How can motivational speakers stay motivated when they experience setbacks?

Remember, feeling disappointed, frustrated, angry, or sad is a normal part of life. Nothings is perfect, but about acknowledging your feelings and using them as fuel for growth/resilience is the key. Be aware with ⬇️ Denial creates distance: Suppressing emotions creates a disconnect between your true feelings and your actions. This can lead to frustration/confusion. Acceptance fosters growth: When you accept your emotions, you open yourself to understanding them. Healthy expression is key: Letting out your emotions in a healthy way, like journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or engaging in physical activity, can release tension. Also try to learn Meditation, which can give clarity. Life is mix of + and - , make it +ve ~ Dr Mukesh

Acknowledging and embracing emotions is a crucial first step for motivational speakers navigating setbacks. It's a powerful reminder that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Sharing your feelings with a trusted confidant or channeling them through creative outlets can be transformative.

By viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, staying positive, and regularly reconnecting with their own sources of inspiration, motivational speakers can maintain their motivation despite challenges.

Maintaining motivation amid setbacks is a universal challenge. As an educationist and mindset coach, I encourage speakers to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth. Share personal stories of overcoming obstacles to connect with your audience authentically. It's a powerful way to not only stay motivated but also inspire others.

Embracing Emotional Honesty: To stay motivated, I first accept and understand my feelings, whether it's disappointment or frustration. Recognizing these emotions as natural responses to challenges is crucial. Healthy Emotional Expression: I find constructive ways to express emotions, like confiding in someone I trust, journaling, or meditating. This approach helps in releasing these feelings, clearing the way to move forward with renewed focus and determination.

As I conducted programs, there were days I have too many problems and sometimes our audience can sense it. I learn it earlier this year when one of my participants asked me during the break, "how do you maintain your energy when you have a bad day?" and I was having a bad period at that time. Once I noticed it, I started to shift my focus and reframe what i am going through is a process to make me a better person. I started visualize the future and focus on the the feelings I generated. The next session, I gain a better energy and I believe the participants too can feel it. I learned that if we have the problem, face it, talk to people before we go on stage to talk to our audience.

Adopting a Learning Mindset: I approach setbacks not as failures but as learning opportunities. This shift in mindset transforms challenges into chances for personal and professional growth. Focusing on Actionable Steps: Rather than dwelling on uncontrollable aspects of a situation, I concentrate on what I can influence. By directing attention to present actions, I turn potentially negative experiences into positive, forward-moving steps.

My father's will stated that if he is kept alive artificially, we must switch the machines off. I was attending a 2-day conference. My dad was in the hospital for a heart attack, and on Tuesday evening, my brother and I told the doctor to switch the machines off during the night. I was hired to end the conference on a high Wednesday. On Tuesday evening, I started to mentally prepare for losing my father. I told myself that ending the conference on a high would celebrate his life and what he added to my life. The audience will not know. Never tell the audience. You were paid to deliver a service and a message. The next morning, my dad sat straight up in bed after the machines were switched off, happy and alive. He only passed a year later.

Reframing perspective is indeed a game-changer! Seeing setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures shifts the narrative. An example: Instead of viewing a canceled speaking engagement as a setback, consider it a chance to refine your content or explore new avenues. Embracing the present moment and focusing on actionable steps propel you forward.

When something does not go right or you do not get the response you were looking for do not go looking for blame or excuses. Have a look at what happened, seek feedback and learn. Did you misread the situation/audience or was it just one of those attendees that tried to derail you. Do not show a change of emotion, do not let it show but carry on. the worst thing that you can do is let it get to you. You are there to serve the audience so that is your priority. Learn and move on

Reconnecting with one's purpose is a powerful strategy for maintaining motivation in the face of setbacks. When the going gets tough, reflecting on the original inspiration behind becoming a motivational speaker can reignite the flame. For instance, recalling the impact of a past speech that positively changed someone's perspective or inspired action can serve as a powerful reminder of the purpose-driven journey.

Revisiting the 'Why': To stay motivated, I often revisit the core reasons behind my decision to become a motivational speaker. Reflecting on my original vision, mission, and the values that drove me into this field helps me regain a sense of purpose and direction. Aligning Actions with Core Values: By reminding myself of my fundamental beliefs and long-term goals, I ensure that my daily actions are aligned with these guiding principles. This realignment serves as a catalyst to reignite my passion and drive, re-energizing my commitment to my work.

Begin by revisiting the core reasons you became a speaker. Then jot down or write out your past successes and the positive impact they've had on others can reignite your passion and remind you of the value you bring to your audience. A great confidence boost is to read your testimonials. Reviewing this feedback and stories of how their words have made a difference, can reaffirm your purpose. Set aside time for introspection and redirection. Review your vision, and goals and reset your milestones and daily activities to help realign your focus. Engaging in vulnerable and authentic conversations with mentors or speakers who’ve overcome similar challenges provides a renewed sense of purpose and passion.

Having clarity of purpose is a powerful tool we all should have as a motivational speaker. Emotional energy is three times more powerful than rational energy. Energy comes from clarity of purpose and clarity of values. Once we are lost, reconnect with our purpose most of the time can do the magic. I always ask myself, "Why am I doing this in the first place?" that is a powerful question to get me back to my purpose of doing what I am doing. And that is the source of power.

En momentos difíciles es cuando debemos de tener en cuenta nuestro "para qué" o nuestro Ikigai: ¿para qué hacemos todo lo que hacemos? .... ¿qué queremos conseguir?. Como personas que somos es posible que atravesemos momentos de dudas y de incertidumbre: y es, precisamente ahí, donde es importante aferrarse a nuestro propósito, lo que hace que nos levantemos cada mañana a pesar de que esté lloviendo, haga nieve o salga el sol. Ahí está la brasa que avivará la llama de tu camino. Es importante el tenerlo bien definido y, ojo, actualizado (quizás hayas cambiado algo en los últimos años ... y está bien). Ten en cuenta que si tú estás perdid@ ... ¿cómo vas a ayudar a encontrarte a otras personas?.

Building a Support Network: I actively reach out to fellow motivational speakers, mentors, and peers for guidance and support. Their perspectives and advice provide invaluable insights and encouragement, helping me navigate through challenges. Valuing Feedback for Growth: I seek feedback from my audience and colleagues to continuously hone my skills and content. This constructive input is crucial for my personal and professional development, bolstering both my confidence and competence in my field.

Es importante tener un grupo de personas donde te refugies, donde reconectes con la energía que quieras, donde te sientas con total seguridad. Ese "consejo de sabios" debe de ser un grupo donde te digan las verdades como son, aunque sean incómodas, y te puedan apoyar en los momentos más difíciles. Quizás el mayor de los errores que hemos cometido TODAS las personas que nos dedicamos a motivar a los demás es pensar que "puedo con todo" ... pues no es así. Llegará un momento en el que tú también necesitas que te sostengan para, desde ahí, tomar un respiro en paz y seguir volando para ayudar a los demás. En mi caso, en mi consejo de sabios, están un par de amigos, un cliente, un psicólogo y dos terapeutas energéticos.

As much as others seek our support and feedback when they have drawbacks, speakers too need to have a support system. But who do we go to? I recently read Adam Grant's book Hidden Potential. Getting feedback is best when the person has these 3 qualities: 1. Care - those who want you to succeed 2. Credibility - those who have relevant expertise 3. Familiarity - those who know us well. These are a good guideline for someone who can support us and give us appropriate feedback.

One thing that I always do before going into a talk is to think of something I feel good about. Usually it's either the family, a recent race win or an achievement that I got thru work. Sometimes we don't give ourselves enough credit, so it's good to validate some of these 'successes' internally to get them positive juices running. I'm seeking for something that would get me smiling before going on stage. It works for me!

Acknowledging Personal Milestones: I make it a point to celebrate every achievement, regardless of its scale. Recognizing these milestones, whether it’s completing a task or overcoming an obstacle, serves as a vital reminder of my progress and hard work. Sharing Successes: Sharing my accomplishments with friends, family, or colleagues amplifies the joy of success. Their acknowledgment and participation in my celebrations not only boost my morale but also reinforce a positive outlook towards future endeavors.

Remembering why you started off as a speaker to motivate others is key. Usually, we are drawn to this role due to life experiences and a clear sense of purpose of why we do what we do. Adversity, challenges and life events all lead to us wanting to inspire others. It’s important to therefore remind ourselves or these adversities we had overcome to propel us to motivate others in the first place. Recalling how we overcomed our past challenges can help us find our path again.

Tapping on your own back is also required at times. Make sure you don't forget to acknowledge your own efforts. This helps in knowing your own worth and even helps in improvisation!

As someone who probably suffers from imposter syndrome, I always beat myself by thinking I am not good enough. Sometimes, I forget to acknowledge the success that I have achieved, instead looking at the flaws and the things that I haven't achieved. Celebration is one of the tools that can help us generate positive emotions. And for every success, it is best to anchor it with certain things such as a posture, a movement, or a simple post on social media. I love to post things on social media to share some perspective and I found LinkedIn helps in celebrating small successes due to the nature of the professionalism of its members. Reading the comments can boost your self-esteem and make you realize you aren't that bad at all.

Embracing Continuous Learning: To stay motivated and effective, I immerse myself in continuous learning. This includes reading industry-relevant books, listening to podcasts, and engaging with educational videos. I also participate in workshops and courses to broaden my knowledge base and stay updated with the latest trends and insights. Experimenting with New Techniques: Innovation is key to staying relevant and engaging. I regularly experiment with new speaking methods, ideas, and presentation formats. This not only enhances my creativity but also keeps my content fresh and appealing, fostering sustained interest and engagement in my field.

As a speaker, when you share knowledge, you also gain a lot of knowledge. It's all a learning phase. So make sure to learn something new every time from your experiences.

Actively seek new experiences and information by attending workshops, seminars, and conferences within and outside your expertise exposes you to fresh ideas and trends. Engaging with diverse communities and discussions, both online and in person, can expand your perspective. Reading from the latest publications and listening to podcast helps deepen introspection sparking creativity and innovation . Think about investing in formal education, coaching to refine your skills, or seeking feedback from peers and audiences to provide valuable insights for improvement. When you're committed to continuous learning and staying curious, you ensure your content remains relevant, engaging, and informed, empowering you to inspire others powerfully.

Setbacks are painful but it’s our purpose that is the only way we can get out of it. My method is documentation. Just snap a quick pic of where this setback hit you and use it as a lesson. It’s close to impossible, but that’s what makes it all the more impactful. Share the story, let others know how to not be at where you’re at. Motivational speaking is difficult because it’s a role where people are expected to be “perfect” human beings but matter of fact is we’re learning as much as everyone else is. Sharing setbacks is the only way I see growth in humanity. The concept is little abstract but I believe that’s why I aspire to be a motivational speaker. “One day you may.” - Rich Piana

Setbacks are painful but it’s our purpose that is the only way we can get out of it. My method is documentation. Just snap a quick pic of where this setback hit you and use it as a lesson. It’s close to impossible, but that’s what makes it all the more impactful. Share the story, let others know how to not be at where you’re at. Motivational speaking is difficult because it’s a role where people are expected to be “perfect” human beings but matter of fact is we’re learning as much as everyone else is. Sharing setbacks is the only way I see growth in humanity. The concept is little abstract but I believe that’s why I aspire to be a motivational speaker. “One day you may.” - Rich Piana

Go back to some of your work/ workshops/ trainings or whatever form of motivation that you deliver. Listen to your work and ponder over it. You will always bounce back with a new perspective and energy to do better. To better your best. Many a times I have got over a creative block by putting old wine in new bottles !

Very well said,Manjeet Whenever I endeavour to assess my performance during an interaction with a group of people ,like in a workshop,I try to recall the body language ,the posture,the brightness or otherwise of eyes,short conversation being exchanges with the person sitting next , his or her expression and more on the same lines. It tells me where I possibly lost a connect or sealed it . It’s an ongoing process and there is always an occasion where one walks out feeling high or slightly dissatisfied. The imp thing is to look ahead ,focus on the change planned and simply go ahead. Judgements are not necessary. Learning from experience is.

Staying motivated is essential for those of us who are compelled to propel others on towards their purpose. When challenged by frustration and discouragement, the first place to go is GRATITUDE. We are so fortunate to get to do what we do... reminding ourselves of past opportunities - the people and places we've been fortunate to engage is essential. Second, address the fear that shows up, when setbacks occur. We don't have to partner with every thought that dances through our minds! 🕺🏻 Finally, take action. Determine to continue to put in the work we need to do, to get where we want to go. That effort of faith and belief in ourselves will stir up the motivation we need. Let's continue on serving humanity in such a meaningful way!

I always think of what my friend Willie Jolley taught me many years ago. "A setback is a setup for a comeback". What can I learn from this? Get excited about learning something new!

We all face setbacks. Learn the lesson - what will you do differently so you don't make the same mistake moving forward? Setbacks are learning opportunities - not a life sentence.