Why Motivational Speechs / Talks / Videos Don't Work?

[I know no one likes to read long articles because they are boring. I however want you to read this article, think about it and if possible react to it in comments beyond just 'I like it' or 'Nice article'. I also request you to ignore my grammatical mistakes and typos because I highly rely on spell checker]

We all have listened to motivational speeches in our lifetime to feel inspired. I've read several motivational, self-help, personality development, inspiring books, blogs, articles etc. in the past few years. I've even been invited to talk at events that are expected to inspire people and motivate them to 'something'. That something often is an expected action. I've even been told how my talk was motivating but I know it isn't; because I've realized that there's nothing that can motivate you.

I was thinking of putting this on my personal blog, but then thought of writing it here.

You obviously want to say that you've been motivated by a talk, a person, a video (the Steve Jobs speech at Stanford, for example). Yes, I agree that you can get inspired or feel highly motivated after listening to a speech - but tell me, how long does that motivation last? My observation discovers that the motivation won't last for more than just a few hours or a day or two at max.

Motivation does not last longer. Here are examples -

You have your own examples but I'll take just a few examples that are common to most of us. Remember when the doctor said you need to start exercising and really motivated us into doing it because it would give us good health? Then, the-100%-inspired-you went back home, got up early in the morning and exercised with all focus. You even did your exercise for full 20 minutes. You felt good and motivated. Then came the next day that never saw you getting up at 6 and doing your exercise. You came up with your own excuses and I bet continue to hold them till today.

Remember getting pumped up about becoming a blogger, writing your first 3 posts and then the title of your last post says "I'll be back, promise!".

Remember reading 'You Can Win' book? It sure did inspire you. But ask how long did that inspiration last?

Remember scoring lesser than expected marks in your semester exams? You vowed that you'll start preparing for the next semester well in advance. But you never did. History just got repeated.

Why does motivation not last longer?

You know the answer already: Motivation does not last longer because it's external. External motivation is like a cup of coffee. It makes you feel awesome for few minutes but the effect goes down fast with time. The fact of life is : External Motivation Does Not Last Longer.

Is there a fix? Can I be motivated without any external means?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes and people do it very effectively. I've even found a super-fix in an amazingly famous Bollywood dialog (sharing it below). If you want to be motivated you need to have a *MIX* of the following. Any one component missing will destroy the formula for staying motivated and achieving what you want to achieve.



This is the hardest part and it has to come naturally to you. If you do not have anything to achieve - you're fine. You'll just do fine with regular, small doses of inspiration. A lot of people would fit in this category; typically the people who will take what the situations offer to them. They will not envision their future and accept whatever comes their way.

There will be other category of people who'll want to determine their own future. For example "I'll get into IIM-A" or "I want to get a job with Google, no matter what it takes" types. These are the people who need longer lasting motivation, which has to come from 'within'.

Inner motivation comes naturally when you're super-duper excited about the future you've envisioned for yourself. Super-duper excitement is of the sorts that haunts your mind no matter what you're doing - whether you're in shower, you're in a meeting, you're partying with your friends, you're sitting idle. Unless the excitement level builds to 'that' level, no motivation will ever work or transform into action.

If you aren't madly excited about topping University exams or buying a duplex apartment in Mumbai or becoming a successful blogger or building a successful business or collecting enough money to fund your world-tour; your motivation is basically useless and will die out in hours.


Salman Khan said, "Ek Baar Jo Maine Commitment Kar Di...To Fir Mein Apne Aap Ki Bhi Nahi Sunta" [ Once I've made a commitment, I won't listen to myself ] meaning, once I've made a commitment, I'll not break it no matter what. Those are very powerful words! Motivation lasts when your commitment to yourself is so strong that nothing, absolutely nothing in the world can break it.

Say you are so mad about getting a job with your dream company that you keep visualizing yourself walking in its campus, seeing yourself sitting on the desk, interacting with other employees etc. You also know that you'll have to crack their aptitude test, technical and HR interviews and you commit to yourself that you'll do 'whatever it takes't to crack the hurdles. Then keeping your commitment to yourself is what will keep you motivated for long!

In recent times, I've found out that keeping up with my own commitment of being regular in gym is extremely difficult. Yet, it's kind of an awesome feeling when I get over all my laziness and excuses and hit the gym floor.

To summarize, I think it's

Desire + Excitement + Commitment = Constant, Undying Motivation

That Transforms Into Actions.

These actions then produce the desired result. Motivational talks of course can keep adding boosters to your undying motivation.

Do share your views, thoughts, opinions.

Update: I talked on this topic at TEDx SITM. Here's a video of it -