Although a motivating speech can come from anyone or anywhere, it is typically prepared with a particular audience. Whether it’s a commencement speech, an all-company gathering, a championship sporting event, or the keynote address at a conference, these speeches aim to change how their audiences view the issues ahead.
Do you remember when you needed a little encouragement to keep going because you were feeling down? You may be able to get past this feeling thanks to several variables, including healthy sleep and motivational speeches. You might connect with the speaker during a motivational speech and realize you’re not alone. You might be able to tackle some of the challenges that life presents by listening to these speeches.
Leaders and motivational speakers have delivered creative concepts for years and attracted audiences’ attention. Every speaker has, in some way, helped us imagine a brighter future. But some speakers have radically transformed the way we see the world. These are the individuals who have influenced us the most. And we have ensured that the inspirational speech of each such speaker is posted on our blog. Thus, here we have gathered the top 10 motivational speeches. Continue to read!
1. Steve Jobs – Stanford University
One of the most motivational speeches ever is this one. In his commencement address, Jobs emphasized how he left college after six months and needed another 18 months to decide his life’s work.
He left college because he didn’t see the point in spending his parents’ life savings on education when they were already struggling financially.
He spoke about the challenges of life, especially mortality, and how being aware of death could influence your decision-making. Jobs’ motivational advice to the graduates about the value of education and pursuing their dreams came while he was approaching the end of his life due to pancreatic cancer.
2. J.K. Rowling – Harvard Commencement Speech
You’ll initially laugh at this. J.K. Rowling has a unique talent for making her audience think and laugh simultaneously. At one point, the author takes a grave tone and declares that the primary goal of her address is to share the important things she has learned since her graduation, as well as what she wishes she had known at that time.
The discussion of poverty in this speech sets it apart from the bulk of others on our list. The author is telling the truth. You cannot romanticize poverty. Only fools engage in it, she claims. This situation contains “a thousand tiny humiliations and obstacles,” along with fear, concern, and depression.
When she was younger, she didn’t fear being poor the most. It was a failure. This speech is mainly about the benefits of loss. Yes, there can be benefits to failing. J.K. Rowling is a real-life illustration of this.
3. Richard St. John – 8 Secrets of Success of TED Talk
It’s understandable why this talk was selected because TED Talks have established themselves as the gold standard for motivational speeches. St. John’s speech, based on his book 8 To Be Great, is more direct than other speeches since it suits the subject. In reality, it lasts just three minutes.
The speech’s structure is also extraordinary, condensing seven years of research and 500 interviews with St. John into a presentation that, despite its length, keeps listeners on their toes. While many of his conclusions are simple, the speech is straightforward. Overall, it is a beautiful example of how to use momentum in storytelling.
The remainder of St. John’s speech is the exact opposite, flitting quickly from one crucial topic to another. Additionally, there are cleverly placed jokes. This will ensure that his audience will remember everything, even if he covers a lot of content. Additionally, it helps him engage with the audience and, in contrast to many other presenters, impart knowledge without appearing arrogant.
St. John’s speech offers two key lessons that you can use in motivating lectures or your own experiences. First and foremost, simplify everything. You don’t have to be showy to be remembered. Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself, second. Humor humanizes you, makes you memorable in presentations and helps you cope with hardships in everyday life.
4. David Foster Wallace – Kenyon College Commencement Speech
From the outset, in the commencement speech of David Foster Wallace in 2005 at Kenyon College, in which he reviews commencement speech traditions, Wallace has some valuable insight. His main point was that many of us are blind to our prejudice. We think of ourselves as the center of our separate universes rather than seeing the bigger, more interrelated picture.
Suppose you want to operate on autopilot and instantly believe that you know what truth is and who and what is essential; then you, like me, are reluctant to consider alternatives that aren’t annoying and miserable. You’ll realize you have other possibilities if you’ve developed your ability to think and pay attention, though.
5. Simon Sinek – How Great Leaders Inspire Action
Simon Sinek created a straightforward yet powerful model for inspirational leadership that starts with the golden circle and the question, “Why?” The author and ethnographer (an anthropologist who studies various human subcultures) talk about their findings on how to promote change most successfully. He goes to great lengths on the brain regions a leader must affect to influence others and the behaviors that motivate people to act for a cause.
Simon’s catchphrase, “Start with Why,” is based on the idea that people would trust and follow you if you can speak to their hearts and persuade them that you genuinely believe what you think. Students will find this motivational English speech interesting because it offers a scientific analysis of the human brain and decision-making thinking patterns.
6. Jim Carrey – Commencement Address, MUM Graduation 2014
Why not anticipate a lighthearted speech from one of the world’s funniest men? Jim Carrey is wise, which is a surprise. This speech is, to put it mildly, enlightening. The main takeaway is to choose love over fear.
The speech is funny, yes. After all, Jim Carrey is involved. However, it is severe. I’m here to plant a seed that will inspire you to lead a life marked by open hearts and a strong sense of wholeness.
You might fail in life, even if you choose the safe route. You could potentially fail if you pursue your goals. However, you might be able to complete them, which distinguishes you. In his speech, Jim gives the example of his father. He may have developed into a fantastic comedian, but he chose the secure accounting field. When Kim’s father was 12 years old, the position that was supposed to be stable was lost. “You can fall for what you don’t want, so you might as well take a gamble on doing what you love,” the actor said at that pivotal moment in his life.
Pay attention to this speech if you’re at a crossroads and aren’t sure which way to go. It encourages you to make the right choice. You are inspired to choose love above fear.
7. Dan Pink – The Puzzle of Motivation, TED Talks
Pink’s reputation as a writer is supported by several “legs,” including publications, awards, and a stint as the former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s senior wordsmith in the late 1990s. Pink’s TED Talk, like her earlier successes, serves as a model for every speaker who must make a dry subject, like business or politics, into something motivational and engaging. This example presents the first of these problems as a puzzle. Pink says, “If you want people to act better, you reward them,” after describing the traditional economic approach to performance. Right?… That is how commerce operates.
What he says after that confuses you as a listener: “There is a mismatch between what science understands and what business does. The remedy is not to do more wrong things, to attract people with a sweeter carrot or to threaten them with a sharper stick. We require a whole fresh approach.”
Finally, there is a lot of discussion on how to do well at work, and a familiar problem is “How can I motivate myself at work?” However, Pink takes an atypical method of unorthodox thinking, and he concludes his story by drawing a clear conclusion from the data and unconventional analytics he’s presented.
8. Sheryl Sandberg – Harvard Business School, Class Day Speech
In her address to the HBS class of 2012, software executive and author Sheryl Sandberg destroyed the idea of “career as a ladder.” According to Sandberg, a career is about finding opportunities where you can have an impact rather than focusing on titles and following a strict plan. If I had planned my career while I was sitting where you are, I would have missed it, she replied. Additionally, Sandberg disagrees with the common wisdom that says people shouldn’t let their emotions show at work. According to Sandberg, it’s essential to consider the projects you’re working on and the people you’re collaborating with.
9. Brene Brown – The Power of Vulnerability
Dr Brené Brown teaches social work as an assistant professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She is also the speaker of this inspirational speech about the value of vulnerability and being the best-selling author of a #1 New York Times book.
Brené thinks it’s false to believe that being open and vulnerable makes us weak and emotional. In this beautiful talk, she asks us to take off the armor that “protects” ourselves. According to Brown, “we find joy, belonging, creativity, authenticity, and love when we open our eyes to new experiences.”
10. Mel Robbins – How to Stop Screwing Yourself
Robbins is a well-known speaker who uses a unique ” gut-punch ” strategy when dealing with difficult situations. She thus doesn’t hesitate to discuss sensitive subjects openly.
However, if you look past the one-liners and biting remarks, Robbins’ strategy is about being bluntly direct. She offers some clichéd advice—focuses on getting what you want, being honest with yourself, and stepping outside of your comfort zone—but she always provides numbers to support her claims, making the gut punches all the more difficult to deliver.
In addition to her speaking style, Robbins is renowned for engaging with her listeners. For instance, she selects a person from the audience to highlight the incredible chances of just being born in her speech (this is the data we just talked about). This statistic is coupled with a brain model, in which she claims, “I describe one side of your brain as autopilot and the other side as an emergency brake,” before outlining how to get out of your own “autopilot” condition to accomplish your goals.
In this approach, Robbins takes a potentially tricky or dull subject and makes it relatable by presenting proof but then tying it to a natural person in the room. Similarly, if your speaking material – or your attitude – tends to plateau, shake things up! Be honest with yourself and with your audience. Then, do whatever it takes to relate your message to the lives of others. Taking this Mel Robbins “gut-punch” method, like Pink’s speech, will make you relevant, lovable, and unforgettable.
Wrapping Up
Are you feeling numb? Do you feel like giving up everything? Do you feel like going away from society in a terrain? If this is so, go through the above-given top 10 motivational speeches, and we assure you your mood will be different once you go through this.
