There is only one major challenge for the motivational speaker—PREPARING THE SELF. This means becoming physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
While the items on the preparation checklist for the speaker–researching about the audience, the occasion, and the topic assignment, writing the speech, preparing audio/visual aids, and rehearsing the presentation—can be accomplished in a short period of time, preparing the self is a difficult and long process.
The speakers whose main purpose is to motivate and inspire are expected to be at their best every time they deliver a speech. It is, therefore, necessary for them to invest on their physical, mental and emotional health. What does this mean?
Being physically prepared. A motivational speaker always has a busy schedule. Getting roughly eight hours of sleep daily is always hard for him to achieve. Travelling to various places is also part of his busy life, and so does attending to more than one speaking engagement a day. All these make his task undoubtedly tiring, which could make the immune system weaker and hence, make his body more susceptible to illness.
Like for any other public speaker, a physically healthy body is an invaluable investment to the motivational speaker. It is necessary in accomplishing the things that need to be done to succeed in every speaking engagement he attends. Despite this, maintaining a physically healthy body is a very challenging task to him. To successfully prepare and make up for his restless days, he always has to make sure that he receives enough of the nutrients his body needs.
He can do this by having nutritious meals, maintaining a healthy diet, and taking vitamins (as well as medications, if any). He can also ensure physical preparedness by regularly consulting a physician. Getting enough exercise is also crucial if he wishes to become physically fit, although there’s really no need to spend countless hours in the gym or to do all sorts of extreme routines.
The mentally-prepared body. Being physically prepared is not enough. A speaker who motivates also has to be mentally prepared all the time. It would not only make his speech writing easier; it would also make sure that everything he shares in his speech is relevant. Furthermore, it would prepare him in addressing unexpected questions and clarifications from his listeners during his presentation.
Preparing the self mentally is definitely not an easy task. It is a lifelong commitment to searching for knowledge. To become truly mentally prepared, the speaker has to constantly study and read books, update himself on current events, and regularly engage himself in intellectual and social discussions.
Being emotionally prepared. Lastly, a fully prepared self is emotionally flexible. A public speaker always meets different types of listeners—from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic, and from the least sensitive to the most emotional. In order to become successful in motivational speaking, a public speaker should be flexible enough to be able to handle and adapt himself to the emotional state of his listeners.
Only the speaker who is truly emotionally prepared and who has a good understanding of the various emotional states of human beings can do this. Furthermore, the motivational speaker should follow his own “teachings”. He should be motivated, inspired, and high-spirited every time he speaks before a public audience, thus the necessity to become emotionally healthy. How can the speaker do this? As the old saying goes, “Always start with the self.”
Preparing the self physically, mentally and emotionally—the major challenge for the successful motivational speaker—is definitely not easy. However, for the speaker who believes he can handle this challenge and constantly works hard, becoming physically, mentally and emotionally healthy is always within reach.
A Motivational Speaker always has a busy schedule.Despite this, maintaining a physically healthy body is a very challenging task to him.