Here's how you can recognize the signs it's time for a motivational speaker to retire.

Is your message evolving g with the times and do you still live what you are doing, if the answer is no to either of these then that’s your answer, time to hang up to microphone. If the thought of getting on stage dose not give that inner flicker a spark then it time to find out how to get it or maybe time to go

If you find your enthusiasm waning and it's harder to summon the energy that once came naturally, it’s a sign to reassess. I experienced this during a period of intense work. My passion for leading team meetings and motivating my team started to fade, leaving me feeling drained. I took a step back to recharge. I spent time on activities I enjoyed outside of work, like hiking and reading. This break helped me regain my energy and passion. When I returned, my renewed vigor was evident, and my team responded positively. Recognizing and addressing an energy dip is crucial. Taking time to recharge can help you bring back your enthusiasm and effectiveness.

If you are no longer passionate about what you are speaking on, you need to either find something that you are passionate to talk about or retire. Sometimes as a speaker, you can talk about the same topic for years, which can lead to stagnation - but if you are always working to innovate you can hopefully keep the stagnation at bay. If you find it tough to find the energy to innovate- its time to pass the mic!

If your message is no longer resonating with your audience, it may be time to retire or create new content. While some topics are evergreen, not all topics stand the test of time. It's imperative to keep your content relevant to the audience and the climate. Another consideration may be that your content is no longer relevant to your current audience, but could be relevant to a different audience. This may require some presentation modifications.

There was a time you'd do this for FREE! because the transformation was so rewarding right? So if the transaction of the pay check has overtaken and become way more important than the transformation you create it's probably time to reassess.

Motivational speaking is not just mentally but also physically demanding. I once faced persistent fatigue and discomfort during long speaking engagements. Traveling, standing for long periods, and speaking became increasingly challenging. Realizing my health was at risk, I decided to listen to my body. I took a break from the circuit to focus on my well-being. This break allowed me to recover and explore other ways to share my wisdom, like writing and online seminars. Your health is paramount. If your body signals it's time to slow down, taking a step back can be a wise decision, allowing you to continue making an impact in different ways.

Consider the legacy you wish to leave behind. I once reached a point where I was more concerned about preserving the quality of my work rather than adding more engagements. I decided it was time to step back gracefully to ensure my career was remembered for its high points, not a decline. Retirement didn’t mean the end of my influence. It marked the beginning of a new phase where I mentored the next generation and wrote the book I always wanted to pen. By focusing on my legacy, I was able to leave a lasting impact and continue contributing in meaningful ways.

When is it time for a speaker to retire? NEVER! Unless, of course, the speaker wants to retire. However, there is always wisdom to share and there is always that ONE person in your audience who can benefit from your knowledge. If we as speakers can change just one life for the better, it is all worthwhile. Look at Brian Tracy and Les Brown, two men who are still improving lives to this day. Our culture needs not just motivation but also wisdom and experience, and that comes with time. I plan to continue speaking until I absolutely can't continue, because my favorite motivational speakers have role-modeled this for me. My goal is to be of service and value to my audience for as long as I possibly can.