Are you having problems setting goals or overcoming setbacks? We all need help from time to time to get started or get back on track after a failure. This is probably why motivation is one of the most in-demand topics for events and conferences, according to a 2022 speaking industry benchmark report conducted by All American Entertainment. We all need motivation.

To help you get inspired, we compiled a list of advice from five motivational and inspirational keynote speakers making an impression in the industry. All these keynote speakers came from humble beginnings, strived to achieve great things, and had to overcome challenges. If you want to increase your motivation, try out one of these five tips.

1) Ask Yourself One Question to Get Started

If you want to live your best life, then you need to start by answering one question: What would you do if money was no object? This was the question that inspirational keynote speaker Albert Lin asked himself when he was an unhappy graduate student at UC San Diego. After he answered the question, he was able to commit to his dream of being a National Geographic Explorer. It wasn’t easy. He even had to live in his car for a while before finally getting hired.

2) What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?

If you’re tired of doing the same old thing, then try what inspirational keynote speaker Ben Nemtin did. After becoming depressed by living the life he didn’t want, he decided to surround himself with quality friends and pursue the goals he wanted. He did so by creating a bucket list of things he wanted to do before he died. Since creating the list, he has finished over 90 of the goals and helped countless people to achieve their goals.

3) Don’t Give Up What You Have for What You Want

Pursuing big goals can be great, but be careful not to lose sight of what’s really important along the way. This is the lesson that keynote speaker and successful entrepreneur Jesse Itzler shares with his audiences. Itzler says that the richest of rich were asked their biggest regret in realizing their achievements. What did they regret? Missing out on their relationships with family, friends, spouses and children. So while you pursue your big dreams, remember that having a good life is also about having good relationships.

4) The 48-Hour Rule

It’s a motivational cliche to say don’t let setbacks stop you from your goals. But what if you only have one shot at your goal? Former Olympic skier and keynote speaker Jeremy Bloom, faced this situation when he failed to win a medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. So what do you do when you have a crushing setback and can’t try again? In his book, Fueled by Failure, Bloom explains you should allow yourself 48 hours to wallow. After that two day mourning period, then you can learn from your setback and try new things. But first, allow yourself to be disappointed.

5) Help Others Find the Beauty in the Process

Many motivational speakers also say being successful and overcoming setbacks is all about having a positive mindset. But what does that mean? For four-time Olympic high jumper and keynote speaker Chaunté Lowe, a positive mindset is all about helping others find beauty in the process. After retiring from high jumping, Lowe was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer. She decided the best way to help herself was also to help others. So she tried out for her fifth Olympics, while going through chemotherapy. Along the way, she became a spokesperson inspiring more women to overcome their own challenges with cancer. 

If you like to learn more ways to become motivated and overcome challenges, contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau to hire an inspirational keynote speaker today.

For More Inspirational Advice:

How To Go From Living in Your Car to Living Your Dream, According to Keynote Speaker and National Geographic Explorer, Albert Yu-Min Lin

Think like an Olympic Champion and Boost your Team’s Energy with a Top Olympic Keynote Speaker

This Top Motivational Keynote Speaker Helps You Reach Your Bucket List Dreams