Ever been stuck in a whirlpool of emotions with no direction ahead? Feeling like nothing in the world is worth fighting for? Everyone has been on that turn; some stay a bit longer while the others move off the whirlpool sooner.

Well-known Astro Strategist cum Business Transformation Expert Hirav Shah says,, “Motivation is the key to opening the door and getting out of that state. It can be positive and negative, through oneself or external; all of us need a push once in a while.

What is the positive and negative motivation?

Shah adds “Remember when our teacher warned us that she would subtract assessment in case of bad behavior? That is a kind of negative motivation. Whereas positive motivation is when we think we shall be rewarded with good performance. One example of positive motivation is when a mother promises her son to buy him a bicycle if he gets good marks.”

What are internal and external motivations?

Hirav Shah explains that every person reacts to situations differently. While some of us do not need external elements to motivate us, others need some perks or reward to achieve the goals. Though, mostly we work better with rewards in any form. This is the reason why companies and organizations regularly provide perks such as free holidays, paid leaves, vouchers, gift hampers, chauffeur, etc. Besides perks, monetary benefits such as pensions, increments, and bonuses are excellent, motivating factors.

In Hirav Shah’s opinion, the best kind of motivation is internal motivation (which is hidden, so that you get the external benefits as well!); when we do not need someone else to push us, we are independent and self-motivated.

When was the last time we did something just for the sake of enjoyment of the activity itself? Whatever it might be painting, cycling, cooking, reading, or just watching a movie. When we do something just because we love it or give us happiness, it is internal motivation.

Best ways to keep one motivated

  1. Curiosity – Maintaining a curious attitude towards new things increases interest in that particular thing. It is good to keep a positive and curious attitude.
  2. Recognition – Allowing our achievements to be recognized and praised by people boosts our confidence tremendously. This in turn, motivates us to work harder on our growth.
  3. Discipline- we can go nowhere without discipline. Discipline is required in every act of our routine, from when we wake up to what we do. Discipline and consistency keep us going.
  4. Challenge – Life is stagnant if there are no challenges. A challenge is an opportunity to grow; growth is an excellent internal motivator. Grabbing opportunities without the fear of outcome but for the sake of growth keeps one motivated.

Some excellent motivational speakers

The Twitter Conference - Tony Robbins
Brian Solis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

  • Robin Sharma
  • Marcus Smith
  • Tony Robbins

Motivational thoughts to live by

  • Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” –Winston Churchill
  • A successful man can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” –David Brinkley
  • I believe that the only courage anybody ever needs is the courage to follow your own dreams.” –Oprah Winfrey
  • Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” –Pablo Picasso.

Many people possess good speaking skills and want to deliver speeches but are unsure how to make what they say interesting, entertaining, or inspiring enough to capture an audience’s attention. A speech should be delivered with a purpose to inspire your audience to adopt a new viewpoint, take a particular action, and change behavior, etc., with correct usage of words. Words are an important part of any conversation. However, there is no exact format to write and deliver a good motivational speech; instead, it requires the correct delivery method. A motivational speech can be about sports, entertainment, business, spirituality, etc. It depends on the speaker’s interest what topic he or she selects. Speakers create a different aura through their speech delivery that uplifts one’s soul and provides them a positive outlook.

The following key elements help in delivering a great motivational speech

  1. Gentle eye contact- Effective communication is based on trust. Trust begins with eye contact because we need to see the person’s face to evaluate if they are being deceitful or not.
  2. Kind facial expression- Facial expressions play an important role in delivering a good speech. Facial expressions speak a thousand words. No matter if the speaker is trustworthy to you, it will appear on your facial expressions revealing the truth, in turn affecting the speech delivery and quality.
  3. The warm tone of voice- If the facial expression expresses one emotion, but if the tone conveys a different one, causing the person confusion resulting in the erosion of trust and deception of cooperation.
  4. Expressive body gestures- Gestures are also important because they help control your brain. In turn, this will integrate both sound and body movement of the person speaking (link is external) to accurately perceive what is meant.
  5. Relaxation- degree of relaxation is also reflected in your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. One-minute relaxation exercise will increase activity in those parts of the brain that control language, communication, social awareness, mood regulation, and decision-making. (link is external) Thus, a relaxed conversation allows for increased intimacy and empathy.
  6. Slow speech rate- Slow speech rates increase the ability of the listener to comprehend what you are saying. Slower speaking also deepens a person’s respect for you. A slow voice has a calming effect on a feeling anxious, whereas a loud, fast voice will stimulate excitement, anger, or fear.

Therefore, a motivational speaker that possesses all these qualities, as mentioned above, stands out among the crowd and remains unique, memorable among the audience for delivering a powerful speech. Also, the most important part is to be you. Authenticity connects with humans and inspires them. Even if a speaker is not perfect, then by adopting these qualities, he or she can be the perfect motivational speaker. After all, a good motivational speaker is the one that helps in uplifting one’s soul, by all means, helping them in leading a healthy, happy, and purposeful life.

Final Lines

In conclusion, Hirav Shah’s insights provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and harnessing motivation, delivering impactful speeches, and achieving success in business through strategic planning.

Let’s have a quick look

To stay motivated, Shah suggests several key elements:

  1. Curiosity: Maintaining a positive and curious attitude towards new things can enhance interest.
  2. Recognition: Having achievements recognized and praised boosts confidence, driving individuals to work harder.
  3. Discipline: Discipline and consistency are crucial for progress and success.
  4. Challenge: Embracing challenges as opportunities for growth can be a powerful internal motivator.

Additionally, Shah recommends some motivational thoughts from successful individuals, such as Winston Churchill, David Brinkley, Oprah Winfrey, and Pablo Picasso.

When it comes to delivering a motivational speech, Shah provides insights into key elements:

  1. Gentle Eye Contact: Builds trust and enhances effective communication.
  2. Kind Facial Expression: Facial expressions play a vital role in conveying the speaker’s message.
  3. Warm Tone of Voice: The tone should align with facial expressions to avoid confusion.
  4. Expressive Body Gestures: Gestures complement verbal communication and help in conveying the intended message.
  5. Relaxation: A relaxed demeanor enhances intimacy and empathy.
  6. Slow Speech Rate: Slower speech rates aid comprehension and deepen respect.

In terms of business success, Shah emphasizes the importance of actionable strategies and highlights the role of Astro Strategy in achieving desired outcomes. The message encourages individuals to focus on their goals, take action, and seek expert opinions for crucial business decisions.