short motivational speech

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

• December 13, 2023

This post is all about the best short inspirational speeches.

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

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

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

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

Short Inspirational Speeches

Believe in yourself speeches.

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

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

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

2. Find Your Purpose | David Goggins – Motivational Speech

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Motivational Speeches About Not Giving Up

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

5. Brené Brown It’s Not The Critic Who Counts

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

6. Amazing Motivational Speech by Denzel Washington 

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

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

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

8. Ed Mylett on The Power of One More

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

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

Motivational Speeches If You’re Feeling Behind

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

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

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

10. Kevin Hart Motivational Speech

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

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

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

Listen To These If You Need Perspective

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. YOU VS YOU – Best Motivational Video

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

16. The Speech That Brought This Entire School To Tears

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

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

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

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

18. The Real You – Jim Carrey

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

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

19. Ed Mylett Motivational Speech

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

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

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

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

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

Great Inspirational Speeches About Hard Work

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

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

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

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

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

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

23. OBSESSION – Best Motivational Speech

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

24. WORK LIKE HELL – Best Motivational Video

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

25. The video EVERY woman should watch!

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

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

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

Motivational Speeches About Working Smart

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29. Visualization is the key – Bob Proctor

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

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

30. How to Stay Motivated – Carla Harris

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

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

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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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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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10 Famous Motivational Speeches You Need to Hear

• Carolyn Manion Kinnie
• April 1, 2024

Table of Contents

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

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

1. Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Steve Jobs: Stanford Commencement speech  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Joel Osteen: “The power of I am”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You’re not Kim Kardashian.” 

“Automate systems, not relationships.” 

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10. William Faulkner: Banquet Speech  

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

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

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

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

• Last Updated: April 4, 2024

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Inspire Your Success

Top 25 Best Motivational Speeches About Life: Short Motivational Speeches to Take Massive Action

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These are the top 15  best motivational speeches  about life to help motivate and inspire you!

Every day our motivational levels will waiver but if you can figure out how to stay motivated you will set yourself for an incredible amount of success in life.

Tony Robbins talks about this as push vs. pull motivation . Push motivation is usually where you have to push yourself to do something and oftentimes include a lot of willpower. Pull motivation is much easier, more natural, and flows easily as you want to do the specific event.

In this Psychology Today article it says that “Pull-based motivation is about tapping the desire to achieve something. It’s about establishing a quest and taking action not to remove a current pain, but to bring yourself closer to a deeply desired end. Maybe it’s completing a marathon or learning to play guitar.”

Ultimately you want to find activities in life that have you being pulled to do them. That usually happens when you begin to align your life with your goals, values, and daily routines. 

Motivation will determine how great your life ends up being. If you want to change your life you have to get moving, change your physiology, and create powerful habits. I listen to one of the videos as morning motivation every single day!

Here are the 15  best motivational speeches to help you get inspired!

Table of Contents

Top 15 Best Motivational Speeches

1.) tony robbins – why we do what we do (tedx speech).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpc-t-Uwv1I&list=PL3JDCD84BjcJv0_bOMqejyCBBz8JCZ_Ks&index=5

Imagine speaking in front of the most wealthy and successful individuals in the world — what advice could you possibly give to billionaires and CEO’s? Tony Robbins is one of the few people that can motivate and inspire them as some of his top clients are those exact people. This TedX speech will help you understand why you do what you do.

2. Steve Jobs – 2005 Standford Commencement Speech

Steve Jobs Harvard commencement speech is one of the best motivational speeches of all time, not to mention the best commencement speech ever. While many of us admire Jobs and love his work, he was often very misunderstood by the masses. This rare and candid speech will show you how to follow your passion and create a life you love.

And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever that somehow the dots will connect in the future.” — Steve Jobs

3. Les Brown – Georgia Dome Speech

Les Brown has some of the best motivational speeches ever. He is a world renown speaker, author, and trainer that has accomplished amazing feats in his life.

While his list of accolades is impressive when you learn where he came from it’s even more so. Enjoy this amazing speech live from the Georgia Dome in front of 30,000 people!

This is one of my favorites of all time. When things aren’t working, I listen to this inspirational speech about success to overcome challenges.

4. David Goggins – Driven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIrT1eHs1b0&t=1571s

David Goggins is arguably the most badass human being ever. He’s been a Navy Seal, Army Ranger, ultra-marathon runner, and holds the pull-up record for most pull-ups in a 24 hour period (4,030)! When I think of the best motivational speeches I can’t help but add David Goggins!

5. Arnold Schwarzenegger – 6 Rules of Success (Commencement Speech)

Regardless of your political views, it’s hard to admit that Arnold has not accomplished an incredible amount in his lifetime. From moving to Austria to America to becoming a bodybuilder, Mr. Olympia champion, top-grossing actor, and governor of California.

6. Tony Robbins – New Year, New You

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIHmty265Us

This is probably the video that will get you to reshape your life and vision more than most. If you’ve ever set a resolution only to fail while it’s still January (who hasn’t done that?) this video is for you.

Most of all, Tony talks in-depth about how to make lasting changes in your life. Instead of focusing on resolutions or abstract goals, focus on what really matters to make the change you need!

This is one of the best motivational speeches about life I’ve ever heard. Anytime I’m in a rut or feeling stuck, I always play this and get super inspired.

7. Mel Robbins – Secret to Self-Motivation

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

Mel Robbins is a top speaker and best-selling author after creating “ The 5-Second Rule ” and sharing it with the world. After getting to meet her in person, I can say she is incredibly inspiring and loves to help people.

8. Terry Crews Motivational Speech

Terry Crews is well known by many but his backstory & route to success is even more impressive!

9. Denzel Washington – Commencement Speech at Dillard University

Who doesn’t love Denzel Washington? His acting is incredible but his speech about succeeding in life is one of his truly epic performances. If you feel lost or disappointed with your life, this is a great video to get you motivated!

10. Admiral William H. McRaven – University of Texas At Austin

Do you make your bed each morning?

Admiral William McRaven shows why making your bed as part of your morning routine will give you discipline and start the day winning.

Let’s be honest, there are way too many amazing motivational speeches about life to only include ten. Here are some other incredible speeches that can change your life!

More Motivational Speeches About Life

11. extreme ownership with jocko willink (tedx speech).

Jocko Willink is a retired, ex-Navy Seal and also the best-selling author of “ Extreme Ownership .” If you don’t follow him on Twitter I highly recommend it as he seems like one of the most disciplined human beings alive.

After seeing him at a “ Success Live ” seminar I can say his intensity his second to none. Jocko gives one of the best motivational speeches ever with this TEDx talk!

12. J.K. Rowling – Harvard Commencement Speech

J.K. Rowling has an incredible story. From a broke waitress barely able to survive turned into one of the best-selling authors of all time. She has gone on to publish the Harry Potter series that also turned into one of the most successful movie franchises ever.

I love this quote from her epic motivational speech:

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.”

13. Inky Johnson – One of the Most Epic Speeches About Life

Inky Johnson gives one of the best speeches about life challenges ever. After working his entire life to make it to the NFL, a freak injury in college paralyzed his right arm entirely. But instead of letting this injury ruin his life he turned his pain into passion by becoming a motivational speaker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH1OFoBfDRM

14. Eric Thomas – Motivation Addicts Speech

Eric Thomas aka “ET the Hip Hop Preacher” is one of the world  best motivational speakers of all time! In fact, if you type in motivational videos on Youtube his videos almost always come up first.

He is so passionate it’s hard to not love his message. His motivational speeches have taken over and this is one of my all-time favorites!

15. Jim Carrey Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management

Jim Carrey is often portrayed negatively in the media as of late but I think he’s incredible. He genuinely understands what’s important in life and wants to help others find the way to success. Jim used his vision to create an epic life and shares his gift with the world in this inspirational speech about life.

This might be the best motivational quote I’ve ever heard. Never forget, always follow your passion:

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 .”

16. Ellen DeGeneres: Tulane University Commencement Speech

Ellen DeGeneres has overcome a lot of odds in her life and created a truly epic life. I love how much wisdom, inspiration, and humor is in this amazing speech about life. She is an incredible person who continues to inspire millions of people around the globe.

Really, when I look back on it, I wouldn’t change a thing. I mean, it was so important for me to lose everything because I found out what the most important thing is … to be true to yourself. Ultimately, that’s what’s gotten me to this place. I don’t live in fear. I’m free. I have no secrets and I know I’ll always be OK, because no matter what, I know who I am.”

17. Sheryl Sandberg Commencement Speech

Sheryl Sandberg is another amazing motivational speaker and COO of Facebook. Her speeches and words have helped inspire women worldwide.

18. Oprah Winfrey – Harvard Commencement Speech

Oprah is one of my favorite inspirational stories about perseverance of all-time. She had such a difficult childhood it’s nearly impossible for most people to even believe.

Yet she went on to become one of the most successful, wealthy, and influential people the world has ever seen. I love her message of positivity and fulfilling your dreams in life.

19. Will Smith Inspirational Speech – Pursuit of Happiness

This movie is phenomenal and really invokes a ton of emotion and feelings in this particular scene. Remember, never listen to anyone telling you what’s possible!

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.”

Best Sports Motivational Speeches

Sports have created some of the best motivational speeches ever. Fake or real, these are some of the most popular motivational speeches from Hollywood!

20. Al Pacino – Any Given Sunday Speech

As a huge movie fan, I love this speech and consider it the best sports motivational speeches of all time. Al Pacino is an amazing actor and he delivers an incredible speech to motivate his team to victory.

“ On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch. We CLAW with our fingernails for that inch. Cause we know when we add up all those inches that’s going to make the fucking difference. Between WINNING and LOSING…between LIVING and DYING. ”

21. Herb Brooks – Miracle Speech

While the speech is great it’s even better because it’s based on a true story about the Olympic team in the 1980’s! This speech propelled the U.S. to beat the Soviet Union and become the gold meal champions!

As Herb said, “ Great moments are born from great opportunity .”

22. Rocky Motivational Speech

Rocky might be the best motivational video ever. While the original is a little outdated there have been so many sequels it continues to stay relevant in mainstream culture.

If you learn about the story behind the movie it’s even more inspirational. At the time Sylvester Stallone was so broke he had to sell his dog and was sleeping on park benches. After watching a boxing match he got motivated and wrote the script that would change his life.

Check out my favorite quote from the Rocky motivational speech:

The world ain’t’ all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a mean and nasty place. And I don’t care how tough you are it’ll beat to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! “

23. Ray Lewis & Eric Thomas – “Beast” Motivational Speech

This inspirational speech is from two icons – Ray Lewis and Eric Thomas. Ray is a former hall of fame NFL player who knows how to generate hype, excitement, and enthusiasm from his teammates. This was a no-brainer when selecting the best sports motivational speeches.

Remember as Eric Thomas said, “ Sleep, sleep is for people who are broke. I got an opportunity to make a dream become a reality. ”

24. Best Motivational Sports Speech 

The crazy thing about this inspirational speech is that it’s a true story!  This epic speech was delivered to a group of high school football players.

25. Tom Brady – Best Motivational Video To Prove Haters Wrong

Tom Brady is the greatest player of all time. He was doubted from the moment he walked into the NFL combine. Yet, he is still playing the game 20+ years later and is arguably the best quarterback of all time.

He’s proven the haters wrong with his relentless work ethic, consistent performance, and longevity in a physically challenging sport. I love this motivational video!

Remember what Tom Brady said, “ To me what separates good players from great players is to execute under pressure. ”

Enjoy the best motivational speeches to give you the momentum to take the next step!

Are you ready to make this the year that will change your life forever? Quit waiting and start creating success today!

Never give up, this is your year to create success! 

Do you think these are some of the best motivational speeches about life ? Which one of them is your favorite?

Did I miss a motivational or commencement speech that you love? Let me know in the comments! 

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About Michael Leonard

My name is Michael and I'm the creator of Inspire Your Success. My goal is to give you the tools, resources, and inspiration to build an epic freelance writing business.

January 30, 2018 at 2:07 am

Love these and wanted to add 1 more from Eric Thomas, literally one of the most motivational people to so many people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vuetQSwFW8

February 7, 2018 at 7:10 am

Damn great call I totally forgot about ET — he’s one of the best!

January 30, 2018 at 3:04 am

Glad you included Jocko. Highly recommended podcast.

February 7, 2018 at 7:09 am

Thanks Drew — Jocko is the man! After seeing him live I was ready to run through a wall haha inspiring guy!

April 17, 2018 at 6:43 am

Amazingly informative and helpful post. Everything is good enough and website is very well designed. I am very glad that I have come across to your blog because you have shared a one of a kind blog which has all the things in a very pleasant manner. Basically I’m a writer I would like to share my website here and sometimes I wait for your post to get more this type of blogs. A good blog always comes-up with new and exciting information and while reading I have feel that this blog is really have all those quality that qualify a blog to be a good one. What a great post, love this education related post! Great blog you have Thanks for sharing.

December 2, 2020 at 6:31 am

All are best speeches. Many i have listed but remaining i will listen soon. It is really motivational. Arnold speech is really motivational.

December 2, 2020 at 6:33 am

JK Rowling speech is my favorite. She is a wonderful author and worked very hard to get success. Remaining all are best.

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Short Motivational Speeches: Inspiring Words for Everyday Success

Motivational speeches have the power to inspire, galvanize, and transform individuals from all walks of life. In recent years, short motivational speeches have gained popularity due to their concise and impactful messages. These speeches are designed to deliver a powerful punch in a limited time frame, leaving listeners with a sense of empowerment and a drive to take action.

The beauty of short motivational speeches lies in their ability to captivate and energize audiences without diluting the message. With famous figures and influencers using this medium to reach out to a massive audience, short motivational speeches are becoming a widely sought-after tool for self-improvement and inspiration. Characterized by relatable stories, clear purposes, and calls to action, these speeches can ignite lasting change in the lives of those who listen.

The effectiveness of these short motivational speeches can be seen in the numerous success stories stemming from university commencements, TED Talks, and other prominent platforms. Those who have heard these speeches often credit them with newfound motivation, passion, and perseverance towards their goals. As more and more people seek inspiration in this fast-paced world, short motivational speeches will continue to provide encouragement and direction for a brighter, more driven future.

Types of Short Motivational Speeches

Short motivational speeches can come in various formats, each with their unique ways of inspiring listeners. These speeches aim to instill a sense of positivity, courage, and determination to achieve certain goals.

TED Talks are an excellent example of short motivational speeches, which often range from 10 to 20 minutes. Delivered by experts in various fields, these talks provide valuable insights, knowledge, and inspiration. Topics can range from personal development to global issues, making TED Talks a popular choice for those seeking motivation and enlightenment.

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Success stories are another popular form of short motivational speeches, as they can inspire individuals looking to emulate the achievements of others. These speeches often involve the speaker detailing their journey, including the challenges they faced and the steps they took to overcome them. Sharing personal anecdotes creates a connection with the audience, making success stories a strong source of motivation.

Leadership talks are motivational speeches geared towards developing leadership qualities among listeners. Strong, effective leaders are essential for the success of any organization, and these speeches often share experiences, lessons, and techniques to enable growth. By highlighting the importance of strong leadership skills, these talks inspire those in management positions to improve their effectiveness.

Personal development speeches focus on self-improvement, aiming to help listeners identify areas where they can improve and develop strategies for personal growth. These motivational speeches can touch on various aspects of life, such as physical fitness, emotional wellbeing, and professional development. By addressing these facets of personal growth, these speeches can have a profound impact on an individual’s life.

In conclusion, short motivational speeches come in various forms, each catering to different aspects of life and growth. Regardless of the format, these speeches aim to instill a sense of motivation, determination, and positivity in the listener. With speakers sharing their experiences, insights, and knowledge, motivational speeches have the power to inspire change and achieve success .

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Inspiring Individuals and Their Speeches

In his 2005 Stanford commencement speech, Steve Jobs shared his thoughts on life and success. He encouraged graduates to pursue their passions and not to settle for less. Jobs emphasized the importance of loving what you do and learning from life’s experiences.

Will Smith delivered an inspiring speech focusing on self-discipline and perseverance. He stressed that hard work and dedicated effort can lead to achieving great things in life.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey’s motivational speech at the University of Houston emphasized the importance of setting goals, embracing failures , and being responsible for one’s own happiness.

J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling’s Harvard commencement speech highlighted the significance of failure and the power of imagination. She shared how her failures helped shape her life and led her to success as an author.

Jim Carrey’s speech at the Maharishi University of Management focused on the power of choice and the value of pursuing dreams. He encouraged people to follow their passion and not to be afraid of taking risks.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone’s speech on overcoming adversity and staying true to one’s self inspired millions. He talked about how dedication and persistence can help achieve success and fulfill dreams.

Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins’ motivational speeches emphasize the importance of mindset and taking massive action to accomplish goals. He promotes self-awareness, personal growth, and simple techniques to improve one’s quality of life.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey’s speeches touch on the themes of self-improvement, purpose, and resilience. She urges individuals to trust their inner voice and make choices based on their true purpose.

Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage’s address at Bennington College encouraged graduates not to be afraid of failure. His journey as an actor showcased the importance of perseverance and following one’s passion.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington’s University of Pennsylvania commencement speech inspired individuals to embrace failure and learn from mistakes. He encouraged taking risks and working hard to make a difference in the world.

William Wallace

William Wallace, the historical figure, delivered a soul-stirring speech that urged his fellow Scots to unite and fight for their freedom. It instilled courage and determination in their hearts.

Al Pacino’s speech in the film ‘Any Given Sunday’ has become a classic motivational piece. The speech highlights the importance of working together as a team and giving one’s all in the pursuit of success.

Themes and Messages in Motivational Speeches

Overcoming failure.

Failure is an inevitable part of life’s journey, and motivational speeches often highlight the importance of learning from setbacks. By emphasizing valuable lessons gained from failure, speakers inspire listeners to embrace challenges and continue striving for success.

Embracing Emotion

Emotions have a powerful impact on our lives, shaping how we think and act. In motivational speeches, speakers may discuss the importance of acknowledging and channeling emotions in a positive way, reminding listeners that embracing emotion is essential to personal growth.

Perseverance and Resilience

Resilience and perseverance are critical traits for overcoming adversity, and motivational speeches often emphasize their importance. Speakers convey the message that cultivating these qualities can help us face challenges head-on, persist despite difficulties, and ultimately achieve our goals.

Importance of Support

Support from friends, family, and mentors plays a crucial role in personal and professional success. Motivational speeches may touch on the importance of building a strong support network, highlighting the value of encouragement and guidance from those who care about us.

Leadership and Responsibility

Taking on leadership roles and embracing responsibility helps us grow, both personally and professionally. Motivational speeches often emphasize the importance of honing these skills, inspiring listeners to step up, take initiative, and lead others toward success.

Life Lessons

Life is filled with valuable lessons, and motivational speeches often draw on these experiences to inspire and enlighten. Learning from hardship, finding meaning in adversity, and discovering new paths to success are all themes explored in motivational speeches.

Passion and Dreams

Pursuing passion and chasing dreams are key drivers of success, and motivational speeches often emphasize their significance. Speakers encourage listeners to follow their hearts, never give up on their dreams, and discover the power of living a life fueled by passion.

Famous Speeches in History

Winston churchill’s speeches.

Winston Churchill , a British statesman, was renowned for his gifted oratory skills. His speeches during World War II made him a symbol of strength for the nation. Some of his most memorable speeches include:

• Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat: In May 1940, Churchill delivered this speech to emphasize his commitment to leading Britain to victory.
• Their Finest Hour: Given in June 1940, this speech aimed to raise morale and inspire people to resist any threats.

Through his confident and clear speeches, Churchill established himself as an inspiring leader in history.

American Inspirational Speeches

American history is filled with exceptional speeches that motivated and inspired its citizens. Let’s explore a few examples:

• Gettysburg Address (1863): Given by Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the American Civil War, this concise speech emphasized human equality and the pursuit of lasting freedom.
• I Have A Dream (1963): Martin Luther King Jr delivered this powerful speech advocating for civil rights and racial equality.
• Inaugural Address (1961): In this speech, John F. Kennedy encouraged Americans to contribute to their country by embracing civic responsibility.

These speeches from American history showcase the profound impact that eloquent and impassioned oration can have on society.

Motivation in Different Areas

Motivational speeches can have a powerful impact on various fields, such as business and careers, sports and performance, and arts and creativity. In this section, we will explore the role of motivation in these areas and the influence of motivational speeches.

Business and Careers

In the world of business, motivational speeches can inspire entrepreneurs, managers, and employees to pursue their goals, face challenges, and improve their skills. By listening to successful leaders like Steve Jobs, individuals can gain valuable insights into the mindset and strategies required for achieving greatness in their careers. Motivational speeches can also offer guidance and encouragement to those looking for a fulfilling career path, emphasizing the importance of passion and perseverance.

Sports and Performance

In sports, motivational speeches are often delivered by coaches, athletes, or sports psychologists to boost confidence and improve performance. These speeches aim to energize and focus competitors, fostering teamwork and dedication to their goals. They often emphasize the value of discipline, commitment, and hard work, helping athletes overcome setbacks and maintain a winning mindset. This aspect is well-exemplified in the quote from the best short motivational speech of all-time: “There is only this moment , and the next moment.

Arts and Creativity

Artists, writers, musicians, and performers can also benefit from motivational speeches, as they provide inspiration and stimulate the creative process. These speeches can encourage individuals to express themselves authentically, take creative risks, and cultivate resilience in the face of criticism and rejection. By sharing personal stories, successful artists can inspire others to develop their unique voice, embrace their passions, and pursue their dreams in a competitive industry.

Overcoming Adversity

Overcoming adversity is a crucial part of personal growth and development. Facing challenges head-on helps to build resilience and strength, ultimately making us better equipped to handle life’s obstacles.

One key aspect in overcoming adversity is maintaining hope. Hope allows us to envision a more positive future, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. By fostering a sense of hopefulness, we gain the motivation to continue pushing forward in the face of adversity.

Another important aspect is the power of our imagination. When faced with challenges, it’s important to imagine ourselves overcoming them. Visualizing our success and the steps necessary to achieve it aids in transforming our mindset from one of defeat to one of empowerment.

In the process of overcoming adversity, we also develop emotional intelligence. By learning to manage our emotions and respond effectively to challenges, we become better equipped to deal with adversity.

In conclusion, overcoming adversity is a vital skill when facing life’s challenges. By maintaining hope, utilizing our imagination, and developing emotional intelligence, we can rise above adversity and continue on a path of personal growth and success.

Finding Motivation

Finding motivation can sometimes be a challenging task, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks in life. However, listening to short motivational speeches can help inspire and ignite that spark within us. These speeches can give us the courage to conquer our fears, develop a sense of self-worth, and motivate us to overcome adversity.

When looking for motivation in life, consider exploring some of these themes in motivational speeches:

• Love : Love is a powerful driving force that can push us to achieve great things in life, and it can inspire us to care for others and make a positive impact in the world. Listening to stories and experiences centered around love, compassion, and empathy can inspire us to establish meaningful connections and nurture our relationships.
• Future : Envisioning a brighter future can act as a catalyst for lasting change. Motivational speeches that discuss aspirations, dreams, and visions for the future can guide us in making the right decisions and taking necessary steps to achieve our goals. These speeches help us to remain focused on what’s important and remind us to believe in ourselves.
• Human : The human experience is filled with ups and downs, and it’s crucial to acknowledge our feelings and emotions. Listening to motivational speeches that address our shared experiences and the triumph of the human spirit can encourage us to face challenges head-on and foster personal growth.
• Perseverance : Persistence and determination are key factors in achieving success. Motivational speeches that highlight the importance of perseverance can serve as a reminder that it is important to keep pushing forward, regardless of the obstacles that we face. Encouraging stories about individuals who have exhibited tremendous perseverance in overcoming their challenges can provide us with the motivation to stay focused on our aspirations.

In conclusion, explore different short motivational speeches to find those that resonate with you and your unique experiences. Use these speeches as a tool to fuel your motivation and develop the confidence to face challenges and pursue your goals. Remember, finding motivation is an ongoing process, and surrounding yourself with positivity and inspiration will help you unlock your full potential.

Motivational Techniques From Professionals

Commencement addresses.

Commencement addresses often showcase thought leaders and successful individuals who share their experiences, wisdom, and motivational techniques. One notable example is Steve Jobs’ 2005 address at Stanford University, where he encouraged graduates to pursue their passions and never settle in their careers. These speeches can be a valuable source of inspiration and motivation, illustrating valuable life lessons and providing insights into what it takes to achieve success.

Interviews with Successful People

Interviews with successful people can offer a wealth of motivational techniques to help others reach their full potential. Listening to the stories, advice, and experiences of these individuals can provide guidance and motivation for personal growth and self-improvement.

Simon Sinek , a renowned speaker and author, is one such person often featured in interviews. Sinek advocates for a concept he calls “The Golden Circle,” which consists of three essential elements:

• Why: Your purpose, cause, or belief that inspires you and others
• How: The unique process or approach through which you can fulfill your purpose
• What: The product, service, or result you offer in the pursuit of your purpose

Sinek emphasizes that starting with “Why” is crucial for motivating yourself and others, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment. By focusing on your “Why” and consistently reminding yourself of it, you can boost your motivation and drive to move forward with your goals.

In conclusion, both commencement addresses and interviews with successful people are excellent sources of motivational techniques. By reflecting on the messages conveyed in these speeches and conversations, one can gain valuable insights into achieving personal and professional success.

Iconic Lines From Motivational Speeches

Famous movie speeches.

In the world of cinema, there are countless memorable and motivating speeches that have inspired audiences and left a lasting impact. Here are a few iconic lines:

• Rocky Balboa (2006) : “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”
• Dead Poets Society (1989) : “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”
• Coach Carter (2005) : “Our deepest fear

Building Confidence

Building confidence is an essential aspect of delivering a short motivational speech. A confident speaker can engage the audience, convey their message effectively, and inspire others to take action. Developing confidence involves both mental and emotional strategies and often requires practice and persistence.

One key element in building confidence is facing your fears. By confronting situations that might make you feel uncomfortable or uncertain, you can gradually develop a stronger sense of self-assurance. This might involve stepping outside of your comfort zone, like asking someone on a date, applying for a promotion, or volunteering to speak at an event.

Practicing your speech is another way to boost your confidence while speaking. Rehearsing not only helps you become familiar with the content but also allows you to address any potential weak spots. This preparation will ultimately make you feel more secure when speaking in front of an audience and help you maintain a confident demeanor.

Moreover, confidence builds when you possess a clear understanding of your subject matter. Demonstrating a solid grasp of the topic in your speech allows you to speak confidently and knowledgeably. Taking the time to research and internalize your chosen subject will help you feel more prepared and self-assured when it comes to delivering your message.

An essential aspect of exuding confidence is your body language. By maintaining eye contact, using open gestures, and employing a strong stance, you can project self-assurance to your audience. Paying attention to these non-verbal cues can make a significant impact on how others perceive your level of confidence during a speech.

Finally, set realistic expectations for yourself and focus on your progress. Confidence takes time to build, and it’s essential to acknowledge your accomplishments along the way. Remember that every successful speaker has started from somewhere, and it is through consistent effort and practice that they achieve their goals.

In summary, building confidence is a vital component in delivering a powerful short motivational speech. By facing your fears, practicing, becoming knowledgeable about your topic, utilizing effective body language, and setting realistic expectations, you can cultivate a confident and inspiring presence as a speaker.

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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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21 Uplifting and Powerful Famous Speeches That You Can’t Miss

Life is not always rainbows and sunshine – we have all had days when nothing seems to be going as planned and when we find ourselves demotivated, bogged down and engulfed in sadness. On such days, when you are unable to motivate yourself, do you know what helps? Listening to great speeches — empowering ones.

Great communicators have this innate power of moving you with their brilliant command over words. Their words echo in your head for days, while filling you with hope and inspiration.

Isn’t it wonderful how just hearing a set of people who you’ve never met or known personally can leave you with such a lasting impression?

Here is a list of 21 famous speeches (and likely the best speeches) that are sure to give you goosebumps :

1. Steve Jobs’ Commencement Address at Stanford University, 2005

The Chairman and Co-Founder of Apple Inc., Steve Jobs delivered an inspiring commencement address at the graduation ceremony of the 114th batch of Stanford University. 13 years later, his speech still holds relevance.

In a span of 15 minutes, Jobs imparted crucial life lessons through 3 stories that were inspired from his personal experiences. From love and loss to the inevitability of death – his words resonated with people of all ages.

Ending on a high note, he advised the audience to “stay hungry, stay foolish” – a phrase that became synonymous with Steve Jobs and till today, drives people to push themselves to become better versions of themselves.

2. J.K. Rowling’s Commencement Address at Harvard University, 2008

Author J.K Rowling who is best known for the Harry Potter book series delivered an empowering speech to the graduating class at Harvard University in 2008. Her speech was centered around two key points.

First being the benefits of failure and how there can be no success without it. Second, was the power of imagination and how we carry all the power in ourselves to change the world.

Even though J.K Rowling might have touched upon topics that we have been listening to or reading about for years, her knack of putting it together so perfectly strikes a chord like nothing else.

3. Jim Carrey’s Commencement Address at Maharishi University, 2014

Jim Carrey, who is known for his splendid comic timing and exceptional performances, took everyone by surprise at the graduation ceremony of the class of 2014 at Maharishi University wherein he delivered an inspiring speech with such aplomb.

In his life-changing advice wrapped in wit and humor, he speaks of fear, failure and the importance of doing what we love.

4. Barack Obama’s Election Victory Speech, 2008

Who doesn’t remember Obama chant “Yes we can!” as the entire world looked on and watched him inspire and instill national pride in the people of the United States of America.

One of the most powerful speeches of recent times, Barack Obama’s election victory speech in 2008 marked a historic moment that brought hope, promised change and responsibility, in the anticipation of a better future.

5. Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech, 1963

On 28th August 1963, Martin Luther King delivered one of the most iconic speeches in history during the March on Washington in front of over 250,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial.

An American activist, Martin spoke with utmost clarity and purpose as he made a plea for racial equality and justice through this speech. The words “I have a dream” reiterated his vision of what America could be – a country that breaks away from the shackles of discrimination.

6. Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Do or Die Speech, 1942

Talking about orators, one cannot leave Mahatma Gandhi out from the list. Gandhi, the pioneer of non-violence launched the Quit India movement to demand India’s freedom from the 200-year British colonial rule wherein he announced the slogan – Do or Die, with determination.

His speech oozed infectious passion which went on to inspire India to fight for freedom or die in the process.

7. Nelson Mandela’s ‘I Am Prepared to Die’ Speech, 1964

The torchbearer of Africa’s freedom, Nelson Mandela fought all his life against apartheid. During his 3-hour long speech as a defendant at the Rivonia trial, he uttered the powerful words “I am prepared to die” which showed how he was willing to go to any length to grant equality to the people of Africa.

Even though he got imprisoned for 27 years shortly after, his speech did leave a tremendous impact.

8. Ellen DeGeneres’ Commencement Address at Tulane University, 2009

The multi-talented Ellen DeGeneres never fails to disappoint with whatever she does and the same can be said about her commencement address at Tulane University, where she shared her experiences and learning with the graduating class.

From quoting Lady Gaga to speaking about the major turning points in her life – Ellen kept the audience hooked with her uplifting speech.

9. Michelle Obama’s Commencement Address at Eastern Kentucky University, 2013

Michelle Obama addressed the 2013 graduating class of Eastern Kentucky University. She challenged the graduates to seek and learn from different perspectives and turn their weaknesses into strengths, just the way she did.

She also highlighted the importance of volunteering in community services and the impact it has on our lives.

10. Sheryl Sandberg’s Commencement Address at Harvard Business School, 2012

Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg imparted wisdom to the graduating class of 2012 of Harvard Business School.

While drawing parallels to her own experiences, Sheryl shared observations and precious advice with the students. She ended the speech on a humorous note as she said,

“Tomorrow, you get something that Mark Zuckerberg does not have. A Harvard degree.”

11. Oprah Winfrey’s Commencement Address at Harvard University, 2013

Oprah Winfrey is known to stir people’s emotions and motivate them with her powerful words. During her commencement address at Harvard, she emphasized on learning from mistakes and embracing failure, while reflecting on the setbacks she faced. Her encouraging words serve as a reminder to never let failure bog you down.

12. Bill Gates’ Commencement Address at Harvard Business School, 2007

Microsoft founder, Bill Gates addressed Harvard Business School’s class of 2007, urging them to change the world, eradicate poverty and tackle inequality. He emphasized on the role of technology in putting an end to global issues and encouraged students to take risks and not get intimidated by ‘complexities’.

13. Malala Yousafzai’s Address at the UN Youth Takeover, 2013

Activist Malala Yousafzai is an inspiration to many and her speech at the first ever UN Youth Takeover further reinforces that.

Malala, who was just 16 years old then, stunned the audience with her powerful and moving take on the right to quality education. Having seen difficult times during her childhood, she was determined to fight for what she believed in and inspire a change.

14. Winston Churchill’s ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’ Speech, 1940

Another famous speech is that delivered by Winston Churchill, on 4th June 1940 to the House of Commons. The speech was meant to instill courage in the people during World War II, while the threat of Nazi invasion loomed over England.

He kept his speech concise, realistic and to the point as he reminded everyone about the strength and perseverance England has always exhibited.

15. Hillary Clinton’s Address at the Women in The World Summit, 2015

Calling women the ‘agents of change’, Hillary Clinton delivered a passionate speech at the Women in the World summit, speaking about the struggles women face in all walks of life due to unequal rights.

While remaining optimistic about seeing a positive change in future, she spoke about issues that often go overlooked such as equal pay, reproductive rights, paid maternity leave, living wage, LGBTQ rights, affordable child care among others.

16. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, 1863

The Gettysburg Address, delivered by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, is known as one of the greatest speeches in the world and makes a fundamental part of American history.

In just 272 words, Lincoln made valid arguments surrounding equality and concluded with the famous line,

“government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

17. Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Your Elusive Creative Genius’ TED Talk, 2009

Known for the international bestseller, ‘Eat, Pray, love’, Elizabeth Gilbert gave an inspiring TED Talk wherein she shared her wisdom on creativity.

She spoke about the pressures it comes with and how one can go beyond what society says and connect with the ‘genius’ that resides in each one of us.

18. Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’ Speech, 1947

The first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed India on the eve of independence with the speech, Tryst with Destiny. This historic speech celebrated the non-violent victory, acknowledging the struggle that had gone behind it and the belief he has in India, as a powerful, independent nation.

19. Mark Zuckerberg’s Commencement Address at Harvard University, 2017

The Founder and CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg addressed the 2017 graduating class of Harvard University.

Being a Harvard dropout, Mark commenced the speech by recalling his times spent at Harvard and how they shaped him. His thought-provoking talk highlighted the importance of purpose – finding our own and creating one for others. He left the audience with practical advice that ranged from tackling global issues to building communities.

20. Gloria’s Steinem’s Women’s March Speech, 2017

Feminist icon, Gloria Steinem, addressed over 500,000 women who gathered at the Women’s March in Washington DC, with fearlessness and conviction.

She took on topics plaguing the society such as the role of women in the world and equal rights, while sending a bold message to the government to not undermine the power of women.

21. Denzel Washington’s Commencement Address at University of Pennsylvania, 2011

“Fall forward,” – the two words that encompassed Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington’s commencement address at University of Pennsylvania in 2011. He encouraged students to take failure in the right spirit and never let it discourage them. He beautifully summarized why we must embrace failure, while recalling experiences during his growing up days.

Final Thoughts

Even though these best speeches stem from different premises, what binds them together is the wonderful feeling they leave you with.

Each of these famous short speeches contains the power to strike an emotional chord and help you find your feet amidst all the chaos. So, take a page from their books and let their words inspire you to keep going and never lose hope.

More Inspiring Thoughts

• 20 Most Inspiring TED Talks Of All Time You Should Not Miss
• 15 Inspiring Ideas to Boost Your Motivation for Success
• 50 Positive Quotes for Work That Will Put Your Motivation on Overdrive
• You Are What You Listen To: 11 Podcasts To Inspire Yourself

Featured photo credit: Matthias Wagner via unsplash.com

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10 Motivational Speeches That Will Inspire You to Take Action Today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bottom Line on Motivational Speeches

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

Related Readings on Motivation

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

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

10 Motivational Speech Examples To Inspire You Today

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

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

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

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

Steve Jobs: Commencement Speech At Stanford (2005)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brené Brown: “The Power of Vulnerability” (2013)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simon Sinek: Live2Lead (2016)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well said! 🙌

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BEST SHORT MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH OF ALL-TIME

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

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

Best Short Motivational Speech of All-Time

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

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

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

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

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

SEIZE THAT MOMENT!

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

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

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

It’s you vs. THEM!

It’s you vs. NO!

It’s you vs. CAN’T!

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

It’s you vs. HISTORY!

It’s you vs. THE ODDS!

It’s you vs. SECOND PLACE!

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

Video Version of The Speech

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

Video Credit: The Proud Patriot

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

To your success, and until next time,

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

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

HOW TO BECOME A MODERN DAY TITAN

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

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THE LINK BETWEEN WORK ETHIC AND SUCCESS

BEST WARREN BUFFETT ADVICE ON SUCCESS AND LIFE

TOP 30 GO THE EXTRA MILE QUOTES FOR SUCCESS

75+ BEST DETERMINATION QUOTES TO INSPIRE SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT

AMERICAN DREAM QUOTES

TOP 35 THE MAGIC OF BELIEVING QUOTES BY CLAUDE M. BRISTOL

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

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

BEST QUOTES ABOUT GOING THE EXTRA MILE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonus Going The Extra Mile Quote

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

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

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

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

Till you reach your aims,

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

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

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

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

DETERMINATION QUOTES FOR SUCCESS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonus Quote on Determination

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

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

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

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

Grit Quotes | Perseverance Quotes | Persistence Quotes

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

Keep reaching for the stars….

Till you reach them,

Inspiration

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

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

TOP 25 AMERICAN DREAM QUOTES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonus American Dream Quote

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

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

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

Till you reach your dream,

100+ MOTIVATIONAL COMEBACK QUOTES TO HELP YOU COME BACK STRONGER

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

“It’s Not Over Till It’s Over.”

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

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

BEST COMEBACK QUOTES TO OVERCOME SETBACKS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Halfway There

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

51. “But ultimately what matters most is resilience–the ability to quickly rebound from failures, indeed to see failure as a stepping stone to success.” –  Arianna Huffington 

52. “A comeback is a setback that did its homework, learned the lesson, and then moved forward.” –  Eleanor Brownn

53. “When you’re crying, your tears may be watering the seeds of your come-back.” – Steve Maraboli

54. “Live the Life of Your Dreams. When you start living the life of your dreams, there will always be obstacles, doubters, mistakes and setbacks along the way. But with hard work, perseverance and self-belief there is no limit to what you can achieve.” – Roy T. Bennett

55. “When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.” –  Eloise Ristad

56. “Brick walls are not there to keep us out, they are there to show us how much we want something.” – Randy Pausch

57. “I was the undersized underdog who people never gave a chance. From that, the motivation to prove people wrong just grew and grew.” –  Baker Mayfield

58. “We develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and obstacles.” – Stephen Covey

59. “It’s possible that you can bounce back from adversity and reinvent your life.” – Atlas Rowe

60. “You must fail a hundred times to succeed once.” – Sylvester Stallone

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

62. “If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you like to win, but you think you can’t, It is almost certain you won’t.” – Walter D. Wintle

63. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

64. “Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.” – Lou Holtz

65. “The belief that I could still do it, inspired me to work harder.” – Phil Mickelson

66. “I had to develop the mentality and stay positive about making my comeback.” – Alonzo Mourning

67. “So don’t give up , don’t look down, cause your time is gonna come around.” – Kevin Rudolpf

68. “Your “I CAN” is more important than your IQ.” – Robin Sharma

69. “You can make a comeback, but ONLY if believe you can.” – Nathan Lee Morales

70. “The secret to life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” – Paulo Coelho

71. “In business, setbacks are a part of the game. Whether it’s small losses (losing a deal to a competitor), or big ones (the inability to break even); failure is normal. But, so is dusting yourself off and bouncing back when those setbacks come your way. In fact, your success as an entrepreneur is directly related to how well you bounce back from failure.” – Emily Andrews

72. “It’s not whether you get knocked down, its whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi

73. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

74. “I think it’s more than whether or not you win or lose. It’s having that opportunity on that final round, final nine, to come down the stretch with a chance to win.” – Phil Mickelson

75. “You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice a work hard for it.” – Lionel Messi

76. “Start today creating a vision for yourself, your life, and your career. Bounce back from adversity and create what you want, rebuild and rebrand.” – Germany Kent

77. “Yesterday I dared to struggle, today I dare to win.” – Bernadette Devlin

78. “Unlike an external enemy, the inner enemy cannot regroup and launch a comeback once it has been destroyed from within.” – Dalai Lama

79. “Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.” – Robert Downey Jr.

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

81. “We can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light.” – Coach Tony D’Amato, Any Given Sunday

82. “Setbacks have an upside; they fuel new dreams.” – Dara Torres

83. “In every adversity lies the seed of an equal or greater opportunity.” – Napoleon Hill

84. “Every setback has a major comeback.” – Russell Wilson

85. “I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.” – Tom Landry

86. “Losers quit when they fail. Winners fail until they succeed.” – Robert Kiyosaki

87. “I’ve always made some legendary comebacks since 1998 when it first started. So that’s kind of just been my MO for my whole career.” – Serena Williams

88. “Everyone falls down. Getting back up is how you learn how to walk.” – Walt Disney

89. “I never view mistakes as failures. They are simply opportunities to find out what doesn’t work.” – Thomas Edison

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

91. “If you can look up, then you can get up.” – Les Brown

92. “There are better starters than me but I’m a strong finisher.” – Usain Bolt

93 . “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.” – Zig Ziglar

94. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” – John F. Kennedy

96 . “The most successful people see adversity not as a stumbling block, but as a stepping stone to greatness.” – Shawn Anchor

96. “If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If you fail, are you going to try again? The human spirit can handle much worse than we realize. It matters How you are going to finish.” – Nick Vujicic

97. “In the depth of Winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus

98. “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

99. “Adversity cause some men to break; others to break records.”

100. “You can’t make a comeback if you don’t get back up.” – Atlas Rowe

101. “Falling down is part of life. Getting back up is living.” – Anonymous

102. “One’s best success comes after their greatest disappointments.” – Henry Ward Beecher

103. “From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks, conclusions can be drawn. That goes for your private life as well as your career.” – Niki Lauda

104.   “We all get distracted, the question is, would you bounce back or bounce backwards?” – Kendrick Lamar

105. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

106. “The best story is a comeback story.” – Nathan Lee Morales

107. “It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” – Chuck Palahniuk

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

109. “Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford

110. “Once you’ve hit rock bottom the only way is up.” – Anonymous

111. “Quite or make a comeback. The choice is yours.” – Anonymous

112. “You can’t lose confidence in yourself, or you’ve lost already. When you get knocked down, you’ve got to keep getting back up.” – Tim Tebow

113. “It is in the valley of failure that we sow our seeds of success.” – James Altucher

114. “In show business, everyone loves a comeback story.” – Chris Connelly

115. “You’re gonna have to go through hell. Worse than any nightmare that you’ve ever dreamed. But in the end, you know you’ll be the one standing. You know what you’ve gotta go. Do it. Do it!” – Apollo Creed

Bonus Comeback Quote

Bonus: Out of all our comeback quotes this one is a bonus as it comes from someone who knows a thing or two about making a comeback. Once ridiculed by his class and his teacher after telling them about his dream to be on the Television someday, to then eventually having to live out of his car, homeless, for three whole years while he struggled to reach his dream, Steve Harvey knows what it means to make a comeback.

“Your Setback Is Just A Setup For Your Comeback.” – steve harvey –

Alright, there you have it, the best of the best when it comes to comeback quotes. We hope you got what you came for… massive amounts of encouragement to help you keep your eye on the prize, a reminder to never surrender, and new inspiration to aid you in mounting your own personal comeback.

Your victory is just around the corner!

PS – If you enjoyed these comeback quotes, then you may enjoy one of these extremely inspiring comeback stories:

• Tyson Fury Comeback Story
• Sylvester Stallone Comeback Story
• Rudy Comeback Story
• Grant Cardone Comeback Story

THURSDAY WORK MOTIVATION TO HELP YOU FINISH THE WEEK STRONG

Everyone knows Monday is one of the most challenging days of the week to get motivated. But Thursday’s can be just as menacing. Thursday’s are menacing because the motivation (or lack thereof) that we feel on this day can catch us off guard. If you woke up this morning and thought to yourself, “I can’t believe it’s not Friday yet?” or “Dang, it’s barely Thursday?”, then you’ve got a Thursday motivation problem.

The good news is, you’re not alone. Everyone experiences low motivation from time to time, especially on Thursdays. And the even better news is, we’ve pulled together a few quotes and handful of related resources to help you find some of that elusive Thursday work motivation.

With that said, if you’re looking for that second-wind that we could all use on Thursday to finish the week strong, let’s dive in:

Best Quotes for Thursday Work Motivation

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

2. “On Thursday, no matter how difficult and distracting life is, our job is to focus, to work through it, to keep our eyes and our efforts where they belong.” – Rick Pitino

3. “The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost

4. “On this Thursday take nothing for granted. Look around and show gratitude for your work, your family, and your friends.” –  Theodore W. Higginsworth

5. “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.“ – Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. “Thursday is one day closer to my expectation that everything I have done through the week culminates in progress.” – Byron Pulsifer

7. “Everything is either an opportunity to learn and grow or an obstacle that keeps you stuck…you get to choose.” – Thursday Thoughts

8. “Don’t stay in bed unless you can make money in bed.” – George Burns

9. “If you keep doing what you been doing, you’ll keep getting, what you been getting.” – Steve Harvey

10. “Great things never come from comfort zones.” – Anonymous

11. “Your competition is hoping you’ll take it easy today, don’t.” – The Strive

12. “Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” – Babe Ruth

13. “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence .” – Quote for Thursday

14. “Let this Thursday be filled with possibilities – be aware of the opportunities around you; don’t just go through the day, live the day with your eyes and your mind open.” – Anonymous

15. “Hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but improves its chances.” – B.J. Gupta

More Thursday Motivation For Work

You’re halfway through our Thursday work motivation resource. Great job! We sincerely hope these curated quotes are motivating you.

But don’t stop now, as there are still a handful of other resources that could help you find the energy to make this Thursday one to remember.

Related: Ways to Find Motivation For Work

16. “Happy Thursday! P.S. It’s almost Friday.” – Thursday Saying

17. “The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude!” – Anonymous

18. “You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.”  –  Stephen C. Hogan

19. “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” – Steve Jobs

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

21. “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

22. “ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” – Bill Bradley

23. “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – Robert Louis

24. “The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it.” – Anonymous

25. “Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” – Jim Rohn

26. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou

27. “Nothing screws up your Friday like realizing it’s only Thursday.” – Anonymous

28. “I see a light at the end of the tunnel… hopefully its not a freight train!” – Mariah Carey

29. “Start your Thursday with an attitude of optimism. It’s going to be a good day!” – Kate Summers

30.  “Stay positive, work hard, make it happen.” – Thursday Quote

31. “Remember no matter how fast you run, you can’t be the winner if you don’t finish.” – Israelmore Ayivor

32. “The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.” – Helen Keller

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

34. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Teddy Roosevelt

35. “Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort . If you strive for the top and miss, you’ll still ‘beat the pack.” – Gerald R. Ford

36. “The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.” – Elbert Hubbard

37. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. ”  –   Thomas Jefferson

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

39. “The extra energy required to make another effort… is the secret of winning.” – Denis Waitley

40. “Starting strong is good. Finishing strong is epic.” – Robin Sharma

Related: Workplace Motivation

Thursday Work Motivation Bonus

Bonus: Here’s a little motivational speech that will surely help you with finding some of that motivation to finish your Thursday strong. Here it is….

Just click on the image or watch it here .

There you have it, a handful of quotes to inspire you this Thursday, as well as access to a few additional resources for finding motivation for the end of your week. We hope you found at least a little bit of motivation so you can finish the week strong.

With that said, if you found value in this page, or if you see someone who is treating their Thursday like it was a Monday , please share this encouraging page with them. Because you just never never who needs a little Thursday motivation for work.

Till next time,

PS – If you enjoyed theseThursday motivational quotes for work, then you’ll definitely love these quotes to push you to work hard everyday of the week: Work Hard Quotes

100+ DAVID GOGGINS QUOTES TO HELP YOU GET AND STAY INSPIRED

David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL, Iraq War veteran, accomplished endurance athlete, and highly sought after public speaker. He’s authored the New York Times Best-selling book ‘You Can’t Hurt Me’, along with his new book, ‘Never Finished’, and has become an icon when it comes to the power of self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work.

Having transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into one of the toughest men alive — becoming the only person in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, we feel it’s safe to say that Goggins knows a thing or two about self-motivation, determination, and rising up to accomplish the impossible. As such, we’re publishing some of the best David Goggins quotes to help you peer into a mind that knows how to easily overcome obstacles and defy the odds.

So, if you’re ready for a strong dose of motivation and tough love, let’s dive into these powerful David Goggins quotes:

BEST DAVID GOGGINS QUOTES FOR MOTIVATION

1. “Never let people who choose the path of least resistance steer you away from your chosen path of most resistance.” – David Goggins

2. “No one is going to come help you. No one’s coming to save you.” – David Goggins

3. “Life is one big tug of war between mediocrity and trying to find your best self.” – David Goggins

4. “The path to success will leave you callused, bruised, and very tired. It will also leave you empowered.” – David Goggins

5. “There is no better way to grow as a person than to do everyday something you hate.” – David Goggins

6. “Everybody comes to a point in their life when they want to quit. But it’s what you do at that moment that determines who you are.” – David Goggins

7. “I don’t stop when I’m tired, I stop when I’m done.” – David Goggins

8. “You can tolerate doubt as a backseat driver, but if you put doubt in the pilot’s seat, defeat is guaranteed.” – David Goggins

9. “We all have the ability to come from nothing to something.” – David Goggins

10. “Suffering is the true test of life.” – David Goggins

Motivational David Goggins Quotes

David Goggins is not big on leaning on external motivation, but, his quotes sure are motivating, and these quotes in particular are his most motivating. So, if you’re looking to get fired up to take action and get to work on your goals, these motivational David Goggins quotes will help you get it done.

11. “Nobody cares what you did yesterday. What have you done today to better yourself?” – David Goggins

12. “Be more than motivated, be more than driven, become literally obsessed to the point where people think you’re f*cking nuts.” – David Goggins

13. “Don’t focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim at what you are willing to earn.” – David Goggins

14. “Comfort zones: If you live in one too long… that becomes your norm. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” – David Goggins

15. “Tell yourself the truth! That you’ve wasted enough time, and that you have other dreams that will take courage to realize, so you don’t die a f**king pussy.” – David Goggins

16. “If you want to get better, do the things that no-one else wants to do. Do the things that no-one is even thinking about doing.” – David Goggins

17. “I thought I’d solved a problem when really I was creating new ones by taking the path of least resistance.” – David Goggins

18. “Everybody wants a quick fix. You may get results, but they won’t be permanent. The permanent results come from you having to suffer.” – David Goggins

19. “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.” – David Goggins

20. “ Mental toughness is a lifestyle.” – David Goggins

21. “Read a record number of books in a given month. If you’re focused on intellectual growth, train yourself to study harder and longer than ever before.” – David Goggins

22. “Everybody comes to a point in their life when they want to quit. But it’s what you do at that moment that determines who you are.” – David Goggins

23. “If you don’t challenge yourself, you don’t know yourself.” – David Goggins

24. “I’m different than most people… when I cross the finish line of a big race, I see that people are ecstatic, but I’m thinking about what I’m going to do tomorrow. It’s as if my Journey is everlasting and there is no finish line.” – David Goggins

25. “It’s possible to transcend anything that doesn’t kill you.” – David Goggins

26. “Failure is an option. It’s what you do with the failure that makes you who you are. Our failures mold us. I have failed at several things in my life. What sets some of us apart, is that when we fail, we can’t sleep at night. It haunts us until we have our time at redemption.” – David Goggins

27. “From the time you take your first breath, you become eligible to die. You also become eligible to find your greatness and become the One Warrior. But it is up to you to equip yourself for the battle ahead.” – David Goggins

28. “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the mud. Get out there and get after it.” – David Goggins

29. “Very few people know how the bottom feels, but I do. It’s like quicksand. It grabs you, sucks you under, and won’t let go. When life is like that it’s easy to drift and continue to make the same comfortable choices that are killing you, over and over again.” – David Goggins

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

Mindset Quotes by David Goggins

This next batch of quotes by David Goggins are related to the importance our mindset plays in how we show up in the world and achieve our goals. They provide excellent insight into how David has used his mind to achieve the impossible , and how you can too.

31. “We’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.” – David Goggins

32. “The only thing more contagious than a good attitude is a bad one.” – David Goggins

33. “When your mind is telling you that you’re done, that you’re exhausted, that you cannot possible go any further, you’re actually 40% done.” – David Goggins

34. “Denial is the ultimate comfort zone.” – David Goggins

35. “People take classes on self-help, mental toughness, breathing control — the only way to get tougher is to put yourself in hellacious situations.” – David Goggins

36. “You have to build calluses on your brain just like how you build calluses on your hands. Callus your mind through pain and suffering.” – David Goggins

37. “If you’re not physically and mentally prepared for what life is going to throw at you, then you’re just going to crumble, And then, you’re no good to nobody.” – David Goggins

38. “The more things you can do to get outside of that zone that makes you feel good, the stronger your mind is going to get. It starts getting used to doing things like this. It’s not fun, but now my mind is used to it.” – David Goggins

39. “Whenever you decided to follow a dream or set a goal , you are just as likely to come up with with all the reasons why the likelihood of success is low. Blame it on the fu**ed-up evolutionary wiring of the human mind. But you don’t have to let your doubt into the cockpit!” – David Goggins

40. “The mind is the most powerful thing in the world.” – David Goggins

41. “The reason it’s important to push hardest when you want to quit the most is because it helps you callous your mind. It’s the same reason why you have to do your best work when you are the least motivated.” – David Goggins

42. “Most of us we live in a box, and we don’t want to go out of that box at all, ever. Outside of that box is all these possibilities of life, but what we do is shackle our mind and we are a prisoner in our own mind.” – David Goggins

43. “In a human being your character is your foundation, and when you build a bunch of successes and pile up even more failures on a fu**ed-up foundation, the structure that is the self won’t be sound.” – David Goggins

44. “To develop an armored mind — a mindset so calloused and hard that it becomes bulletproof — you need to go to the source of all your fears and insecurities.” – David Goggins

45. “Only when you identify and accept your weaknesses will you finally stop running from your past.” – David Goggins

46. “Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance, and beautiful silence.” – David Goggins

47. “Only you can master your mind, which is what it takes to live a bold life filled with accomplishments most people consider beyond their capability.” – David Goggins

48. “Everything in life is a mind game! Whenever we get swept under by life’s dramas, large and small, we are forgetting that no matter how bad the pain gets, no matter how harrowing the torture, all bad things end.” – David Goggins

49. “Our culture has become hooked on the quick-fix, the life hack, efficiency. Everyone is on the hunt for that simple action algorithm that nets maximum profit with the least amount of effort. There’s no denying this attitude may get you some of the trappings of success, if you’re lucky, but it will not lead to a calloused mind or self-mastery.” – David Goggins

50. “It’s so easy to be great these days, because everyone else is so weak.” – David Goggins

Inspiring David Goggins Quotes

This next set of quotes consists of some of the most inspirational David Goggins quotes source from his book, interviews, and social media activity. We think they’ll inspire you to want to push your limits and aim for the stars in all you do.

51. “You’re probably living at about 40 percent of your true capability.” – David Goggins

52. “The worst thing that can happen to a man is to become civilized” – David Goggins

53. “You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.” – David Goggins

54. “ A warrior is a guy that goes, I’m here again today. I’ll be here again tomorrow and the next day.’ It’s a person who puts no limit on what’s possible.” – David Goggins

55. “If you can get through doing things that you hate to do, on the other side is greatness.” – David Goggins

56. “The only way that you’re ever going to get to the other side of this journey is by suffering. You have to suffer in order to grow. Some people get it, some people don’t.” – David Goggins

57. “We live in a world where a lot of people need goals, motivation, and a lot of other words to get started. It’s just a big excuse to not get started.” – David Goggins

58. “A warrior is not a person that carries a gun. The biggest war you ever go through is right between your own ears. It’s in your mind. We’re all going through a war in our mind, and we have to callus our minds to fight that war and to win that war.” – David Goggins

59. “The only reason why I became successful was because I went towards the truth. As painful and as brutal as it is, it changed me. It allowed me, in my own right, to become the person who I am today.” – David Goggins

60. “It may be satisfactory, but that’s another word for mediocrity.” – David Goggins

61. “We are all great. No matter if you think you’re dumb, fat, been bullied, we all have greatness. You gotta find the courage. It’s going to be hard work, discipline , and the non-cognitive skills — hard work, dedication, sacrifice — that will set you apart. – David Goggins

62. “Before you start a goal — let’s take care of our insecurities because they are going to surface when you put yourself in the crucible and you’re suffering.” – David Goggins

63. “A lot of people put motivational quotes up on the wall, and all they do is collect dust. Become what that quote says. Live it every day.” – David Goggins

64. “A normal person would give up. They’d say, fu** it, it’s just not meant to be, and refuse to torture themselves one minute more. But I wasn’t wired normal.” – David Goggins

65. “Show people, don’t tell people!” – David Goggins

66. “Most of us fail in life because we are afraid of what everyone around you is thinking. That’s 100% truth.” – David Goggins

67. “When you fall down, focus on the solution, not the problem You might quit or fail 100 times. Keep that clear picture of where you want to be.” – David Goggins

68. “Be true to whoever or whatever you are  and wear it like a bandage of honor. Fit in with one person and one person only: yourself.” – David Goggins

69. “Motivation is crap. Motivation comes and goes. When you’re driven, whatever is in front of you will get destroyed.” – David Goggins

70. “Life is the most brutal endurance sport of all time!” – David Goggins

71. “When you’re exhausted, weak, and tired and everyone around you looks just as bad as you or even worse- that’s the perfect time for you to make a statement. You let everyone around you know that when their life ends, that’s when yours begins.” – David Goggins

72. “If you want to be one of the few to defy those trends in our ever-softening society, you will have to be willing to go to war with yourself and create a whole new identity, which requires an open mind.”  – David Goggins

73. “Most people who doubt you, doubt you because they can never see themselves doing what you are trying to do.” – David Goggins

74. “What put distance between me and almost everybody else in that platoon is that I didn’t let my desire for comfort rule me.” – David Goggins

75. “My work ethic is the single most important factor in all of my accomplishments.” – David Goggins

76. “In every failure a lot of good things will have happened, and we must acknowledge them.” – David Goggins

77. “Thicken your skin. Become more of a human being. Don’t be afraid of the reflection in the mirror.” – David Goggins

78. “If you choose to do something, Attack It.” – David Goggins

79. “Don’t focus on what you think you deserve. Take aim at what you are willing to earn!” – David Goggins

80. “Your entitled mind is dead weight. Cut it loose.” – David Goggins

81. “Most of us are motivated as hell to do anything to pursue our dreams until those around us remind us of the danger, the downside, our own limitations, and all the people before us that didn’t make it. Sometimes, the advice comes from a well intentioned place. They really believe they are doing it for our own good but if you let them, these same people will talk you out of your dreams, and your governor will help them do it.” – David Goggins

82. “Life is one big mind game. The only person you are playing against is yourself.” – David Goggins

83. “Starting at zero is a mindset that says my refrigerator is never full, and it never will be.” – David Goggins

84. “We can always become stronger and more agile, mentally and physically. We can always become more capable and more reliable. Since that’s the case we should never feel that our work is done. There is always more to do.” – David Goggins

85. “We are all fighting the same battle. All of us are torn between comfort and performance, between settling for mediocrity or being willing to suffer in order to become our best self, all the damn time.” – David Goggins

86. “We need to surround ourselves with people who will tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear, but at the same time not make us feel we’re up against the impossible.” – David Goggins

87. “In life, there is no gift as overlooked or inevitable as failure.” – David Goggins

88. “Luck is a capricious bi***. It won’t always go your way, so you can’t get trapped in this idea that just because you imagined a possibility for yourself that you somehow deserve it.” – David Goggins

89. “Self-talk and visualization are the two keys to my success.” – David Goggins

90. “In this life, we’re either getting better or we’re getting worse.” – David Goggins

91. “We are all guilty of allowing so-called experts, or just people who have more experience in a given field than we do, to cap our potential.” – David Goggins

92. “In this life there are countless trails to self-realization, though most demand intense discipline , so very few take them.” – David Goggins

93. “To exist in this world, we must contend with humiliation, broken dreams, sadness, and loss. That’s just nature. Each specific life comes with its own personalized portion of pain. It’s coming for you. You can’t stop it. And you know it.” – David Goggins

94. “We live a life defined by the limits we imagine and desire for ourselves because it’s comfortable as hell in that box.” – David Goggins

95. “We all need to start looking at obstacles very differently in life. Obstacles are purely hidden opportunities.” – David Goggins

96. “You have to learn to be the person who really doesn’t care if it is 70 and sunny or 20 and windy. You just don’t care and continue moving forward . The obstacle is the opportunity if you are willing to see it that way. Stay hard!” – David Goggins

97. “There is so much poison that people are feeding people’s minds these days. People want to see you lesser than them. A lot of people want to see you on your back. Be careful who you listen to in this world- they may very well be the infection that keeps your brain sedentary.” – David Goggins

98. “In life, when you miss the shot that can tie the game, before you put your head down, look at the scoreboard because I bet you still have time in the game. And in this game of life, anything can happen at any given second that can turn the tide in that game!” – David Goggins

99. “The Spartans were masters of pain. They knew how to embrace it and push through it. They didn’t just endure pain, they welcomed it. That’s what made them so powerful.” – David Goggins

100. “Taking souls all day everyday.” – David Goggins

101. “I seem to annoy people just by doing me. Well, guess what? A lot of people annoy the hell out of me by not working to their full potential, being lazy and making excuses for their lot in life.” – David Goggins

102. “When you make excuses, you’re running from the truth.” – David Goggins

103 . “The only way we can change is to be real with ourselves.” – David Goggins

104. “Be uncommon amongst uncommon people.” – David Goggins

105. “It’s a lot more than mind over matter. It takes relentless self-discipline to schedule suffering into your day, every day.” – David Goggins

106. “Analyze your schedule, kill your empty habits, burn out the bulls**t, and see what’s left.” – David Goggins

107. “Don’t let your body or mind do exactly what it wants to do. Take control.” – David Goggins

108. “Greatness pulls mediocrity into the fu****g mud.” – David Goggins

109. “ Find strength in the misery, cause you can get a lot of power in misery.” – David Goggins

110. “Stay Hard!” – David Goggins

111. “You’re gonna find peace by going to war with yourself.” – David Goggins

112. “What makes me me, is the dungeon.” – David Goggins

113. “There’s always going to be that mutherf****r in the sewer you came from, that’s grabbing at your fu****g ankle as you’re leaving that sewer, that’s gonna drag your right the f*** back down because you figured it out.” – David Goggins

114. “Every morning starts with a run, and that’s because it’s the one thing I hate to do more than anything in the world. So, that’s like my cup of coffee.” – David Goggins

115. “The most important step we’ll ever take in life, is our next one.” – David Goggins

116. “They don’t know me son!! Who’s gonna carry the boats… and the logs?” – David Goggins

117. “The struggle is real. It never gets any easier… you got to get harder.” – David Goggins

Bonus David Goggins Quote

Bonus: Alright, here is our last David Goggins quote that we want to leave you with. It’s a painful truth, but we all need to hear it, and never forget it….

“You Don’t Get Better On The Daggum Couch.” – David goggins –

Related: David Goggins Net Worth

We hope you enjoyed this collection of motivating David Goggins quotes. If any of them inspired you, please share the page or the quote with someone whom you think could use a friendly nudge from David Goggins to step up their game.

With that said, we hope these quotes help you follow Goggins’ lead to keep your mind strong and stay hard!

PS – If you enjoyed these David Goggins quotes, you may enjoy this inspiring David Goggins Story of Success.

35+ STRIVE QUOTES TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE THE LIFE YOU DESERVE

To strive means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. It means to struggle or fight vigorously ; to battle or compete. It is a word that encompasses what many go through day in and day out as they pursue their most cherished goals and aims in life. Without a doubt, it is a powerful word, especially for those who are reaching for more in their lives. And if you are on this page, that person is likely you. As such, we decided to publish the most inspiring strive quotes of all time, and we are dedicating them to you.

So, fellow achiever, if you’re ready for some inspiration to keep you fighting for all the great things you deserve in life, then let’s dive in to these top quotes about striving.

BEST STRIVE QUOTES TO FOR ACHIEVING SUCCESS

1. “It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.” – Seneca 

2. “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” –  Albert Einstein

3. “To strive tirelessly and at all times to reach one’s goal – therein lies the secret of success .” – Anna Pavlova

4. “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.” – Abraham Lincoln

5. “In this world, you only get what you grab for.” – Giovanni Boccaccio

6. “Life is so much more rewarding if you strive for something, rather than take what’s given to you on a plate.” – Amy Winehouse

7. “Ambition is your inner voice that tells you, you can, and should, strive to go beyond your circumstances or situation in life.” – Lloyd Blankfein

8. “On occasion we need to make a second effort – and a third effort, and a fourth effort, and as many degrees of effort as may be required to accomplish what we strive to achieve.”  –  Thomas S. Monson

9. “Infinite striving to be the best is man’s duty; it is its own reward. Everything else is in God’s hands.” – Gandhi

10. “There is no failure except in no longer trying.” – Elbert Hubbard

11. “If we are to be a really great people, we must strive in good faith to play a great part in the world.” – Theodore Roosevelt

12. “Even when it is not fully attained, we become better by striving for a higher goal.” – Viktor Frankl

13. “I don’t know what my calling is, but I want to be here for a bigger reason. So I strive to be like the greatest people who have ever lived.” – Will Smith

14. “I’m certainly not saying that my life is what success is all about. To me, success is the ongoing process of striving to become more.” – Anthony Robbins

15. “Achievement eventually befalls the person who never stops striving.” – Strive Quote

16. “Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort. If you strive for the top and miss, you’ll still ‘beat the pack.” – Gerald R. Ford

17. “I was taught to strive not because there were any guarantees of success but because the act of striving is in itself the only way to keep faith with life.” – Madeleine Albright

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

19. “Once we get the things we are striving for, we rarely remain satisfied with them. The things are just the bait. Chasing after them forces us to evolve, and it is the evolution and not the rewards themselves that matters to us and to those around us. This means that for most people success is struggling and evolving as effectively as possible.” – Ray Dalio

20. “Mistakes are proof that you are trying.” – Anonymous

21. “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” – Newt Gingrich

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

23. “God provides the wind, but man must raise the sails.” ―St. Augustine

24. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. ”  –   Thomas Jefferson

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

26. “Always remember that striving and struggle precede success, even in the dictionary.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach

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

28. “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” – Pat Riley

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

30. “We can not guarantee success, but we can strive to deserve it.” – George Washington

31. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison

32. “All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

33. “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” – Moliere

34. “Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.” – Barry Finlay

35. “If you strive for excellence, success will follow.” – Shreya Ghoshal

36. “Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted.” – David Bly

37. “A vision on its own is not enough. Hard work and dedication is required to make that vision a reality.” – Strive Masiyiwa

38. “We all have wounds, but you can’t let that be an excuse to sit on the sidelines. Sometimes in life you have to play in pain.” – Joel Olsteen

39. “God always strives together with those who strive.” – Aeschylus

40. “Success is always possible for the person who just keeps striving.” – The STRIVE

41. “Throughout the more than 40 years Virgin has been in business we have been continuously striving – striving to deliver wonderful products and services, striving to make a positive difference, striving to change people’s life for the better.  Had we not kept striving, we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today.” – Richard Branson

42. “Be a lot, do a lot, do a lot have a lot. ” – Myron Golden

43. “Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.” – Kim Collins

44. “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

Bonus Strive Quote

Bonus: Out of our entire collection of striving quotes, this one is by far our favorite. We believe it encompasses everything that needs to be said about striving for success. Enjoy!

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly ; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed ; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”  –   Theodore Roosevelt

Takeaways From These Strive Quotes

We hope you enjoyed these strive quotes. Their purpose is to encourage you to stay hell bent on reaching your aims, because that’s what it will take to achieve them.

With that being said, here are some takeaways from these strive quotes:

• Success eventually comes to those who strive hard
• Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value
• Striving doesn’t guarantee success, but shows how deserving you are
• To strive is to reach, and you can’t obtain if you don’t reach

So, keep trying (hard), keep attempting, continue to endeavor, to aim, and make those great efforts towards your goals. Because it is only through dogged persistence, extra effort, and exerting oneself continuously that we move on to better things. Now go out and get what you deserve .

PS – If you enjoyed these quotes about striving, then you’ll love these quotes about hustling .

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10 of the Most Famous and Inspirational Speeches from History

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

What makes a great and iconic speech? There are numerous examples of brilliant orators and speechmakers throughout history, from classical times to the present day. What the best speeches tend to have in common are more than just a solid intellectual argument: they have emotive power, or, for want of a more scholarly word, ‘heart’. Great speeches rouse us to action, or move us to tears – or both.

But of course, historic speeches are often also associated with landmark, or watershed, moments in a nation’s history: when Churchill delivered his series of wartime speeches to Britain in 1940, it was against the backdrop of a war which was still in its early, uncertain stages. And when Martin Luther King stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, he was addressing a crowd who, like him, were marching for justice, freedom, and civil rights for African Americans.

Let’s take a closer look at ten of the best and most famous speeches from great moments in history.

Abraham Lincoln, ‘ Gettysburg Address ’ (1863).

The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history, yet it was extremely short – just 268 words, or less than a page of text – and Abraham Lincoln, who gave the address, wasn’t even the top billing .

The US President Abraham Lincoln gave this short address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on 19 November 1863. At the time, the American Civil War was still raging, and the Battle of Gettysburg had been the bloodiest battle in the war, with an estimated 23,000 casualties.

Lincoln’s speech has been remembered while Edward Everett’s – the main speech delivered on that day – has long been forgotten because Lincoln eschewed the high-flown allusions and wordy style of most political orators of the nineteenth century. Instead, he addresses his audience in plain, homespun English that is immediately relatable and accessible.

Sojourner Truth, ‘ Ain’t I a Woman? ’ (1851).

Sometimes known as ‘Ar’n’t I a Woman?’, this is a speech which Sojourner Truth, a freed African slave living in the United States, delivered in 1851 at the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio. The women in attendance were being challenged to call for the right to vote.

In her speech, Sojourner Truth attempts to persuade the audience to give women the vote . As both an ex-slave and a woman, Sojourner Truth knew about the plight of both groups of people in the United States. Her speech shows her audience the times: change is coming, and it is time to give women the rights that should be theirs.

John Ball, ‘ Cast off the Yoke of Bondage ’ (1381).

The summer of 1381 was a time of unrest in England. The so-called ‘Peasants’ Revolt’, led by Wat Tyler (in actual fact, many of the leaders of the revolt were more well-to-do than your average peasant), gathered force until the rebels stormed London, executing a number of high-ranking officials, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor, Simon Sudbury.

Alongside Tyler, the priest John Ball was an important leading figure of the rebellion. His famous couplet, ‘When Adam delved and Eve span, / Who was then the gentleman?’ sums up the ethos of the Peasants’ Revolt: social inequality was unheard of until men created it.

Winston Churchill, ‘ We Shall Fight on the Beaches ’ (1940).

Winston Churchill had only recently assumed the role of UK Prime Minister when he gave the trio of wartime speeches which have gone down in history for their rhetorical skill and emotive power. This, for our money, is the best of the three.

Churchill gave this speech in the House of Commons on 4 June 1940. Having brought his listeners up to speed with what has happened, Churchill comes to the peroration of his speech : by far the most famous part. He reassures them that if nothing is neglected and all arrangements are made, he sees no reason why Britain cannot once more defend itself against invasion: something which, as an island nation, it has always been susceptible to by sea, and now by air.

Even if it takes years, and even if Britain must defend itself alone without any help from its allies, this is what must happen. Capitulation to the Nazis is not an option. The line ‘if necessary for years; if necessary, alone’ is sure to send a shiver down the spine, as is the way Churchill barks ‘we shall never surrender!’ in the post-war recording of the speech he made several years later.

William Faulkner, ‘ The Agony and the Sweat ’ (1950).

This is the title sometimes given to one of the most memorable Nobel Prize acceptance speeches: the American novelist William Faulkner’s acceptance of the Nobel Prize for Literature at Stockholm in 1950.

In his speech, Faulkner makes his famous statement about the ‘duty’ of writers: that they should write about ‘the human heart in conflict with itself’, as well as emotions and themes such as compassion, sacrifice, courage, and hope. He also emphasises that being a writer is hard work, and involves understanding human nature in all its complexity. But good writing should also remind readers what humankind is capable of.

Emmeline Pankhurst, ‘ The Plight of Women ’ (1908).

Pankhurst (1858-1928) was the leader of the British suffragettes, campaigning – and protesting – for votes for women. After she realised that Asquith’s Liberal government were unlikely to grand women the vote, the Women’s Social and Political Union, founded by Pankhurst with her daughter Christabel, turned to more militant tactics to shift public and parliamentary opinion.

Her emphasis in this speech is on the unhappy lot most women could face, in marriage and in motherhood. She also shows how ‘man-made’ the laws of England are, when they are biased in favour of men to the detriment of women’s rights.

This speech was given at the Portman Rooms in London in 1908; ten years later, towards the end of the First World War, women over 30 were finally given the vote. But it would be another ten years, in 1928 – the year of Pankhurst’s death – before the voting age for women was equal to that for men (21 years).

Franklin Roosevelt, ‘ The Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself ’ (1933).

This is the title by which Roosevelt’s speech at his inauguration in 1933 has commonly become known, and it has attained the status of a proverb. Roosevelt was elected only a few years after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 which ushered in the Great Depression.

Roosevelt’s famous line in the speech, which offered hope to millions of Americans dealing with unemployment and poverty, was probably inspired by a line from Henry David Thoreau, a copy of whose writings FDR had been gifted shortly before his inauguration. The line about having nothing to fear except fear itself was, in fact, only added into the speech the day before the inauguration took place, but it ensured that the speech went down in history.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, ‘ Among Us You Can Dwell No Longer ’ (63 BC).

Of all of the great classical orators, perhaps the greatest of all was the Roman statesman, philosopher, and speechmaker, Cicero (whose name literally means ‘chickpea’).

This is probably his best-known speech. At the Temple of Jupiter in Rome, Cicero addressed the crowd, but specifically directed his comments towards Lucius Catiline, who was accused of plotting a conspiracy to set fire to the capital and stage and insurrection. The speech was considered such a fine example of Roman rhetoric that it was a favourite in classrooms for centuries after, as Brian MacArthur notes in The Penguin Book of Historic Speeches .

Queen Elizabeth I, ‘ The Heart and Stomach of a King ’ (1588).

Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury is among the most famous and iconic speeches in English history. On 9 August 1588, Elizabeth addressed the land forces which had been mobilised at the port of Tilbury in Essex, in preparation for the expected invasion of England by the Spanish Armada.

When she gave this speech, Elizabeth was in her mid-fifties and her youthful beauty had faded. But she had learned rhetoric as a young princess, and this training served her well when she wrote and delivered this speech (she was also a fairly accomplished poet ).

She famously tells her troops: ‘I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too’. She acknowledged the fact that her body was naturally less masculine and strong than the average man’s, but it is not mere physical strength that will win the day. It is courage that matters.

Martin Luther King, ‘ I Have a Dream ’ (1963).

Let’s conclude this selection of the best inspirational speeches with the best-known of all of Martin Luther King’s speeches. The occasion for this piece of oratorical grandeur was the march on Washington , which saw some 210,000 men, women, and children gather at the Washington Monument in August 1963, before marching to the Lincoln Memorial. King reportedly stayed up until 4am the night before he was due to give the speech, writing it out.

King’s speech imagines a collective vision of a better and more equal America which is not only shared by many Black Americans, but by anyone who identifies with their fight against racial injustice, segregation, and discrimination.

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