how to write a great motivational speech

How to give a motivational speech

• James Haynes
• August 11, 2022

Table of Contents

Introduction.

So you want to learn how to give a motivational speech. Maybe it’s for a motivational speech for work, or maybe it’s for a school project. You have an idea of what you want to speak about, but how do you actually create your talk? How do you give a motivational speech? And what makes a talk “good”?

In this post, you can read answers to all of those questions. You’ll learn tips to go through the process to create a great motivational speech from idea to completion. And you’ll learn how to write and give an inspiring motivational speech. Need examples of a motivational speech? Some examples will be at the end of this post!

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What is a motivational speech?

A motivational speech is simply a talk meant to get your audience to see or do something. Many of the practices that you can do to prepare for a motivational speech apply to any other type of talk!

The best motivational speakers on the planet only have one or two talks they do and those talks are insanely good. Start by developing just one, really amazing talk that resonates deeply with your intended audience. The best marketing for your motivational speaking business is a great talk, so it is worth it to put in the hours for this part. Yes, even if your first speaking gig is a free talk at a community center.

Keep in mind: Your audience is always going to be asking two questions: “so what?” and “now what?” So what means, what does this have to do with me?  Now what  is what you want the audience to do as a result of your talk. Give them action steps to implement what you taught them. If they hear you speak but literally don’t do anything differently, what’s the point?

Giving a motivational speech is almost like mapping for a road trip. If you are going to go on a road trip, it’s easier to have a paper map or Google Maps to tell you where you’re going. But if you just get in the car and you start driving, and people are in the car asking you where we’re going, you’re in trouble! But by organizing and structuring your talk, you can lead the audience to your conclusions. And you can effectively answer those two questions: “so what?” and “now what?”

Want to learn how to write a motivational speech? Read on for 3 steps to make it unforgettable:

1. Begin with the end in mind and tell a story

Have you ever been left at the end of a speech wondering, “What was the point of this talk?” Don’t do that to your audience. When creating your talk, determine the destination that you want to take them to. Once you pick a point, then you can work backwards and reverse engineer how to get your audience to that place.

The best way to do the point of your talk is to find where your audience’s needs converge with your passions. Think about what problems you like to solve and what topics you want to talk about and look out into the world. Who is asking for solutions to those problems? Become the expert on that audience and commit yourself to meeting their needs. (for more on finding your big idea, check out this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast)

Okay, so now you have your topic, the idea you want to communicate. Now what? One of the best ways to create a memorable, relatable talk is by integrating first-person stories . You don’t have to have lost a limb or scaled Mount Everest. Keep an eye out in your everyday life for little moments that can contribute to your message. Write them down and integrate them into your talk. As you get more speaking gigs, you will very quickly learn which stories are a hit and which are total flops…which is all part of the process!

Humans relate to stories. We connect to stories. Funny stories. Sad stories. Inspirational stories. We love stories. So tell them. Lots of them. Stories will keep your audience engaged and are also easier for you to memorize. Telling stories that you lived and experienced generally makes the story better for you and the audience. For the audience, they can often times find themselves in your story. For you as the speaker, it’s much easier (and more powerful) to tell a story that you lived versus one you read in a book.

2. Write out your material

Professional speakers don’t just make stuff up. They don’t write a few thoughts on a notecard and then shoot from the hip for an entire presentation. They take the time to write and carefully craft their material.

Oftentimes speakers want to have Powerpoint or Keynote slides to use as notes for their presentation. This is lazy. Don’t do this. Any slides you use should be an enhancement not a replacement of your talk. If you’re just going to stand up there and read off the screen, what does the audience need you for?

Use Powerpoint to show images that make a point. Some speakers will build their talk around their slides. Start with the talk FIRST and then determine if slides are needed or necessary. Slides are generally most effective for showing images or videos that can’t be conveyed in words. For example, if you were in some death-defying crash and that’s part of your talk, it’s one thing to tell that story, but it’s incredibly more powerful if you show pictures or video of it all.

Consider writing out your material. Professional speakers don’t just write a few thoughts on a notecard and then shoot from the hip for an entire presentation. They take the time to write and carefully craft their material. There is no right way to create a talk. You don’t need to memorize your talk like a script, but manuscripting can help you to think through the entire presentation and to know exactly how it all flows together. Some speakers prefer to have an outline with several bullet points and flesh it out from there. Every speaker is different. Find a process that works for you. (For more on fleshing out your talk, check out this episode of the Speaker Lab podcast here .)

3. On stage, be an amplified version of you

The bigger the venue, the bigger you need to be on stage. The way you would communicate to a group of 10 people is very different than how you would need to communicate to a room of 10,000. Both should be an authentic version of you, but simply amplified to the setting. The bottom line is don’t try to be something you’re not on stage. Be you.

Keep it slow and steady. When you are talking really fast, it becomes difficult for the audience to follow. It’s hard to keep up and process. Plus the faster you talk, the harder it is to understand what you’re saying. So slow down and enunciate. Give the audience the chance to keep up with where you’re going.

Don’t be afraid of the silence. The silence to a speaker can feel deafening but it can be powerful. Silence shows confidence that you’re in control of the talk and the room and you’re continuing to guide them towards a common purpose. When you make a strong point, don’t rush to the next line. Stop and let it hang there. The silence is your friend.

For some reason, there’s this misconception that the audience is out to get you. Like they are rooting for you to fail. Nothing could be further from the truth. The audience wants you to do well. They don’t want it to be a train wreck. If they’re going to spend their precious time sitting in your session, they want it to be good. They are on your side. So relax. Take a deep breath and enjoy yourself.

By following these steps, you can set yourself up for success. Many external variables help make a motivational speech go well. Beyond working these steps before giving a motivational speech, you should try to put as many of those variables in your favor as possible. Don’t stay up late the night before at a reception. Don’t eat a massive pasta bowl before you go on stage. Try to avoid speaking during a slot when most of the audience will be distracted. If all the variables are stacked against you but you crush your talk, it can still come across as “meh” to the audience.

Keep in mind: Speaking is like playing jazz – you don’t have to give a talk the same way every time. You can improvise and mix it up sometimes, and you don’t need to plan out every hand gesture or movement or exact line you’ll use. Some of that is fine, but also be present enough with the audience that you can play jazz when the moment calls for it.

If you have a dream to inspire others with your message, you’ve probably considered taking your passion to the stage. Becoming a motivational speaker might sound like a charmed life in many ways. And while it does take hard work, it totally is. Want to go deeper and learn how to become a motivational speaker ? Check out our article, “How to Become a Motivational Speaker” here!

In the meantime, here are a few rapid fire FAQs about motivational speeches. Happy speaking!

What are some examples of a motivational speech?

Some of the most well-known motivational speeches have been given at graduations from a school or training. One example of a famous motivational speech is academic researcher Brené Brown’s breakout 2010 TEDx Houston talk, “The Power of Vulnerability”, which became a top 5-viewed TED Talk online.

Looking for more examples of a motivational speech? Check out this article here.

What Type Of Speaker Are You?

Click below to discover your Speaker Archetype and how to start getting booked and paid to speak!

How much money can you make as a motivational speaker?

The runway to a successful business is often slow. But many speakers make 6+ figures a year within a couple years of starting their speaking business!

What degree you need to become a motivational speaker?

It does not matter! You can have no degree or a PhD in whatever field you like and still be a great motivational speaker.

Can anyone become a motivational speaker?

Absolutely.

How long does it take to become a motivational speaker?

This may vary quite a bit, primarily based on your state in life.

• Last Updated: February 29, 2024

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How to write a speech that your audience remembers

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Whether in a work meeting or at an investor panel, you might give a speech at some point. And no matter how excited you are about the opportunity, the experience can be nerve-wracking . 

But feeling butterflies doesn’t mean you can’t give a great speech. With the proper preparation and a clear outline, apprehensive public speakers and natural wordsmiths alike can write and present a compelling message. Here’s how to write a good speech you’ll be proud to deliver.

What is good speech writing?

Good speech writing is the art of crafting words and ideas into a compelling, coherent, and memorable message that resonates with the audience. Here are some key elements of great speech writing:

• It begins with clearly understanding the speech's purpose and the audience it seeks to engage. 
• A well-written speech clearly conveys its central message, ensuring that the audience understands and retains the key points. 
• It is structured thoughtfully, with a captivating opening, a well-organized body, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message. 
• Good speech writing embraces the power of engaging content, weaving in stories, examples, and relatable anecdotes to connect with the audience on both intellectual and emotional levels. 

Ultimately, it is the combination of these elements, along with the authenticity and delivery of the speaker , that transforms words on a page into a powerful and impactful spoken narrative.

What makes a good speech?

A great speech includes several key qualities, but three fundamental elements make a speech truly effective:

Clarity and purpose

Remembering the audience, cohesive structure.

While other important factors make a speech a home run, these three elements are essential for writing an effective speech.

The main elements of a good speech

The main elements of a speech typically include:

• Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your speech and grabs the audience's attention. It should include a hook or attention-grabbing opening, introduce the topic, and provide an overview of what will be covered.
• Opening/captivating statement: This is a strong statement that immediately engages the audience and creates curiosity about the speech topics.
• Thesis statement/central idea: The thesis statement or central idea is a concise statement that summarizes the main point or argument of your speech. It serves as a roadmap for the audience to understand what your speech is about.
• Body: The body of the speech is where you elaborate on your main points or arguments. Each point is typically supported by evidence, examples, statistics, or anecdotes. The body should be organized logically and coherently, with smooth transitions between the main points.
• Supporting evidence: This includes facts, data, research findings, expert opinions, or personal stories that support and strengthen your main points. Well-chosen and credible evidence enhances the persuasive power of your speech.
• Transitions: Transitions are phrases or statements that connect different parts of your speech, guiding the audience from one idea to the next. Effective transitions signal the shifts in topics or ideas and help maintain a smooth flow throughout the speech.
• Counterarguments and rebuttals (if applicable): If your speech involves addressing opposing viewpoints or counterarguments, you should acknowledge and address them. Presenting counterarguments makes your speech more persuasive and demonstrates critical thinking.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is the final part of your speech and should bring your message to a satisfying close. Summarize your main points, restate your thesis statement, and leave the audience with a memorable closing thought or call to action.
• Closing statement: This is the final statement that leaves a lasting impression and reinforces the main message of your speech. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, a powerful quote, or a memorable anecdote.
• Delivery and presentation: How you deliver your speech is also an essential element to consider. Pay attention to your tone, body language, eye contact , voice modulation, and timing. Practice and rehearse your speech, and try using the 7-38-55 rule to ensure confident and effective delivery.

While the order and emphasis of these elements may vary depending on the type of speech and audience, these elements provide a framework for organizing and delivering a successful speech.

How to structure a good speech

You know what message you want to transmit, who you’re delivering it to, and even how you want to say it. But you need to know how to start, develop, and close a speech before writing it. 

Think of a speech like an essay. It should have an introduction, conclusion, and body sections in between. This places ideas in a logical order that the audience can better understand and follow them. Learning how to make a speech with an outline gives your storytelling the scaffolding it needs to get its point across.

Here’s a general speech structure to guide your writing process:

• Explanation 1
• Explanation 2
• Explanation 3

How to write a compelling speech opener

Some research shows that engaged audiences pay attention for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Other estimates are even lower, citing that people stop listening intently in fewer than 10 minutes . If you make a good first impression at the beginning of your speech, you have a better chance of interesting your audience through the middle when attention spans fade. 

Implementing the INTRO model can help grab and keep your audience’s attention as soon as you start speaking. This acronym stands for interest, need, timing, roadmap, and objectives, and it represents the key points you should hit in an opening. 

Here’s what to include for each of these points: 

• Interest : Introduce yourself or your topic concisely and speak with confidence . Write a compelling opening statement using relevant data or an anecdote that the audience can relate to.
• Needs : The audience is listening to you because they have something to learn. If you’re pitching a new app idea to a panel of investors, those potential partners want to discover more about your product and what they can earn from it. Read the room and gently remind them of the purpose of your speech. 
• Timing : When appropriate, let your audience know how long you’ll speak. This lets listeners set expectations and keep tabs on their own attention span. If a weary audience member knows you’ll talk for 40 minutes, they can better manage their energy as that time goes on. 
• Routemap : Give a brief overview of the three main points you’ll cover in your speech. If an audience member’s attention starts to drop off and they miss a few sentences, they can more easily get their bearings if they know the general outline of the presentation.
• Objectives : Tell the audience what you hope to achieve, encouraging them to listen to the end for the payout. 

Writing the middle of a speech

The body of your speech is the most information-dense section. Facts, visual aids, PowerPoints — all this information meets an audience with a waning attention span. Sticking to the speech structure gives your message focus and keeps you from going off track, making everything you say as useful as possible.

Limit the middle of your speech to three points, and support them with no more than three explanations. Following this model organizes your thoughts and prevents you from offering more information than the audience can retain. 

Using this section of the speech to make your presentation interactive can add interest and engage your audience. Try including a video or demonstration to break the monotony. A quick poll or survey also keeps the audience on their toes. 

Wrapping the speech up

To you, restating your points at the end can feel repetitive and dull. You’ve practiced countless times and heard it all before. But repetition aids memory and learning , helping your audience retain what you’ve told them. Use your speech’s conclusion to summarize the main points with a few short sentences.

Try to end on a memorable note, like posing a motivational quote or a thoughtful question the audience can contemplate once they leave. In proposal or pitch-style speeches, consider landing on a call to action (CTA) that invites your audience to take the next step.

How to write a good speech

If public speaking gives you the jitters, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of the population feels nervous before giving a speech, and another 10% percent experiences intense anxiety and sometimes even panic. 

The fear of failure can cause procrastination and can cause you to put off your speechwriting process until the last minute. Finding the right words takes time and preparation, and if you’re already feeling nervous, starting from a blank page might seem even harder.

But putting in the effort despite your stress is worth it. Presenting a speech you worked hard on fosters authenticity and connects you to the subject matter, which can help your audience understand your points better. Human connection is all about honesty and vulnerability, and if you want to connect to the people you’re speaking to, they should see that in you.

1. Identify your objectives and target audience

Before diving into the writing process, find healthy coping strategies to help you stop worrying . Then you can define your speech’s purpose, think about your target audience, and start identifying your objectives. Here are some questions to ask yourself and ground your thinking : 

• What purpose do I want my speech to achieve? 
• What would it mean to me if I achieved the speech’s purpose?
• What audience am I writing for? 
• What do I know about my audience? 
• What values do I want to transmit? 
• If the audience remembers one take-home message, what should it be? 
• What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after I finish speaking? 
• What parts of my message could be confusing and require further explanation?

2. Know your audience

Understanding your audience is crucial for tailoring your speech effectively. Consider the demographics of your audience, their interests, and their expectations. For instance, if you're addressing a group of healthcare professionals, you'll want to use medical terminology and data that resonate with them. Conversely, if your audience is a group of young students, you'd adjust your content to be more relatable to their experiences and interests. 

3. Choose a clear message

Your message should be the central idea that you want your audience to take away from your speech. Let's say you're giving a speech on climate change. Your clear message might be something like, "Individual actions can make a significant impact on mitigating climate change." Throughout your speech, all your points and examples should support this central message, reinforcing it for your audience.

4. Structure your speech

Organizing your speech properly keeps your audience engaged and helps them follow your ideas. The introduction should grab your audience's attention and introduce the topic. For example, if you're discussing space exploration, you could start with a fascinating fact about a recent space mission. In the body, you'd present your main points logically, such as the history of space exploration, its scientific significance, and future prospects. Finally, in the conclusion, you'd summarize your key points and reiterate the importance of space exploration in advancing human knowledge.

5. Use engaging content for clarity

Engaging content includes stories, anecdotes, statistics, and examples that illustrate your main points. For instance, if you're giving a speech about the importance of reading, you might share a personal story about how a particular book changed your perspective. You could also include statistics on the benefits of reading, such as improved cognitive abilities and empathy.

6. Maintain clarity and simplicity

It's essential to communicate your ideas clearly. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that might confuse your audience. For example, if you're discussing a medical breakthrough with a non-medical audience, explain complex terms in simple, understandable language.

7. Practice and rehearse

Practice is key to delivering a great speech. Rehearse multiple times to refine your delivery, timing, and tone. Consider using a mirror or recording yourself to observe your body language and gestures. For instance, if you're giving a motivational speech, practice your gestures and expressions to convey enthusiasm and confidence.

8. Consider nonverbal communication

Your body language, tone of voice, and gestures should align with your message . If you're delivering a speech on leadership, maintain strong eye contact to convey authority and connection with your audience. A steady pace and varied tone can also enhance your speech's impact.

9. Engage your audience

Engaging your audience keeps them interested and attentive. Encourage interaction by asking thought-provoking questions or sharing relatable anecdotes. If you're giving a speech on teamwork, ask the audience to recall a time when teamwork led to a successful outcome, fostering engagement and connection.

10. Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate potential questions or objections your audience might have and prepare concise, well-informed responses. If you're delivering a speech on a controversial topic, such as healthcare reform, be ready to address common concerns, like the impact on healthcare costs or access to services, during the Q&A session.

By following these steps and incorporating examples that align with your specific speech topic and purpose, you can craft and deliver a compelling and impactful speech that resonates with your audience.

Tools for writing a great speech

There are several helpful tools available for speechwriting, both technological and communication-related. Here are a few examples:

• Word processing software: Tools like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other word processors provide a user-friendly environment for writing and editing speeches. They offer features like spell-checking, grammar correction, formatting options, and easy revision tracking.
• Presentation software: Software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides is useful when creating visual aids to accompany your speech. These tools allow you to create engaging slideshows with text, images, charts, and videos to enhance your presentation.
• Speechwriting Templates: Online platforms or software offer pre-designed templates specifically for speechwriting. These templates provide guidance on structuring your speech and may include prompts for different sections like introductions, main points, and conclusions.
• Rhetorical devices and figures of speech: Rhetorical tools such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and parallelism can add impact and persuasion to your speech. Resources like books, websites, or academic papers detailing various rhetorical devices can help you incorporate them effectively.
• Speechwriting apps: Mobile apps designed specifically for speechwriting can be helpful in organizing your thoughts, creating outlines, and composing a speech. These apps often provide features like voice recording, note-taking, and virtual prompts to keep you on track.
• Grammar and style checkers: Online tools or plugins like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor help improve the clarity and readability of your speech by checking for grammar, spelling, and style errors. They provide suggestions for sentence structure, word choice, and overall tone.
• Thesaurus and dictionary: Online or offline resources such as thesauruses and dictionaries help expand your vocabulary and find alternative words or phrases to express your ideas more effectively. They can also clarify meanings or provide context for unfamiliar terms.
• Online speechwriting communities: Joining online forums or communities focused on speechwriting can be beneficial for getting feedback, sharing ideas, and learning from experienced speechwriters. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and improve your public speaking skills through collaboration.

Remember, while these tools can assist in the speechwriting process, it's essential to use them thoughtfully and adapt them to your specific needs and style. The most important aspect of speechwriting remains the creativity, authenticity, and connection with your audience that you bring to your speech.

5 tips for writing a speech

Behind every great speech is an excellent idea and a speaker who refined it. But a successful speech is about more than the initial words on the page, and there are a few more things you can do to help it land.

Here are five more tips for writing and practicing your speech:

1. Structure first, write second

If you start the writing process before organizing your thoughts, you may have to re-order, cut, and scrap the sentences you worked hard on. Save yourself some time by using a speech structure, like the one above, to order your talking points first. This can also help you identify unclear points or moments that disrupt your flow.

2. Do your homework

Data strengthens your argument with a scientific edge. Research your topic with an eye for attention-grabbing statistics, or look for findings you can use to support each point. If you’re pitching a product or service, pull information from company metrics that demonstrate past or potential successes. 

Audience members will likely have questions, so learn all talking points inside and out. If you tell investors that your product will provide 12% returns, for example, come prepared with projections that support that statement.

3. Sound like yourself

Memorable speakers have distinct voices. Think of Martin Luther King Jr’s urgent, inspiring timbre or Oprah’s empathetic, personal tone . Establish your voice — one that aligns with your personality and values — and stick with it. If you’re a motivational speaker, keep your tone upbeat to inspire your audience . If you’re the CEO of a startup, try sounding assured but approachable. 

4. Practice

As you practice a speech, you become more confident , gain a better handle on the material, and learn the outline so well that unexpected questions are less likely to trip you up. Practice in front of a colleague or friend for honest feedback about what you could change, and speak in front of the mirror to tweak your nonverbal communication and body language .

5. Remember to breathe

When you’re stressed, you breathe more rapidly . It can be challenging to talk normally when you can’t regulate your breath. Before your presentation, try some mindful breathing exercises so that when the day comes, you already have strategies that will calm you down and remain present . This can also help you control your voice and avoid speaking too quickly.

How to ghostwrite a great speech for someone else

Ghostwriting a speech requires a unique set of skills, as you're essentially writing a piece that will be delivered by someone else. Here are some tips on how to effectively ghostwrite a speech:

• Understand the speaker's voice and style : Begin by thoroughly understanding the speaker's personality, speaking style, and preferences. This includes their tone, humor, and any personal anecdotes they may want to include.
• Interview the speaker : Have a detailed conversation with the speaker to gather information about their speech's purpose, target audience, key messages, and any specific points they want to emphasize. Ask for personal stories or examples they may want to include.
• Research thoroughly : Research the topic to ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge. This helps you craft a well-informed and credible speech.
• Create an outline : Develop a clear outline that includes the introduction, main points, supporting evidence, and a conclusion. Share this outline with the speaker for their input and approval.
• Write in the speaker's voice : While crafting the speech, maintain the speaker's voice and style. Use language and phrasing that feel natural to them. If they have a particular way of expressing ideas, incorporate that into the speech.
• Craft a captivating opening : Begin the speech with a compelling opening that grabs the audience's attention. This could be a relevant quote, an interesting fact, a personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question.
• Organize content logically : Ensure the speech flows logically, with each point building on the previous one. Use transitions to guide the audience from one idea to the next smoothly.
• Incorporate engaging stories and examples : Include anecdotes, stories, and real-life examples that illustrate key points and make the speech relatable and memorable.
• Edit and revise : Edit the speech carefully for clarity, grammar, and coherence. Ensure the speech is the right length and aligns with the speaker's time constraints.
• Seek feedback : Share drafts of the speech with the speaker for their feedback and revisions. They may have specific changes or additions they'd like to make.
• Practice delivery : If possible, work with the speaker on their delivery. Practice the speech together, allowing the speaker to become familiar with the content and your writing style.
• Maintain confidentiality : As a ghostwriter, it's essential to respect the confidentiality and anonymity of the work. Do not disclose that you wrote the speech unless you have the speaker's permission to do so.
• Be flexible : Be open to making changes and revisions as per the speaker's preferences. Your goal is to make them look good and effectively convey their message.
• Meet deadlines : Stick to agreed-upon deadlines for drafts and revisions. Punctuality and reliability are essential in ghostwriting.
• Provide support : Support the speaker during their preparation and rehearsal process. This can include helping with cue cards, speech notes, or any other materials they need.

Remember that successful ghostwriting is about capturing the essence of the speaker while delivering a well-structured and engaging speech. Collaboration, communication, and adaptability are key to achieving this.

Give your best speech yet

Learn how to make a speech that’ll hold an audience’s attention by structuring your thoughts and practicing frequently. Put the effort into writing and preparing your content, and aim to improve your breathing, eye contact , and body language as you practice. The more you work on your speech, the more confident you’ll become.

The energy you invest in writing an effective speech will help your audience remember and connect to every concept. Remember: some life-changing philosophies have come from good speeches, so give your words a chance to resonate with others. You might even change their thinking.

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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How to Write an Inspiring Motivational Speech

A motivational speech is a powerful form of communication designed to inspire, encourage, and invoke a strong emotional response from the audience. It aims to motivate listeners to pursue their goals, overcome obstacles, or change their perspectives and behaviors for the better. Unlike ordinary speeches, motivational speeches are charged with passion, energy, and a deep sense of purpose. They are imbued with passion, energy, and a deep understanding of human desires and fears, making them a powerful tool for transformation.

Motivational speeches are versatile and can be delivered in various situations and venues. These include educational institutions, where they inspire students to excel; corporate events, to boost employee morale and productivity; sports events, to invigorate teams; community and social gatherings, to foster change or support causes; and personal development seminars, to aid individuals in achieving personal growth.

• Educational Institutions : To inspire students towards academic excellence, perseverance, and lifelong learning.
• Business and Corporate Events : To motivate employees to embrace change, strive for success, and work collaboratively towards common goals.
• Sports Teams and Competitions : To boost morale, encourage teamwork, and focus on victory.
• Personal Development Seminars : To assist individuals in personal growth, overcoming personal barriers, and achieving goals.
• Community and Social Activism Events : To galvanize support for causes, inspire action for change, and foster community spirit.

Iconic Motivational Speeches

Throughout history, several motivational speeches have left indelible marks on society. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech vividly advocated for civil rights and equality, inspiring generations. Winston Churchill’s wartime speeches, especially “We Shall Fight on the Beaches,” rallied the British public during WWII’s darkest days. It was a defiant oration that rallied British spirits during the bleakest moments of WWII. Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford commencement address, urging graduates to “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish,” continues to motivate entrepreneurs and creatives alike.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”

This speech remains a pinnacle of civil rights advocacy, emphasizing the power of a vision for equality and justice. It offers a masterclass in motivational speaking for several reasons:

• Vivid Imagery : King used vivid imagery and metaphors to paint a picture of the injustices faced by African Americans, as well as the dream of a better, more equitable future. His references to mountains, valleys, and islands of poverty created a visual narrative that was both compelling and easy for the audience to engage with.
• Universal Themes : King tapped into universal themes of freedom, justice, and equality, making his message relevant not only to those directly affected by racial discrimination but to anyone who values these principles.
• Emotional Connection : The speech is rich in emotional appeal, with King’s delivery ranging from solemn and contemplative to passionate and pleading. This variability in tone helped to create a powerful emotional journey for his audience.
• Repetition for Emphasis : The repetitive use of the phrase “I have a dream” served to emphasize the vision of the future King was portraying, making the dream feel attainable and urgent.
• Call to Action : King did not just present a dream; he also called for action without aggression, promoting a message of nonviolent resistance and insisting on the moral high ground.

Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”

Churchill’s speech was a beacon of hope during one of the darkest times for Britain. Its inspiration came from:

• Defiant Optimism : Amidst a dire situation, Churchill conveyed a sense of indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve. His assurance of fighting “on the beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills” invoked a visceral commitment to freedom and resistance.
• Realism Coupled with Resolve : Churchill did not sugarcoat the situation Britain faced. Instead, he presented a stark assessment of the current reality while simultaneously inspiring confidence in eventual victory. This balance between realism and optimism is crucial in motivational speeches under crisis conditions.
• Rhythmic Language : The speech’s rhythm, achieved through the use of parallelism and repetition, created a memorable and compelling auditory experience. This not only made the speech more impactful but also more memorable.
• Personal Leadership : Churchill’s personal conviction and leadership style were palpable in his delivery. He embodied the resilience he was advocating for, making his words all the more powerful.

Steve Jobs’ “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”

Jobs’ Stanford commencement address stands out for several reasons:

• Personal Narratives : Unlike typical commencement addresses that might lean on clichés and general advice, Jobs shared three personal stories from his life. This approach made his speech highly relatable and engaging.
• Embracing Failure : Jobs discussed his failures openly, including being fired from Apple, and framed them as necessary for success. This perspective was refreshing and encouraging, especially for graduates standing on the precipice of their careers.
• Philosophical Reflections : The speech was imbued with reflections on life, death, and purpose. Jobs’ contemplation on mortality (“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life”) offered a profound and unusual perspective for a commencement speech.
• Direct and Impactful Advice : The titular advice, “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish,” encapsulates the essence of curiosity and the pursuit of dreams against conventional wisdom. It’s a simple yet powerful message that encourages continuous learning and risk-taking.

J.K. Rowling’s “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination.”

Rowling, best known for her Harry Potter book series, delved into the themes of failure and the power of imagination, sharing insights from her own life experiences. The speech has been widely celebrated for its honesty, humor, and inspirational messages. Here are some of the key elements that elevated Rowling’s speech:

• The Power of Imagination: She highlighted how imagination enables us to envision ourselves in others’ lives, a crucial skill in building a compassionate society. This emphasis on empathy and understanding was a powerful message for the graduates and broader audience alike.
• Personal Anecdotes: Rowling’s use of personal stories, from her time working at Amnesty International to her struggles before achieving fame as an author, added a deeply personal touch to her speech.
• Humor and Wit: Despite the serious themes, Rowling’s speech was laced with humor and wit. Her self-deprecating jokes and light-hearted comments about her own experiences added a layer of warmth and accessibility to her message, engaging the audience in a conversation rather than a lecture.
• Call to Action: Rowling’s speech concluded with a powerful call to action, urging the graduates to use their privileged positions and education to effect positive change in the world. She emphasized the importance of living with integrity and choosing to do what is right over what is easy.

How to Structure Your Motivational Speech

Crafting the opening to your speech.

A well-crafted opener not only grabs attention but also establishes a connection, making the audience invested in what you have to say next. Let’s explore some creative strategies and insights for crafting opening remarks that resonate.

Start with a story. Humans are naturally drawn to stories because they allow us to see our reflections in others’ experiences. Begin with a personal anecdote, a historical narrative, or a hypothetical scenario that directly ties to your core message. This story should not just be interesting but also emotionally engaging, prompting your audience to embark on an emotional journey with you from the outset. The power of storytelling lies in its ability to make abstract concepts tangible, relatable, and memorable.

Ask a thought-provoking question. Questions are powerful tools that can pique curiosity and engage minds right from the start. By posing a provocative, unexpected, or deeply personal question, you challenge your audience to think critically, drawing them into a state of reflection. This engagement ensures that they are mentally present and actively participating in the dialogue you’re about to lead. The key is to ask a question that doesn’t just solicit a superficial response but encourages deeper contemplation about the subject matter.

Invoke a shocking statistic or fact. Presenting a startling statistic or an unknown fact related to your topic can immediately capture your audience’s attention. It sets the stage for the significance of your speech by highlighting the urgency or magnitude of the issue at hand. However, the challenge lies in seamlessly connecting this data point to the emotional or motivational core of your speech. It’s not just about presenting a number; it’s about weaving a narrative that explains why this statistic matters on a human level.

Relay a powerful quote. Starting with a quote from a renowned figure can lend authority and emotional depth to your message. The right quotation can encapsulate the essence of your speech in a few poignant words, creating a bridge between your audience’s existing understanding and the new insights you wish to share. Choose a quote that is not only relevant but also offers a fresh perspective or encapsulates a universal truth in a way that surprises or enlightens your audience.

Your opening remarks should not only grab attention but also succinctly hint at the transformative journey you’re inviting your audience to undertake.

Building the Body of Your Motivational Speech

The body of a motivational speech is where the heart of your message lies. It’s structured to lead the audience through a journey from recognizing challenges to envisioning a brighter future and then mapping out a pathway to achieve that future. Let’s delve into techniques and practical advice for effectively structuring each of these critical sections.

Identify the Challenge

The first step in structuring the body of your speech involves identifying the challenge. This section is about establishing a common ground with your audience by acknowledging the obstacles and issues they face. To make this part effective:

• Use Empathy : Demonstrate that you understand the depth of the challenge and its impact on your audience. Employ empathetic language to show that you’re not just an observer but someone who genuinely understands or has experienced similar challenges.
• Incorporate Real-life Examples : Bring in examples or stories of real people facing these challenges. This not only makes the problem more relatable but also helps to illustrate the complexities and nuances of the issue.
• Highlight the Stakes : Clearly articulate what is at risk if the challenge is not addressed. This increases the urgency and relevance of your message, motivating your audience to seek a resolution.

Inspire with Vision

After laying out the challenge, the next step is to inspire your audience with a vision of what overcoming these challenges looks like. This section is crucial as it transforms despair into hope and motivation.

• Craft a Vivid Picture : Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of a future where the challenge has been overcome. Describe what success looks like, feels like, and means for your audience on both a personal and collective level.
• Utilize Storytelling : Share success stories, either real or hypothetical, that embody the vision you’re describing. These stories should serve as proof that the vision is achievable and that the journey, though difficult, is worth undertaking.
• Connect to Higher Values : Tie your vision to universal values such as freedom, justice, love, or fulfillment. This elevates the vision from being a mere goal to a noble pursuit, making it more compelling and emotionally charged.

Provide a Roadmap

The final step in the body of your motivational speech is to provide a clear, actionable roadmap. This section bridges the gap between inspiration and action by offering practical advice that the audience can follow to achieve the vision.

• Break it Down : Present the steps or principles in a clear, organized manner. Breaking the journey into manageable steps makes the goal seem more attainable and less overwhelming.
• Incorporate Strategies and Tools : Offer specific strategies, tools, or habits that can help overcome the identified challenges. This could include practical advice, resources, or techniques that have been effective in similar situations.
• Encourage Personal Reflection : Invite your audience to reflect on how the steps apply to their personal circumstances. Encouraging individual adaptation of the roadmap makes it more relevant and actionable for each audience member.
• Instill Confidence : Throughout this section, it’s important to instill confidence in your audience. Reinforce the idea that although the journey may be challenging, they are capable of making the journey and achieving the vision.

You need to balance the weight of the challenge with the hope of the vision and the practicality of the roadmap. This not only keeps your audience engaged but also ensures that they leave feeling empowered to take action. By carefully crafting each of these sections, you can create a motivational speech that not only inspires your audience but also provides them with the tools and confidence to change their lives for the better.

Writing a Powerful Conclusion to Your Motivational Speech

Crafting a powerful conclusion is pivotal in ensuring that the core message of your motivational speech not only resonates but also sticks with your audience long after they’ve left the room. A strong closing ties all the elements of your speech together, reinforcing the key message and leaving a lasting impression that compels action. Here are insights and strategies for writing a conclusion that achieves these goals.

Echo the Opening

A compelling way to bring your speech full circle is to echo elements from your opening in your conclusion. This could involve revisiting a story, statistic, question, or statement you introduced at the beginning. Such a callback not only creates a sense of closure but also emphasizes the journey the audience has undergone during your speech. It reminds them of the initial emotions or curiosity you sparked and reinforces the key message by showing how far the narrative has traveled.

Summarize Key Points

Briefly summarizing the key points of your speech helps solidify the message in your audience’s mind. However, this should not be a mere repetition of what you’ve said but a concise encapsulation of the challenge, the vision, and the roadmap. Highlight how these elements are interconnected and essential to achieving the desired change or outcome. This recap aids in retention and ensures that your audience can easily recall the core elements of your speech.

Offer a Strong, Actionable Takeaway

Your conclusion should leave your audience with a clear, actionable takeaway. This could be a call to action, a principle to live by, or a challenge to undertake. It should be specific, achievable, and relevant to the message of your speech. The key is to make it so compelling that your audience feels inspired to act immediately. Frame this takeaway as the first step on their journey to overcoming the challenges discussed and achieving the vision you’ve painted.

Invoke Emotion

Emotions are powerful motivators. Your conclusion should aim to evoke a strong emotional response that aligns with the action you’re encouraging. Whether it’s hope, determination, courage, or a sense of urgency, choose an emotion that complements your message and use language that intensifies this feeling. A motivational speech that ends on a high emotional note is more likely to inspire action than one that doesn’t.

Create a Moment of Reflection

Allowing a moment for your audience to reflect on the message can be a powerful tool in your conclusion. Pose a rhetorical question or offer a short pause after your key takeaway to give the audience time to internalize the message and consider their next steps. This moment of reflection helps transition the inspiration from a shared experience to a personal commitment.

End with a Memorable Line

Finally, close your speech with a line that is memorable and impactful. This could be a succinct summary of your core message, an inspirational quote, or a powerful statement that encapsulates the essence of your speech. Choose something that will linger in the minds of your audience, serving as a beacon that guides their actions long after the speech has ended.

Motivational Speech Structure in a Nutshell

• Opening : Begin with a powerful, engaging element—be it a story, a striking statistic, or a rhetorical question—to immediately capture the audience’s interest.
• Identify the Challenge : Lay out the obstacles or issues that your audience is facing, making it relatable and real.
• Inspire with Vision : Share a compelling vision of what overcoming these challenges looks like. Utilize storytelling to make this vision resonate on a personal level.
• Provide a Roadmap : Offer clear, actionable steps or principles that the audience can follow to achieve the vision. This is where practical advice melds with inspiration.
• Conclusion : Reinforce the core message with a memorable closing that calls back to your powerful start. Leave your audience with a clear, motivational takeaway that encourages action.

The Delivery

• Connect Emotionally : Use eye contact, open body language, and genuine emotion to form a connection with your audience.
• Modulate Your Voice : Utilize pauses, changes in pitch, and emphasis to highlight key points and keep the audience engaged.
• Be Authentic : Authenticity resonates. Share personal stories and vulnerabilities to create a deeper bond with your audience.
• Use Powerful Language : Choose words that evoke emotions and imagery, making your message more impactful.
• End Strong : Finish with a powerful statement or call to action that leaves a lasting impression and motivates your audience to act.

Crafting and delivering a motivational speech that changes hearts and minds is no small feat—it requires empathy, clarity, and a deep commitment to the message. By focusing on the structure, preparation, and delivery techniques outlined above, you can create a speech that not only inspires but transforms.

Write a Draft of Your Motivational Speech with AI

Now that you know the way to structure your speech and have explored some of the most iconic motivational speeches, you may be inspired to start writing your own. If you would like a little help starting that first draft or even getting inspired further, you may want to experiment with our Speech Writer , an AI tool designed to help you quickly draft speeches. It simplifies the process of speechwriting by providing structure, guidance, and creative inspiration, making it easier for you to convey your passion and drive change.

• This page was originally published by Word.Studio
• on February 10, 2024
• in Career , Education

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5 Tips for Writing a Powerful and Inspirational Speech

Chances are you have listened to more speeches than you can count. Hopefully, some of those speeches left you inspired and eager to take action. Unfortunately, many of those speeches most likely left you bored, confused, or even irritated. It makes sense that if you are taking on the task of writing and delivering a speech that you want your audience to be inspired and to heed whatever your call to action is.

The question is, are you able to do that? Some people believe that in order for a speech to be powerful and inspirational, a person who has a natural talent for giving speeches must deliver it. This is untrue. If you have focus and a great message, you can write a motivational speech that your audience will appreciate and remember. All you need to do is follow these 5 tips.

Define Your Primary Message

Within a few moments of listening to your speech, your audience should know what you will be talking about. When your speech is over, your audience should understand the message you were conveying, and what you want them to take away from your speech. If you want your audience to take a specific action, they should also know what that action is. If you fail to deliver a clear message, you will not be able to create engagement with your audience. Another thing to remember is that it is okay to have more than one message in your speech. Just remember that your focus should be on your primary message and that having too many messages  will result in a muddled and confusing speech.

Use Storytelling to Make Your Point

People love stories.  Telling a story keeps people engaged and it allows you to deliver your message in a way that isn’t awkward or heavy-handed. When you write a speech, you can use storytelling in two ways. First, you can use storytelling as a tool to introduce your topic and to get your audience interested in what you have to say next. Second, you can use a storytelling structure to deliver your speech. To do this, you can weave a story throughout your speech, or you can simply deliver a speech that has a beginning middle, and end. Simply following the “three-act structure” that people associate with storytelling will make your speech more engaging.

Know Your Audience

If you are able to, take some time to do some research on your audience. Who are they? What is the demographic of your audience? Why would they be interested in hearing your speech, and why would you be interested in communicating with them? Then, if you are able to, structure or adjust your speech so that you have the best possible chance to connect with them. If you are unable to adjust your speech, you can at least use this knowledge when it comes  time to engage your audience  in a question and answer session.

Write an evocative speech

Evocative language is powerful. It evokes strong emotions and is often a catalyst for inciting action. When you use powerful, evocative language in your speech, your audience becomes impassioned and it connects with you.

Conclude in a Way That Encourages Your Audience to Engage

A great speech doesn’t end with the speaker saying “thank you and goodnight”. A great speech comes to a quiet conclusion as the audience asks the speaker questions and then begins to engage in dialogue among themselves. In order to accomplish this, ask open-ended questions in your speech and encourage your audience to ask questions when your speech is over.

About the author

Being a Chief Editor, Julie Ellis writes at Premier Essay about education, self-improvement, marketing, and psychology. Having a track record of academic achievements and a Master’s degree in Journalism, allows her to support students with writing advice and educational life hacks. Find Julie on LinkedIn .

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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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Instrumental /   Motivational

A motivational speech is intended to advise, motivate, or inspire an audience. Such speeches attempt to challenge or transform their audience’s perceptions of themselves. The elements of a good motivational speech require more than just having a transformative life experience. Contrary to the belief it’s not always necessary that you need to have a successful track record, be an expert or have a ‘rags to riches’ success story. Your audience will typically be drawn to a message that is delivered with a positive attitude, energy, and encouragement.

Before you begin your journey into motivational speaking let us take a moment look at the 5 crucial components when formulating your Motivational speech.

1. Audience – Whether it is a speech intended for 1 or a conference keynote, a motivational speech is designed to change the way your listeners see the challenges facing them in the future.

2.   Credibility   – Before and during any speech you make sure you have established yourself as an authority figure. Social proof, well crafted personal stories, and working with well-established sources helps you build credibility.

3.   Delivery   - Delivering your speech with authenticity is key. If you want to stand out don’t try to fit in.

4.   Message   - Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Find your niche topic and deliver your message as a “try before you buy”. Let them know that if it does not fit, they don’t have to wear it.

5.   Listen   – To be heard, first you must learn to hear. Appreciate other points of view, even if you do not agree with it and acknowledge differences in opinion.

Begin with a Plan

You do not become a great motivational speaker by rehashing old ideas in the same way everyone else does. Aim to develop fresh and relevant content that your audience would like to hear. Make sure to invest some time into thinking deeply about your primary message and then focus on your deliver

The Simple Construction

When constructing your speech consider how you’ll take your audience from where they are now (A) to where you want them to be (B). Once you’ve defined the before-and-after change you want to see, build your presentation outline around that journey. What makes motivational speeches unique is that there is no right or wrong way of constructing your speech as long as you can effectively communicate the desired outcome. Think of it as poetry or composing a song. Find your beat and keep a consistent rhythm that moves people. Use these steps and write down all your answers in one or two sentences.

1.  What is your primary message? Never overwhelm the audience too much information. Stick to 1 point

2.  What qualifies you to speak about this topic? Establish your credibility or how do you intend to.

3.  What obstacles have you/they overcome? Think of a story. It can either be a personal story or an influencer story that relates to your message and connects with your audience. "In our common experience”

4.  What tools or methods did you/they use to overcome them? Place your supporting points here on the steps taken that

support your message. Make these points easy to understand.

5.  What are the advantages of your proposal? Clearly demonstrate what it will do for them

Now take the time to review your notes and let’s begin connecting the dots.

The Finishing Touches

After you have outlined your motivational speech, you're ready to add some color. Remember that what you say and how you say it can impact human feelings and behavior.

Get their Attention! Start off with an arousing opener that is sure to gain their attention. Do so by implementing one of these methods.  

Tell a joke to break the ice

Begin with a captivating or funny story

Start with a gripping quotation

Ask a “What-if” or a compelling question

Present a paradox or unusual fact

Warm them up with an activity

Remember, you can win or lose an audience in the first 60 seconds

Use your Voice and Body  to project power and magnitude. This will require a lot of practice and a deep understanding of public speaking fundamentals. Vocal Variety and Body Language are essential for a good motivational speech. Remember to utilize all 4 P’s. Pitch, Pause, Pace, Power.

As for body language act out what you're telling them. Use your whole body to communicate a thought, an image. Remember to do so sensibly, you don't go to your audience, you make them come to you

To find the right combination I would recommend researching and watching other motivational speakers.

Take your newfound knowledge and put it to the test.

Take it Home!  Give them a powerful close. Tell a dramatic story that personifies personal achievement and success. Tell them they too can do it, not to quit, that they will succeed whatever their personal goals may be. Recap and relate the success to how each of them will personally benefit. What they want to hear from you is a correlation with reality. All you have to do is show them that relationship.

Time to Deliver

Congratulations! You are now ready to deliver your motivational speech. Your closing should spark emotions in a powerful and dynamic way. Reach your audience according to what matters to them. Their importance, their personal value, what they stand to gain, and most importantly, their self-worth. You’ll know immediately if you have done a well. After your speech you won't even have to ask for their commitment. Practice what you speak and stay committed to your message that's motivation. “Motivated people motivate people”

Take your newfound knowledge and put it to the test. Practice your Motivational Speaking skills here. Or if you’d like to learn more be on the lookout for Your Voice NY workshops

Whether you are a beginner or a pro it’s always a great idea to have quick and simple material to reference. If you are interested in learning more and finding your inner motivator continue reading from here.

7 Excellent Tips for Writing a Perfect Motivation Speech

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None of this is about morality, or religion, or dogma, or big fancy questions of life after death. The capital-T Truth is about life before death. It is about making it to 30, or maybe 50, without wanting to shoot yourself in the head. It is about simple awareness – awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over: ‘This is water, this is water.’” – David Foster Wallace

David Foster Wallace inspired millions of people with the This Is Water commencement speech to Kenyon College class of 2005.

Some people have the talent to write an impressive speech, get on stage and mesmerize the audience with their words. How do they do it? Can you do it, too?

The Elements of an Impressive Speech

If you want to understand what makes a great speech, you should listen to some of the most influential speeches ever made. In addition to This is Water , here are few more suggestions:

· The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination by J.K. Rowling

· There’s More to Life than Being Happy by Emily Esfahani Smith

· How to Live Before You Die by Steve Jobs

· But the Blind Can Lead the Blind by Vera Jones

What do you notice about these speeches?

· They are memorable

· They are structured

· They are straightforward

· They are REAL

In short, those are the elements of a great speech. Yes; it takes some talent to write a brilliant speech. The good news, however, is that you can get better at it.

You Can Do It, Too!

• Find the Purpose of Your Speech

Elena Roberts, a professional writer from EssayGeeks , shares an important tip: “Before you even pick the topic, find the purpose of your speech. I’m a motivational speech junkie. I listen to speeches every day, but that doesn’t mean I like wasting my time. I can easily spot a speaker who knows nothing about the audience and introduces a random topic, mostly based on personal experience. Then, I close the tab and search for another speech to listen.”

The first step is to understand your audience. If you’re giving a speech to students, you should address their struggles and give them solutions. If you’re talking to children, you should bring the speech to their level.

Your speech should share information, teach knowledge, and motivate people to take action in a relevant way.

• Make It Memorable

When you listen to a great speech, some of the words stick with you for a long time. You may even pin few quotes and go back to them later on. People don’t want to hear the same things over and over again. They want new approach to age-old questions.

It’s important to be as unique as possible. Express your personality from the very beginning.

• Open with a Bang

The moment you get on stage and start the speech – that’s when your audience is most willing to listen to you. Do not waste that moment.

Here are few suggestions for an opening that can engage the listeners:

· Intriguing questions

· An interesting anecdote that’s related to the theme

· A brief story with a clear point related to the theme

· Surprising facts or statistics

· A meaningful quote that inspired you to tackle that topic

• Be Straightforward

You don’t see a great speech with digressions and lengthy openings. The best ones get straight to the point.

Focus! Don’t waste the time of your audience.

• Have a Structure

Why do you think people write their speeches? Why don’t they just get in front of the audience and speak?

It’s all about the structure. When you speak without following an outline, you tend to make digressions. That’s a good way to lose a listener.

Great speeches have a clear structure that holds the attention of the audience. Develop an outline and write a speech with a clean logical flow.

Do you know why people love motivational quotes and speeches? They can see someone understands what they are going through. If your audience doesn’t believe you’re authentic, they won’t take your fake message.

Be human. Share things you’ve been through. Give advice you believe in. That’s the most important secret to a brilliant speech.

7. Call Them to Action

What’s the whole point of listening to a motivational speech? These people want to change something. They want to make their lives better. They want to help other people. Your speech should give them a trigger to do that and a direction to aim for.

Writing a great speech is a huge challenge. Inspiring people, however, is a priceless experience. The result is worth the effort.

Short Motivational Speeches

Motivational speeches are excellent tools to teach, inspire, and even just to tell others what to do. However, not many of us have the time to devote to writing long or complicated motivational speeches. The ability to write a short, sweet, and inspiring motivational speech is a very useful one, and it’s one that will come in handy throughout your life, especially in places of leadership.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to several useful motivational topics, the most important parts of a good motivational speech, and meaningful situations that motivational speeches can be used in.

Importance of Motivational Speeches

Motivational speeches are not something you have to give. Regardless of whether you’re a leader, someone else in a position of power, or otherwise, motivational speeches are completely optional. If you don’t have the time, energy, or inclination to give a motivational speech, it’s likely that nothing will change. However, you may be missing out on a powerful inspirational tool for employees, friends, or others.

If you’ve listened to a motivational speech yourself, you’ve probably felt the impact it can have on you firsthand. They can be the source of great change in your motivation, faith, and thoughts. As such, motivational speeches are particularly useful for bosses, directors, and other leaders. If they’re something that you can employ for yourself, they’re not an opportunity that you should neglect.

Why Do We Need Motivation?

Motivation plays a vital role in our everyday lives. However, motivation isn’t a given, either. We often need a bit of a push to keep us motivated, or we sometimes need a reminder of why we’re working so hard in the first place. When we lose our motivation, our performance in various areas is lost, too.

Furthermore, motivation is something that binds us together. Every single human being on Earth has felt motivated to do something at some point in their life, all the way back to the first humans who were motivated by the urge to hunt and mate. A well-crafted motivational speech is relatable, inspiring, and reminds us about these things that we fight for.

For the workplace especially, motivation is critical. If employees aren’t inspired to work at their full working capacity, the business isn’t making all the money it could be. Certain causes and non-profit organizations are also in the business of motivating people to turn their lives around.

Many aspects of our lives depend on motivation . Some examples of this are:

While keeping your employees, charges, friends, or peers motivated isn’t your responsibility, sometimes it can be in your best interest. We’ll explore that further in the rest of this article.

Crafting a Motivational Speech

A motivational speech requires several key components to be successful and effective. In the following sections, we’ll go over the most important steps involved in creating a successful, impactful, and succinct motivational speech.

Finding a Topic

Finding a topic for your motivational speech is the very first thing you should do. Your topic should relate to your problem at hand or the issue you’re looking to address, of course. For example, if you’re an employer who is hoping to inspire your employees to work more productively, that should be your topic and your inspiration. If you’re a guest speaker looking to encourage smokers to quit, that will be your source.

Picking a topic for your motivational speech isn’t particularly complicated. The purpose of your speech will be to address a problem , after all. However, how you proceed from there is much more difficult. The next step will be to explain your purpose to your audience. How you do this is primarily up to you. If you’re the straightforward type, it can be as simple as telling your audience that the purpose of your speech is to get them to do something.

However, if you desire to be more creative, you also have the option of being a bit more subtle. You can try different things like:

• Revealing your purpose at the end of your speech
• Hinting at but not revealing your purpose
• Forcing your audience to deduce your purpose from personal stories or other clues
• Letting your audience take their own wisdom or purpose from your speech or story

Telling a Story

A significant part of a motivational speech is the inclusion of a story. After all, the draw of a motivational speech is a story for the listeners to compare themselves to and take something away from. If a story isn’t included in your motivational speech somehow, it’s no different than a lecture.

Since we’re concerned with creating short and succinct motivational speeches here, you must be careful which stories you choose. If you don’t have a relevant story to share that’s short enough for your purposes, doing online research or asking friends for something is also a good idea. The story doesn’t necessarily have to be yours to be effective. You just have to make it relatable and relevant.

Barring length, which we’ve already addressed, not every story is effective for a motivational speech. The audience needs to be able to relate to the story, and the story itself needs to relate to the topic at hand, or else there’s no point in telling it. Additionally, if your story doesn’t further the point you’re trying to make, it will simply use up more of the time you have to speak.

If possible, using a personal story or a story of someone close to you is best, because this is the type of story that you will relate to the most. When you relate to the story emotionally, you will be a much more effective speaker, and the audience will recognize this and respond to it. If you don’t have an applicable personal story, find something online that moves you and inspires you on its own, then work that into your speech.

As a last resort, you can consider making up a fictional story to tell your audience, but this isn’t always an applicable strategy. For example, if an employer were to make up a story to tell their employees, it wouldn’t be particularly useful, applicable, or even helpful. In the worst case, the employees might take the story as a threat of what might happen to them if they didn’t show greater performance.

Whether you’re looking to scare your employees or not is up to you, but that’s not the purpose of a motivational speech. A motivational speech is meant to inspire people to take positive action, not scare them into behaving with veiled threats.

Finding Your Audience

Your audience is as much an integral part of your speech as the body of the speech itself is. If your audience cannot relate to your speech, it will have less of an effect or it won’t have one at all. In the same way, trying to relate too hard to your audience can be a death sentence, too. Age is a particularly difficult one to follow, but there are hundreds of more variables that presenters need to keep in mind, too, such as:

• Knowledgeability of the audience
• Cultural factors and cues
• Financial availability of the audience
• Geographical factors

The delivery method you use to relate to your audience plays a role, as well. Particularly infamous is when older speakers try too hard to engage and relate to younger audiences. Avoid the trap of using too much hip lingo and trying to act like a younger generation; the same can apply for older generations, too. As long as you represent yourself well and speak respectfully and engagingly with your audience, your delivery will go over well.

To relate to your audience, rather than falling prey to the traps we mentioned above, consider what your audience needs instead. What is your audience getting out of your speech? Is your audience a group of employees who were forced to come to this speech, or is it a group of students who voluntarily came to listen to you?

Your speech is as much about your audience as it is about you. What can you offer to the audience by speaking to them? What do you want to offer to the audience? Is your speech being given to solve an existing problem, or is its purpose to impart wisdom? These questions and more are essential things to ask yourself as you decide how to deliver your speech.

Tie Things Together

It’s very important to make sure the different parts of your speech all tie together when you’re crafting it. The greater points in your speech should relate to your story, your story should relate to your audience, and your final points should relate to everything mentioned above. This is doubly important since your motivational speech is meant to be short and sweet.

If your speech is all over the place or doesn’t tie together, your audience will not respect it and are unlikely to learn anything from it. Moreover, if your speech doesn’t make sense, your audience will likely zone out long before you’re done giving it.

Just as important as tying everything together is tying things together well. While overdoing things with your speech is a no-no, leaving it boring and clinical isn’t always appropriate, either. Your opening, ending, and overall tone should be compatible with your audience and the message you’re trying to convey.

Start Strong

The importance of the opening to a speech can never be underestimated. What kind of opening works best depends mostly upon your audience, however. Finding this perfect opening sequence is a crucial part of catching your audience’s attention early on and holding that attention for the duration of the speech.

Picking a great opening to your speech is an excellent way to make it memorable, engaging, and interesting to your audience. If you really want to make an impact on your audience, this is the way to do it. Several effective strategies for crafting an effective opening are:

• Asking your audience some thought-provoking questions
• Citing a surprising or unbelievable statistic or fact
• A meaningful or inspiring quote
• A short and sweet anecdote

Since your motivational speech will be short, its opening is all the more important. You have even less time to introduce your audience to the topic, get them hooked, and pave the way for the rest of the speech. It’s also worth noting that, if your audience needs background on a topic or idea in order to understand it, it’s important to provide that right away in a short motivational speech.

Be Succinct

Even in a longer motivational speech, it’s important to get right to the point and get your message across to your audience. No audience appreciates their time being wasted, so your motivational speech should be brief, to-the-point, and as condensed as possible without losing understanding, ease of conveyance, or meaning.

Your speech needs to be structured, easy to understand, and meaningful. This means avoiding excessive prose or sentences that don’t add to your point. Your structure should be clean, logical, and easy to follow regardless of the topic. Don’t decorate your speech much or at all. The purpose of your speech is to prove a point or to address a problem, after all.

When creating your speech, you should always be honest and real. If you write things into your speech that you don’t believe or subscribe to, your audience will know. If you can’t relate to or at least empathize with your own concepts, you may want to think about adjusting the subject of your speech. A normal speech might be able to get away with this, but a motivational speech depends very much upon being honest and touching the heart.

Your speech should feature a call to action, as well. What problem are you trying to solve? Is the issue you’ve identified wildlife preservation? If that’s the case, perhaps your call to action should be for people to volunteer and donate their time towards saving our wildlife. Whenever you’re giving a motivational speech, make sure there is a course of action mentioned within to give your audience an easy route to follow.

Encourage your audience to engage with what you’ve talked to them about thus far. If your audience is a group of employees under your care, call them to work harder, find a solution to a problem, or improved conditions in the workplace for the benefit of the place as a whole. If your audience is a group of recovering smokers, call for quitting by reminding them of how their health is at stake.

Be Evocative

When you’re looking to engage and hook your audience, playing to their emotions is essential. Throughout your speech, you should be sure to use emotional language, use stories that evoke emotion, and help your audience relate to you emotionally as much as possible.

When your audience connects with you and your speech emotionally, that creates your best possible chance to hold your audience’s attention, change the way they think, and influence the way they act going forward from the speech.

Emotions are an undeniable catalyst for inspiring action. Since this is the end goal of a motivational speech, you should thus try to evoke strong emotions in your audience whenever possible. Whether your speech plays on happiness, sadness, anger, or outrage, speaking to these emotions is an excellent way to craft your speech.

Besides involving your audience’s emotions , it should involve their thoughts, too. Your speech should be designed around making your audience think in addition to making them feel. Present questions that your audience must think about twice to decide what they really believe, and keep them thinking even after your speech is finished.

This might seem like a tall order when you’re only creating a short speech, but making your audience think is essential. It can provide several benefits, such as:

• Making your audience think about how they might be able to address your problem
• Making your audience think about your points, come up with counterpoints, or consider solutions
• Forcing your audience to consider how the issues you’ve presented might affect them

Write to Speech

The way you write work that will not be spoken out loud can be very different than work that is meant to be spoken. Often the case is that work that’s not meant to be spoken doesn’t work as well when it’s spoken out loud. Thus, when you’re writing something that will be spoken as its end result, you should pay attention to this and make sure it works when spoken, too.

An excellent way to practice this and prepare your speech to be spoken out loud is to rehearse your speech as you write it. Saying your speech to yourself before the day of is an excellent way to catch wordy trip-ups or other issues before they matter.

If you can, take things a step further and practice your speech in the mirror, too, as this is an excellent way to improve your own charisma as you work. Charisma only works to improve your audience’s involvement in your speech, so maximizing this skill should always be encouraged.

Do Your Research

There is absolutely no substitute for doing a thorough research when you’re crafting your motivational speech. If you skimp on your research and site unreliable or made-up facts during your presentation, your uncertainty will show through in your demeanor. What’s more, if a member of the audience catches a bad fact that you deliver, they might tune out, or worse, call you out on it during or after the speech.

You should also be prepared to cite things like clinical trials, the results of experiments, and any important metrics when giving your speech. Even if you don’t mention these citations out loud during the speech itself, you should be prepared to give them after the speech if any audience members are interested.

Being caught without your sources is an excellent way to fall into uncertainty or be discredited by your listeners. In the same way, make sure that you pull your statistics from reputable sites, as well. Sources and statistics are completely useless to you if they’re unreputable or fake, to begin with.

Watch Your Language

When you’re crafting your speech, the language you use within it needs some special attention. The language you use might vary depending on your audience, but there are also a few more rules that you should follow. For example, try to avoid jargon within your speech as much as you can. If you must resort to specialized words or if you desire to teach them to the audience, make sure to provide background.

Leaving your audience unsure of what you’re talking about is an excellent way to lose them and waste the remainder of your speech. If your audience doesn’t feel like they can keep up with you, they will quickly zone out and think about other things.

Always respect your audience by using the best level of language that they can understand, but that still respects their intelligence. After all, you would use far different language when talking to a three-year-old than you would when talking to a teenager, right?

Delivering Your Speech

Once you’ve created the perfect short motivational speech, you’re still not quite done. If you want your speech to have maximum impact, the way you deliver it is just as important as the way you write it. There are many things you can do to maximize the delivery of your speech, and we’ll go over the best of these methods in this section.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Like we stated above, practicing your speech yourself is an excellent way to fine-tune how well you give it. Doing this in front of a mirror provides an extra bonus, or alternatively, you can give your speech in front of a video camera or in front of friends or family that you trust. Over time, practicing this way will improve the way you act and feel as you deliver your speeches, even going as far as boosting your own confidence.

Confidence while giving a speech is essential. Even if you have trouble with crowds, you should at least be confident in your delivery and confident in your material. While you practice your speech, though, be very careful not to craft a fake demeanor to use while you give your speech. Your audience will notice this, and they will be far more receptive to your speech and your message if you’re genuine and honest instead.

Prepare and Prepare Again

Even beyond practicing, there really is no replacement for preparing for any contingencies for your speech. You might lose your notecards on the day of, other speakers might run over time, or key people might fail to show up. You should be prepared for these scenarios and more when you’re going in to present your speech. Consider making preparations like:

• Making extra sets of notecards
• Preparing a shorter version of your speech
• Preparing a longer version of your speech
• Having questions on hand to address the audience with when your speech is over
• Preparing for different noise levels in your venue

No one is a naturally perfect speaker. Excellent speakers are as good as they are because they take the time to prepare and practice again and again. While you may be able to give an average or good talk even if you skimp on practice and preparation, you will never be able to give an excellent talk this way.

The Delivery

Delivering your speech is an integral part of making it impactful, motivating, and relatable. If you sound unimpressed with or uninspired by your own speech, after all, your audience will inevitably feel the same. You should sound knowledgeable and confident in your material, but still passionate and even emotional about your chosen topic.

An excellent way to practice delivering the speech you want is to record yourself speaking, then play it back. You can deliver your speech in front of friends or family, too, but hearing it from your own mouth is especially helpful. Doing this is an excellent way to take a closer listen to your tone of voice, your vocal excitement and passion, and how well you’re getting your point across.

Examples of Short Motivational Speeches

1. matthew mcconaughey – this is why you’re not happy.

2. Peter Dinklage ‘Don’t Wait’

3. Lou Holtz ‘The 3 Rules to a Less Complicated Life’

4. Will Smith Self-Discipline Motivational Speech

5. Oprah Winfrey Motivational Speech

6. Jim Carrey Motivational Speech

A short motivational speech is a wonderful thing. Even a short speech can have an incredible, lasting effect on its listeners if it’s crafted and delivered the right way. What’s more, a motivational speech is an excellent way to address problems, brainstorm solutions, and get everyone involved in something and on the same page.

Of course, a motivational speech first and foremost duty is to motivate, and when done right, it doesn’t lack at this, either. If you take the proper time and care to craft your speech properly, in addition to knowing and respecting your audience, choosing a good story, and isolating a relevant topic, you will most assuredly be successful in crafting an effective speech that will absorb and motivate your chosen audience.

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How to Start a Motivational Speech: 5 Strategies for Capturing the Audience

Inspiring people to take positive action is a superpower for CEOs like you. The five strategies for starting a motivational speech covered in this article are meant to help you acquire this superpower and use it to motivate clients and employees alike.

Imagine standing on stage in a room filled with people in your target audience. You have been booked to give a motivational speech. How are you going to start? You have to capture the attention of your audience before you can motivate anyone. Each type of audience requires a different attention-grabbing tactic. The best motivational speakers are masters at knowing their audience and adapting their speeches accordingly.

Master the following five strategies for how to start a motivational speech and you will leave your next audience feeling energized and inspired.

1 – Ask a Question to Make the Audience Feel Like Part of a Conversation

A dry, one-way lecture is the fastest way to lose your audience. Great motivational speaking makes the audience feel like a part of a conversation. Starting with a question is a great way to start that tone. Your question should act as a lead-in to the core topic of your speech.

If your speech is on how to stay motivated when their business is struggling , then your question could be something like “By a show of hands, how many of you have ever felt like you just wanted a give up and close the business down?”

2 – Engage Your Audience With an Activity

Your audience is much more likely to pay attention to you if you can get them moving. The key to successfully using an activity to start a motivational speech is to pay attention to detail. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How many people are expected?
• What are the demographics of attendees?
• How much time do you have?

These seemingly insignificant details are the difference between a hit activity and a flop.

Just like asking a question, you want your activity to be a lead-in for the content of your speech. The best activities include a physical element. Say your topic is the relationship between your mood and your motivation to improve your business . You could start your motivational speech with a breathing exercise for calming one’s mind or a quick smiling exercise.

3 – Tell a Story to Make Your Motivational Speech More Relatable

We are instinctually wired to learn through storytelling, dating back to our days as cavepeople . There are a few different types of stories you could tell to start your motivational speech – each with a different effect.

• Historical Stories

You can use a story from history that relates to the subject matter of your speech. This story could be based on a popular fable or a factual historical event. The benefit of a historical story is it is easy to find a story that fits with your topic perfectly. The downside is they are not as personal as your other options. Your audience may relate to the story, but do they relate to you ?

• Professional Stories

As a successful CEO you have a bunch of professional stories you can use to inspire your audience. These stories are especially effective when trying to motivate employees or speaking in front of industry colleagues. 

The key to using professional stories is to make sure they fit the context of the speech topic. If you are speaking to fellow CEOs, tell a story about overcoming a problem a fellow CEO would face. If you were speaking to aspiring business owners , tell a story from when you first started your business.

• Personal Stories

It takes courage to be vulnerable and tell a story from your personal life, but it is one of the most powerful tools for connecting with your audience. You have to prove you have motivated yourself in your darkest times if you want to motivate your audience to do the same.

Again, context is key. A personal story is only powerful if you can use it to segue into your main topic.

4 – Quote a Scientific Study to Give Your Motivational Speech Authority

A scientific study gives your motivational speech instant authority. A piece of interesting research related to your topic signals to your audience that you are not just going to pull information out of thin air.

You can even start your motivational speech with research on motivation. This article here  from Business Insider is a good place to start. It has 42 different studies on motivation for you to choose from complete with visual aids.

5 – Tell Your Audience Something They Were Not Expecting to Hear

So many motivational speeches start the same way. The speaker will ask the audience how they are doing, and then they will give an overview of the main point of their speech. It is ineffective because it is what your audience expects.

If you cannot think of a good way to use the other four ways to start a motivational speech, just say anything besides what they expect. Do not be afraid to be different – the more you let your personality shine through in your introduction, the more likely your audience is to actually be motivated by your words.

5 Inspiring Motivational Speeches From Highly Successful People

How to start a motivational speech is, literally, just the beginning. The best way to write a motivational speech that is impactful from start to finish is by studying amazing motivational speeches. Watch the following speeches with a pen and notepad. Answer the following:

• When is the first point in the speech where you feel drawn in? What were the words?
• What is the speaker’s tone of voice? Does the pace change throughout? How?
• What pieces of information stuck with you after you got to the end?

1 – Denzel Washington Commencement Speech – Fall Forward

Denzel Washington’s 2011 commencement speech at the University of Penn. He says he doesn’t want to fall back on anything, but rather fall forward by taking risks.

He mentions how Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiences before he created the light bulb.

The motivational message is that failed experiences are a necessary part of success. He backs it up with a personal story from his own failures auditioning for roles early on in his acting career.

2 – Eric Thomas Speaks to Olympic Athletes – I Can, I Will, I Must

In 2016, Dick’s Sporting Goods brought in Eric Thomas to speak to the Olympians they sponsored.

Knowing that his audience was a bunch of high-achievers, he tailored his speech to them. He talks about how important it is to stay hungry when you have already achieved a high level of success.

This point is driven home by saying how an alligator can be killed by a human with their bare hands right after the alligator eats. Why? Because they go into a state similar to paralysis once their hunger is satisfied.

3 – Arnold Schwarzenegger – Work Your Ass Off

Arnold Schwarzenegger gave this motivational speech in 2018 and it has since racked up millions of views on YouTube.

He gives some secrets to his success, but his most important message is that nothing else matters if you don’t work your ass off.

The speech is filled with personal stories from his own life that show how he worked his ass off to become a successful bodybuilder, movie star, and politician.

4 – Jim Carrey Commencement Speech – Passion is Worth the Risk

Jim Carrey’s 2014 commencement speech at the Maharishi University of Management is one of the most highly viewed motivational speeches on YouTube.

He starts his speech with classical Jim Carrey humor, but by the middle of the speech, he shares profound wisdom on pursuing a career in what you love.

Jim Carrey shares his own personal story of resilience, but perhaps more powerful is the story of his dad, who settled for the “safe” career and still ended up failing.

5 – J.K. Rowling Commencement Speech – The Fringe Benefits of Failure

J.K. Rowling’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech is all about the benefits of failure.

She starts the speech with her typical sense of self-deprecating humor, even though she is the most successful children’s author who has ever lived.

Rowling shares how the first Harry Potter novel was rejected dozens of times, and how her faith in herself kept her going through the rejection.

Fictional Motivational Speeches That Provide Real Inspiration

A fictional motivational speech may be scripted, but that doesn’t mean it can’t give you real inspiration. These are the most popular movie speeches.

1 – Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness – Protect Your Dream

At first, Will Smith’s character discourages his son’s dream of being a professional basketball player.

He quickly realizes his mistake after seeing his son’s reaction and tells him to never let anyone discourage him from pursuing his dreams – even his own father.

2 – Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday – Inch by Inch

Pacino’s character gives an inspirational speech at halftime that applies to both football and life.

He says life is a game of inches, and those willing to fight and claw for every single inch are the ones who are the most successful.

3 – Sylvester Stallone in Rocky – Take the Hits

Sylvester Stallone’s character is talking to his adult son, who he feels has lost his way.

It is a great motivational speech on the power of resilience, and how success comes from taking the hits and getting back up until you achieve your goal.

4 – Kurt Russel in Miracle – You Were Born for This

Kurt Russel’s character is speaking to the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team in the locker room before they take on the highly favorited Russians.

His speech is a great message about how the odds of success don’t matter. If you only believe you can succeed when the odds are in your favor, then you really don’t believe in yourself at all.

5 – Mel Gibson in Braveheart – They Will Never Take Our Freedom

Mel Gibson’s character rallies his troops before heading into battle against a much bigger army.

This speech is one of the most popular motivational movie speeches of all time because makes people think about how they are failing to fight for their own freedom in their lives.

How to Start a Motivational Speech: Final Thoughts

Now that you are armed with the firepower and secrets for instantly capturing your audience, don’t forget that the real challenge is how to keep their attention throughout your time on stage!

Capture their attention and inspire them to do things they never thought possible without using anything but your words. That is the true superpower you can have if you learn the secrets to inspiring others to take action .

Knowing how to start a motivational speech is just the first step towards being an effective motivational speaker. Stay tuned to the Titanium Success blog to learn how to select a good topic for your speech and how to conclude your speech so your audience remembers you.

As a business coach and CEO advisor , one of the things I help my clients with is establishing themselves as experts in their industries. I teach you how to use educational content to build trust and generate opportunities to speak within your industry. Schedule a consultation with me if you want an advisor to help you become a magnetic speaker.

This video below shows me in action as a motivational speaker. If you want to book me as a motivational speaker, check out this page .

If you have any questions about how to start a motivational speech, leave them in the comments. I will answer as soon as I can.

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Speech Script: Motivational Speech

A motivational speech has the power to uplift, inspire, and ignite positive change in the hearts and minds of listeners. Whether you are speaking to a small group or a large audience, the art of delivering a motivational speech requires careful planning, effective communication, and a genuine connection with your audience. In this article, we will explore a step-by-step guide on how to write a motivational speech that resonates with your audience, leaves a lasting impact, and empowers individuals to take action towards their goals.

Table of Contents

Motivational Speech Tips

Understand your audience.

Before you begin crafting your motivational speech, it is crucial to understand your audience. Take the time to research and analyze their demographics, interests, and needs. Consider their aspirations, challenges, and the common experiences they share. This knowledge will help you tailor your message to resonate deeply with your listeners.

Define Your Purpose and Core Message

Every motivational speech should have a clear purpose and core message. Ask yourself: What do I want my audience to feel, think, or do after hearing my speech? Identify the main idea or theme you wish to convey. Whether it is to inspire action, instill self-belief, or encourage personal growth, having a well-defined purpose will guide your speech writing process.

Start Strong with a Compelling Opening

The opening of your speech sets the tone and captures the attention of your audience. Begin with a strong hook that grabs their interest, such as a captivating story, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful quote. Engage their emotions and create a connection from the very beginning.

Share Personal Stories and Examples

Personal stories and examples are powerful tools to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Share your own experiences, struggles, and triumphs that relate to the core message of your speech. Authenticity and vulnerability will resonate with your listeners and make your message more relatable.

Use Vivid Imagery and Metaphors

Paint a vivid picture in the minds of your audience by using descriptive language, vivid imagery, and metaphors. This helps to create a sensory experience, making your message more memorable and impactful. Metaphors can simplify complex concepts and make them easier to grasp, enhancing the overall understanding and retention of your ideas.

Provide Actionable Steps and Practical Advice

To make your motivational speech actionable and meaningful, equip your audience with practical advice and actionable steps they can implement in their lives. Break down complex ideas into manageable tasks, offering guidance and strategies to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Inspire them to take immediate action and empower them with the tools they need to succeed.

Utilize Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical devices such as repetition, parallelism, and rhetorical questions can add emphasis, rhythm, and impact to your speech. They create memorable phrases, highlight key points, and engage your audience on a deeper level. However, use them sparingly and purposefully to avoid overwhelming your listeners.

Build Emotional Connection and Empathy

Emotions have a profound impact on human behavior. To make your motivational speech truly powerful, connect with your audience on an emotional level. Show empathy, understanding, and compassion. Acknowledge their struggles and challenges, and uplift them with words of encouragement and support. By creating an emotional bond, you can inspire them to believe in themselves and take action.

Use Powerful Concluding Remarks

The conclusion of your speech should leave a lasting impact on your audience. Summarize your main points, restate your core message, and end with a memorable call to action or a thought-provoking statement. Leave your audience with a sense of empowerment, motivation, and a desire to implement the lessons they have learned.

Practice, Refine, and Deliver with Confidence

Once you have written your motivational speech, practice it repeatedly. Pay attention to your tone, pacing, and body language. Use gestures and facial expressions to enhance your message. Seek feedback from trusted individuals and make necessary refinements. On the day of your speech, approach the stage with confidence, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to inspire and uplift your audience.

Motivational Speech Example #1

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and fellow dreamers,

Today, I stand before you to share a message of inspiration, empowerment, and limitless possibilities. Each one of us possesses within us a reservoir of untapped potential, waiting to be unleashed. It is my purpose here today to ignite that flame, to awaken the dormant dreams and aspirations that reside within your hearts.

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs. It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily routines, responsibilities, and societal expectations. But I am here to remind you that you are more than just the roles you play or the titles you hold. You are unique, extraordinary beings with the power to create the life you desire.

In this moment, I invite you to close your eyes and envision your greatest aspirations. Picture your dreams as vividly as possible. Feel the exhilaration that comes with achieving what you desire most. Now, open your eyes and realize that these dreams are not mere figments of your imagination—they are your birthright, waiting to be claimed.

But let me be honest with you. The path to achieving your dreams may not always be smooth. There will be obstacles and setbacks along the way. You may face self-doubt, criticism from others, and moments of despair. Yet, it is during these challenging times that your true strength and resilience are revealed.

Remember, my friends, that failure is not the end but merely a stepping stone towards success. Embrace your failures as opportunities for growth and learning. Let them fuel your determination and ignite the fire within you to keep pushing forward. As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you. Surround yourself with individuals who uplift and support you, who see your potential even when you may not see it yourself. Seek out mentors and role models who have walked the path before you, and learn from their experiences. Remember, success is not a solo journey—it is a collective effort.

Embrace the power of gratitude and positivity. Cultivate a mindset of abundance, knowing that there is enough success, love, and happiness for everyone. Celebrate the achievements of others, for their success does not diminish your own. Your journey is unique, and comparing yourself to others only hinders your progress.

My dear friends, the world needs your unique gifts, talents, and perspectives. You have a purpose—a calling that only you can fulfill. Do not let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Take that leap of faith, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace the unknown. For it is in the realm of uncertainty that miracles happen, and greatness is achieved.

As you embark on this journey, remember to take care of yourself. Nurture your mind, body, and soul. Surround yourself with positivity, practice self-care, and prioritize your well-being. Remember that success without fulfillment is an empty achievement. Find joy in the journey, and let your passion be the driving force behind your actions.

In conclusion, my fellow dreamers, I challenge you to rise above mediocrity, to step into your greatness, and to live a life that inspires others. Believe in the power of your dreams, for they hold the key to your ultimate fulfillment. Embrace the challenges, persevere through the setbacks, and never lose sight of the incredible potential that resides within you.

Together, let us create a world filled with individuals who have embraced their greatness, who have dared to dream big, and who have made a positive impact on the lives of others. Let us be the catalysts of change, the beacons of light in a world that often seems dim.

Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. And let us embark on this journey of limitless possibilities—together.

Thank you, and may your journey be filled with boundless inspiration and unwavering determination.

Motivational Speech Example #2

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and fellow seekers of greatness,

Today, I stand before you as a messenger of possibility, armed with words that have the power to ignite the fire within your souls. I am here to remind you that deep within you lies an unyielding reservoir of strength, courage, and untapped potential. Today, I implore you to awaken that dormant force and unleash it upon the world.

Life is not meant to be a mere existence. It is meant to be a grand adventure, a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Yet, it is easy to fall into the trap of complacency, to settle for a life that is comfortable but unfulfilling. I urge you to break free from those chains of mediocrity, to dare to dream and pursue a life that sets your soul ablaze.

Understand that the journey to greatness is not an easy path. It requires perseverance, resilience, and an unwavering belief in your own capabilities. There will be obstacles in your way, naysayers who question your abilities, and moments of self-doubt that threaten to derail your progress. But remember this: the greatest triumphs often arise from the ashes of our toughest battles.

Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. Each setback is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to refine your approach. Do not let fear of failure paralyze you; instead, let it fuel your determination to rise above adversity and emerge stronger than before. As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Believe in the power of your dreams, for they are the compass that will guide you towards your true purpose. Cultivate a crystal-clear vision of what you desire to achieve, and let that vision be the driving force behind your actions. Visualize yourself standing at the pinnacle of success, and let that image propel you forward, even when the path seems arduous.

Surround yourself with a tribe of dreamers and doers, individuals who see your potential and lift you higher. Seek out mentors who inspire and challenge you to reach new heights. Remember, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so choose your inner circle wisely. Together, you can create a symphony of success, each contributing their unique talents and strengths.

In the pursuit of greatness, it is essential to remain steadfast in the face of adversity. Let perseverance be your guiding light, and let determination be your fuel. When the world tells you that your dreams are impossible, let that be the catalyst that propels you forward. Embrace the discomfort of growth, for it is through challenges that we discover our true capabilities.

But amidst the pursuit of your dreams, do not forget the importance of compassion and empathy. Lift others as you rise, for true success is not measured solely by personal achievements, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others. Leave a legacy of kindness, generosity, and inspiration in your wake, for the true measure of greatness lies in the hearts you touch along the way.

In conclusion, my fellow seekers of greatness, I urge you to seize this moment, to embrace the boundless potential that resides within you. The world is waiting for your unique gifts, your passions, and your contributions. Do not shrink back in the face of adversity, but rather, rise above it and let your light shine brightly.

Believe in yourself, for you are capable of more than you can ever imagine. Embrace the challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and never lose sight of the extraordinary person you are becoming. Let your journey be a testament to the power of the human spirit, an inspiration to all who witness your unwavering determination.

It is time to unleash your greatness, to chase your dreams with unrelenting fervor, and to create a life that leaves a lasting impact. The world is waiting, my friends. So go forth, with courage in your hearts and fire in your souls, and let your motivational roar be heard in every corner of this earth.

Thank you, and may your journey be filled with unwavering belief, audacious dreams, and infinite possibilities.

Motivational Speech Example #3

Dear friends, dreamers, and believers,

Today, I stand before you to remind you of the incredible power that resides within each and every one of you. We are living in a time of boundless opportunities, where the only limits that exist are the ones we impose upon ourselves. It is my mission to inspire you to break free from those self-imposed limitations and embrace the extraordinary life that awaits you.

Life is a precious gift, a tapestry of moments and experiences that shape us into who we are meant to become. Each day is an opportunity to paint your own masterpiece, to sculpt your own path, and to create a legacy that will inspire generations to come. But to do so, you must first believe in your own potential.

Belief is the cornerstone of achievement. It is the unwavering faith that you have what it takes to overcome any obstacle and reach for the stars. Believe in your talents, your abilities, and the unique gifts that you bring to this world. Embrace the truth that you are here for a reason, that your dreams are not mere fantasies but a roadmap to your destiny.

But belief alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by action. Dreams without action are like birds without wings—they may soar in your mind, but they will never take flight. Take that first step, no matter how small or daunting it may seem. Break down your goals into manageable tasks and commit to taking consistent action towards their realization.

Embrace the power of resilience. Know that setbacks are not failures but opportunities to learn and grow. When faced with adversity, rise above it with unwavering determination. Let your setbacks become the stepping stones that propel you forward. Remember, the greatest success stories are often born from the ashes of perceived failure.

Surround yourself with a tribe of like-minded individuals who uplift and inspire you. Seek out mentors and role models who have walked the path before you. Learn from their wisdom, their mistakes, and their triumphs. Remember that success is not a solitary journey—it is a collective effort. Together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.

Embrace the unknown and step outside of your comfort zone. Growth lies in the realm of uncertainty. Take risks, try new things, and embrace failure as a necessary part of the journey. As J.K. Rowling once said, “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all.”

Remember to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Take care of yourself, for you are the vehicle through which your dreams will be realized. Prioritize self-care, cultivate healthy habits, and surround yourself with positivity. Fill your mind with empowering thoughts, feed your body with nourishing food, and let your spirit be fueled by gratitude and joy.

And above all, never forget the power of perseverance. Success rarely comes overnight. It is the result of countless hours of dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment. When you feel like giving up, remind yourself of why you started. Let your passion be the driving force that propels you forward, even when the road ahead seems long and arduous.

In conclusion, my dear friends, I urge you to seize this moment. Embrace the power within you, believe in your dreams, and take inspired action. The world is waiting for your unique contributions, your creativity, and your passion. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, unleash your potential, and create a life that is filled with purpose, joy, and fulfillment.

You have the power to make a difference, to leave a lasting impact on the world. Believe in yourself, trust in your abilities, and know that the journey may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable. Embrace the adventure that lies ahead, and let your motivational spirit shine brightly for all to see.

Thank you, and may your path be illuminated by the fire of your dreams and the unwavering belief in your own greatness.

Final Thoughts

Crafting a motivational speech is an art that requires careful thought, preparation, and a deep understanding of your audience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a speech that resonates with your listeners, ignites positive change, and inspires them to reach their full potential. Remember, a well-crafted motivational speech has the power to transform lives, instill belief, and create a ripple effect of positivity in the world. So, go forth, share your message, and empower others to embrace their greatness.

About Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

Whatsapp: +85259609792

[email protected]

How to Give a Motivational Speech for Your Next Team Meeting

Hrideep barot.

• Workplace Communication

Have you ever been the center of attention at a team meeting, wondering how to inspire everyone there with real inspiration? It’s not just you. It might feel like an art form to write a speech that not only draws in listeners but also inspires genuine motivation. But don’t worry— we’re going to unpack the art of delivering a motivational speech for a team meeting.

Thus, stay with us if you’re preparing for your next team meeting and want to leave a lasting impact. Let’s investigate the different ways to give a speech that has the effect of a real discussion rather than a lecture, fostering a spirit of enthusiasm and cooperation that lasts long after you’ve left the room.

This article aims to address the following: 

• What is Motivational Speech?
• Why is it Important to Motivate your Team?
• Techniques for Giving a Motivational Speech
• Prerequisites for creating a Motivational Speech
• Sample of Motivational Speech
• Popular Motivational Speakers
• Conclusion.

WHAT IS A MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH?

A motivational speech is like a burst of energy for your spirit. It’s that talk that gets your heart racing, your mind buzzing with possibilities, and leaves you ready to take on the world. Picture it as a verbal pep talk, aiming to inspire and ignite a fire within you. Whether it’s a speaker on stage, your boss at a team meeting, or even a friend lifting your spirits, a good motivational speech has this magical ability to make you believe in yourself, see challenges as opportunities, and fill you with the courage to chase your dreams. It’s not just words; it’s a boost for your soul, a reminder that you’ve got what it takes to conquer whatever comes your way.

Check this out for more information on this topic. 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MOTIVATE YOUR TEAM?

Let’s break it down in simpler terms. Imagine your team as a group of friends planning a road trip. Motivation is like having a full tank of gas – it keeps your journey smooth and enjoyable. Here’s why keeping that tank full is so darn important:

Keep the Wheels Turning:

When your team is motivated, it’s like stepping on the gas pedal. Tasks get done, projects move forward, and everyone’s cruising toward success.

Happy Travelers:

Motivation adds a dose of joy to the work journey. It’s not just about reaching the destination; it’s about enjoying the ride. Motivated team members find satisfaction in what they do.

Reaching Pit Stops:

Ever tried a road trip without goals? Motivation sets the GPS. It helps your team set and reach targets, turning the work journey into a series of achievements.

A Solid Caravan:

Motivated teams stick together. It’s not a solo adventure; it’s a collective effort. Motivation creates a bond among team members, making sure nobody gets left behind.

Smooth Roads, Fewer Bumps:

A motivated team is a stress-free team. It’s like driving on a well-maintained highway – fewer potholes, less stress, and an overall smoother ride.

No Detours:

Motivated employees are less likely to jump ship. They’re committed to the trip, less tempted by other roadside attractions, and more likely to stay in the car with you.

Handling Roadblocks:

Motivation turns roadblocks into speed bumps. Instead of seeing challenges as showstoppers, a motivated team sees them as opportunities to learn and grow.

Innovation as the Scenic Route:

Ever taken the scenic route? That’s what a motivated team does. They’re not just following the GPS; they’re exploring new ideas and finding innovative shortcuts.

So, in the grand journey of work, motivation is your trusty fuel. It keeps your team’s engine running, ensures a happy crew, and makes the entire trip worthwhile. 

Check this out for more information on this topic.

TECHNIQUES FOR GIVING A MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH.

Giving a motivational speech is like setting the stage for a blockbuster movie – you want your audience on the edge of their seats, eager for what comes next. Here are some down-to-earth techniques to make your speech a hit:

1. Get Personal:

Share a bit of yourself, and let your audience see the real you. Personal stories make your message relatable and genuine.

Example: Share a personal story of overcoming a professional setback. “A few years ago, I faced a project failure that taught me valuable lessons in resilience. Today, I want to share that experience with you and inspire a collective spirit of resilience in our team.”

2. Kick Off with a Bang:

Start strong, imagine you’re opening a door to a fantastic world. A catchy quote, a surprising fact, or a quick story can be your key to that door.

Example: Start with a motivational quote: “As Vince Lombardi once said, ‘Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.’ Today, let’s explore how our individual commitments contribute to our collective success.”

3. Make Your Intent Clear:

Tell your audience why they should care. Make it crystal clear what you’re there to talk about and what you hope they’ll take away.

Example: Clarify the purpose of the speech: “The purpose of today’s meeting is to rekindle the spirit of collaboration within our team. By the end, I hope each of you feels motivated and connected to our shared goals.”

4. Tell Stories Like You’re Chatting:

Forget formalities and share your stories like you would with friends over coffee. This brings warmth and authenticity to your speech.

Example: Share a work-related story in a conversational manner: “Picture this: a tight deadline, unexpected challenges, and a team that rallied together to overcome every obstacle. This happened last month, and it reminded me of the strength we possess as a team.”

5. Sprinkle Some Positivity:

Choose words that bring sunshine, positivity is your secret sauce. It’s infectious and sets the mood for inspiration.

Example: Use positive affirmations: “Today is not just a meeting; it’s a celebration of our team’s capabilities. I believe in each of you, and together, there’s no challenge too great for us to tackle.”

6. Throw in a Few Chuckles:

Laughter is a universal language. A well-timed joke or a funny anecdote can break the ice and make your speech memorable.

Example: Share a lighthearted work-related anecdote: “Who else has experienced a ‘Monday moment’ on a Wednesday? I know I have, and sometimes, a good laugh is the best remedy for workplace blues.”

7. Let Your Body Talk:

Your body is part of the conversation. Smile, make eye contact, and let your gestures add flavor to your words. It’s like seasoning for your speech.

Example: Maintain eye contact and smile genuinely: “As we discuss our journey today, I want to emphasize the importance of genuine connections. So, let’s keep the eye contact alive, and feel free to share those smiles. We’re in this together!”

8. Encourage Action:

Motivate your audience to take a step forward. A speech without a call to action is like a movie without a climax. Guide them on what to do next.

Example: Motivate the audience to set individual goals: “Before we conclude, I want each of you to jot down one personal goal you want to achieve this month. Let’s turn today’s inspiration into actionable steps toward personal and team success.”

9. Jazz it Up with Visuals:

Use visuals like you’re telling a storybook. Slides, images, or props can add a visual rhythm to your speech.

Example: Use slides to showcase collaborative achievements: “Here’s a visual representation of our recent successes. Each slide represents a milestone, and together, they tell a story of our collective triumphs.”

10. Hit Emotional Chords:

Make your audience feel something, and share moments that tug at the heartstrings. Emotion makes your message stick.

Example: Share a personal story that evokes determination: “In my career, I faced a moment of doubt, but the support of this team fueled my determination. I want you to feel that same fire within you as we tackle challenges together.”

11. Finish with a Bang:

End like you’re leaving your audience with a cliffhanger. Summarize, hit your main points, and leave them feeling excited and motivated.

Example: Summarize key points with enthusiasm: “Today, we explored the strength of our team, celebrated our successes, and set the stage for future triumphs. I’m leaving this room with immense pride in each of you. Let’s continue this journey with passion and purpose!”

Remember, a good motivational speech isn’t about impressing; it’s about connecting. So, speak from the heart, be yourself, and leave your audience feeling ready to conquer the world! 

Check this out for more information on this topic

PREREQUISITES OF CREATING A MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH .

1. understand your audience:.

Consider conducting surveys or interviews to gather insights into your audience’s preferences, challenges, and expectations. Use this information to tailor your message to their specific needs and create a stronger connection.

2. Define Your Purpose:

Clearly articulate the expected outcomes of your speech. Whether it’s boosting team morale, fostering a sense of purpose, or encouraging personal development, defining your purpose helps shape the content and structure of your speech.

3. Gather Relevant Stories and Examples:

Develop a repertoire of stories that not only align with your key messages but also resonate with the experiences of your audience. Personalize each story to make it relatable, ensuring that listeners can see themselves in the narrative.

4. Establish Credibility:

Share specific instances where your expertise or experiences have contributed to successful outcomes. This could include successful projects you’ve led, professional certifications, or lessons learned from overcoming challenges. Building credibility involves providing tangible evidence of your capabilities.

5. Create a Strong Outline:

Within the introduction, consider incorporating a “hook” that captures immediate attention, such as a thought-provoking question or a brief anecdote. In the conclusion, emphasize the key takeaways and end with a call to action, prompting the audience to apply what they’ve learned.

6. Incorporate Engaging Elements:

Explore various types of visuals, such as infographics, charts, or short video clips, to cater to different learning styles. Incorporate audience participation by posing questions or facilitating brief discussions. Engaging elements should complement your verbal message and enhance audience understanding.

7. Tailor Your Language:

Choose language that reflects the culture and communication style of your audience. If you’re addressing a diverse group, consider incorporating inclusive language to ensure that everyone feels represented. Tailoring your language fosters a sense of connection and understanding.

8. Consider Timing:

Break down your speech into time segments for each section. Allocate more time to critical points and less to supporting details. Be mindful of natural pauses, allowing the audience to absorb information. Effective timing ensures a well-paced and engaging presentation.

9. Anticipate Questions and Reactions:

Develop comprehensive responses to potential questions, considering alternative perspectives or concerns that may arise. During the speech, actively observe the audience’s reactions and adjust your delivery based on their engagement level. Anticipating questions demonstrates preparedness and enhances your ability to connect with the audience.

SAMPLE OF MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH .

“Hey Team! How’s everyone doing today? Let’s kick off with a little pep talk because, hey, we’re an awesome bunch, and we need a reminder of that now and then. Look at us — a bunch of talented, creative, and downright cool individuals. Seriously, have you seen the awesome stuff we’ve been pulling off together? It’s like a superhero team, but without the capes (unless you’re into that kind of thing). So, here’s the deal. We’re not just clocking in and out; we’re on a journey together. It’s a bit like a rollercoaster – ups, downs, twists, and turns. But guess what? Roller Coasters are exciting, and so is our journey. Sure, we’ve got challenges. But here’s the secret sauce; those challenges? They’re just hurdles in a race we’re winning. Every problem we solve, every deadline we smash – that’s us leveling up. I want each of you to take a moment to appreciate the uniqueness you bring to this team. Your quirks, your skills, your coffee preferences – they all matter. As we move forward, let’s not just aim to get the job done. Let’s aim to rock it. Let’s make our tasks our own, add a bit of flair, and make it so awesome that people will be talking about it. Remember, we’re not just colleagues; we’re a squad. We’ve got each other’s backs. Your win is my win, and together, we’re unstoppable.

In the words of someone probably wise, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” And I believe our dreams are pretty epic. So, let’s tackle the day with a high-five, a smile, and the knowledge that we’re in this together. Ready to rock? Cheers to an awesome day, team! “

Check the video out to learn more about how to write and deliver such speeches. 

POPULAR MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS.

Tony robbins.

Tony Robbins, the motivational expert, doesn’t just speak – he’s a force of inspiration. Imagine this: he’s not just on stage; he’s leading a revolution in how we approach life. With his infectious enthusiasm, Tony delves deep into the workings of our minds and emotions, urging us to break free from limitations and seize success. It’s not just motivational talk; it’s practical strategies for conquering life’s challenges. Whether it’s his captivating speeches or life-altering advice, Tony Robbins isn’t just a speaker; he’s your motivator, encouraging you to overcome fears and live your fullest life. His impact isn’t fleeting; it’s a game-changer for millions worldwide.

One of his speeches includes:

Dave Ramsey 

Dave Ramsey, a motivational powerhouse, isn’t your typical financial guru; he’s your money confidant. He doesn’t just throw numbers at you; he’s in it to make a change in your life. Imagine this: instead of lecturing, he’s having a real talk about money, debts, and dreams. With his down-to-earth style and a sprinkle of humor, Dave helps you achieve financial freedom. Whether he’s rocking the stage, writing books, or on the airwaves, Ramsey isn’t just a speaker; he’s that friendly guide helping you conquer debt, handle money, and embrace your best life. His impact is more than dollars – it’s about sparking hope and giving you a roadmap to a brighter financial future. 

Check this video out for one of his speeches: 

Chris Gardner 

Chris Gardner, the man who inspired “The Pursuit of Happiness,” isn’t just a speaker; he’s your personal motivation booster. Picture this: he doesn’t just narrate a tale; he shares his journey from homelessness to success, a rollercoaster of resilience and hope. Chris has this amazing knack for turning tough times into victories, and when he speaks, you can’t help but feel empowered to face your challenges. He’s not just a character from a movie; he’s a living reminder that, no matter how tough life gets, you have the power to script your own story of happiness.

Here’s one of his speeches: 

Suze Orman 

The money expert Suze Orman isn’t your typical financial wizard; rather, she’s a helpful buddy who guides you through the complex world of personal finance. Rather than overwhelming you with financial jargon, she makes financial issues approachable and powerful. Suze’s influence extends beyond her discussions of investments and budgets; she is a powerful motivator for taking charge of your financial destiny. Her speeches are similar to an international pep rally in that they provide you with financial security advice and inspire a shift in perspective towards plenty. Suze Orman is not only concerned with finances; she is an enthusiastic promoter of both financial and personal empowerment, inspiring individuals to make financially responsible decisions with self-assurance and direction.

Here’s one of her speeches: 

So, as we wrap up our exploration into the art of delivering a motivational speech for your next team meeting, remember that the power of words goes beyond mere communication; it has the ability to ignite passion, foster collaboration, and leave an enduring impact. Whether drawing inspiration from the dynamic Tony Robbins, the financial wisdom of Dave Ramsey, the resilience of Chris Gardner, or the practical guidance of Suze Orman, motivational speakers serve as stimulants for personal and professional transformation.

In the grand journey of work, motivation is the fuel that keeps your team’s engine running, ensuring a happy crew and making the entire trip worthwhile. As you gear up for your next team meeting, armed with the techniques and insights shared here, remember that a good motivational speech is not just about impressing but connecting. Speak from the heart, be yourself, and leave your audience feeling ready to conquer the world. After all, it’s not just about the words; it’s about the impact, the inspiration, and the lasting motivation that resonates long after the meeting. So, go out there, inspire, and make your next team meeting an unforgettable experience. 

Cheers to a journey filled with motivation, collaboration, and success!

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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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50 positive life quotes to inspire, and lift your spirit each day

" Life's a climb. But the view is great ." There are times when things seemingly go to plan, and there are other moments when nothing works out.

During those instances, you might feel lost. But words of encouragement can help. Certain quotes can inspire and remind you to live life to the fullest and persevere through whatever challenges come your way.

If you're looking for more, here is a list of quotes about life throughout the decades:

50 quotes about life

• "You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated." – Maya Angelou , "And Still I Rise"
• "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on." –  Robert Frost
• "Life is a long lesson in humility." – J.M. Barrie , "The Little Minister"
• "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all." – Oscar Wilde
• "The most important thing is to enjoy your life–to be happy–it's all that matters." – Audrey Hepburn
• "To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone." – Reba McEntire
• "We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." – Joseph Campbell
• "Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• "Love the life you live. Live the life you love." – Bob Marley
• "I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy." – Marie Curie
• "He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." –  Friedrich Nietzsche
• "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." – Mae West
• "The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one's destiny to do, and then do it." – Henry Ford
• "In order to write about life first you must live it." – Ernest Hemingway
• "Life has no limitations, except the ones you make." – Les Brown
• "It's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver." – Betty White
• "Live for each second without hesitation." – Elton John
• "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." – E. E. Cummings
• "Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart." – Roy Bennett
• "All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." – Mark Twain
• "I believe that if you'll just stand up and go, life will open up for you. Something just motivates you to keep moving." – Tina Turner
• "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." – Thomas Edison
• "I have very strong feelings about how you lead your life. You always look ahead, you never look back." – Ann Richards
• "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." – Albert Einstein
• "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." – Anais Nin
• "You do not find the happy life. You make it." – Camilla Eyring Kimball
• "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." – Jackie Robinson
• "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." – Eleanor Roosevelt
• "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams." – Oprah Winfrey
• "If you own this story you get to write the ending." – Brené Brown
• "Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once." – Lillian Dickinson
• "Life is about making an impact, not making an income." – Kevin Kruse
• "There are no regrets in life, just lessons." – Jennifer Aniston
• "Accept no one's definition of your life, define yourself." – Harvey Fierstein
• "The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes." – Frank Lloyd Wright
• "If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of." – Bruce Lee
• "Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts." – Nikki Giovanni
• "Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." – Soren Kierkegaard
• "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." – Steve Jobs
• "If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow." – Beyoncé
• "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living." – Gail Sheehy
• "I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." – Booker T. Washington
• "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful." – Annette Funicello
• "The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything." – Frank Sinatra
• "I think I've discovered the secret of life – you just hang around until you get used to it." – Charles Schulz
• "Life is very interesting... in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths." – Drew Barrymore
• "Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." – Joshua J. Marine
• "Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in." – Katherine Mansfield
• "The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway." – Henry Boye
• "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." – George Bernard Shaw

Quotes about love: 50 love quotes to express how you feel: 'Where there is love there is life'

Inspirational quotes: 50 motivational motivational words to brighten your day.

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