As an English Literature student, I am in love with the strange power words have over us and our emotions. Words can inspire, sadden, excite, strengthen and break us as we interact with the world and others around us. Want to be reminded of your own powerful reasons to go after your dreams? Then stay right here on this page and check out these 7 Motivational Speeches that Will Fire Up Your Life Goals!
Mohammed Qahtani was the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking and in his winning speech he said ‘words have power, words are power, words could be your power also.’ This is undeniably true when it comes to motivational speeches which are able to reach inside us, grab onto our bones and shake away any negativity, self-doubt or anxiety that might be clinging on. Ultimately, you have to find the words that speak to you the most personally but to help you get started, here are several I’ve come across on my journey to help empower you and stoke the fires under your fitness and wellness goals.
1. Matthew McConaughey’s 2015 University of Houston Speech
Now I know what you are thinking, it’s over 45 minutes long! But I assure you it is well worth it. This speech is more general life advice and I find listening to it ‘cleanses the palette’, stripping away all the stresses and distractions and restoring your focus to yourself and your journey. McConaughey offers 13 truths or paradigms, and some of my personal favourites are ‘unbelievable is a stupid word’, ‘defining ourselves by what we are not is the first step that leads us to really knowing who we are’ and ‘give your obstacles credit’.
2. Never Hit Snooze
This is a no-nonsense speech that was literally created to be set as an alarm so that you can keep pushing towards your goals instead of wasting the potential of the day by sleeping. If you truly want something, you won’t leave it till tomorrow to get it. This is a track that I discovered during the Coronavirus lockdown, when my brother used to blast it through his speaker outside my bedroom. It’s definitely effective. WARNING: contains some explicit language.
3. I Dare You to Be Great
Realising what you truly want for yourself and the hard work it’s going to take to get there can be terrifying. It’s one thing to say that you’re going to become a better version of yourself but the doing of it is where you will find obstacles that lead to self-doubt. This speech dares you to face those fears and challenge yourself in order to gain a more rewarding sense of self.
4. I Didn’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far
This track champions the pursuit of growth and just speaks for itself: ‘It’s the challenge that makes the greatness’. ‘If you get to the top of the mountain find a bigger mountain’.
5. Remember Why You Started
As stated in the title, this track brings you back to the start of your journey and the decision to take your first step towards your goals. It’s set to music in the middle so it’s a good one to listen to for example, during the hardest parts of your fitness workouts.
6. T.N.D.O. – Take No Days Off
Most goals require consistency, passion and drive and it’s up to you to provide those things in order to get the outcome you desire. This track asks you how bad you want results and if you are doing all you can to achieve them.
7. Jim Carrey’s Commencement Address, Maharishi University 2014
Much like McConaughey’s speech, this is more general life advice to inspire you when thinking about your life goals. It focuses on self-worth and not to let fear disguised as practicality hold you back when making decisions that will both challenge and enrich you. ‘You can fail at what you don’t want so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.’
