You're crafting a motivational speech. How can you weave in personal stories without going over time?

I have found it very helpful to greet the audience warmly by including them in the intro to the subject. Please encourage them to breathe, visualize, and identify as you tell a personal story that opens the subject. Then, deliver the message clearly and teach the audience how to solve an identified problem. Invite questions, comments, and sharing of experiences.

Attention, speech sculptors! Short on time, overflowing with stories? Here's your wacky time-twisting toolkit: Pick "Punchline Paragons" (focus on the most impactful part!): Choose the heart of the story, the nugget of inspiration. Use "Speedy Speech Sprints" (deliver key points with rapid fire!): Keep the story concise, the message clear. Transform with "Time Travel Telegrams" (flashbacks in a flash!): Quick references to past experiences paint a picture without getting bogged down. Embrace "Emoji Enactors" (act out key moments!): A silly visual is memorable and fast. End with a "Call to Action Catapult" (launch them to action!): Leave them inspired, not lingering on the story. Time travel for your tales!

I loathe “motivational” speeches. I have never been motivated to do anything more than to get up and leave the room. Same for “influencers”

I know the pressure to either fill time or fit into a time slot. The power to reach people with any presentation has nothing to do with the number of wors or length. It's keeping a bond with your audience. The connection is accomplished by offering a simple but profound perspective in story form. Keep explanation of ideas and concepts at a minimum. If you find a need to explain, your story didn't do the job.

One way to help during practice is using a timer. Set your timer and record your speech as you practice. This helps me especially when I am practicing alone without my excited teen & husband

Pass on the opening “joke” and go straight for engagement. The audience already knows you are authoritative just by your selection. Now it’s time to gain their trust.

Captivating your audience from the outset is crucial in motivational speaking. By starting with a compelling hook, you create an emotional investment that primes listeners for the insights to come. This immediate connection not only grabs attention but also builds trust, making your message more impactful and memorable.

Creating a story is an evolutionarily process. This means your narrative should grow and change as you get more comfortable with it Each time you tell your narrative, it should be slightly different, because you are becoming more comfortable with the flow and your natural voice is coming through. If you focus on memorizing each word and movement, the same way each time, the story becomes stale, and your delivery becomes wooden Each time you tell your narrative, it should be slightly different, because you are becoming more comfortable with the flow and your natural voice is coming through. Aim for connection, not perfection. This makes for a more pleasing experience for the audience, and takes the stress off of you.

While stories can captivate, they can also veer off course if not managed well. Plan with Purpose: Craft your stories with clear objectives to make sure they support your message rather than detracting from it. Balance Detail and Focus: Provide enough detail to engage your audience, but avoid excessive tangents. Keep the narrative aligned with your core message. Structure Smartly: Integrate stories into your talk in a way that reinforces your key points and maintains audience interest. With thoughtful planning, your stories can enrich your message without overshadowing it.

I love kicking off my talks with a story because it grabs attention and sets the stage for what’s to come. Ending with another story and a clear moral ties everything together and leaves a lasting impression. Stories create a memorable experience and help convey your message in a relatable way. By starting and ending with a story, you make your talk more engaging and meaningful.

Be Authentic - When you are truly being you & sharing a story for the purpose of authentically connecting with and impacting your audience, then you can get into a flow state that is more naturally & purposefully integrated in your talk. Then, practice with the audience in mind. This is not just a time for you to say things you feel like saying, but also a time to give your audience what they need. So as you practice, listen to your story from your audience's perspective. Imagine how it feels to receive your story. Is it clear, exciting, & impactful? Can you deliver it and respect their time as well? Love on your audience with content that moves them, using a delivery that fulfills you, while consciously respecting their time too.

To weave in personal stories effectively in a motivational speech without exceeding your time limit, focus on engaging emotionally and making each story concise yet impactful. Choose stories that directly support your key message and illustrate the main points clearly. For example, if discussing resilience you might share a brief, powerful anecdote, “Last year, I faced a major setback when my startup almost failed. I was ready to give up, but then I remembered a time in college when I nearly dropped out due to a tough class. I pushed through, and it paid off. Similarly, overcoming this setback taught me that persistence can transform obstacles into opportunities.” This method keeps the speech focused, impactful, and within time constraints.

There are 3 key moments in every memorable story that tap into audience emotions: 1) The "Inciting Incident" introduces the conflict. This moment takes the main character out of her comfort zone and creates an obstacle to accomplishing her goal. This grabs listeners attention, and makes them want to hear more. 2) The Low Point, or "I've had it!" moment." This is where the main character cannot overcome the obstacle to her goal. She realizes she needs to change her approach and get help. 3) The Moment of Success. This is the point where the main character overcomes the hurdles and achieves the goal. These moments triggers emotions because we've each had goals, struggles, and moments of success.

To weave personal stories into your motivational speech without exceeding your time limit, use time tactfully by selecting brief, impactful anecdotes that reinforce your core message. For example, if discussing overcoming challenges, you might say, "A few years ago, I lost a major client, which was a significant setback. Instead of giving up, I refined my strategies, and within six months, not only did I regain the client, but also expanded my client base by 30%. This taught me that setbacks can be powerful catalysts for growth.” By keeping stories concise and relevant, you enhance your message while staying within your allotted time.