood performer, gave an incredible speech to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019.

He speaks from the heart, about remembering where you came from, and letting that fuel the hard work you will put in to become successful. 

Per usual, pure gold from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

These 16 inspirational speeches touch on three main themes. It's important to love what you're doing. Failure is only bad if you don't learn and continue to move forward. And finally, you need to want it!

Life is hard. If you want something bad enough, whether it's a job, a relationship, or a successful business, you need to prove it!

General FAQ

An inspirational speech will create a positive emotional experience for the audience that will resonate with them. Similarly, a motivational speech can inspire an audience by motivating them to take action on something.

What Are the Qualities of an Inspirational Speaker?

To be a great inspirational speaker, you should have:

• A strong speaking voice
• A good story to tell

How Do You Write an Inspirational Speech?

It's important to know who your audience is and what your message is going to be when writing an inspirational speech. Use should also employ storytelling techniques to evoke emotion into your speech.

Who Is the Most Motivational Speaker in the World?

It is often said that Tony Robbins is the most motivational speaker. Tony Robbins is known best for his TED talks and self-help books.

Erika Giles

Erika is a Marketing Copywriter at Bluleadz. She is a huge fan of houseplants and podcasts about conspiracy theories. She spends most of her free time reading, writing, and enjoying the outdoors.

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BEST SHORT MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH OF ALL-TIME

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

“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

HOW TO BECOME A MODERN DAY TITAN

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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100+ INSPIRING EFFORT QUOTES TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR POTENTIAL

One of the key ingredients to achieving success and winning in life, is effort .  In fact, it may be the one sole ingredient to success that each human alive has the ability to control.   Which is why we’ve dedicated this page specifically to effort quotes.

“Effort is the Key to Unlocking Our Potential.”

From most of our research (and life experiences) we’ve observed that the amount of effort and intensity one applies to a given task, goal, or vision; directly impacts the quality and swiftness of that goal’s completion.  Without a doubt, effort is a critical factor in goal achievement. But more importantly, effort is the key to unlocking our potential.

As such we want to help as many people as possible embrace such a philosophy by sharing some of the most powerful quotes on effort we could find.  Please know, that these are the best of the best effort quotes you’ll find. 

There’s no doubt these effort quotes will serve as a reliable reminder of effort’s role in your success. In addition, they will help encourage you to unleash your untapped levels of effort .  And when that happens you will begin unlocking your potential and a bit more success in the process.

So without further ado, here is your new reliable list of the 100 most motivating effort quotes available.  Let them motivate you so you can go forth and unleash your potential!

EFFORT QUOTES TO HELP YOU UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL

1.   “The heights by great men reached and kept, Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2. “For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.” –  Jim Rohn

3. “I am grinding while your sleeping.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

4. Plough deep while sluggards sleep.” – Benjamin Franklin

5.  “All the so-called “secrets of success” will not work unless you do.” – Anonymous

6. “The only thing that has kept me around is my effort.” – Ray Lewis

7. “Effort is only effort when it begins to hurt.” – José Ortega y Gassett

8. “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.” – Ray Lewis

9. “Ideas don’t work for people unwilling to do the work.” – Robin Sharma

10. “Effort is grossly underrated.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

11. “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.” – William James

12.  “A great work demands a great sacrifice, and who is not capable of a great sacrifice is not capable of a great work.” – Muriel Strode

13.  “All I ever knew, was that effort would get me seen on tape, effort would 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.  Effort is what is inside” – Ray Lewis

14. “If a man is called a street-sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street-sweeper who did his job well.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

15.  “You can’t have a million dollar dream with a minimum wage work ethic.” – Anonymous

16. “ Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” – Chinese Proverb

17. “They indeed are fools who are satisfied with the fruits of their past effort and do not engage themselves in self-effort now.” – Swami Venkatesananda

18. “An industrious dunce is often more successful in life than his learned neighbor.” – James Lendall Basford

19. “I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ” –  Anonymous

20. “Success is dependent on effort.” – Sophocles

21. “If you can’t excel with talent, triumph with effort.” – Dave Weinbaum

22. “I’ve got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” – Larry Bird

23. “Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.” – Zig Ziglar

24. “When I was young, I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures. So I did ten times more work.” George Bernard Shaw

25. “Great effort springs naturally from great attitude.” – Pat Riley

26. “It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” – Theodore Roosevelt

27. “About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age.” – Gloria Pitzer

28. “Success is a ladder you cannot climb with your hands in your pockets.” – Anonymous

29. “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.” – T.S. Eliot

30. “Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.” – Mahatma Gandhi

31. “Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men and women who kept on working.” –  Anonymous

32. “Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.” –  William James

33 . “The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” – Emile Zola

34. “Continuous Effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.” – Winston Churchill

35. “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” – Napoleon Hill

36.   “The view is better when it is earned.” – Anonymous

37. “Put in 5% more effort than “there’s only so much I can do” and you’ll be way ahead of the game.” – Terri Guillemets

38. “Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment.” – Heywood Hale Broun

39. “The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.” – Sarah Brown

40.   “Much effort, much prosperity.” – Euripides

41. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rogers

42. “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” – Abraham Lincoln

43. “There’s nothing like biting off more than you can chew, and then chewing anyway.” – Mark Burnett

44. “Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” – Swami Sivananda

45. “The mode by which the inevitable comes to pass is effort.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

46. “In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.” – James Allen

47. “Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat.” – Ann Landers

48. “The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.” – Anonymous

49. “The level path is easy, but it will not bring you to the mountaintop.” – Dr. Idel Dreimer

50. “Much good work is lost for the lack of a little more.” – Edward H. Harriman

Temperature Check on These Quotes About Effort

One of the things we love most about quotes, is their ability to inspire, uplift, and encourage .  And in the case of these effort quotes, they also have the ability to energize.  If you’ve gotten to this point and have started to feel a bit charged up, then keep reading, because it means the quotes are working.

After you read the next 50 quotes on effort, don’t be surprised if you feel the urge fire up a pot of coffee and start hatching up plans to take over the world!

Related: Work Hard and You Will Succeed

51.  “The elevator to success is not running; you must climb the stairs.” – Zig Ziglar

52. “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.” – Anonymous

53. “Men are made stronger on realization that the helping hand they need is at the end of their own arm.” – Sidney J. Phillips

54 . “Education comes from within; you get it by struggle and effort and thought.” – Napoleon Hill

55. “The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort.” – Colin Powell

56. “Gold medals are made out of sweat, blood, and tears and effort in the gym every day.” – Gabby Douglas

57. “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” – Arnold Palmer

58. “Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.” – Aeschylus

59. “Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night.” – Michael Jordan

60. “Life can be boring unless you put some effort into it.” – John C. Maxwell

61. “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.” – John Wooden

62. “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.” – Sam Ewing

63.  “Unwearied ceaseless effort is the price that must be paid for turning faith into a rich infallible experience.” – Mahatma Gandhi

64.  “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” – Vince Lombardi

65.  “The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.” – Denis Waitley

66. “You’re always learning.  The problem is, sometimes you stop and think you understand the world.  This is not correct. The world is always moving.  You never reach the point you can stop making an effort.” – Paulo Coelho

67. “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” – Napoleon Hill

68. “Make each day count by setting specific goals to succeed, then putting forth every effort to exceed your own expectations.” – Les Brown

69. “It’s the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles.” – Claude M. Bristol

70.  “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson

71. “It doesn’t matter if you lose, it matters if you don’t try.” – Unknown

72. “The real tragedy is the tragedy of the man who never in his life braces himself for his one supreme effort, who never stretches to his full capacity, never stands to his full stature.” – Arnold Bennett

73. “God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try.” – Mother Teresa

74. “Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

75.   “Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.” – Stephen Kaggwa

76. “I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

77.   “Each man is the smith of his own fortune.” – Appius Claudius

78. “A pint of sweat, saves a gallon of blood.” – George S. Patton

79. “Hard work is the price we must pay for success.  I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price.” – Vince Lombardi

80. “The one thing that matters is the effort.” – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

81. “The man who succeeds is a man who has withstood the tests of time, trials, and has made every effort count.” – Hermann J. Steinherr

82. “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” ― Earl Nightingale

83.   “People are rewarded in public for what they’ve practiced for years in private.” – Anthony Robbins

84. “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

85. “Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” – Henry J. Kaiser

86. “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” – Seneca

87. “He who seeks rest finds boredom….He who seeks work finds rest.” –  Anonymous

88. “We are all self-made, but only the successful will admit it.” –  Earl Nightingale

89. “Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.” – Lowell Thomas

90.   “There is no substitute for work.” – Vince Lombardi

91. “Be willing to give that extra effort that separates the winner from the one in second place.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

92.  “Confidence is not something that comes out of nowhere.  It is the result of months and years of practice, constant work, effort, and determination.” – Anurag Prakash Ray

93. “A little more persistence a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn into a glorious success.” – Elbert Hubbard

94.  “As one makes an impartial study of successful people, one is drawn to inevitable conclusion that persistence, concentration of effort and definiteness of purpose are the major sources of their achievements.” – Napoleon Hill

95.  “One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” – John Wanamaker

96. “I never dreamed about success.  I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder

97. “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” – Vince Lombardi

98. “If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you.” – Michael Jordan

99.   “Success in anything will always come down to this:  Focus & Effort, and we control both of them.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

100. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

101. “Very few people are really capable of sustained effort, and that’s the reason why we have comparatively few outstanding successes.” – James McDonald

102.   “Effort is the route available to the underdog, I may not be able to outspend you, but I can outwork you.” – Malcolm Gladwell

103. “Everything gets easier when you stop expecting it to be easy.” – Tim Grover

104. “Talent without effort is wasted talent. And while effort is the one thing you can control in your life, applying that effort intelligently is next on the list.” – Mark Cuban

105. “Make every effort matter, and always make the following effort better than the last one.” – Hermann J. Steinherr

106. “No matter what you ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.” – Carol Dweck

107. “Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

108. “It takes hard work to make it to the top. It takes twice the effort to stay at the top.” – Patrick Bet-David

109.   “Consistency of effort over the long run is everything.” – Angela Duckworth

110. “To double your gains you must triple your effort.” – Anonymous

Bonus Effort Quote

Bonus: Here’s our last and final effort quote. We set this one aside because we believe it’s powerful and says a lot a bout what it takes to succeed, namely, that you just have to be willing to put in the effort. Enjoy.

“Do The Work. Everyone Wants To Be Successful, But Nobody Wants To Do The Work.” – gary vaynerchuck –

Final Thoughts on These Effort Quotes

Alright, you made it through the internet’s most inspiring collection of effort quotes.  Hopefully these quotes got you fired up, and ready to go the extra mile in everything you do.

It’s all about effort friends.  We all have the ability to dial it up, or dial it down in our lives.  We can choose to try valiantly to accomplish, or we can choose to just go through the motions. The choice is ours.

That said, we must never forget that we all have the ability to win . Despite what the world tries to tell you, putting in a little more effort and winning more that normal is an option that is available to us all. We are in complete control of how much winning we get to experience in this life through effort .

So, use these powerful effort quotes as a resource to help you live with more intensity.  Let them encourage and support you in all your efforts towards reaching your potential, maximizing your achievements, and creating your own story of success .

Till you reach those aims,

PS – If you enjoyed these effort quotes, then you’ll love these related quotes:

Hard Work Quotes | Hard Work Pays Off Quotes | Work Hard Play Hard Quotes

Winning takes place by going the extra mile, and this new tool was specifically designed to help you go the distance .

TOP 35 QUOTES ABOUT BETTERING YOURSELF

Personal growth is the process of improving yourself over time. It consists of developing new skills, improving your attitude and actions, and it can have a dramatic effect on your over all well-being and outlook on life. In short, bettering yourself is one of the easiest ways to better your life. So, to inspire you to dig deep and put in the time and effort to change your life for the better, we’ve rounded up these handful of bettering yourself quotes.

Use them to remind yourself how important it is to change yourself before you can change your life. That said, if you’re ready to be inspired, let’s dive right into these quotes:

BEST BETTERING YOURSELF QUOTES

1. “The time is now. Stop hitting the snooze button on your life.” – Mel Robbins

2. “Every morning, we get a chance to be different. A chance to change. A chance to be better.” – Alan Bonner

3. “Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” – William Faulkner

4. “There’s always room for improvement.” – Joey Logano

5. “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn

6. “Look within, for within is the wellspring of virtue, which will not cease flowing, if you cease not from digging.” – Marcus Aurelius

7. “By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.” – Benjamin Franklin

8. “Be yourself, but always your better self.” – Karl G. Maeser

9. “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass

10. “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” – Paulo Coelho

11. “I’m a big believer in growth. Life is not about achievement, it’s about learning and growth, and developing qualities like compassion, patience, perseverance, love, and joy, and so forth.” – Jack Canfield

12. “Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential.” – Bruce Lee

13. “The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” – William James

14. “No matter where you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’re from, you can always become a better version of yourself.” – Madonna

15. “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” – John C. Maxwell

16. “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been.” – T.D. Jakes

17. “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

18. “The goal is not to be perfect by the end. The goal is to be better today.” – Simon Sinek

19. “You’ve got to have rule to live by, and one of mine is always say yes. Put yourself in danger of something amazing happening to you.” – Tom Bilyeu

20. “Always be a work in progress.” – Emily Lillian

21. “Make the most of yourself….for that is all there is of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

22. “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” – Ernest Hemingway

23. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

24. “You’re either green and growing or you’re ripe and rotting.” – John Addison

25. “We cannot become what we want to be by remaining what we are.” – Max DePree

26. “Man is made or unmade by himself. In the armory of thought he forges the weapons by which he destroys himself. He also fashions the tools with which he builds for himself heavenly mansions of joy, strength and peace. By right choice, and true application of thought, man ascends to divine perfection. By the abuse and wrong application of thought, he descends below the level of the beast.” – William James

27. “If you truly want to become a better you, it is imperative that you learn to feel good about yourself.” – Joel Osteen

28. “No matter how good you get you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.” – Tiger Woods

29. “If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control – myself.” – Stephen R. Covey

30. “If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse.” – Joe Paterno

31. “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” – Aldous Huxley

32. “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” – Nelson Mandela

33. “The swiftest way to triple your success is to double your investment in personal development.” – Robin Sharma

34. “We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”  – Oprah Winfrey

35. “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.”  – Rick Warren

Related: Inspiring One Word Quotes

FINAL THOUGHTS

Great job making it to the end of these quotes about bettering yourself. We hope they inspire you to reach for your potential in all that you do.

Remember, if you’re trying to better yourself, you’re further ahead than most. Why? Because most people don’t try to be better, and because the don’t try they rarely hit the mark.

So aim high, reach for the stars, and strive for your potential, and someday you will.

PS – If you enjoyed these bettering yourself quotes then you may also enjoy these self-growth quotes or even these quotes on progress and growth .

They say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – and that’s why we recommend you check out some of these top motivational blogs daily.

The Official Top 100 Motivational Blogs From Around The World

Why do we recommend such a thing? It’s because we know striving for goals and dream-chasing isn’t easy.  Hustling, grinding, and reaching for our dreams is no walk in the park. 

In fact, just about every person who is striving for a goal or a dream will at some point lose their motivation during their pursuit. Of course you won’t fully lose your motivation, nor will it be forever.

But you’ll have your down days. As such, it is our aim is to minimize such occurrences.  So how do we plan on doing this?

Well, here’s how…

We plan to help you better strive for your potential and reach for your dreams by providing you with a few awesome resources…100 of them actually.  But, these are not just any resources, these are 100 of the most encouraging and motivational blogs from around the world. 

Our hope is that you’ll be able to at least find some of these motivational blogs useful for maintaining your motivation. Certainly you’ll be able to find something within these blogs to stay fired up for consistent achievement throughout the year.

NOTE:  The following list of motivational blogs have been updated recently

We’ve been keeping track of the very best and most popular motivational blogs since 2017. And without fail, we’ve updated this list every year since.

Some of the blogs listed have an inspirational and self-improvement focus, but the common thread among them all is their ability to motivate you to be, do, and have more.  A handful of the motivational blogs listed are quite mainstream, so you may already be aware of them.

However, there are others that are up-and-coming sites that provide immense value, and are highly motivational as well.

“People Often Say That Motivation Doesn’t Last. Well, Neither Does Bathing – That’s Why We Recommend It Daily.” – Zig Ziglar –

What is Motivation?

Before we get into the rankings, let’s briefly discuss what motivation is.  Why?  Because clarity leads to awareness, awareness leads to better decisions, and better decisions leads to better results.

One of our favorite definitions of motivation, is simply, “Motivation is the driving force by which humans achieve their goals.” We like it because it sums up why we all want to be motivated.   We all want to achieve something.

Another great definition of motivation is “Motivation as the state or condition of being motivated or having a strong reason to act or accomplish something.”

Both definitions speak to the fact that most people want to be motivated to achieve.  They both demonstrate that we all wish accomplish those things we’ve made up their minds to do, and know that feeling motivated plays a big part in how much success we find.

How to Use This Resource

To get the most out of this resource, bookmark it.  This way, when , not if , you start to run low on motivation, you’ll have a reliable resource you can easily come back to when you need to find more resources to help you stay motivated.

Start Taking Action on  Your Goals

In a way, you can consider using this page as type of motivational refueling (or recharging) station.   If you start to run low of motivation , just come on back and pick one of the 100 listed motivational sites to help you refuel your empty tank or recharge.

“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 –

Use this motivational resource and stay fired up to win it .

The Ranking

In the past the ranking used for these motivational blogs was acquired by using Alexa rankings; however, Alexa was unplugged last year. As such we’ve employed a different ranking methodology for this year’s list. The rankings below have been determined by the popularity of each site. We’ve compiled an estimated monthly search volume for each site listed using the combined services of Ahrefs, SEMRush, and UberSuggest.

Now, we know traffic doesn’t necessarily convey how “motivational” a blog or site is, but it does demonstrate a level of value that the market and search engines have placed on them, which is why we’ve chosen to use monthly traffic as a ranking factor.

With that being said, the rankings on this resource page may change over the course of the year, as traffic volumes for sites change seasonally.  Also, some of the motivational sites listed may be ranked lower than you’d expect based off your own experience with the brand, but that’s because the site’s listed below do not account for a blogs/brands YouTube traffic and audience.

At the moment, this is the most comprehensive list of motivational blogs on the internet for 2024. So, check each of them out, and allow them to keep you fired up to unleash your potential daily. 

Without further ado, here is your list:

Top Motivational Blogs

Note: The traffic volumes listed above are estimates based off of our research at the time of our rankings. The figures do change from month to month.

Got Motivation?

Want to achieve your goals – but can’t stay motivated long enough to find success?  Then  this is f or you .

Stay Motivated

As students of human potential, we are always looking for ways to improve.  But just like you, we are only human, and some days our fire wanes.  And well, a fire half lit leads to potential half fulfilled. 

As such, we lean on many of these resources to keep us motivated to put forth the effort and enthusiasm necessary to live and work to our potential every single day, and so should you.

The STRIVE  supports big thinking and deep self-belief , and aims to produce as much motivation as possible to get you striving towards your grand ideas, so you can become  all that you were born to be. Our hope is that these top motivational blogs will contribute to your motivation as well, and as a result, to your overall success in life.

Without a doubt, happy, actualized, confident people, fired-up and fearlessly following their dreams are the ones truly set to make this world better.  So, if you found value in this resource, please share it with your friends, family, or colleagues by using the share buttons on the bottom of this page.  You never know what kind of magic a little motivation will create in one’s life.

“It’s Hard To Beat a Person Who Never Gives Up.” – Babe Ruth –

Till you reach your aims,

PS – If you enjoyed this list of top motivation blogs, then you’ll absolutely love our list of top inspirational sites .

If you’re seeking out some of the greatest warrior quotes of all-time, then you’ll love this page. However, before we dive into them, consider this fact. There is an animating force within us that we’ve increasingly suppressed over the years. This innate and extremely valuable energy that exists within us all has been ignored, devalued, and diminished with each passing decade.

Unfortunately, this animating force is none other than your fighting warrior spirit. And it’s a fighting spirit that needs to be cultivated, because we all go to battle daily — we battle with internal demons, like our struggles to get motivated, to conquer bad habits, or improve our personal lives — or our external battles, like striving to create a life, business, and career that we can be proud of.

“We Are All Warriors.” – stephen pressfield –

In short, we are all warriors in a sense. And because we are all warriors, it is important to keep our fighting spirit strong. As such, we aim to reignite this heroic quality of yours with these exceptional and highly motivational warrior quotes. We hope these quotes will reanimate that heroic warrior spirit within you, so that you can lean into your challenges. But most importantly, we hope these Warrior Quotes guide, motivate, and better equip you to be victorious over those daily battles you experience in your day-to-day life.

BEST WARRIOR QUOTES AND SAYINGS

1. “Every victorious warrior draws his strength from the highest source; his love.” – Tapan Ghosh

2. “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

3. “There has been a constant war, a war with fear. Those who have the courage to conquer it are made free and those who are conquered by it are made to suffer until they have the courage to defeat it.” – Alexander The Great

4. “In the warrior’s code there’s no surrender, though his body says stop… his spirit cries, never!” – Survivor, Burning Heart

5. “Strategy is the craft of the warrior.” – Miyamoto Musashi

6. “All men are warriors and life for everything in our universe is nothing but war.” –  David Zindell

7. “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee

8. “Warriors want a worthy opponent. There is no redress in fighting the pathetic.” – Donna Lynn Hope

9. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” – Sun Tzu

10. “Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.” – Karl Von Clausewitz

11. “Let your plans be dark and as impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” – Sun Tzu

12. “Feel no fear before the multitude of men, do not run in panic, but let each man bear his shield straight toward the fore-fighters, regarding his own life as hateful and holding the dark spirits of death as dear as the radiance of the sun.” – Spartan Proverb

13. “The Spartans do not ask how many are the enemy but where are they.” – Plutarch

14. “We choose whether to be warriors or to be ordinary.” – Carlos Castaneda

15. “ Discipline is your best friend. It will take of you like nothing else can.” – Jocko Willink

16. “Victory are reserved for those warriors who are willing to pay it’s price.” – Sun Tzu

17. “You should reach the limits of virtue before you cross the border of death.” – Aristodemus, Spartan Warrior

18. “A warrior’s greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius.

19. “Rise up, warriors, take your stand at one another’s sides, our feet set wide and rooted like oaks in the ground. ‘‘…learn to love death’s ink-black shadow as much as you love the light of dawn. ‘Here is courage, mankind’s finest possession, here is the noblest prize that a young man can endeavor to win.” – Tyrtaeus, Spartan Poet

20. “He who sweats more in training bleeds less in war.” – Spartan Warrior Creed

21. “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by sheep: I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” – Alexander The Great

22. “To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.” – Miyamoto Musashi

23. “A true warrior fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” – G.K. Chesterton

24. “You should reach the limits of virtue before you cross the border of death.” – Aristodemus, Spartan Warrior

25. “To hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” – Miyamoto Musashi

26. “A warrior has to believe, otherwise he cannot activate his intent positively.” – Theun Mares

27. “The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win.” – Miyamoto Musashi

28. “Be a warrior, not a worrier.” – Warrior Saying

29. “But if you choose the way of the warrior, living a life of service, it will demand of you the best you have. You may not need to be great, but the world needs your greatness.” – Erwin Raphael McManus

30. “A warrior seeks to act rather than talk.” – Carlos Castaneda

Fearless Warrior Quotes

One attribute that separates a great warrior from the average is their fearlessness. A great warrior knows that being fearless is not about never being afraid, but it’s about feeling the fear, and diving in anyway. With that said, here are some powerful fearless quotes to inspire that fearless warrior that resides within you.

31. “It’s natural to feel fear. All great warriors are afraid. Only the stupid and the delusional are not.” – Rick Riordan

32. “There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within.” – Miyamoto Musashi

33. “All men die, but not all men really live.” – William Wallace

34. “But where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valor to dare to live.” – Inazo Nitobe

35. “The warrior stands, ready to defend, ready to fight for those he serves. He is a warrior of virtue, A knight of conscience. He is who we all wish to be.” – Anthony Hincks

36. “Toil and risk are the price of glory, but it is a great thing to live with courage and die leaving an everlasting fame.” – Alexander The Great

37. “Fear is the first taste of defeat! The Warrior only breathes the air of the brave and Warrior only feasts on the fruit of victory!” – The Ultimate Warrior

38. “Warriors should suffer their pain silently.” – Erin Hunter

39. “A warrior with a cause is the most dangerous soldier of all.” – Michael Scott

40. “There is no greater warrior than a mother protecting her child.” – N.K. Jemisin

41. “You’re a warrior. Warriors don’t give up and they don’t back down. Pick up your sword, your shield, and fight.” – Warrior Quotes

42. “A warrior lives by acting, not by thinking about acting, nor by thinking about what he will think he has finished acting.” – Carlos Castaneda

43. “A warrior never worries about his fear.” – Carlos Castaneda

44. “To be a warrior is to learn to be genuine in every moment of your life.” – Chogyam Trungpa

45. “A warrior must only take care that his spirit is never broken.” – Shissai

46. “I do what I do because it is the right thing to do. I am a warrior, and it is the way of the warrior to fight superior odds.” – Paul Watson

47. “The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist.” – Steven Pressfield

48. “Warriors don’t raise to the level of expectations , they fall to the level of their training.” – Archilochu

49. “Any great warrior is also a scholar, and a poet, and an artist.” – Steven Seagal

50. “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time” – Leo Tolstoy

Motivational Warrior Quotes

Life challenges us constantly. And this goal and dream chasing stuff can make our daily battles seem all the more challenging. But the great news is, we got your back. We are here to encourage and push you forward when setbacks come your way.

With that being said, keep digesting these powerful warrior quotes. Each one consumed only strengthens and emboldens that heroic fighting spirit.

51. “The big difference between a warrior and a victim is that the victim represses and the warrior refrains.” – Don Miguel Ruiz

52. “A warrior must believe in his strength of will, of purpose, of heart and soul.” –  David Gemmell

53. “Competition doesn’t scare a true warrior, it makes him better.” – Andrew Whitworth

54. “Come back with your shield, or upon it.”  – Spartan Mother

55. “A fool is ‘happy’ when his cravings are satisfied. A warrior is happy without reason. That’s what makes happiness the ultimate discipline” – Dan Millman

56. “Every great warrior must learn to endure and overcome the adversities of life.” –  Lailah Gifty Akita

57. “One mark of a great soldier is that a great soldier fights on his own terms or fights not at all.” – Sun Tzu

58. “Warriors know when to pick their fights.” – Sara Maa

59. “Surprise is the warrior’s greatest weapon.” – Erin Hunter

60. “The warrior fights with courage not with anger.” – Ashanti Proverb

61. “Fear doesn’t go away. The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day.” – Steven Pressfield

62. “The wise warrior avoids the battle” – Sun Tzu

63. “Tomorrow’s victory is today’s practice.” – Chris Bradford

64. “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You can not withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.'” – Warrior Quote

65. “Defeat exists but not suffering. A true warrior knows that when he loses a battle, he is improving the skill with which he wields a sword. He will be able to fight more skillfully next time.” – Paulo Coelho

66. “A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does.” – Dan Millman

67. “Some warriors look fierce, but are mild. Some seem timid, but are vicious. Look beyond appearances; position yourself for the advantage.” – Deng Ming-Dao

68. “Silence is the warrior’s art — and meditation is his sword. With it, you’ll cut through your illusions.” – Dan Millman

69. “A cowardly man thinks he will ever live, if warfare he avoids; but old age will give him no peace, though spears may spare him.” – Havamal

70. “Come and take it.” – Leonidas

71. “A warrior must only take care that his spirit is never broken.” – Shissai

72. “Before a battle, planning is everything. Once the fighting has begun, it’s worthless.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

73. “Protecting yourself is self-defense. Protecting others is warriorship.” – Bodhi Sanders

74. “The essence of warriorship, or the essence of human bravery, is refusing to give up on anyone or anything.” – Chogyam Trungpa

75. “When you become fully responsible for your life, you can become fully human; once you become human, you may discover what it means to be a warrior.” – Dan Millman

76. “ God doesn’t give the hardest battles to his toughest soldiers, he creates the toughest soldiers through life’s hardest battles” – Warrior Saying

77. “Weapons may be carried by creatures who are evil, dishonest, violent or lazy. The true warrior is good, gentle and honest. His bravery comes from within himself; he learns to conquer his own fears and misdeeds.” – Brian Jacques

78. “You are a warrior! Built to endure. Able to conquer. Nothing can hold you down.” – Beatrice Garrett

79. “Untroubled, scornful, outrageous – that is how wisdom wants us to be: she is a woman and never loves anyone but a warrior.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

80. “Better to fight and fall than to live without hope .” – Volsunga

Inspirational Warrior Quotes

This next batch of warrior quotes when reflected upon will inspire and encourage you. Read them out loud, embrace them, and then allow them to unleash the courage that resides deep within you.

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

82. “Warriors do not lower themselves to the standards of other people; they live independently; according to their own standards and code of conduct.” – Bohdi Sanders

83. “Some must be warriors, that others may live in peace.” – Mercedes Lackey

84. “We are all warriors.” – Steven Pressfield

85. “The thing about a hero, is even when it doesn’t look like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, he’s going to keep digging, he’s going to keep trying to do right and make up for what’s gone before, just because that’s who he is.” – Joss Whedon

86. “A true warrior, like tea, shows his strength in hot water.” – Warrior Quotes

87. “Cowards shrink from challenges, weaklings flee from them, but warriors wink at them .” – Matshona Dhliwayo

88. “Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” – Heraclitus

89. “During times of persistent hardship is when the warrior learns the most about his fortitude.” – Bodhi Sanders

90. “Being a warrior is an attitude!!” – Santosh Kumar

91. “Warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no on has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is on who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.” – Sitting Bull

92. “Of every one-hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are nothing but targets, nine are real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one of them is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” – Heraclitus

93. “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.” – Emiliano Zapata

94. “Being a warrior is not about the act of fighting. It’s about being so prepared to face a challenge and believing so strongly in the cause you are fighting for that you refuse to quit.” – Michael J. Asken

95. “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

96. “I am a warrior not because I always win but because I will always fight.” – Warrior Quotes

97. “Hard work, dedication, and discipline – these are the keys to becoming a successful martial artist and warrior. Without them, you will never achieve your full potential.” – Khabib Nurmagomedov

98. “The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything as a blessing or a curse.” – Carlos Castaneda

99. “To be heroic is to be courageous enough to die for something; to be inspirational is to be crazy enough to live a little.” – Criss Jami

100. “Weakness is strong. I must be stronger.” – Jocko Willink

101. “Long is the way and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.” – John Milton

102. “Nothing can resist a human will that will stake its very existence on its purpose.” – Benjamin Disraeli

103. “A responsible Warrior is not someone who takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, but someone who has learned to deal with the challenges of the moment.” – Paulo Coelho

104. “It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.” – Aristotle

105. “I don’t know how I’m going to win, I just know I’m not going to lose.” – Gokham Saki

106. “I will either find a way or make one” – Hannibal

107. “I’ll tell you what bravery really is. Bravery is just determination to do a job that you know has to be done.” – Audie Murphy

108. “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” – George S. Patton

109. “Warriors don’t hide from their fears; they embrace them.” – Brittain Ladd

110. “It’s time to go to war with yourself.” – David Goggins

111. “You cannot expect victory and plan for defeat.” – Joel Olsteen

112. “A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free.” – John Stuart Mill

113. “For glory gives herself only to those who have always dreamed of her.” – Charles De Gualle

114. “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight — it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

115. “ Your mind is a battlefield, be its commander, not its soldier.” – Anonymous

116. “I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive.” – Geronimo

117. “The warrior is always first a servant… The warrior does not serve because they cannot lead; they know that a person cannot lead if they do not serve.” – Erwin Raphael McManus

118. “In war, there is no substitute for victory.” – General Douglas MacArthur

119. “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” – George Washington

120. “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” – Alexander The Great

121. “An action committed in anger is an action doomed to failure.” – Genghis Khan

122. “If you are a true warrior, competition doesn’t scare you. It makes you better.” – Andrew Whitworth

123. “Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.” – Miyamoto Musashi

124. “Be a warrior when it comes to delivering your ambitions. And a saint when it comes to treating people with respect, modeling generosity, and showing up with outright love.” – Robin Sharma

125. “Warrior poets are lovers of truth and lovers of people, and we’re defenders of both.” – John Lovell

126. “Messenger boy: The Thessalonian you’re fighting, he’s the biggest man I’ve ever seen.  I wouldn’t want to fight him. Achilles:  That is why no one will remember your name.” – Troy

127. “I don’t believe a champion is the biggest, baddest, meanest dude in the world. I think the champion is like a warrior; it’s like the head knight or lead samurai: humble men of integrity, respect, and honor that treat people kindly.” – Jon Jones

128. “A true warrior isn’t measured by the size of their strength, but by the strength of their heart.” – Anonymous

129. “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human who led an easy life.” – Teddy Roosevelt

130. “It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than to be a gardener in a war.” – Miyamoto Musashi

131. “The road of life is long and unforgiving, no place for a child.” – Anonymous

132. “Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste death but once.” – Julius Caesar

133. “Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.” – George Washington

Bonus Warrior Quote

Bonus: Want to know how to become mightier than the mightiest warrior? If your answer is yes, then you’ll want to heed the insight of this last warrior quote. It is by far one of our favorites, and we stand behind it 100%.

“He Who Conquers Himself Is The Mightiest Warrior.” – Confucius –

There you have it, the most powerful warrior quotes and sayings ever uttered. No doubt, life is a battle. So is work, raising a family, and chasing your dreams, all of it. So, never forget, you are a warrior.

With that being said, we hope these warrior quotes have not only helped you reanimate your fighting spirit, but also reawakened within you the spirit of victory. To get the most out of them, bookmark the page, and come back often. Use them whenever you need a little encouragement as you take on life’s battles head on. Use them to help you WIN !

PS – If you enjoyed these warrior quotes, then you’ll probably love these Spartan Quotes , and you may even enjoy this write up about the warrior mindset and success .

STOP WAITING, START DOING:  100+ QUOTES ABOUT TAKING ACTION

I had a mentor in my younger years who would always tell people about this special poem his father had him memorize while he was growing up.

The father posted this special poem on their fridge so that he and his brother could see the words from this poem every single day before going to school.  You could say it was the father’s way of ensuring his kids realized the importance of taking action and striving to realize their life’s potential.

A Story of Action

This is what the poem read:

“Spring has past, summer has gone and winter is here…. And the song that I was meant to sing…. remains unsung, for I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument.”

That poem was powerful because it was written by a man whose heart was filled with regret over living a life half lived.  It’s was written by a man who was always getting ready to sing the great song of his life, he was always getting ready to start achieving, he was always getting ready to start fulfilling all the possibilities of what his life was meant be…but he got busy being busy.  He didn’t take action, and so his life became a story of inaction.

Unfortunately, far too many people can relate to this poem. Far too many people have already become stuck in a similar cycle of never getting started on “that thing”, be it a dream, a desire, or that goal that really stirs their heart.

The result?

Potential unrealized.  Happiness unrealized.  A great and fulfilling life… unrealized.

If you’re reading this, and you feel like you’ve been waiting on the sidelines of life for far too long, perhaps today is the day you stop stringing and unstringing your instrument .  Perhaps today is the day you stop waiting and start doing .  The day that you decide your story will be a story of action.

Here’s Your Nudge

So is it?  Is today the day you start taking action on all the things you want for you and your life? If you’re not sure, let me nudge you in the right direction. Here are some of the best stop waiting quotes and quotes about taking action. If you’re ready to get off your couch and into action let’s dive right in:

TAKE ACTION QUOTES TO INSPIRE YOU TO STOP WAITING AND START DOING MORE TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY

1. “Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”  –  Ralph Waldo Emerson

2. “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.” – J. Paul Getty

3. “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”  –  Thomas Jefferson

4.  “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

5. “If you want to become a multi-millionaire in three years, no matter how much you pray and think positively, it will not happen if you do not take action.” – Robin Sharma

6.    “God provides the wind, but man must raise the sails.” – St. Augustine

7.    “We uncover our nature through action.” – Steven Pressfield

8.  People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.”  –  Lewis Cass

9. “Your doubts create mountains. Your actions move them.”  –  Mel Robbins

10.   “Start small and dream big.” – Robert Kiyosaki

11. “Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.”  –  Norman Vincent Peale

12. “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”  –  Peter Marshall

13. “You are what you do, not what you say you do.”  –  Carl Jung

14. “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” –  Confucius

15.  “If you never want to be criticized, for goodness’ sake don’t do anything new.”  –   Jeff Bezos

16. “There is only one proof of ability—action.”   –  Marie Ebner-Eschenbach

17.  “Clarity comes from action, not thought.” – Marie Forleo

18.   “Doing nothing gets you nothing.”  – Sean Reichle

19.   “Work never killed anyone. It’s worry that does the damage. And the worry would disappear if we’d just settle down and do the work.”  –  Earl Nightingale

20  “Action is the foundational key to all success.”  –  Pablo Picasso

22. “Nothing will work unless you do.”  –  Maya Angelou

21. “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.”  –  Tony Robbins

23.   “The longer you’re not taking action the more money you’re losing” – Carrie Wilkerson

24.  “If you wait until you are ready, as the saying goes, you will wait forever.”  –  Gene Simmons

25. “For every reason it’s not possible, there are hundreds of people who have faced the same circumstances and succeeded.”  –  Jack Canfield

26. “Don’t rest and don’t stop – ever. Most valuable chips you have are your mind-set, actions, persistence, and creativity.” – Grant Cardone

27. “I’m not a person who defends myself very often. I kind of let my actions speak for me.”  –  Tom Brady

28. “Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.” –  Theodore Roosevelt

29. “ Rich people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them.” – T. Harv Eker

30. “Take action in order to move toward your goals.” – Les Brown

31. “Take action! An inch of movement will bring you closer to your goals than a mile of intention.” – Steve Maraboli

32. “You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.” – Irish Proverb

33 . “Men of action are favored by the goddess of good luck.” – George S. Clason

34 . “Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid only of standing still.”  –  Chinese proverb

35. “One day or day one. It’s your decision.” – Take Action Quote

36. “Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will.” – W. Clement Stone

37. “The greatest wisdom not applied to action and behavior is meaningless data.” – Peter Drucker

38. “Believe. Take action. Have confidence. Be Disciplined .” – Take Action Quotes

39 . “Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.” – E. H. Chapin

40. “I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that, but the one thing I might regret was not trying” – Jeff Bezos

41. “Knowing is not enough: we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

42. “The best way to create a future is to set a goal and take action.” – Debasish Mridha

43. “Don’t wait until you are ready to take action. Instead, take action to be ready.” – Jensen Siaw

44. “You take action based on where you want to be, not based on where you are.” – Terry Crews

45. “It is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” – Honore de Balzac

46. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

47. “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

48. “To wish for change will change nothing. To make the decision to take action right now will change everything.” – Nick Vujicic

49. “Our emotions are the motivating kicks in the rear that alert our bodies that it’s time to take action and make a thought a physical reality.” – Jen Sincero

50. “An acre of performance is worth a whole world of promise.” – James Howell

Halfway There

Alright, you are more than halfway through our take action quotes. Be sure to keep reading till the end to fully prime yourself for massive action. Let’s go!

Related: Hustle Quotes to Inspire Action

51. “Action will destroy your procrastination.” – Og Mandino

52. “Insight without action is worthless. Taking action is the only path to change.” – Marie Forleo

53. “The momentum of continuous action fuels motivation, while procrastination kills motivation.” – Steve Pavlina

54. “I never worry about action, but only inaction.” – Winston Churchill

55. “Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.” – Benjamin Disraeli

56. “Words can inspire but only action creates change.” – Simon Sinek

57. “The undertaking of a new action brings new strength.” – Richard L. Evans

58. “Disciplined, consistent, and persistent actions are more of a determining factor in the creation of success than any other combination of things.” –  Grant Cardone

59. “The key to success is action, and the essential in action is perseverance.” – Sun Yat-Sen

60. “Stop waiting, start doing.” – The STRIVE

61. “Actions speak louder than words man.” – Kevin Hart

62. “If you actually get up everyday and you got that action, and you got that energy that’s like ‘I have to go and do this because I’m trying to get here.’ You know everyday you’re working towards that, well you’re going to get there. It may take you longer, some may do it shorter. But,  you’re not going to lose .” – Kevin Hart

63. “If you have ambition, your actions have to match that, and too many people are just like not putting in the work.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

64. “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton

65. “Ambition is the first step to success. The second step is action.” – Mel Robbins

66. “Let your actions do your talking for you.” – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

67 . “Take big, audacious action in the direction of your dreams and do not let the fact that you’re wetting your pants stop you.” – Jen Sincero

68. “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Ghandi

69. “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

70. “Well done is better than well said.”  –  Benjamin Franklin

71. “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

72. “The only difference between success and failure is the ability to take action.” – Alexander Graham Bell

73. “Knowledge without action cost money .” – David Bach

74. “Stop thinking, stop pondering, stop strategizing, stop debating. go do.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

75. “Action is the antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez

76. “Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan

77. “Take action: If you win , you will be happy, if you lose, you will be wise.” – The STRIVE

78. “A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” – Confucius

79. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

80. “Action is the bridge between your dreams and its fulfillment.” – Nathan Lee Morales

81. “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

82. “We all have the same 24 hours a day. You ever stop to think about that? But how we use that 24 hours makes the difference between success and failure.” – Mary Kay Ash

83. “Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you did not do than the ones you did.” – Mark Twain

84. “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” – Seneca

85. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

86. “Do it now. Sometimes ‘later’ becomes ‘never.'” – Anonymous

87. “If we seek for the best times to act, we may miss some opportunities. We must seize the moment and make it great.” – Orly Wahba

88. “Do something now. If not you, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?” – Theodore Roosevelt

89. “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” – Alexander The Great

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

91. “Ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.” – Anonymous

92. “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” – Henry Ford

93. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

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

95. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart

96. “The Universe doesn’t give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you demand with your actions.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli

97 . “The perils of overwork are slight compared to the dangers of inactivity.” – Thomas Edison

98. “If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau

99. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

100. “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” – Wayne Dyer

101. “Either you make a mark on the world, or the world will make a mark on you.” – Paulo Coelho

102. “Dream big, start small, but most of all, start.”  –  Simon Sinek

Related: Seize Your Moment Quotes

Bonus Take Action Quote

Bonus Quote: This is our last and final quote on taking action. If there is any quote you remember from this page, it should be this one. Read it, embrace it, live it!

“Whatever You Can Do, Or Dream You Can, Begin It. Boldness Has Genius, Power, And Magic In It.” – johann wolfgang von goethe –

Stop Waiting, Start Doing

Today is the day my friend.  No more excuses , no more wasting time, no more putting off your dreams till tomorrow.

Leverage these take action quotes to stop waiting and start doing.  You got this!  Now go take some action today!

Till next time,

PS – If you enjoyed these take action quotes, then you’ll love these encouraging quotes to help you follow through on your dreams .

Success and achievement are so much easier to reach when you have momentum. Unlike motivation, momentum is an action, and can be kept regardless of how we feel. With momentum, progress comes much more readily. However, without it, our progress and the likelihood of achieving our goals quickly fades. So, to help you jumpstart the momentum in your life, and inspire you to keep pushing forward, we’ve decided to publish some of the best quotes on momentum.

Our hope is that these momentum quotes will keep you on track to push through those slumps that would normally get you off track of your goals and aspirations. So, if you’re ready to dive into these inspiring quotes about momentum, let’s get to it:

BEST QUOTES ABOUT MOMENTUM FOR SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT

1. “People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed.” – Tony Robbins

2. “It’s not about speed, it’s about momentum.” – Anonymous

3. “Momentum is whatever your attitude determines it to be.” – Lou Holtz

4. “Never confuse motion with action.” – Benjamin Franklin

5. “Keep moving ahead because action creates momentum, which in turn creates unanticipated opportunities.” – Nick Vujicic

6. “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha

7. “Success is like a snowball… You gotta get it moving and the more you roll it in the right direction the greater it gets.” – Steve Ferrante”

8. “The rhythm of daily action aligned with your goals creates the momentum that separates dreamers from super-achievers .” – Darren Hardy

9. “The momentum of continuous action fuels motivation, while procrastination kills motivation.” – Steve Pavlina

10. “Just keep going. Everybody gets better if they keep at it.” – Ted Williams

Momentum Motivation Quotes

The section above consisted of our top 10 momentum quotes, but this next section is the by far the most motivational momentum quotes we’ve come across. Leverage these momentum motivation quotes if you’re looking for a good nudge to start taking action.

11. “The law of momentum: An object in motion will stay in motion until it meets a resisting force. Keep pushing forward.” – Momentum Quote

12. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

13. “Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

14. “Excitement must lead to immediate action or you will lose the power of momentum. More dreams die because we fail to seize the moment. Do it now!” – Tony Robbins

15. “Momentum demands movement.” – Anonymous

16. “One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.” – Michael Korda

17. “One play can change your momentum forever.” – Sherman Alexie

18. “Daily action, is how momentum is built. Add vision, goals and learning to your doing, and you will be unstoppable.” – Devani Alderson

19. “Most of life is routine – dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps a man going. If you wait for inspiration you’ll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street.” – Ben Nicholas

20. “It does not matter how slow you go, so long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

21. “Motivation is knowing you are learning, growing, and succeeding toward your desired outcome while sustaining positive momentum.” – Jaren L. Davis

22. “If you have time to judge other people, you have way too much time on your hands. Get off your ass and do something meaningful.” – Shane Gibson

23. “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart

24. “Always work hard. Intensity clarifies. It creates not only momentum, but also the pressure you need to feel either friction, or fulfillment.” – Marcus Buckingham

25. “Momentum solves 80% of your problems.” – John C. Maxwell

26. “Let fear give you the momentum to move forward — not hold you back.” – Richard Branson

27. “Sometimes being pushed to the wall gives you the momentum necessary to get over it!” – Peter de Jager

28. ‘When you find yourself in the thickness of pursuing a goal or dream, stop only to rest. Momentum builds success.” – Suzy Kassem

29. “Always get up and keep moving forward… It may be slow but it is still progress.” – Diana Morrow

30. “If we fail to adapt, we fail to move forward.” – John Wooden

Inspiring Positive Momentum Quotes

If you’re looking for some inspiring positive momentum quotes then this collection is for you. Every quote curated for this section is meant to inspire you to strive to make momentum a positive habit you embrace. Enjoy.

31. “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

32. “The momentum of the mind can be vexingly, involuntarily capricious.” – Gregory Maguire

33. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis

34. “I just wanna build momentum again. Keeping yourself in work is one thing, keeping yourself in good work’s is another. But if it doesn’t work out, so be it. As the Taoists say, learn to accept that which you cannot change.” – Ian Hart

35. “Choose to believe something good can happen. Expecting it to happen energizes your goal and actually gives it momentum.” – Nikita Koloff

36. “People with momentum can get so much done. Momentum is easy to lose and almost impossible to fake.” – Shaun King

37. “Once you believe that what you’re setting out to do will be worth the effort , dedication and sacrifice that you’re about to put in, you’ve already taken the first step in creating momentum.” – Amanda Rider

38. “Momentum? Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher.” – Earl Weaver

39. “Momentum in success does not mean just moving.” – Ryan Hicks

40. “Commitment is the ignitor of momentum.” – Peg Wood

41. “With momentum, you can literally do anything. Momentum is the energy that takes a few small steps and turns the results into something you could never see coming.” – Tim Denning

42. “Get momentum on your side and your life won’t look the same.” – Benny Hsu

43. “The act of building momentum is pretty much a stepping stone to real change: creating a new habit.” – Aly Juma

44. “To stay present in everyday life, it helps to be deeply rooted within yourself; otherwise, the mind, which has incredible momentum, will drag you along like a wild river.” – Eckhart Tolle

45. “For any movement to gain momentum, it must start with a small action.” – Adam Braun

46. “It’s the same with success and failure. There’s always the momentum thing, but you just have to put whatever happened in the past behind you.” – Ben Stokes

47. “Build confidence and momentum with each good decision you make from here on out and choose to be inspired.” – Joe Rogan

48. “Momentum is essentially the force created by a moving object. You likely heard about this concept in your high school physics class, but momentum goes far beyond the laws of motion. Momentum, when applied to ideas of motivation, enables you to start thinking clearly, see that your goals are reachable, and find a sense of purpose , power, and direction. Learning how to build momentum is, therefore, one of the first steps to finding success in life.” – Brendan Baker

49. “Momentum crushes any creative resistance you have, eliminates the need to be motivated and helps you in invisible ways you can’t even see.” – Tim Denning

50. “Momentum begets momentum, and the best way to start is to start.” – Gil Penchina

Keep Up The Momentum Quotes

Momentum is all about keeping things moving in the right direction, and these keep up the momentum quotes should definitely assist you in doing just that. So, leverage these quotes to keep yourself encouraged and inspired to keep up the momentum in whatever endeavor you’re undertaking at the moment. Keep to it!

51. “If you want to achieve the greatest success life has to offer, you need to make a habit of building unstoppable momentum.” – Anthony Moore

52. “You must tell yourself, “No matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, I’m going to make it.” – Les Brown

53. “The moment you want to quit, is the moment when you need to keep pushing.” – Anonymous

54. “You have to believe in yourself and keep up the momentum when no one else does — that makes you a winner right there.” – Venis Williams

55. “Sometimes thinking too much can destroy your momentum.” – Tom Watson

56. “Forward momentum. That’s my new motto. No regrets. And no going back.” – Gayle Forman

57. “Just keep going like crazy and look back when it’s over. Otherwise you just get confused.” – Cliff Burton

58. “Almost any decision is better than no decision – just keep moving.” – Danielle LaPorte

59. “It takes a leader to create the momentum, it takes a vision to direct the momentum, it takes a massive action to build on the momentum, and it takes self-discipline to sustain the momentum.” – Farshad Asl

60. “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful men keep moving.” – Conrad Hilton

61. “Most of life is routine – dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps a man going.” – Ben Nicholas

62. “Momentum helps build positive thinking and energy to help you progress towards your goals.” – Brendan Baker

63. “The key to building up your momentum is to get yourself involved in the progress. When you take action and make progress, you are in the cycle. The momentum will come and you will want to do more.” – Shawn Lim

64. “Keep pushing. You’re making more progress than you know and it will all be worth it in the end.” – Atlas Rowe

65. “You get some momentum going, get the adrenaline flowing and anything can happen.” – Frank Permuy

66. “When you turn 60, the key is to not stop moving. Once you start to stop moving, you rust. You got to just keep going.” – Christie Brinkley

67. “It’s very simple; just look at your life to see where you’re heading. You’re always in a momentum of something.” – Maria Erving

68. “The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.” – Frances Willard

69. “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” – Henry Ford

70. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn

Quotes About Momentum For Entrepreneurs, Businesses, and Success

This final batch consists of quotes about momentum for business, entrepreneurs, and success in general. So, if you’re an entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone who is currently doing some dream chasing, then you’ll appreciate these momentum quotes for the ambitious.

71. “Momentum is really a leader’s best friend. Sometimes it’s the only difference between winning and losing.” – John C. Maxwell

72. “Develop and maintain momentum by working continuously toward your sales goals every day.” – Brian Tracy

73. “Consciousness is only possible through change; change is only possible through movement.” – Aldous Huxley

74. “Consistency is the key to achieving and maintaining momentum.” – Darren Hardy

75. “The one great element in continuing the success of an offensive is maintaining the momentum.” – George C. Marshall

76. “The most important thing you can do to achieve your goals is to make sure that as soon as you set them, you immediately begin to create momentum.” – Tony Robbins

77. “Without momentum, you can’t triple and quadruple your business.” – Dean Graziosi

78. “I want to measure momentum as much as I want to measure accomplishment.” – Simon Sinek

79. “In my own personal life and in my business I am looking for new ways to understand and measure momentum.” – Simon Sinek

80. “Everything in life needs attention, and if you don’t give it attention, you lose it.” – Patrick Bet-David

81. “Be more intentional about the attention that you’re giving to different aspects of your life that are important to you and you will not lose momentum. But if you take attention off, be prepared to lose momentum in that part of your life.” – Patrick Bet-David

82. “Momentum is key to any business’s success and can often be elusive, which is why it is so important to know how to build a momentum model.” – Ken Gosnell

83. “To achieve the life you want to live requires momentum to be in your favor.” – Patrick Bet-David

84. “What separates the achievers from the couch potato? Momentum. It’s something every successful person or business possesses.” – Benny Hsu

85. “If you have the guts to keep making mistakes, your wisdom and intelligence leap forward with huge momentum.” – Holly Near

86. “If you just do one thing everyday in the pursuit of the growth of your business you’re going to find yourself in a new rhythm, you’re going to find yourself in a position of developing some momentum.” – Eric Worre

87. “One overlooked ingredient to successful organizations and leaders is the ability to create and sustain momentum.” – Ken Gosnell

88. “In an economy that already has lost some momentum, one must remain alert to the possibility of weakening asset values in financial markets.” – Alan Greenspan

89. “The number one reason why so many entrepreneurs lose momentum is because of start/stop.” – Patrick Bet-David

90. “While a good leader sustains momentum, a great leader increases it.” – John C. Maxwell

91. “When you have momentum in business, everything seems to roll forward, stuff gets done, things happen, employees are proactive, customers are happy and extraordinary results are produced.” – Benard Mokua

92. “Success requires first expending ten units of effort to produce one unit of results. Your momentum will then produce ten units of results with each unit of effort.” – Charles J. Givens

93. “Over time, the momentum of your consistency creates the friction needed for progress against the gravity of inertia.” – LeAura Alderson

94. “Always keep momentum, it’s this prime directive for managing a startup.” – Sam Altman

95. “Movement is the prerequisite for growth, growth is the prerequisite for velocity, velocity is the prerequisite for momentum, so get moving.” – Holly L

96. “I will go anywhere as long as it is forward.” – David Livingston

97. “The engine of your business isn’t you, your product, nor your stellar supply chain– it’s the momentum you have. The only true job of a leader is to inspire momentum in their teams and then ensure this movement is heading in the right direction.” – Raj Jana

98. “Momentum builds slow with hard work. But, lousy leaders let the steam out quickly. Of all the things you do, make building momentum a priority.” – Dan Rockwell

99. “Want to know how to build momentum in your business? Well, the key is consistent effort. When you take action day after day despite not seeing results, that work will pay off for you.” – Dan Holstein

100. “ Execution  is the foundation for momentum.” – Tony Jeary

101. “Every knock is a boost.” – Elbert Hubbard

102. “Fear isn’t an excuse to come to a standstill. It’s the impetus to stand up and strike.” – Arthur Ashe

103. “Good work has a snowball effect , it keeps leading to more good work.” – Richa Chadha

104. “One positive step can put an end to negative momentum. Now is when you can take it.” – Ralph Marston

105. “Our future is only limited by our commitment to keep the momentum going.” – Anne Sweeney

Bonus Quote on Momentum

Bonus: Here is our last quote on momentum. We believe it summarizes how and why of momentum the best. So, observe closely and apply generously.

“Effort Creates Action, Action Creates Momentum, Momentum Creates Success.” – DWAYNE ‘THE ROCK” JOHNSON –

We hope you enjoyed our collection of Momentum Quotes. If you found any that inspired you in any way, please consider sharing it with someone who could use a good reminder on the power of momentum.

With that said, don’t hesitate to leverage these quotes yourself whenever you feel like you need a little push to keep your own momentum going.

PS – If you enjoyed these momentum quotes, then you’ll probably enjoy these inspiring quotes on progress and growth , as well as these motivational quotes on never giving up .

50+ MONDAY GRIND QUOTES TO HELP YOU SMASH THROUGH PROCRASTINATION

Monday mornings can be hard, even for the best of us. The very thought of getting on with the new week can feel like a long arduous journey up a mountain must first be maid, but with an elephant tied to our backs. It’s a feeling we all experience, but successful people know how to smash through those feelings and get their grind on regardless of how they feel. And that’s exactly what we want to help you do with these Monday grind quotes.

“Either You Run The Day Or The Day Runs You.”

So, if you’re looking for some powerful words to help you start your week off right, then you’ll love these Monday Grind quotes. If you’re ready for that nudge, let’s dive in:

TOP MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR THE MONDAY GRIND

1. “Monday, I grind. Tuesday, I grind. Wednesday, I grind. Thursday, I grind. Friday, I grind. Saturday, I grind. Sunday, I grind. And, that’s why I’m here today.” – Eric Thomas

2. “New week. Focus more. smile more. And grind harder.” – Anonymous

3. “Monday is another day to be KILLING IT.” – Monday Grind Quote

4. “It’s Monday, and the grind continues.” – Anonymous

5. “There are many opportunities in every single day, and Monday is the perfect day to seize them all.” – Isabella Koldras

6. “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you, you will have to WIN IT.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

7. “Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, others make it happen.” Michael Jordan

8. “Grind while they sleep, learn while they party, live like they dream.” – Anonymous

9. “It is only through labor and painful effort , by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.”  –  Teddy Roosevelt

10. “Monday is for people with a mission.” – Cristina Imre

11. “If you want this week to be better than last week, push harder today.” – The Strive

12. “You can’t expect to succeed if you only put in work on the days you feel like it.” – Monday Grind Quotes

13. “Talk less, GRIND more.”  –  Atlas Rowe

14. “Only I can change my life, no one can do it for me.” – Carol Burnett

15. “The past is gone. Today is full of possibilities.” – Karen Casey

16. “Grind in silence and let your achievements make the noise.” – Anonymous

17. “Every morning starts a new page in your morning. Make it a great one today.” – Doe Zantamanta

18. “Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.”  –  Napoleon Hill

19. “My entire life can be summed up in four word: I hustled. I conquered. ” – Anonymous

20. “All I know is grind.” – Ray Lewis

21. “You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.”  –  Stephen C. Hogan

22. “It takes time, it’s a grind. There are no shortcuts. You have to grind and grind.” – Mark Cuban

23. “I SEE. I WANT. I GRIND. I GET.” – Monday Grind Quote

24 . “The world is yours and everything in it, it’s out there – Get on your grind and get it.” – Young Jeezy

25. “Good things happen to those who hustle.” – Anais Nin

We know the right motivational quote can inspire just about anyone into action, even on Mondays. So, if you are still dragging those feet, procrastinating, or lacking the fire to get moving, then keep pouring on these Monday Grind quotes.

Let’s go!!!

Related: Monday Motivation Quotes

26. “Don’t wish things were easier. Wish you were better.” – Jim Rohn

27. “Invest in your dreams. Grind now. Shine later.” – Monday Grind Quote

28. What I lack in talent, I compensate with my willingness to grind it out. That’s the secret of my life. – Guy Kawasaki

29. “Don’t stay in bed unless you can make money in bed.” – George Burns

30. “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.”  –  J. Paul Getty

31. “I am grinding while your sleeping.”  –  Gary Vaynerchuk

32. “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased, and rent is due every day.”  –  J. J. Watt

33. “G + R + I + N + D = Get Ready It’s a New Day.” – The Strive

34. “Success is not for the lazy.” – Anonymous

35. “All the money you could want is out there. All you have to do is go after it.” – Curtis Carlson

36 . “You competition doesn’t care that it’s Monday, they are up and they are grinding.” – The Strive

37 . “You can’t cheat the grind, it knows how much you have invested. It wont give you anything you haven’t worked for.” – Eric Thomas

38. “If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working on it.” – Michael Jordan

39. “Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.” – Ken Poirot

40. “Hey, I know it’s a Monday. But it’s also a new day and a new week. And in that lies a new opportunity for something special to happen.” – Michael Ely

41. “If Joan of Arc could turn the tide of an entire war before her 18th birthday, you can get out of bed.” – E. Jean Carroll

42. “Believe on Monday the way you believe on Sunday.” Rita Schiano

43.  “The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

44. ” Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm” – Saikat Roy

45. “Vision without execution is hallucination.” – Thomas Edison

46. “Don’t whine for it, grind for it.” – Chanda Temple

47. “Success requires a positive mind and a steady grind.” – Grind Quote

48. “Everybody wants to be famous, but nobody wants to do the work. I live by that. You grind hard so you can play hard. At the end of the day, you put all the work in, and eventually it’ll pay off. It could be in a year, it could be in 30 years. Eventually, your hard work will pay off.” – Kevin Hart

49. “Success is what comes after your stop making excuses.” – Luis Galarza

50. “Action will destroy your procrastination.” – Og Mandino

51. “Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” – Oprah Winfrey

52. “No grind, no grit, no greatness.” – Anonymous

53. “If you want to shine, you’ve got to grind.” – The STRIVE

54. “Surround yourself with people who dream bigger than you do.” – Jay Cutler

55. “Comfort is the enemy of progress.” – P.T. Barnum

Bonus Grind Quote

Bonus: Here’s one last Monday Grind quote to motivate you, encourage you, and push you into action.

“Greatness only comes before GRIND in the dictionary.” – The Strive

There you have it, the best quotes for finding that Monday grind motivation we all want and seek on those Monday’s that seem just a tad bit grueling. Now that you’ve gone through all the quotes, we hope any feelings you may have had to stall or procrastinate have vanished.

Remember, nothing comes easily, but if you’re willing to grind on the days you don’t feel like it (like Mondays), and push yourself into taking massive action, you can and will achieve amazing things.

With that being said, if you enjoyed this page please consider bookmarking it or sharing it. And if there were any individual Monday morning motivation quotes that really helped you smash through your procrastination, share the love. Keep grinding, and…..

PS – If you enjoyed these Monday grind quotes, then you’ll love these equally motivating quotes:

• Hustle Quotes
• Work Ethic Quotes
• Grind Quotes

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

10 Motivational Speech Examples To Inspire You Today

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 .

Brené 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. Brené 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,

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

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! 🙌

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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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

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 ¾ 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 £1500. 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.  

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!!

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

really inspiring…

Comment it’s really inspirational script I have ever come through, hope I would read more of your story

Very Inspiring speech…..

Very Inspiring speech by Mr. Patrick.

Matthew McConaughey Motivational Speech Transcript

On January 7, 2016 Matthew McConaughey gave a classic motivational speech at the University of Houston. It is considered one of the best motivational speeches of all time. Read the full transcript right here on Rev.com.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 00:01 ) Can you hear me? Can you hear me? You hear me? Okay. Congratulations class of 2015. You guys and girls, and young men and women are the reason I’m here. I’m really looking forward to talking with you all tonight. You heard my dad played football here and I believe he even graduated from here. That was some extra incentive for me to come. Short and sweet or long and salty? A sugar doughnut or some oatmeal? Now, out of respect for you and your efforts in getting your degree, I thought long and hard about what I could share with you tonight. Did I want to stand up here at a podium and read you your rights? Did I want to come up here and just share some funny stories. I thought about what you would want, I thought about what you might need. I also thought about what I want to say and what I need to say. Hopefully, we’re both going to be happy on both accounts. As the saying goes, take what you like, leave the rest. Thank you for having me.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 01:20 ) So before I share with you some what I do knows, I want to talk with you about what I don’t know. I have two older brothers. One was in high school in the early 1970s. And this was a time when a high school GED got you a job, and the college degree was exemplary. My other brother, Pat, was in high school in the early 80s. And by this time, the GED wasn’t enough to guarantee employment. He needed a college degree. And if you got one, you had a pretty good chance of getting the kind of job that you wanted after you graduated. Me, I graduated high school in 1988. Got my college degree in 1993. And that college degree in ’93 did not mean much. It was not a ticket. It was not a voucher. It was not a free pass go to anything. So I asked the question, what does your college degree mean?

Matthew McConaughey: ( 02:11 ) It means you got an education. It means you have more knowledge in a specific subject, vocation. It means you may have more expertise in what your degree is in. But what’s it worth in the job market out there today? We know the market for college graduates is more competitive now than ever. Now, some of you already have a job lined up, you’ve got a path where today’s job is going to become tomorrow’s career. But for most of you, the future is probably still pretty fuzzy. And you don’t have that job that directly reflects the degree you just got. Many of you don’t even have a job at all. Think about it. You’ve just completed your scholastic educational curriculum in life, the one that you started when you were five years old in kindergarten up until now, and your future may not be any more clearer than it was five years ago. You don’t have the answers and is probably pretty damn scary.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 03:09 ) And I say that’s okay. Because that is how it hits. This is the reality that many of you are facing. This is the world that we live in. And while I’m not here to discourage you, or in any way, belittle your accomplishments tonight, which I’d like to applaud that one more time. You graduated. Now, I’m not here to be a downer on that. Let’s get that straight. But I am here to talk brass tacks. I want to skip the flattery and the attaboys. Because I do know this. The sooner that we become less impressed with our life, with our accomplishments, with our career, with whatever that prospect is in front of us, the sooner we become less impressed and more involved with that and these things, the sooner we get a whole lot better at doing it. So I’m going to talk to you about some things I’ve learned in my journey. Most from experience, some of them I heard in passing, many of them I’m still practicing, but all of them I do believe are true.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 04:10 ) Now, they may be truth to me, but don’t think that that makes them mine because you cannot own the truth. So please think of these as signposts, approaches paradigms, that give some science to satisfaction. They’re yours to steal, they’re yours to share, liken to your own lives, to personally apply in your own lives in your own way should you choose to. So here we go. Number one, and this should come up on the jumbotron, life’s not easy. Is it up there. Life is not easy. It is not. Don’t try to make it that way. Life’s not fair. It never was, it isn’t now, and it won’t ever be. Do not fall into the trap, the entitlement trap of feeling like you’re a victim. You are not. Get over it and get on with it. And yes, most things are more rewarding when you break a sweat to get them back. Fact.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 05:11 ) Number two. I love this one. Unbelievable is the stupidest word in the dictionary. Should never come out of our mouths. Think about it. To say, what an unbelievable play. It was an unbelievable book, an unbelievable film, an unbelievable act of courage. Really? It may be spectacular, it may be phenomenal, most excellent or outstanding. But unbelievable? Give others and yourself more credit. It just happened. You witnessed it. You just did it. Believe it. What about the other side of unbelievable? That side when we humans underperform or act out of our best character. For instance, man flies a suicide jet into the World Trade Center. Millions died from diseases every day that we have cures for. Bob the Builder swears that he’s going to have your house built by Thanksgiving and you can’t move in until Christmas the next year. Our best friends lie to us. And we lie to ourselves all the time. Unbelievable? I don’t think so. Again, it just happens and it happens every day.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 06:31 ) Nothing that we Homo sapien earthlings do is unbelievable. And if there’s one thing you can depend on people being, its people. So we shouldn’t be surprised. We, us are the trickiest mammals walking the planet. I’m not worried about the monkeys. I’m worried about you and me. So acknowledge the acts of greatness as real and do not be naive about mankind’s capacity for evil nor be in denial of our own shortcomings. [inaudible 00:07:00]. Happiness is an emotional response to an outcome. If I win, I will be happy. If I don’t, I won’t. It’s an if, then cause and effect, quid pro quo standard that we cannot sustain, because we immediately raise it every time we attain it. See, happiness demands a certain outcome. It is result reliant. And I say if happiness is what you’re after, then you’re going to be let down frequently and you’re going to be unhappy much of your time.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 08:00 ) Joy, though, joy is a different thing. It’s something else. Joy is not a choice. It’s not a response to some result. It’s a constant. Joy is the feeling that we have from doing what we are fashioned to do, no matter the outcome. Now, personally as an actor, I started enjoying my work and literally being more happy when I stopped trying to make the daily labor a means to a certain end. For example, I need this film to be a box office success. I need my performance to be acknowledged. I need the respect of my peers. All those are reasonable aspirations. But the truth is, as soon as the work, the daily making of the movie, the doing of the deed became the reward in itself for me, I got more Box Office, more accolades and respect than I ever had before. See, Joy is always in process. It’s under construction. It is in constant approach. Alive and well in the doing of what we’re fashion to do and enjoying.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 09:08 ) Number four. Define success for yourself. You already liked that one. Define success for yourself. Now, check this out. I’m in south of New Orleans a few years ago, and I went to a voodoo shop. And they had this wooden partition against the wall of these columns. In these columns were all these vials of these magic potions, right? And the headings above each potion defining what they would give you were things like fertility, health, family, legal help, energy, forgiveness, money. Guess which column was empty? Money. Let’s admit it. Money is king today, is what makes the world go round. It is success. The more we have, the more successful we are, right? I would argue that our cultural values have even been financialized.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 10:12 ) Humility is not vogue anymore. It’s too passive. It’s a get rich quick on the internet, rich as 15 minutes of fame world that we live in, and we see it every day. But we all want to succeed, right? So the question that we got to ask ourselves is what success is to us? What success is to you? Is it more money? That’s fine. I got nothing against money. I don’t. Maybe it’s a healthy family. Maybe it’s a happy marriage. Maybe it’s to help others, to be famous, to be spiritually sound, to leave the world a little bit better place than you found it. Continue to ask yourself that question. Now, your answer may change over time and that’s fine. But do yourself this favor. Whatever your answer is, don’t choose anything that will jeopardize your soul.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 11:05 ) Prioritize who you are, who you want to be, and don’t spend time with anything that antagonizes your character. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid. It tastes sweet but you will get cavities tomorrow. Life is not a popularity contest. Be brave. Take the hill. But first answer that question. What’s my hill? So, me, how do I define success? For me myself. Well, for me, it’s a measurement of five things. We got fatherhood, we got being a good husband, we got my health, mind, body and spirit, we got career and we got friendships. These are what’s important to me in my life right now. So I try to measure these five things each day. I check in with them. I like to see whether or not I’m in the debit section or the credit section with each one. Am I in the red or I’m in the black? You follow?

Matthew McConaughey: ( 11:59 ) For instance, sometimes say my career’s rolling. All right, it’s way up here in the black. But I see how my relationship with my wife maybe could use a little bit more of my attention. I got to pick up the slack on being a better husband. Get that one out of the red. Or say my spiritual health could use some maintenance. It’s down here, but hey man, my friendships and my social life, they’re in high gear. I got to recalibrate. Checks and balances. I got to go to church, remember to say thank you more often or something. But I got to take the tally, because I want to keep all five in healthy shape. And I know that if I don’t take care of them, if I don’t keep up maintenance on them, one of them is going to get weak, man.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 12:43 ) It’s going to dip too deep into the debit section, it’s going to go bankrupt, it’s going to get sick, died. So first, we have to define success for ourselves. And then we have to put in the work to maintain it. Take that daily tally. Tend to our garden, keep the things that are important to us in good shape. I mean, let’s admit it. We’ve all got two wolves in us, a good one and a bad one, and they both want to eat. The best I can tell, we just got to feed that good one a little more than the other one. Here we go.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 13:21 ) Number five. Process of elimination is the first step to our identity, a.k.a, where you are not is as important as where you are. 1992, I got my first job as an actor. Three lines, three days work, in a film called Dazed and Confused. All right. All right. All right. There we go. So this director of that film, Richard Linklater, he kept inviting me back to set each night, putting me in more scenes which led to more lines, all of which I happily said yes to. I mean, I’m having a blast. People are telling me I’m good at what I’m doing. And they’re writing me a check for $325 a day. I mean, hell yeah, give me more scenes. I love what I’m doing. Well, by the end of the shoot, by the end of the film, those three lines and turned into over three weeks worth, and it was mine. It was Wooderson since 1970 Chevelle that we went to go get Aerosmith tickets in. Yeah, it was badass.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 14:24 ) Well, a few years ago, I’m watching this film again. And I noticed two scenes that I really shouldn’t have been in. In one of these scenes, my character, Wooderson, I exit screen left to head somewhere, and then I reenter the screen to double check if any of the other characters wanted to go with me. Now, in rewatching the film, and you’ll agree if you know Wooderson, Wooderson is not a guy who would ever say, later, and then come back to see if you were sure you didn’t want to go. Now, when Wooderson leaves, Wooderson is gone. He does not stutter step, flinch, rewind, ask twice or solicit. You know what I’m talking about? Wooderson has better things to do like liking those high school girls, man, because I get older and they stay the same age.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 15:13 ) The point is, I should not have been in that scene. I shouldn’t have come back. I should have exited screen left and never come back. But back then making my first film, getting invited back to the set, cashing that check and having a ball, I wanted more screen time. I wanted to be in the scene longer and more and come back into the scene. Right? But I shouldn’t have been there. Wooderson shouldn’t have been there. It is just as important where we are not as it is where we are. Look, the first step that leads to our identity in life is usually not, I know who I am. I know who I am. That’s not the first step. The first step is usually, I know who I am not. Process of elimination. Defining ourselves by what we are not is the first step that leads us to really knowing who we are.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 16:11 ) You know that group of friends that you hang out with that really might not bring out the best in you? They gossip too much or they’re kind of shady. They really aren’t going to be there for you in a pinch. How about that bar that we keep going to that we always seem to have the worst hangover from? Or that computer screen, that computer screen that keeps giving us an excuse not to get out of the house and engage with the world and get some real human interaction? How about that food that we keep eating? The stuff that tastes so good going down, it makes us feel like crap the next week, we feel lethargic and we keep putting on weight. Well, those people, those places, those things, stop giving them your time and energy. Just don’t go there.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 16:57 ) I mean, put them down. And when you do this, when you do put them down, when you quit go in there and you quit giving them your time, you inadvertently find yourself spending more time and in more places that are healthy for you, that bring you more joy. Why? Because you just eliminated the who’s, the where’s, the what’s and the when that were keeping you from your identity. Trust me, too many options. I promise you, the too many options will make a tyrant of us all. So get rid of the excess, the wasted time. Decrease your options. If you do this, you will have accidentally, almost innocently put in front of you what is important to you by process of elimination. Knowing who we are is hard. It’s hard. So give yourself a break. Eliminate who you are not, first, and you’re going to find yourself where you need to be.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 18:00 ) Number six. Don’t leave crumbs and the beauty of delayed gratification. So what a crumbs? The crumbs I’m talking about are the choices that we make that make us have to look over our shoulder in the future. You didn’t pay that guy back the money that you owed him and tonight you just saw him three rows behind you. Shit. You slept around on your spouse and you just found out that tomorrow she and the lady you’re having an affair with are going to be at the same PTA meeting. Shit again. You drank too much last night, you’re too hungover to drive your son to his 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning baseball practice. These are the crumbs. They come in the form of regret, guilt and remorse. You leave crumbs today, they will cause you more stress tomorrow. And they disallow you from creating a customized future in which you do not have to look over your shoulder.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 19:06 ) So let’s flip the script. Instead of creating outcomes that take from us, let’s create more outcomes that pay us back, fill us up, keep your fire lit, turn you on for the most amount of time in your future. These are the choices I’m talking about. And this is the beauty of delayed gratification. Tee yourself up. Do yourself a favor, make the choices, the purchases today that pay you back tomorrow. Residuals. In my business, we call it mailbox money. If I do my job well today, and that movie keeps rerunning on TV, five years from now, I’m getting checks in the mailbox. It’s a heck of a deal.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 19:46 ) So whether it’s prepping the coffee, make it the night before, so all you got to do is press the button in the morning. Or getting ready for the job interview early so you don’t have to cram the night before. Or choosing not to hook up with that married woman because you know you’re going to feel horrible about it tomorrow, and your husband carries a gun. Or paying your debts on time so that when you do see that guy three rows back tonight, you don’t have to hunker down in your seat hoping that he don’t see you. Get some ROI. You know what that is? Return on Investment. Your investment. You, customize your future. Don’t leave crumbs.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 20:29 ) Number seven. Dissect your successes and the reciprocity of gratitude. We so often focus on failure, don’t we? We study failure. We’re obsessed with failure, we dissect failure in our failures. We dissect them so much we end up intoxicated with them to the point of disillusion. When do we write in our diary? Usually when we’re depressed. What do we gossip about? Other people’s flaws and limitations. We can dissect ourselves into self-loathing if we’re not careful. I find that most of the times our obsession with what is wrong, just ends up breeding more wrong, more failure. And the easiest way to dissect success is through gratitude. Giving thanks for that which we do have, for what is working, appreciating the simple things we sometimes take for granted. We give thanks for these things and that gratitude, reciprocates, creating more to be thankful for. It’s really simple and it works.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 21:43 ) Now, I’m not saying be in denial of your failures. No. We can learn from them too, but only if we look at them constructively, as a means to reveal what we are good at, what we can get better at, what we do succeed at. Personally, I’ve read a whole lot of my bad reviews. I’ve had quite a few written by the more talented critics. They are the ones who give constructive bad reviews. They reveal to me what did translate in my work, what came across, what was seen or what wasn’t. Now, I don’t obsess on the unfavorable aspect of their review, but I do see what I can learn from it. Because their displeasure actually uncovers and makes more apparent what I do, do well, what I am successful at, and then I dissect that.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 22:38 ) Life’s a verb. We try our best, we don’t always do our best. Our architecture is a verb as well. Yes, it is. And since we are the architects of our own lives, let’s study the habits, the practices, the routines that we have that lead to and feed our success, our joy, our honest pain, our laughter, our earn tears. Let’s dissect that, and give thanks for those things. And when we do that, guess what happens? We get better at them. And we have more to dissect.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 23:16 ) Number eight. Make voluntary obligations. Mom and dad, since we were young, they teach us things as children. Teachers, mentors, the government and laws, they all give us guidelines for which to navigate this life. Rules to abide by in the name of accountability. I’m not talking about those obligations. I’m talking about the ones that we make with ourselves, with our God, with our own consciousness. I’m talking about the you versus you obligations. We have to have them. Again, these are not societal laws and expectations that we acknowledge and endow for anyone other than ourselves. These are faith-based obligations that we make on our own. These are not the lowered insurance rates for a good driving record.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 24:12 ) You will not be fined or put in jail if you do not gratify these obligations I speak of. No one else governs these, but you. They are your secrets with yourself, your own private counsel, personal protocols. And while nobody throws you a party when you abide by them, no one’s going to arrest you when you break them either. Except yourself. Or some cops who got a disturbing the peace call at 2:30 in the morning because you were playing bongos in your birthday suit. That was me. An honest man’s pillow is his peace of mind. And when you lay down on that pillow at night, no matter who’s in your bed, we all sleep alone. These are your personal Jiminy Cricket, and there are not enough cops in the entire world to police them. It’s on you. It’s on you.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 25:08 ) Number nine. From can to want. All right, check this out. In 1995, I got my first big paycheck as an actor. I think it was 150 grand. The film I was on was Boys on the Side and we were shooting in Tucson, Arizona. I had this sweet little adobe guest house on the edge of the Saguaro National Park. The house came with a maid, my first maid. It was awesome. So I got a friend over one Friday night, we’re having a good time and I’m telling her about how happy I am with my setup. The house, the maid, especially the maid. I’m telling her look, this lady, she cleans the place up after I go to work. She washes my clothes, the dishes puts fresh water by my bed, leaves me cooked meal sometimes. She even presses my jeans.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 25:58 ) My friend she smiles at me happy that I’m excited over this. She says, “Well, that’s great, Matthew. If you like your jeans pressed.” I kind of looked up at her, my jaw caught hanging open. I stuttered a moment. Had that dumb ass look that you get when you just been told the truth and you didn’t think about it. It hit me. I hate that line going down the front of my jeans. I hate that line. And it was then for the first time that I noticed it. I never thought about not liking that starched line down the front of my jeans because I’ve never had a maid iron my jeans before.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 26:36 ) And since she did now for the first time of my life, I just liked it because I could get it. I never thought about if I really wanted it. Well, I didn’t want it there. That line. And that night I learned something, just because you can, nah. Come on. It’s not a good enough reason to do some. Even when it means having more, be discerning. Choose it because you want it. Do it because you want to. I’ve never have my jeans pressed again. I hate that line.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 27:18 ) Number 10. A roof is a man-made thing. This may cut a little close to the bone since the geography, but I think we all were there and we will all remember where we were. But in January 3rd, 1993, it was the NFL playoffs, and your Houston Oilers were playing the Buffalo Bills. The Oilers were up 28-3 at half time, 35-3 early in the third. Frank Reich and the Bills come back to win 41-38 in overtime for one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. Yeah, the Bills won, but they didn’t really beat the Oilers. The Oilers lost that game, they beat themselves. You all remember that? Why? Why they beat themselves? Or how?

Matthew McConaughey: ( 28:12 ) Was it because at halftime, they put a ceiling, roof, a limit on their belief in themselves, aka, prevent defense? Or maybe they started thinking about the next opponent in the playoffs at halftime. I mean, they were up, then they came out, played on their heels. Lost the mental edge the entire second half and voila, they lost. In a mere two quarters, defensive coordinator, Jim Eddy went from being called the defensive coordinator of the year and the man first in line to be a head coach next year, to a man without a job in the NFL.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 28:54 ) You ever choked? Nobody has ever choked? I have. You know what I’m talking about, fumbling at the goal line, stuck a foot in your mouth once you got to the microphone, had a brain freeze on the exam that you were totally prepared for. Forgot the punch line to a joke in front of 4,000 graduating students at the University of Houston commencement. Or maybe you’ve had that feeling of, oh my god, life just cannot get any better than this moment. And ask yourself, do I deserve this? Now, what happens when we get that feeling? We tense up, we have this sort of outer body experience where we are literally seeing ourselves in the third person. And we realize that the moment just got bigger than us. Ever felt that way. I have.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 29:49 ) It’s because we have created a fictitious ceiling, a roof, to our expectations of ourselves. A limit where we think it’s all too good to be true. But it’s not. And it’s not our right to say or believe it is. We shouldn’t create these restrictions on ourselves. A blue ribbon, a statue, a score, a great idea, the love of our life, a euphoric bliss. Who are we to think that we don’t deserve or haven’t earned these gifts when we get them? It’s not all right. But if we stay in process within ourselves in the joy of the doing, we will never choke at the finish line. Why? Because we aren’t thinking of the finish line. Because we’re not looking at the clock. We’re not watching ourselves on the jumbotron performing the very act that we’re in the middle of. No, we’re in process. The approach is the destination and we’re never finished.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 30:56 ) Bo Jackson, what he do? He used to run over the goal line, through the end zone and up the tunnel. The greatest snipers and marksmen in the world, they don’t aim at the target. They aim on the other side of the target. We do our best when our destinations are beyond the measurement, when our reach continually exceeds our grasp, and when we have immortal finish lines. And when we do this, the race is never over, the journey has no port. The adventure never ends, because we are always on the way. So do this. Do this and let them, let somebody else come up and tap you on the shoulder and say “Hey, you scored.” Let them run up and tap you on the shoulder and say, “You won.” Let them come to you, “You go home now.” Let them say, “I love you too.” Let them say thank you. Take the lid off the man made roofs that we put above ourselves and always play like an underdog. Here we go.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 32:08 ) Number 11. Turn the page. The the late great University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal. If you all remember him, he won the National Championship in ’69, he won a couple of National Championships. Remember Darrell Royal? He was a friend of mine and a good friend of many people. Now, a lot of people looked up to this man. One of the people that looked up to him was a musician named Larry. Now, at this time in his life, Larry was in the prime of this country music career. He had number one hits and his life was rolling. And he had picked up a bad habit of snorting the white stuff somewhere along the line. And at one particular party after a bathroom break, Larry went confidently up to his mentor Darrell, and he started telling him a story.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 32:59 ) Coach Royal listened, as he always had. And when Larry finished his story and was about to walk away, Coach Royal put his gentle hand on his shoulder and he very discreetly said, “Hey, Larry, you got something on your nose there, bud.” Larry immediately hurried to the bathroom mirror where he saw some of the white powder that he hadn’t cleaned up his nose. He was ashamed. He was embarrassed as much because he felt so disrespectful to coach Royal and as much because he’d obviously gotten too comfortable with the drug to even hide it as well as he should. Well, the next day, Larry went to coach’s house. He rang the doorbell, coach answered and he said, “Coach, I need to talk to you.” Darrell said, “Sure, come on in.”

Matthew McConaughey: ( 33:42 ) Larry confessed. He purged his sins to coach. He told him how embarrassed he was and how he had lost his way in the midst of all this fame and fortune. And towards the end of an hour, Larry who was in tears, he asked coach, he said, “Coach, what do you think I should do?” Coach, being a man of few words just looked at him and calmly said, “Larry, I have never had any trouble turning the page in the book of my life.” Larry got sober that day, and he’s been sober for the last 40 years. You ever get in a rut? You know I’m talking about? Getting the funk. Stuck on the merry-go-round of a bad habit? I have. Look, we’re going to make mistakes. You got to own them. Then you got to make amends. And then you got to move on. Guilt and regret kills many a man before their time. So turn the page, get off the ride. You are the author of the book of your life. Turn that page.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 34:57 ) Number 12. Give your obstacles credit. You know those No Fear T-shirts that were out. I don’t know. Maybe you used to wear them 10 years ago, No Fear. You may remember those or is it just me? I saw them everywhere. All right. I don’t get them and I never did. I mean, I try to scare myself at least once a day. I mean, I get butterflies every morning before I go to work. I was nervous before I got here to speak tonight. I think fear is a good thing. Now, why? Because it increases our need to overcome that fear. Say your obstacle is fear of rejection. You want to ask her out or you want to ask him out, but you fear that he or she may say no. You you want to ask your boss for that promotion, but you’re scared he’s going to think you’re overstepping your bounds.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 36:00 ) Well, instead of denying those fears, declare them. Say the fear out loud, admit it, give them the credit they deserve. Don’t get all macho, and act like they’re no big deal. And don’t get paralyzed by denying that they exist and therefore abandoning your need overcome them. I mean, I I’d even subscribe to believe that we’re all destined to have to do the thing that we fear the most anyway, at some point. So give your obstacles credit and you will, one, find the courage to overcome them. Or you will two, see more clearly that they’re not really worth prevailing over. So be brave, have courage. And when you do, you get stronger, you get more aware, you get more respectful of yourself, and that which you fear.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 36:51 ) Number 13. So how do we know when we cross the truth? 13. Someone’s asking, why did I pick 13? That’s an unlucky number. I don’t know when 13 got the bad rap and became the mongrel of numerology. It’s never done me wrong 13. In fact, 13 has been a pretty lucky number for me and I want to tell you how. I’ve always taken these 21-day trips by myself to far off places where I usually don’t know the language and nobody knows my name. They’re adventures, one, but they’re also a purge. They’re a cleanse for me, they’re like a 21-day fast from attention, from all the things I have in my well-appointed life. They’re a check-out so I can check-in with me. See how I’m doing. Be forced to be my own and my only company, to have a look in my mirror. And we all know what can happen when we do that. Sometimes we do not like what we see.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 37:57 ) Well in 1996, right after I got famous from the film I did call the time to kill, I headed out on one of these 21-day walkabout, and this time to the jungles in the mountains of Peru. The sudden fame that I just gotten was somewhat unbalancing. My face was everywhere. Everyone wanted a piece of me. People I’ve never met were swearing that they love me. Everywhere I went, there I was on a billboard, a magazine cover. It was just weird, overall. I was asking myself, what’s the reality in this and what’s the bullshit? Did I deserve all this? These were all questions I was asking myself. Who was I was another. Now there’s always an initiation period with these trips. An amount of time that it takes for the place to initiate the traveler. The time it takes to disconnect from the world that we just left and become completely present in the one we are traveling in.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 38:58 ) For me, that initiation period usually last about 13 days, 13 hellish days until I’m out of my own way. And after that, the whole trip is really fun and smooth sailing. Well, it was the night of the 12th day in my 21 day trip. I’m settling into camp. I’d already hiked 80 miles to this point, and I had a three day trek ahead of me to Machu Picchu. And I was full on sick of myself. Wrestling with the loss of anonymity, I was guilt ridden for sins of my past, I had a lot of regret. I was lonely, disgusted with my company, mine. And I was doing a pretty good job of mentally beating the shit out of myself. Grappling with these demons on this night, I couldn’t sleep. All of these badges and banners and expectations and anxieties that I was carrying with me, I needed to free myself from them. Who was I? I asked myself. I mean, not only on this trip, but in this life.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 39:59 ) So I stripped down to nothing. I took every moniker that gave me pride and confidence, all the window dressings, the packaging around the product, I discard them all. I got rid of my lucky and faithful American cat. I stripped off all my talismans from adventures past. I even discarded my late father’s gold ring with an M on it that he gave to me. It was a meltdown of he and my mom’s class rings and gold from my mom’s teeth. I even got rid of that. I was naked, literally and figuratively. And I got sick. Soaked in sweat, I [inaudible 00:40:40]. Now, a few hours later, I woke on this 13th morning to a rising sun, surprisingly, fresh and energized. I dressed, made some tea and I went for [inaudible 00:40:51] destination Machu Picchu but rather to nowhere in particular.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 40:56 ) My gut was still a bit piqued from last night’s purge but I curiously felt pretty good. I felt alive. Felt clean. I felt free and light. Along a muddy path on this walk, I turned a corner. And there in the middle of the road was was this mirage in the most magnificent pinks and blues and red colors that I’d ever seen. It was electric, glowing and vibrant, just hovering just off the surface of the jungle floor as if it was plugged into some neon power plant. I stopped. I stared. There’s no way around it. The jungle floor in front of me was actually thousands of butterflies there in my path. It was spectacular. So I stayed awhile. And somewhere in my captivation, I heard this little voice inside my head say these words, “All I want is what I can see. And all I can see is what’s in front of me.”

Matthew McConaughey: ( 42:04 ) Now, at that moment for the first time in this trip, I had stopped anticipating what was around the corner. For the first time I stopped thinking about what was coming up next. What was up ahead. Time slowed down. I was no longer in a rush to get anywhere. And my anxieties were greatly eased. Few hours later, I returned to camp. Packing for my continued journey [inaudible 00:42:30]. Even the local Sherpas I was traveling with, they noticed calling out to me. [foreign language 00:42:36], which means, you are light, in Spanish. See, I forgave myself that morning. I let go of the guilt. The weight that was on my shoulders was lifted, my penance was paid. And I got back in good graces with my God and I shook hands with myself. My best friend, the one that we’re all stuck with anyway, ourselves. And from that morning on, the adventure was awesome.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 43:00 ) I was present, I was out of my own way. I was anticipating next. I was embracing only what was in front of my eyes and giving everything that justice that it deserved. See, I crossed the truth that morning. Now did I find it? I don’t know. I think it found me. Why? Because I put myself in a place to be found. I put myself in a place to receive the truth. So how do we know when we crossed the truth? Well, I think the truth is all around us all the time. I mean, I think the answer, it’s always right there, right there. I think it’s all around us. We just don’t always see it. We don’t always grasp it, hear it, access it. Usually because we’re not in the right place to do so. So what do we do?

Matthew McConaughey: ( 43:45 ) First, I believe we’ve got to put ourselves in the place to receive the truth. We live in an extremely noisy world with all kinds of frequencies coming at us. We got commitments, we got deadlines, fix this, do that, plans, expectations, and they all make it hard to get clarity and peace of mind. So we have to consciously put ourselves in places to receive that clarity. Now, that may be prayer, that may be meditation, that may be a walk about, that may be being in the right company, a road trip, whatever it is for you, schedule that time. Schedule it. So, if we do that, if we hear it, if we put ourselves in a place to hear it and we do, and it’s become clear, a truth, natural and infinite, then the second part comes, which is to personalize it.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 44:34 ) Ask yourself how it works for you. How it applies to you personally. Why you need it in your life, specifically. And if you do that, then comes the third part, have the patience to internalize it. And get it from our intellectual head, thinking about it and into our bones and our soul and our instinct. Now we cannot rush this part, it does take time. So if we get that far, we’ve received it, we personalize it and we’ve internalized it. If we make it that far, then comes to biggie man, this comes the fun one. Got to have the courage to act on it. To actually take it into our daily lives and practice it. To make it an active part of who we are and live it. If we can do that, then we have what I believe is heaven right here on earth. And that’s the place where what we want is also just what we need. I mean, that’s the ticket, isn’t it? Think about it. I know that’s what I want to live.

Matthew McConaughey: ( 45:40 ) So, while we’re here, and they’re going to run across the jumbotron, let’s make it a place where we break a sweat. Where we believe, where we enjoy the process of succeeding in the places in ways that we are fashioned to. Where we don’t have to look over our shoulder because we’re too busy doing what we’re good at. Voluntarily keeping our own counsel because we want to. Traveling towards immortal finish lines, we write our own book. Overcoming our fears, we make friends with ourselves. And that is the place that I’m talking about. Thank you, good luck, and just keep living.

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Short Motivational Speech

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Close your eyes for a second. Imagine a world without hope. Imagine a life where there is nothing but despair. Imagine a world full of darkness without light. How would you live in such a world? Would you be able to stay sane? Would you be able to continue living each and every day to the fullest when you yourself know you are not doing alright? Take a look at it this way. Suicide is very common in all parts of the globe. So, why do people do what they do? It can be many things: depression, social anxiety, shame, guilt, out of passion, no meaning. Give it a word. You may also see presentation speech examples & samples .

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There are many reasons why people would decide to take away their own life. They think it’s the easy way out, well, that is true. Out of their problems, out their miseries, out of their pain, everything. But that’s the whole point. Life was never promised to be easy. Life was never going to be a smooth drive all the way. Albert Einstein once said that if you have never failed, it just simply means you have not tried anything new. There is always a way to get through your problems. It may not be the easiest way and it may take some time, but you will rise above it. Only if you choose to look at your problems and trials from another angle. You may also like speech examples for students .

If you think your problems are unsolvable to the point where you lose all hope trying to solve it, there are other people whose problems are bigger than yours. There are people who have risen above their poverty and became the successes they are today not only because of their hard work and perseverance but because they have chosen to do something about their poverty, using it as their stepping stone in order to become something more. You may also check out thank-you speech examples & samples

There are people who are born with no hands or feet, who have now become sought out motivational speakers while living life to the fullest by playing golf, surfing, etc. Which begs to ask the question: How do these people become so motivated? How do they have the strength and courage to rise above their own failures and face their demons? The answer is simple: they JUST DO IT (Nike)! Give yourself time to mope, give yourself time to rant, give yourself time to heal, give yourself time to vent out to society on how pissed you are. By all means, you are given that right. But, do not do it longer than necessary. You take too long, you will eventually forget your purpose and goals that you still want to fulfill in life. You may also see introduction speech examples & samples

Here is a sample excerpt from J.K. Rowling’s speech,  ‘The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination’ .  

I was convinced that the only thing I wanted to do, ever, was to write novels. However, my parents, both of whom came from impoverished backgrounds and neither of whom had been to college, took the view that my overactive imagination was an amusing personal quirk that would never pay a mortgage, or secure a pension. I know that the irony strikes with the force of a cartoon anvil, now. You may also like informative speech examples & samples I would like to make it clear, in parenthesis, that I do not blame my parents for their point of view. There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you. What is more, I cannot criticize my parents for hoping that I would never experience poverty. You may also check out motivational speech examples & samples They had been poor themselves, and I have since been poor, and I quite agree with them that it is not an ennobling experience. Poverty entails fear, and stress, and sometimes depression; it means a thousand petty humiliations and hardships. Climbing out of poverty by your own efforts, that is indeed something on which to pride yourself, but poverty itself is romanticized only by fools. You may also see special occasion speech examples & samples

All the great people you see on TV or see in movies and in basketball games have all one thing in common: they have all started from somewhere below the ash heap. How they made it all the way to the top of the food chain must have been quite a journey, indeed, but here they are. Before inventing the light bulb, Thomas Edison has taken at least ten thousand ways that did not form the light bulb. At his ten thousand and first try, he has successfully built the first working unit. What if he gave up on his tenth try or even his five-thousandths try? Would we still have light bulbs at present? Maybe it wouldn’t have been invented at all, maybe it would have but by another person this time and not by Edison. You may also like appreciation speech examples & samples

Before Michael Jordan, (and no, this is not the guy who played Killmonger in the movie Black Panther, that’s Michael B. Jordan) was also known as the greatest basketball player of all time, he was responsible for missing nine thousand shots, lost almost three hundred games, and he was entrusted with the winning shot at least twenty-six times and missed it. “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed”. The end goal of every motivational speech is to not try and comfort you, but give you the drive once more to resolve the situation at hand to become stronger and better where you have left off. You may also see inspirational speeches for more examples of these kinds of speeches. To end this article is a summary of Steve Jobs 2005 speech entitled  “How to Live Before Y ou Die”. 

My second story is about love and loss. I was lucky that I discovered what I loved doing and that Apple became such a huge success. It began in my garage when I was 20 and later became huge. I later got fired as someone I hired to run the company with me and I had different visions of the future. I lost what I loved most and I was devastated. But I realized I still loved doing it, so I started over and was free to be perhaps the most creative I have ever been in my life. You may also check out award speech examples During the next few years I founded a company named NeXT, a company named Pixar and fell in love with the woman who would become my wife. Remarkably, Apple bought next so I returned to Apple with the new technology we had created with NeXT. I also had a wonderful family with my wife. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t been fired from Apple. Even when life hits you hard, what really keeps you going is what you love. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking, don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you’ve found it. You may also see speech outline examples & samples

After reading this article, what you are planning to do? Are you planning to continue moping over how much of a failure you are in this life? Or are you going to stand up, dry those tears and continue to fall again and again until you reach the point where you can look back on your life and say: “I did it!”? The choice is completely up to you. By the way, you are not being forced to be encouraged or motivated after reading this, but you are highly encouraged to be. We all have a choice in this life. We just gotta choose to grab it! You may also like youth speech examples

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Motivational speech | Top 10 speeches students should listen to

Words have power. sometimes, you hear a speech that inspires you and completely changes your life. this is why we have curated a list of the top 10 motivational speeches for students that will change your life. stick with us till the end to find some bonus speeches, table of contents, motivational speech for students | an overview , steve jobs: how to live before you die, elizabeth gilbert: your elusive creative genius, j.k. rowling: the fringe benefits of failure, and the importance of imagination, simon sinek: how great leaders inspire action, brené brown: the power of vulnerability, susan cain: the power of introverts, tim urban: inside the mind of a master procrastinator, sarah lewis: embrace the near win, al pacino: inch by inch, kal penn: depauw university commencement speech , bonus speeches, what are the benefits of listening to a motivational speech for students, qualities of the best motivational speakers, structure of motivational speeches for students, what’s next.

Do you remember the time you felt discouraged and needed some motivation to move forward? Well, a lot of things can help you move past this feeling, including good sleep or some motivational speeches. Motivational speeches can help you resonate with the speaker and believe that you are not alone. You can also gain some insights into solving the challenges life throws at you by listening to these speeches. 

Over the years, leaders and motivational speakers have been sharing great ideas and capturing the human imagination. Every speaker has, in one way or another, influenced us to visualize a better future. But some speakers have entirely changed the way we see the world. These are the ones who have inspired us the most. And we have made sure to include every such speaker’s motivational speech in this blog. Read on!

The man, the myth, the legend. At his Stanford University commencement speech, Steve Jobs, CEO, and co-founder of Apple and Pixar, speaks about trusting your gut. It somehow already knows where you need to be. He also speaks about “connecting the dots.”

When you look back at your life, he says, you will see that everything was connected. It led you to a meaningful and fated destination. This talk by Steve Jobs is a life-changing motivational speech for students. It gives you a sense of love and appreciation for this innovative entrepreneur and visionary, who had a reputation for being tough on his subordinates.

Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of the best-selling book “Eat, Pray, Love,” speaks about her ideas on creativity. She delves into the history of creative genius and gives a background on the various definitions, as well as the evolution of beliefs on creativity throughout the centuries.

In this motivational speech, Elizabeth shares her own experience with creative genius and her struggle with the ability to connect to it again. I love this talk because she makes creativity sound like a mystical and divine gift that must be caught by those who are lucky enough to harness it. She presents some very interesting concepts, and the historical background is also very thought-provoking.

J.K. Rowling is not only a spellbinding writer (pun intended) but also one of the best motivational speakers in the world. Her Commencement Speech at Harvard shared her story with millions of students, urging them to not be afraid of failure and inspiring them to tap into the power of imagination.

Before her work was recognized, Rowling was a poor single mother who used to teach English at night school and write during her free time. It was facing failure head-on that taught her the lessons that she needed to succeed in life. In her motivational speech, she also talks about how imagination is “the power that enables us to empathize with humans” and implores us to use it for the good of others. 

Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership, all starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?”. The author and ethnographer (an anthropologist who studies specific human subcultures) speak about his findings on the most effective method to inspire change. He goes into detail about the parts of the brain that a leader must affect to influence others, as well as the type of behavior that inspires others to take action for a cause.

“Start with the Why” is Simon’s main tag line and is based on the idea that if you can appeal to people’s hearts and make them truly believe what you believe, then they will trust and follow you. This motivational English speech is interesting for students because it gives you a scientific breakdown of the human brain and thinking patterns for decision-making.

Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She is also the author of a #1 New York Times bestselling book and the speaker of this motivational speech on the power of vulnerability.

According to Brené, the popular opinion that being vulnerable makes us emotional and weak is wrong. In this motivational speech, she invites us to drop the armor that “protects” us. According to Brown, “when we open our minds to new experiences, we find joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity, and love.”

It can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert in a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else. But, as Susan Cain argues in this motivational speech, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world and should be encouraged and celebrated. 

Business and entrepreneurship are often thought to be a game played best by the outgoing. However, in this passionate case for introverted value, Cain shares that really the best environment for every person to be in is the one that stimulates their productivity and creativity best. While introverts might brainstorm best in small groups or in isolation, it does not matter how they do their best work. It’s the quality and contribution of the work brought forth that matters most for all personality types, introverts included.

Tim Urban’s TED speech on how procrastination works is super-insightful and motivational. According to Tim, the brains of procrastinators work differently. The Rational Decision-Maker in us wants to do things the right way, but our Instant-Gratification Monkey (who likes to sit back and relax) always gets in the way. Until…the Panic Monster in our minds starts screaming about deadlines.

One of the funniest and most inspirational speeches for students, ‘Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator’ does not give you an excuse for procrastinating. Instead, the ending of this motivational speech will push you to get out of bed and start working RIGHT NOW!

At her first museum job, art historian Sarah Lewis noticed something important about an artist she was studying: Not every artwork was a total masterpiece.

In this motivational speech, she asks us to consider the role of the almost-failure, the near win, in our own lives. In our pursuit of success and mastery, is it actually our near wins that push us forward?

Next on our list is Al Pacino’s speech in the American Football drama. This famous motivational speech gets your blood flowing; it’s perfect for watching before you know you have to tackle a difficult day. The motivational speech revolves around inches being crucial in American Football, even if we tend to overlook them. 

He discusses how his squad can get an advantage over opponents, even if it’s only by an inch. “When we add all those inches up, that’s what makes the difference between winning and losing,” he declares. This holds true in many situations; individuals who go above and beyond are more likely to succeed. And while you may not realize it at first, it is the sum of all the minor efforts that leads to triumph. Motivational speeches like this one give will you a boost right when you need it.

Kal Penn addressed DePauw University’s class of 2014, where he motivated the graduates to always strive for excellence and success.

His simple speech hit the right chords as he talked about keeping in touch with people and not worrying unnecessarily. He talked about innovation being the future and how the lives of the students are full of potential. 

As promised, here are the 5 bonus motivational speeches students should listen to-

• How to make stress your friend, Kelly McGonigal
• Your body language may shape who you are, by Amy Cuddy
• What I learned from 100 days of rejection, Jia Jiang
• The danger of a single story, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• 10 ways to have a better conversation, Celeste Headlee

Besides these, check out some fictional motivational speeches- 

• The Pursuit of Happyness –  Protect your dream by Will Smith
• Rocky – Take the hits by Sylvester Stallone 
• Miracle – You were born for this by Kurt Russel 
• Independence Day – President Whitmore’s Speech
• Peaceful Warrior– Take Out the Trash by Socrates

Although we have mentioned various motivational speeches for you to listen to, do these help? It turns out that there are various benefits of listening to these speeches, such as-

• Motivational speeches for students help in changing their perspective toward things. This can help you sail through the challenges life throws at you with a positive attitude . 
• If you are listening to a motivational speaker from your industry, it might help you gain new skills by listening to their innovative ideas. 
• You can enhance your knowledge about different career fields by following motivational speakers of diverse fields, and being well-informed always gives you an edge. 
• You might find something to relate to while listening to these best speeches for students. Listening to their struggles and how they moved past them can help you face your challenges head-on. 

Besides listening to motivational speeches, you can also research some written motivational speeches for students to get inspired. 

If you are confused about which motivational speeches for students you should listen to, check out these qualities in the motivational speaker to follow.

• Passion- Motivational speakers are often passionate about doing good for the world or giving back to society. They are aware that words have power, and their passion can be seen in how they present their motivational speech.
• Confidence- If motivational speakers do not have confidence, the audience won’t be interested in listening to them. When they deliver motivational speeches for students, their conviction and the delivery of speech can also inspire others to engage in discussions. 
• Empathy- One of the essential qualities of successful motivational speakers is empathy. These speakers talk about what they have gone through and understand where the audience is coming from and what they need to listen to. They can put themselves in the shoes of the audience and tailor their motivational speech to inspire them.
• Knowledge- Motivational speakers have years of experience in their industry and possess excellent knowledge. They are aware of their struggles, strengths, and weaknesses and talk about these things in their motivational speeches for students.

We have talked endlessly about the best motivational speeches for students and the amazing qualities of the speakers. It’s time to share a bit about how to structure your speeches, in case you want to give one. 

• The first and the most important aspect is knowing the purpose of giving a motivational speech. Choose a theme that aligns with your ideas and structure your speech around that theme. 
• Understand the kind of audience you will be interacting with. It will help you write for the right audience and build a connection with them. Besides, following this tip can make the speech engaging and interactive. 
• Be creative and begin with a hook statement that will help you get the attention of your audience. Also, include personal experiences in your motivational speeches for students as they might find them relatable, making the speech engaging.
• Conclude your speech by resharing your purpose and the speech’s main point. Besides, it is a good idea to add a call to action by either asking the audience a question, telling them to take action, etc. 
• Do not forget to review your speech by reciting it aloud before presenting it to the audience. It will help you make the necessary edits and tailor it as needed. 

We hope you enjoyed these speeches on student life and found as much value in them as we have! It is important to take these powerful words to your heart and pursue your dreams. iSchoolConnect helps you do just that. We encourage students to follow their dreams of studying abroad and help them every step of the way to achieve them. So, if you have any questions about studying abroad, feel free to reach out to us ! 

Read more: Top 100 graduate schools with low GPA requirements

Q1. How to begin a motivational speech to capture people’s attention?

Answer- Here are some tips that can help you make your motivational speech engaging-

• Begin with creating a hook. You can do this by starting your speech with a question to make it conversational. 
• Include storytelling in your speech. You can include your personal story or a story of a historical event, personality, etc. 
• Include the unexpected; people love the surprise element and something different from regular speeches. 

Q2. What are some self-motivation techniques? 

Answer- Try these techniques to motivate yourself in difficult situations-

• Always be a student, i.e., keep learning from different people and situations as everyone and everything will teach you something. Besides, the more you learn, the more you know, enhancing your confidence. 
• Break your goals into smaller chunks. It will be easier this way to fulfill every part of that goal. This, in turn, will always keep you motivated to move forward. 
• Keep a check on your patterns. Know what makes you feel demotivated and try to improve those situations or change your perspective. 

Q3. What is positive motivation?

Answer- Positive motivation refers to a situation in which a person works towards a goal to get a reward or appreciation in return.

Q4. What is the best topic for motivational speeches for students?

Answer- Some of the best motivational speech topics include-

• Why prioritizing your daily goals is important?
• Becoming a role model.
• Why is patience the best virtue? 
• Focus on self-improvement
• Education- a catalyst for personal growth

Q5. How does inspiration impact people?

Answer- Inspiration can help people change their perspective toward things. It can also motivate them to be creative and progress towards their goals. They can definitely move past their limitations with some dose of inspiration. 

Q6. Who is the best motivational speaker in the world?

Answer- Don’t miss out on listening to the motivational speeches of these amazing motivational speakers-

• Dave Ramsey
• Tony Robbins

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Hi Brodie! Thank you so much for your comment! If you have any other study abroad questions you’d like to ask, you can always post them here at our Study Abroad Discussion page .

I love motivation speeches it means a lot and i am just a 12 year old kid I also have to make a motivational speech but i don’t know what to talk about?

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Motivational Speaker Techniques To Encourage Students’ English Speaking Skills

As teachers, we’re always looking for ways to improve our students’ English speaking skills and build their confidence in speaking English. An effective way to do this is to integrate motivational speaking techniques into our teaching methods and teach our students some engaging speaking strategies to use. 

It is important to point out to students that speakers in public talks such as TED talks or other significant speeches sound confident because of the key components that make up a successful talk. By adopting some of these, students can begin their journey to confidence and enjoyment in speaking English.

Great motivational speaker techniques 

Knowledge and clarity.

Great motivational speakers possess a deep knowledge of their subject, which helps their audience trust in the speaker. 

• For students, this emphasises the importance of understanding the content they are speaking about. 
• Encourage students to research and fully understand the topics they discuss. This will ensure they can present information clearly and confidently. 
• This can be practised through classroom presentations or group discussions where the focus is on explaining concepts in simplified terms.

Confidence and purpose

Confidence often comes from speakers feeling well-prepared and passionate about their subject. 

• Teach students to define the purpose of their speeches and talks – whether to inform, persuade or entertain. This clarity helps them deliver their message with conviction and engage their audience more effectively. 
• Role-playing different scenarios in class can help students build confidence and define their speaking goals.

Storytelling

Whether it’s a personal anecdote or something else, stories can captivate an audience and make the speech memorable. 

• Remind students that by telling a story, the audience is instantly more engaged and likely to follow along throughout the talk. 
• Help students develop their storytelling skills by integrating stories into language lessons. They could start with narrating simple personal experiences and gradually move to more complex narratives as their skills improve.

Audience awareness

Understanding the audience is crucial for effective communication. 

• Have students think of a talk or presentation they’ve recently seen. Then, have them think about who the audience for the talk was. 
• Tell students that speakers tailor their content and delivery to match the audience’s knowledge level and background. This involves using appropriate language, examples and explanations that the audience understands and can relate to. 
• In class, students can practise audience awareness by presenting the same information in different ways to different groups and tailoring the language they are using and the way they are presenting the information. 

A strong conclusion

A strong finish is essential in great motivational speaking. It reinforces the message and often includes a call to action that leaves the audience inspired. 

• Teach students to summarise their key points effectively and end with a compelling conclusion that prompts further thought or action. 
• This could be practised through debates or persuasive speeches in class, where students are encouraged to conclude with strong statements and a call to action.

Practical exercises to enhance English speaking skills

• Focus on activities that enhance clarity in communication. For example, paraphrasing or connecting complex ideas with simpler concepts.
• Have students do exercises that improve non-verbal communication, such as maintaining eye contact, using gestures and controlling hesitations.
• Help students reflect on the purpose of their talk or presentation, and choose language that aligns with their goals, for example, to convince, inform, teach or entertain.
• Have students discuss how best to explain complex ideas. Remind them that any information should be appropriate and understandable to the audience without requiring much prior knowledge.
• Explore the use of extreme adjectives and the connotations of words with your students, emphasising how language choice can inspire and motivate an audience.

Incorporating motivational speaking techniques into your lessons can have a significant impact on students’ engagement and confidence in communicating their ideas. By having these skills, students will not only improve their English proficiency but also gain valuable life skills in speaking and presenting to audiences. 

You can read more about teaching your students presentation skills here. Or read our paper for in-depth advice on teaching English pronunciation.

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Full Text: Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs Graduation Speech

The Super Bowl champ and kicker spoke about the dignity of life, masculinity, and the most important role of all: motherhood.

Editor’s Note: Harrison Butker, 28, the placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League, delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. A transcript of his remarks is below.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2024:  I would like to start off by congratulating all of you for successfully making it to this achievement today. I'm sure your high school graduation was not what you had imagined, and most likely, neither was your first couple years of college.

By making it to this moment through all the adversity thrown your way from COVID, I hope you learned the important lessons that suffering in this life is only temporary. As a group, you witnessed firsthand how bad leaders who don't stay in their lane can have a negative impact on society. It is through this lens that I want to take stock of how we got to where we are, and where we want to go as citizens and, yes, as Catholics. One last thing before I begin, I want to be sure to thank President Minnis and the board for their invitation to speak.

When President Minnis first reached out a couple of months ago, I had originally said No. You see, last year I gave the commencement address at my alma mater, Georgia Tech, and I felt that one graduation speech was more than enough, especially for someone who isn't a professional speaker. But of course, President Minnis used his gift of persuasion. [ Laughter ] It spoke to the many challenges you all faced throughout the COVID fiasco ,and how you missed out on so many milestones the rest of us older people have taken for granted. While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique. Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.

Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro- abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.

He is not alone. From the man behind the COVID lockdowns to the people pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America, they all have a glaring thing in common. They are Catholic. This is an important reminder that being Catholic alone doesn't cut it.

These are the sorts of things we are told in polite society to not bring up. You know, the difficult and unpleasant things. But if we are going to be men and women for this time in history, we need to stop pretending that the "Church of Nice" is a winning proposition. We must always speak and act in charity, but never mistake charity for cowardice.

It is safe to say that over the past few years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind. I never envisioned myself, nor wanted, to have this sort of a platform, but God has given it to me, so I have no other choice but to embrace it and preach more hard truths about accepting your lane and staying in it.

As members of the Church founded by Jesus Christ, it is our duty and ultimately privilege to be authentically and unapologetically Catholic. Don't be mistaken, even within the Church, people in polite Catholic circles will try to persuade you to remain silent. There even was an award-winning film called Silence , made by a fellow Catholic, wherein one of the main characters, a Jesuit priest, abandoned the Church, and as an apostate when he died is seen grasping a crucifix, quiet and unknown to anyone but God. As a friend of Benedictine College, His Excellency Bishop Robert Barron, said in his review of the film, it was exactly what the cultural elite want to see in Christianity -- private, hidden away, and harmless.

Our Catholic faith has always been countercultural. Our Lord, along with countless followers, were all put to death for their adherence to her teachings. The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We fear speaking truth, because now, unfortunately, truth is in the minority. Congress just passed a bill where stating something as basic as the biblical teaching of who killed Jesus could land you in jail.

But make no mistake, before we even attempt to fix any of the issues plaguing society, we must first get our own house in order, and it starts with our leaders. The bishops and priests appointed by God as our spiritual fathers must be rightly ordered. There is not enough time today for me to list all the stories of priests and bishops misleading their flocks, but none of us can blame ignorance anymore and just blindly proclaim that “That's what Father said.” Because sadly, many priests we are looking to for leadership are the same ones who prioritize their hobbies or even photos with their dogs and matching outfits for the parish directory.

It's easy for us laymen and women to think that in order for us to be holy, that we must be active in our parish and try to fix it. Yes, we absolutely should be involved in supporting our parishes, but we cannot be the source for our parish priests to lean on to help with their problems. Just as we look at the relationship between a father and his son, so too should we look at the relationship between a priest and his people. It would not be appropriate for me to always be looking to my son for help when it is my job as his father to lead him.

St. Josemaría Escrivá states that priests are ordained to serve, and should not yield to temptation to imitate laypeople, but to be priests through and through. Tragically, so many priests revolve much of their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners, and in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar. This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time, because as my teammate's girlfriend says, familiarity breeds contempt. [ Laughter ]

Saint Josemaría continues that some want to see the priest as just another man. That is not so. They want to find in the priest those virtues proper to every Christian, and indeed every honorable man:  understanding, justice, a life of work — priestly work, in this instance — and good manners. It is not prudent as the laity for us to consume ourselves in becoming amateur theologians so that we can decipher this or that theological teaching — unless, of course, you are a theology major. We must be intentional with our focus on our state in life and our own vocation. And for most of us, that's as married men and women. Still, we have so many great resources at our fingertips that it doesn't take long to find traditional and timeless teachings that haven't been ambiguously reworded for our times. Plus, there are still many good and holy priests, and it's up to us to seek them out.

The chaos of the world is unfortunately reflected in the chaos in our parishes, and sadly, in our cathedrals too. As we saw during the pandemic, too many bishops were not leaders at all. They were motivated by fear, fear of being sued, fear of being removed, fear of being disliked. They showed by their actions, intentional or unintentional, that the sacraments don't actually matter. Because of this, countless people died alone, without access to the sacraments, and it's a tragedy we must never forget. As Catholics, we can look to so many examples of heroic shepherds who gave their lives for their people, and ultimately, the Church. We cannot buy into the lie that the things we experienced during COVID were appropriate. Over the centuries, there have been great wars, great famines, and yes, even great diseases, all that came with a level of lethality and danger. But in each of those examples, Church leaders leaned into their vocations and ensured that their people received the sacraments.

Great saints like St. Damien of Molokai, who knew the dangers of his ministry, stayed for 11 years as a spiritual leader to the leper colonies of Hawaii. His heroism is looked at today as something set apart and unique, when ideally it should not be unique at all. For as a father loves his child, so a shepherd should love his spiritual children, too.

That goes even more so for our bishops, these men who are present-day apostles. Our bishops once had adoring crowds of people kissing their rings and taking in their every word, but now relegate themselves to a position of inconsequential existence. Now, when a bishop of a diocese or the bishop's conference as a whole puts out an important document on this matter or that, nobody even takes a moment to read it, let alone follow it.

No. Today, our shepherds are far more concerned with keeping the doors open to the chancery than they are with saying the difficult stuff out loud. It seems that the only time you hear from your bishops is when it's time for the annual appeal, whereas we need our bishops to be vocal about the teachings of the Church, setting aside their own personal comfort and embracing their cross. Our bishops are not politicians but shepherds, so instead of fitting in the world by going along to get along, they too need to stay in their lane and lead.

I say all of this not from a place of anger, as we get the leaders we deserve. But this does make me reflect on staying in my lane and focusing on my own vocation and how I can be a better father and husband and live in the world but not be of it. Focusing on my vocation while praying and fasting for these men will do more for the Church than me complaining about her leaders.

Because there seems to be so much confusion coming from our leaders, there needs to be concrete examples for people to look to in places like Benedictine, a little Kansas college built high on a bluff above the Missouri River, are showing the world how an ordered, Christ-centered existence is the recipe for success. You need to look no further than the examples all around this campus, where over the past 20 years, enrollment has doubled, construction and revitalization are a constant part of life, and people, the students, the faculty and staff, are thriving. This didn't happen by chance. In a deliberate movement to embrace traditional Catholic values, Benedictine has gone from just another liberal arts school with nothing to set it apart to a thriving beacon of light and a reminder to us all that when you embrace tradition, success — worldly and spiritual — will follow.

I am certain the reporters at the AP could not have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine wouldn't be met with anger, but instead met with excitement and pride. Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify him. Reading that article now shared all over the world, we see that in the complete surrender of self and a turning towards Christ, you will find happiness. Right here in a little town in Kansas, we find many inspiring laypeople using their talents.

President Minnis, Dr. [Andrew] Swafford, and Dr. [Jared] Zimmerer are a few great examples right here on this very campus that will keep the light of Christ burning bright for generations to come. Being locked in with your vocation and staying in your lane is going to be the surest way for you to find true happiness and peace in this life.

It is essential that we focus on our own state in life, whether that be as a layperson, a priest, or religious. Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2024, you are sitting at the edge of the rest of your lives. Each of you has the potential to leave a legacy that transcends yourselves and this era of human existence. In the small ways, by living out your vocation, you will ensure that God's Church continues and the world is enlightened by your example.

For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.

I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I'm on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I'm beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.

[ Applause lasting 18 seconds ]

She is a primary educator to our children. She is the one who ensures I never let football or my business become a distraction from that of a husband and father. She is the person that knows me best at my core, and it is through our marriage that, Lord willing, we will both attain salvation.

I say all of this to you because I have seen it firsthand how much happier someone can be when they disregard the outside noise and move closer and closer to God's will in their life. Isabelle's dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you asked her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud, without hesitation, and say, “Heck, No.”

As a man who gets a lot of praise and has been given a platform to speak to audiences like this one today, I pray that I always use my voice for God and not for myself. Everything I am saying to you is not from a place of wisdom, but rather a place of experience. I am hopeful that these words will be seen as those from a man, not much older than you, who feels it is imperative that this class, this generation, and this time in our society must stop pretending that the things we see around us are normal.

Heterodox ideas abound even within Catholic circles. But let's be honest, there is nothing good about playing God with having children — whether that be your ideal number or the perfect time to conceive. No matter how you spin it, there is nothing natural about Catholic birth control.

It is only in the past few years that I have grown encouraged to speak more boldly and directly because, as I mentioned earlier, I have leaned into my vocation as a husband and father, and as a man.

To the gentlemen here today: Part of what plagues our society is this lie that has been told to you that men are not necessary in the home or in our communities. As men, we set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, disorder, dysfunction, and chaos set in. This absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation. Other countries do not have nearly the same absentee father rates as we find here in the U.S., and a correlation could be made in their drastically lower violence rates, as well.

Be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the cultural emasculation of men. Do hard things. Never settle for what is easy. You might have a talent that you don't necessarily enjoy, but if it glorifies God, maybe you should lean into that over something that you might think suits you better. I speak from experience as an introvert who now finds myself as an amateur public speaker and an entrepreneur, something I never thought I'd be when I received my industrial engineering degree.

The road ahead is bright. Things are changing. Society is shifting. And people, young and old, are embracing tradition. Not only has it been my vocation that has helped me and those closest to me, but not surprising to many of you, should be my outspoken embrace of the traditional Latin Mass. I've been very vocal in my love and devotion to the TLM and its necessity for our lives. But what I think gets misunderstood is that people who attend the TLM do so out of pride or preference. I can speak to my own experience, but for most people I have come across within these communities this simply is not true. I do not attend the TLM because I think I am better than others, or for the smells and bells, or even for the love of Latin. I attend the TLM because I believe, just as the God of the Old Testament was pretty particular in how he wanted to be worshipped, the same holds true for us today. It is through the TLM that I encountered order, and began to pursue it in my own life. Aside from the TLM itself, too many of our sacred traditions have been relegated to things of the past, when in my parish, things such as ember days, days when we fast and pray for vocations and for our priests, are still adhered to. The TLM is so essential that I would challenge each of you to pick a place to move where it is readily available.

A lot of people have complaints about the parish or the community, but we should not sacrifice the Mass for community. I prioritize the TLM even if the parish isn't beautiful, the priest isn't great, or the community isn't amazing. I still go to the TLM because I believe the holy sacrifice of the Mass is more important than anything else. I say this knowing full well that when each of you rekindle your knowledge and adherence to many of the church's greatest traditions, you will see how much more colorful and alive your life can and should be.

As you move on from this place and enter into the world, know that you will face many challenges. Sadly, I'm sure many of you know of the countless stories of good and active members of this community who, after graduation and moving away from the Benedictine bubble, have ended up moving in with their boyfriend or girlfriend prior to marriage. Some even leave the Church and abandon God. It is always heartbreaking to hear these stories, and there is a desire to know what happened and what went wrong.

What you must remember is that life is about doing the small things well, setting yourself up for success, and surrounding yourself with people who continually push you to be the best version of you. I say this all the time, that iron sharpens iron. It's a great reminder that those closest to us should be making us better. If you are dating someone who doesn't even share your faith, how do you expect that person to help you become a saint? If your friend group is filled with people who only think about what you're doing next weekend and are not willing to have those difficult conversations, how can they help sharpen you?

As you prepare to enter into the workforce, it is extremely important that you actually think about the places you are moving to. Who is the bishop? What kind of parishes are there? Do they offer the TLM and have priests who embrace their priestly vocation? Cost of living must not be the only arbiter of your choices, for a life without God is not a life at all, and the cost of salvation is worth more than any career.

I'm excited for the future, and I pray that something I have said will resonate as you move on to the next chapter of your life.

Never be afraid to profess the one holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church, for this is the Church that Jesus Christ established, through which we receive sanctifying grace.

I know that my message today had a little less fluff than is expected for these speeches, but I believe that this audience and this venue is the best place to speak openly and honestly about who we are and where we all want to go, which is Heaven.

I thank God for Benedictine College and for the example it provides the world. I thank God for men like President Minnis, who are doing their part for the Kingdom. Come to find out you can have an authentically Catholic college and a thriving football program. [ Laughter and applause ]

Make no mistake: You are entering into mission territory in a post-God world, but you were made for this. And with God by your side and a constant striving for virtue within your vocation, you too can be a saint.

Christ is King.

To the Heights.

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President   Biden at the Morehouse College Class of 2024 Commencement Address | Atlanta,   GA

Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia

10:29 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you, thank you, thank you, President Thomas, faculty, staff, alumni.  And a special thanks — I’ll ask all the folks who helped you get here — your mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers — all those who got you here, all the way in the back, please, parents, grandparents, all who helped, stand up, because we owe you a debt of gratitude.  (Applause.)  To all the family.  And that is not hyperbole.  A lot of you, like my family, had to make significant sacrifices to get your kids to school.  It mattered.  This mattered a lot. And the friends of Morehouse and the Morehouse men of the Class of 2024.  I got more Morehouse men in the White House telling me what to do than I know what to do.  (Laughter.)  You all think I’m kidding, don’t you?  (Laughs.)  You know I’m not.  And it’s the best thing that’s happened to me.

Scripture says, “The prayers of a righteous man availeth much.”  In Augusta, Georgia, a righteous man once enslaved set foot for freedom.  The story goes he feared no evil; he walked through the valley of the shadow of death on his way north to free soil in Philadelphia.  A Baptist minister, he walked with faith in his soul, powering the steps of his feet to glory.  But after the Union won the war, he knew his prayers availed him freedom that was not his alone.  And so, this righteous man, Richard Coulter, returned home, his feet wary, his spirit in no ways tired.  A hundred and fifty-seven years ago — you all know the story, but the rest of the world doesn’t, and it should — in the basement of a Baptist church in Augusta, he and two other ministers, William Jefferson White and Edmund Turney, planted the seeds of something revolutionary — and it was at the time — a school — a school to help formerly enslaved men enter the ministry, where education would be the great equalizer from slavery to freedom — an institution of higher learning that would become Morehouse College.

I don’t know any other college in America that has that tradition and that consequence. To the Class of 2024, you join, as you know, a sacred tradition.  An education makes you free.  And Morehouse education makes you fearless.  (Applause.)  I mean it.  Visionary.  Exceptional.  Congratulations.  You are Morehouse men.  God love you.  (Applause.) 

And, again, I thank your families and your friends who helped you get here, because they made sacrifices for you as well. This graduation day is a day for generations, a day of joy, a day earned, not given.

We gather on this Sunday morning because — if we were in church, perhaps there would be this reflection.  There would be a reflection about resurrection and redemption.  Remember, Jesus was buried on Friday, and it was Sunday — on Sunday he rose again.  But — but we don’t talk enough about Saturday, when the discip- — his disciples felt all hope was lost.  In our lives and the lives of the nation, we have those Saturdays — to bear witness the day before glory, seeing people’s pain and not looking away.  But what work is done on Saturday to move pain to purpose?  How can faith get a man, get a nation through what was to come? 

Here’s what my faith has taught me. 

I was the first Biden to ever graduate from college, taking out loans with my dad and my — all through school to get me there.  My junior year spring break, I fell in love at first sight, literally, with a woman I adored.  I graduated from law school in her hometown, and I got married and took a job at a law firm in my hometown, Wilmington, Delaware.  But then everything changed. 

One of my heroes — and he was my hero — a Baptist minister, a Morehouse man, Dr. Martin Luther King — in April of my law school graduation year, he was murdered. 

My city of Wilmington — and we were a — to our great shame, a slave state, and we were segregated.  Delaware erupted into flames when he was assassinated, literally. 

We’re the only city in America where the National Guard patrolled every street corner for nine full months with drawn bayonets, the longest stretch in any American city since the Civil War.  Dr. le- — Dr. King’s legacy had a profound impact on me and my generation, whether you’re Black or white.  I left the fancy law firm I had just joined and decided to become a public defender and then a county councilman, working to change our state’s politics to embrace the cause of civil rights.  The Democratic Party in Delaware was a Southern Democratic Party at the time.  We wanted to change it to become a Northeastern Democratic Party. 

Then, we were trying to get someone to run for the United States Senate the year Nixon ran.  I was 29 years of age.  I had no notion of running — I love reading about everybody knew I was going to run; I didn’t know I was going to run — (laughter) — when a group of senior members of the Democratic Party came to me.  They couldn’t find anybody to run and said, “You should run.”  Nixon won my state by 60 percent of the vote.  We won by 3,100 votes.  We won by the thinnest of margins but with a broad coalition, including students from the best HBCU in America, Delaware State University.  You guys are good, but — (laughter) — they got me elected.  And you all — you all think I’m kidding.  (Laughter.)  I’m not kidding. But by Christmas, I was a newly elected senator hiring staff in Washington, D.C., when I got a call from the first responders, my fire department in my hometown, that forever altered my life.  They put a young woman first responder on the line to say, “There was an automobile accident.  A tractor-trailer hit your wife’s car while she was Christmas shopping with your three children.”  And she — poor woman, she just blurted out.  She said, “Your wife and daughter are killed” — my 13-month-old daughter — “they’re dead, and your almost three-year-old and four-year-old sons are badly injured.  We’re not sure they’re going to make it, either.”  I rushed from Washington to their bedside.  I wanted to pray, but I was so angry.  I was angry at God.  I was angry at the world.

I had the same pain 43 years later when that four-year-old boy who survived was a grown man and a father himself, laying in another hospital bed at Walter Reed hospital having contracted stage four glioblastoma because he was a year in Iraq as a major — he won the Bronze Star — living next to a burn pit.  Cancer took his last breath. On this walk of life, you can understand — you come to understand that we don’t know where or what fate will bring you or when.  But we also know we don’t walk alone.  When you’ve been a beneficiary of the compassion of your family, your friends, even strangers, you know how much the compassion matters.  I’ve learned there is no easy optimism, but by faith — by faith, we can find redemption. 

I was a single father for five years — 

No man deserves one great love, let alone two.  My youngest brother, who was a hell of an athlete, did a great thing.  He introduced me to a classmate of his and said, “You’ll love her; she doesn’t like politics.”  (Laughter.)  But all kidding aside, until I met Jill, who healed — who healed the family in all the broken places.  Our family became my redemption.  Many of you have gone through similar or worse — and even worse things.  But you lean on others, they lean on you, and together, you keep the faith in a better day tomorrow.  But it’s not easy.

I know four years ago, as some of your speakers have already mentioned, it felt like one of those Saturdays.  

The pandemic robbed you of so much.  Some of you lost loved ones — mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, who were — aren’t able to be here to celebrate with you today — today.  You missed your high school graduation.  You started college just as George Floyd was murdered and there was a reckoning on race. 

It’s natural to wonder if democracy you hear about actually works for you. 

What is democracy if Black men are being killed in the street? 

What is democracy if a trail of broken promises still leave Black — Black communities behind? 

What is democracy if you have to be 10 times better than anyone else to get a fair shot? 

And most of all, what does it mean, as we’ve heard before, to be a Black man who loves his country even if it doesn’t love him back in equal measure?  (Applause.)

When I sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, in front of the fireplace across from my — my desk, I have two busts: one of Dr. King and one of Bobby Kennedy.  I often find myself looking at those busts and making decisions.  I ask myself: Are we living up to what we say we are as a nation, to end racism and poverty, to deliver jobs and justice, to restore our leadership in the world?  Then I look down and see the rosary on my wrist that was out of — my late son, he had on him when he w- — died at Walter Reed and I was with him.  And I ask myself: What would he say?  I know the answer because he told me in his last days. 

My son knew the days were numbered.  The last conversation was, “Dad, I’m not afraid, but I’m worried.  I’m worried you’re going to give up when I go.  You’re going to give up.” We have an expression in the Biden family.  When you want someone to know — give you their word, you say, “Look at me.”  He was lying to me — he said, “Look at me, Dad.  Look at me.” 

He said, “Give me your word.  Give me your word as my father that you will not quit, that you will stay engaged.  Promise me, Dad.  Stay engaged.  Promise me.  Promise me.” I wrote a book called “Promise Me, Dad,” not for the public at large, although a lot of people would end up buying it.  It’s for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to know who Beau Biden was. 

The rosary on the — my wrist, the bust in my office remind me that faith asks you to hold on to hope, to move heaven and earth to make better days.  Well, that’s my commitment to you: to show you democracy, democracy, democracy is still the way.

If Black men are being killed on the streets, we bear witness.  For me, that means to call out the poison of white supremacy, to root out systemic racism. 

I stood up for George — with George Floyd’s family to help create a country where you don’t need to have that talk with your son or grandson as they get pulled over.

Instead of a trail of broken promises, we’re investing more money than ever in Black families and Black communities.  We’re reconnecting Black neighborhoods cut off by old highways and decades of disinvestment where no one cared about the community. 

We’ve delivered checks in pockets to reduce child — Black child poverty to the lowest rate in history.  We’re removing every lead pipe in America so every child can drink clean water without fear of brain damage, and then can’t afford to remove the lead pipes themselves. 

We’re delivering affordable high-speed Internet so no child has to sit in their parents’ car or do their homework in a parking lot outside of McDonald’s.

Instead of forcing you to prove you’re 10 times better, we’re breaking down doors so you have 100 times more opportunities: good-paying jobs you can raise a family on in your neighborhood — (applause); capital to start small business and loans to buy homes; health insurance, prescriptions drugs, housing that’s more affordable and accessible.

I’ve walked the picket line and defended the rights of workers.  I’m relieving the burden of student debt — many of you have already had the benefit of it — (applause) — so I [you] can chase your dreams and grow the economy.  When the Supreme Court told me I couldn’t, I found two other ways to do it.  (Applause.)  And we were able to do it, because it grows the economy.  And I — in addition to the original $7 billion investment in HBCUs, I’m investing 16 billion  more dollars — (applause) — more in our history, because you’re vital to our nation.  Most HBCUs don’t have the endowments.  The jobs of the future require sophisticated laboratories, sophisticated oppor- — opportunity on campus.  We’re opening doors so you can walk into a life of generational wealth, to be providers and leaders for your families and communities.  Today, record numbers of Black Americans have jobs, health insurance, and more [wealth] than ever.

Democracy is also about hearing and heeding your generation’s call to a community free of gun violence and a planet free of climate crisis and showing your power to change the world.

But I also know some of you ask: What is democracy if we can’t stop wars that break out and break our hearts?

In a democracy, we debate and dissent about America’s role in the world. 

I want to say this very clearly.  I support peaceful, nonviolent protest.  Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them.  I determined to make my c- — my administration look like America.  I have more African Americans in high places, including on the Court, than any president in American history — (applause) — because I need the input. What’s happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking.  Hamas’s vicious attack on Israel, killing innocent lives and holding people hostage.  I was there nine days after, s- — pictures of tying a mother and a daughter with a rope, pouring kerosene on them, burning them and watching as they died.  Innocent Palestinians caught in the middle of all this: men, women, and children killed or displaced in despite — in desperate need of water, food, and medicine.  It’s a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  That’s why I’ve called for an immediate ceasefire — an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting — (applause) — bring the hostages home.  And I’ve been working on a deal as we speak, working around the clock to lead an international effort to get more aid into Gaza, rebuild Gaza.   I’m also working around the clock for more than just one ceasefire.  I’m working to bring the region together.  I’m working to build a lasting, durable peace.  Because the question is, as you see what’s going on in Israel today: What after?  What after Hamas?  What happens then?  What happens in Gaza?  What rights do the Palestinian people have?  I’m working to make sure we finally get a two-state solution — the only solution — (applause) — for two people to live in peace, security, and dignity.  This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world.  And there’s nothing easy about it.  I know it angered and frustrates many of you, including my family.  But most of all, I know it breaks your heart.  It breaks mine as well.  Leadership is about fighting through the most intractable problems.  It’s about challenging anger, frustration, and heartbreak to find a solution.  It’s about doing what you believe is right, even when it’s hard and lonely. You’re all future leaders, every one of you graduating today.  And that’s not hyperbole.  You’re future leaders, all of you.  You’ll face complicated, tough moments.  In these moments, you’ll listen to others, but you’ll have to decide, guided by knowledge, conviction, principle, and your own moral compass.

And the desire to know what freedom is, what it can be is the heart and soul of why this college was founded in the first place, proving that a free nation is born in the hearts of men spellbound by freedom.  But the — that’s the magic of Morehouse.  That’s the magic of America.

But let’s be clear what happens to you and your family when old ghosts in new garments seize power, extremists come for the freedoms you thought belonged to you and everyone. 

Today in Georgia, they won’t allow water to be available to you while you wait in line to vote in an election.  What in the hell is that all about?  (Applause.)  I’m serious.  Think about it.  And then the constant attacks on Black election workers who count your vote.

Insurrectionists who storm the Capitol with Confederate flags are called “patriots” by some.  Not in my house.  (Applause.)  Black police officers, Black veterans protecting the Capitol were called another word, as you’ll recall. 

They also say out loud, these other groups, immigrants “poison the blood” of our country, like the Grand Wizard and fascists said in the past.  But you know and I know we all bleed the same color.  In America, we’re all created equal.  (Applause.)

Extremists close the doors of opportunity; strike down affirmative action; attack the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion. 

I never thought when I was graduating in 1968 — as your honoree just was — we talked about — I never thought I’d be in — present in a time when there’s a national effort to ban books — not to write history but to erase history.  They don’t see you in the future of America.  But they’re wrong.  To me, we make history, not erase it.  We know Black history is American history.  (Applause.)  Many of you graduates don’t know me, but check my record, you’ll know what I’m saying I mean from my gut. 

And we know Black men are going to help us, lead us to the future — Black men from this class, in this university.  (Applause.)  

But, graduates, this is what we’re up against: extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse.  And they peddle a fiction, a caricature what being a man is about — tough talk, abusing power, bigotry.  Their idea of being a man is toxic.  I ran into them all the time when I was younger.  They got — all right, I don’t want to get started.  (Laughter.)  But that’s not you.  It’s not us.  You all know and demonstrate what it really means to be a man.  Being a man is about the strength of respect and dignity.  It’s about showing up because it’s too late if you have to ask.  It’s about giving hate no safe harbor and leaving no one behind and defending freedoms.  It’s about standing up to the abuse of power, whether physical, economic, or psychological.  It’s about knowing faith without works is dead.  (Applause.)

Look — and you’re doing the work.  Today, I look out at all you graduates and I see the next generation of Morehouse men who are doctors and researchers curing cancer; artists shaping our culture; fearless journalists and intellectuals challenging convention.  I see preachers and advocates who might even join another Morehouse man in the United States Senate.  You can clap for him.  He’s a good man.  (Applause.) 

As I said, I’m proud to have the most diverse administration in history to tap into the full talents of our nation.  I’m also proud of putting the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court.  (Applause.)  And I have no doubt, one day a Morehouse man will be on that Court as well.  (Applause.)  You know it.

I’ve been vice president to the first Black president and become my close friend and president to the first woman vice president.  (Applause.)  Wh- — I have no idea — no doubt that a Morehouse man will be president one day, just after an AKA from Howard.  (Laughter and applause.)  She’s tough, guys.  (Laughter.)

Look, let me close with this.  I know I don’t look like I’ve been around very long.  (Laughter.)  (The President makes the sign of the cross.)  But in my career, for the first 30 years, I was told, “You’re too young, kid.”  They used to stop me from getting on the Senate elevator when I first got there, for real.  Now, I’m too old.  Whether you’re young or old, I know what endures: The strength and wisdom of faith endures.  And I hope — my hope for you is — my challenge to you is that you still keep the faith so long as you can.  That cap on your head proves you’ve earned your crown.  The question is now, 25 years from now, 50 years from now, when you’re asked to stand and address the next generation of Morehouse men, what will you say you did with that power you’ve earned?  What will you say you’ve done for your family, for your community, your country when it mattered most?  I know what we can do.  Together, we’re capable of building a democracy worthy of our dreams; a future where every — even more of your brothers and sisters can follow their dreams; a boundless future where your legacies lift us up t- — so those who follow; a bigger, brighter future that proves the American Dream is big enough for everyone to succeed.

Class of 2024, four years ago, it felt probably like Saturday.  Four years later, you made it to Sunday, to commencement, to the beginning.  And with faith and determination, you can push the sun above the horizon once more.  You can reveal a light hope — and that’s not — I’m not kidding — for yourself and for your nation.  “The prayers of a righteous man availeth much.”  A righteous man.  A good man.  A Morehouse man.  God bless you all.  We’re expecting a lot from you. Thank you.  (Applause.)

10:55 A.M. EDT

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