I’ve watched numerous Youtube videos, but there are few that have definitely left me genuinely inspired. Some of the below videos showcase perfectly the components within a truly engaging and inspiring speech. I’d highly recommend watching these for inspiration on work, life and personal development.
Randy Pausch Last Lecture Speech
This is a fantastic example of the resilience of the human spirit at work. After being diagnosed with Cancer, Randy gave this lecture, who’s premise was “What lecture would you give if this was the last lecture you could ever give?”. It is still inspiring and compelling as ever, showing that anyone can achieve what they want in life if they try hard enough. Randy, by hook or by crook managed to fulfill these dreams one way or another.
Take away points:
“Experience is what you get when you dont get what you want.”
“When people stop telling you what you are doing wrong is a bad thing. It means they’ve given up on you.”
“Brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it bad enough.”
Gary Vaynerchuk – Web 2.0 Expo
Gary Vaynerchuk needs no introduction. He has become something of an internet celebrity in a relatively short space of time through the hosting of Wine Library TV, a daily webcast on wine. His exhuberant style is apparent throughout the presentation, and there is obvious passion for business illustrated throughout. A natural born public speaker, he is the definition of authenticity, motivation, and inspiration. This talk was entitled Building Personal branding within the
Take away points
“Hustle is the most important word. Ever. You need to work SO hard.”
“Patience and passion. There is no reason in 2009 to do crap you hate. None.”
“Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, “What do I want to do every day for the rest of my life?” Do that.
Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech
Like many teenagers – CEO of Apple Steve Jobs didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life at 17, but found himself getting an education the way he wanted, and learning things that later became game changers at Apple. He talks about getting fired at Apple, and how it let him re-evaluate his entire thinking, creating NeXt and Pixar Studios in the process. Steve also talks openly and honestly about his cancer diagnosis and how it affected his thinking.
Take away points
“you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”
“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith.”
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked.”
Johnny “I hack Stuff” Long at Defcon.
This is one for the geeks. Johnny Long is famous for those Google hacking bits and bobs. This speech is fascinating from a geek perspective and from a “how to present” point of view. Even if you haven’t a clue about the subject matter (which incidently is great in itself) – the presentation style is compelling anyway. If you have to do any public speaking, you could do worse than examining how to use powerpoint for impact from this speech.
Take away points – Great Subject matter + Great delivery =Great presentation.
Running & Reading by Will Smith
Whilst this was given at the childrens choice awards in 2005, there’s a message inherant in it for all of us. Never give up. Always keeping trying. When things get hard – push through the wall.
Take away points
“I’m so tired, just no way I can possible continue. And you want to quit. Right? That person if you learn how to defeat that person when you’re running. You will learn how to not quit when things get hard in your life. Running. All right? That’s the first key to life…”
linky
posted:October 23, 2009 9:24 am
well really good stuff ……………….. thnks for posting …….
cool designs
linky
posted:November 7, 2009 7:34 pm
Thanks for sharing these awesome videos, I think everyone should watch at least a one of them everyday in the morning, Gary’s Enthusiasm is just brilliant and Steve Jobs was in his signature style as he looks while presenting Apple’s keynote but explained some rather difficult to understand things in life so easily, John Long “I hack stuff” has given a brilliant presentation with humor involved and also discussed about a good cause in it and at the end Will Smith’s reading and running tip was also something which can be tried practically.
Akash Sharma