"Hey Keynote Speaker...Try Motivating Me!"

Ever since I was a Sophomore in college I've been speaking to people.  All kinds of people in all kinds of circumstances.  From gravesides to corporate board rooms.  And through those years I've spoken on more topics than I could have ever imagined.  
So when someone calls LifeWorks and wants to book me for an event this topic comes up more than any other.
I'll chat with the organizer, get some background information, and then I get to the point where I ask, "and what topic did you want me to speak on for your group?"
Often times there will be a pause and the organizer will say in a somewhat somber voice, "We need you to come and motivate us.  We really need you to light a fire under us."
Now having been in sports many years of my life, I've heard my fair share of great motivational speeches from exceptional coaches.  Great speeches that were sometimes well-thought out in advance or very spontaneous.  Our teams would be so fired up we would run through a wall and then go out and...well let's just say our talent didn't match the wonder of our coach's wit and intelligence. I can't ever remember coming to the bench during a basketball game when we were getting whipped and asking Coach Brown during a sixty second timeout to "motivate me."  That usually happened at the next day's practice!
Trust me, we all need someone to pick up our spirits and give us hope throughout life.  As someone once said, "life happens".  
We hate our job, our marriage isn't what it out to be, the kids are driving us nuts, the business isn't doing well, bills, poor health, lack of fulfillment, little happiness, and the list goes on.  Life!
Now a motivational speaker can come in and light the match to fire us up but many times it flames out after only a couple of days.  Why?  Simple...one little match on its own won't burn down the forest.
On the other hand, an outstanding motivational speaker brings not only the match but the fuel to keep the fire burning even in life's downpours.  So with that said, here are some motivational tips to start the fire and keep in burning.
*Face your fears:  Often fear can cripple your energy and stop you feeling motivated.  You will feel more motivated than ever once you face your fears and put them in the past.
*Read about people who've achieved what you want to achieve. There's nothing more powerful than knowing someone else who has done what you want to accomplish.  I love to do adventure runs.  They're more than challenging for me,  My inspiration is reading the life story of Jim McLaren.  He was a terrific athlete but more importantly an incredible man.  When I think about giving up on a run, or for that fact any challenge in life, I read about Jim McLaren.
Reframe your current challenges.  Often when we face hurdles we feel defeated and want to give in.  If you remind yourself at these times that every meaningful success involves challenges, then you will suddenly see that your current challenge is in fact a sign of progress.
Always finish what you start.  If you make this a rule that you follow religiously, then any loss of motivation is put in the background.  What you focus on is the fact that you need to finish whatever it is you're doing.
Take risks.  When you're taking risks, playing the game of life, you feel invigorated and energized.  Usually a loss of motivation is associated with moving to the sidelines.  Get back up and back into the game.  Keep playing and your motivation will return.
And finally, the most important of all the self-motivation tips: Always go for your big, pie-in-the-sky dreams.  If you don't you might find life feels hollow and empty.  As Abraham Maslow said,
"If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you'll be unhappy for the rest of your life."