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Motivational speaking: Has it become a business?

Anything related to matters of the mind

A_Random_Guy

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Most people seem to be unable to differentiate between Public Speaking and Motivational Speaking.

What is public speaking? It's a presentation that's given live before an audience. Public speeches can cover a wide variety of different topics. The goal of the speech may be to educate, entertain, or influence the listeners. It is a great way to expand your business.
What is motivational speaking? It is the art of lifting people from depression and helping them overcome their fear and building courage in them. The speaker offers you his/her personal experience so that you can relate to him on a personal level and gain the courage to take unconventional approaches to your problems. They help you look at a problem with a different approach, to broaden your thoughts.

What are the so-called "motivational speakers" doing now?
"...So I explained about business vs finding a job. Here is a 3000$ course on how to start your own business. Yes, I will post a similar video next week. No, I won't read about documentaries or research papers about human psychology nor will I learn about the current demands of the world market. I don't need to learn stuff to make videos! I need to simply repeat the same points that another speaker X preaches in his videos but I will add a better soundtrack to look cool. Also, check out my new Merch!"

There are thousands of "fitness-gurus" on YouTube who will tell you how to get abs to date women and get laid every week. Those who got a ripped body by taking steroids will tell you to work hard for hours, weeks, days, months and years. People of different age groups watch their videos. Teenagers who make these people their role models follow their advice to the core. However, not every one of them gets results. They gain an inferiority complex and start blaming themselves for not being able to live up to the standards set by their "heroes". I've seen a lot of these gurus promote protein and other diet products. Some boldly claim, "Without this protein product, you can't get buffed." Those who cannot afford such expensive products feel left out. They give up before even trying, because their "hero" told them that it's no use trying without that product, they will fail.

Abusive motivation is trending now. I don't know the correct term but the speakers will blame you, insult you and abuse you till the end for your failures. I won't lie, this had become my taste for a while. I see many speakers following this approach. It is really easy to add in a few cusses in your video and you sound very inspirational and motivating.
The problem is most of these people have no idea what they are talking about.
They speak on topics such as porn addiction, masturbation, obesity and procrastination like its nothing. I watched a video of a "fitness guru" talking about masturbation. In his entire video, the only thing he said was "You have a habit of masturbation? It is just a state of mind. Get over it! Get a life!" Well, if it was "just a state of mind", there wouldn't be communities like NoFap with millions of userbase. It is an addiction. Just as someone who is addicted to drugs needs a rehab, a porn and masturbation addict needs counselling.

Teenagers are the majority of the viewers of such content. They are going through a phase of life where they might be severely depressed due to pressure from others. Whenever they are depressed, they look around for people to comfort them. Nowadays, social media has become their source of relief. They look for videos on YouTube to help them overcome their stress. What they need is someone to tell them, "It is okay to be scared. It is okay to run away. You don't need to take bold decisions at every point in life. It is okay to fail. You've worked hard, you've struggled a lot. You've done a great job. However, I believe in your abilities. You can achieve greater heights. You can go even further. Keep trying. You are the star of your show." However, when they click on videos of these people shouting at them, "You are shit. You don't work hard enough. You are pathetic, do something about your life. Work, work, work, study, study, start a business now. Become an entrepreneur. Be the topper of your college. When Mark Zuckerberg was 10, he started coding. When X was about the same age as you, he became a billionaire. Why are you not becoming one???" They might get an instant boost in motivation, they'll work hard for a couple more days but eventually burn out. How do you think they'll feel? Despite being told to work like a dog for hours, quit Facebook, Instagram etc. they find themselves going back to it. Eventually, they will give up. They will accept being average. Dear YouTubers/Motivational Speakers, do you know whose fault is it? It is entirely yours! What you're doing is crushing the dreams of young minds. You're no less than a criminal. The only difference is people don't glorify criminals.

NO, I am not saying that we shouldn't scold them when they're wrong. However, give them time to get mentally stable. When you fall while running and get hurt, you nurse your wounds. If you keep running with your bleeding legs because others tell you to, you will cover another 100m but in the future, you might be unable to run for the rest of your life. It is a lot better to let your wounds heal and then start fresh. These people should read about what they're talking before actually advising someone. What you're doing might be a business for you but it may change the way someone lives, remember that!

What is your opinion on this?

I'd like to quote a few lines from the song Gold by Prince for these people:

"Everybody wants to sell what's already been sold,
Everybody wants to tell what's already been told,
What's the use of money if you ain't gonna break the mold?
Even at the center of fire there is cold,
All that glitters ain't gold,
All that glitters ain't gold!
"
 
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Dan_Cardone

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Ok?

Seems like you're getting worked up over nothing. Is it really these fake gurus fault that someone isn't successful?

Nope.

Gullible people exist as do people who will take advantage of them to make money. Thats life and unlikely to change. The ones who actaully have it in them to be successful will eventually see past it and go on to take action.
 

ChrisV

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Motivational speaking is the worlds most useless profession. It's up there with Astrologers and those people who talk about Krishna at the Airport. Pure sale oil salesmen.

Edit 8/2: Okay let me clarify, some are. The ones who say 'all you need is positive thoughts!'... this doesn't apply to the high-quality personal development books and speaker we usually talk about on this forum.
 
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A_Random_Guy

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Gullible people exist as do people who will take advantage of them to make money. Thats life and unlikely to change. The ones who actaully have it in them to be successful will eventually see past it and go on to take action.
True, but if people stop making these wolves famous, we can save years of the gullible people. Not every 16 years old has the maturity to see past things, especially when everyone tells you the most-followed people on social media are the most successful.
 
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Dan_Cardone

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True, but if people stop making these wolves famous, we can save years of the gullible people. Not every 16 years old has the maturity to see past things, especially when everyone tells you the most-followed people on social media are the most successful.

More power to you.

In my opinion, I'm not a superhero nor am I trying to rid the world of something impossible to get rid of.

I'm all for providing value, and if you want to get rich you SHOULD provide as much value to as many people as possible.

That said, some wars are best not fought. Just how I feel. You do you.
 

ZCP

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@ChrisV do you have a record of personal / business success to use to back up your opinion?

in my years of engineering, running businesses, teaching, coaching, counseling, mentoring, and parenting i have found:

unlocking your mind to allow yourself to get out of your own way is one of the greatest gifts someone can give you

try to find some good to help you in everything that is out there!
 

A_Random_Guy

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More power to you.

In my opinion, I'm not a superhero nor am I trying to rid the world of something impossible to get rid of.

I'm all for providing value, and if you want to get rich you SHOULD provide as much value to as many people as possible.

That said, some wars are best not fought. Just how I feel. You do you.

I know things won't change. I was asking about the opinion of people. Maybe someone's reply here can make someone else's day?
I agree with all your points. Talking about it might not change anything. However, keeping silent definitely won't change anything.
 
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ChrisV

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@ChrisV do you have a record of personal / business success to use to back up your opinion?

in my years of engineering, running businesses, teaching, coaching, counseling, mentoring, and parenting i have found:

unlocking your mind to allow yourself to get out of your own way is one of the greatest gifts someone can give you

try to find some good to help you in everything that is out there!
yes, i just got a promotion at chick-fil-a

i mean some of are good, but the majority of them are total woo
 

ZCP

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ChrisV

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MattR82

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I listened to a podcast by Andy Frisella the other day saying he refuses to do 99% of the speaking gigs he is invited to now because they are full of scammers just trying to upsell people.
 

A_Random_Guy

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