Change Your Future - Simon Sinek

I noticed this amazing life enhancing motivational speech by Simon Sinek which is full of wisdom. A great example of a power packed 15 minutes. 1. Go after the things you want. You can do it your way, just don't prevent others from getting what they want. 2. Sometimes, you're the problem! Take responsibility for your actions. 3. Take care of each other. Accept help when you need it, and offer it when others do. 4. Be the last to speak. (Leaders speak last!) Ask questions and discover why they think what they think. 5. Remember humility and gratitude. All the "stuff" is for your position, not you. The styrofoam cup is for me!

Energy for Life - Tony Robbins

It was a while coming but here is one of THE biggest speakers in the world today....even in height :-) Tony Robbins, Entrepreneur, author & peak performance strategist speaks about how to create the health, vitality and energy in your life! Watch this highly energetic, contagious speaker at work and enjoy the message, the experience. I have not yet been to one of his world famous UPW events but it is certainly on my 'to do' list.

A habit you simply MUST develop - Bob Proctor

Bob Proctor is an amazing leader in the Self Development field. He is a global speaker, author and so much more and has touched millions of lives around the world. This short video talks about the fact that you must get comfortable in front of the camera and in front of people. Think of all the people you can touch and positively impact. For that to happen you must be you...the REAL you and you will most likely need a coach or mentor....I'm ready to help and guide you, are you?

Nervous About Presenting & Public Speaking? - Tips on How To Stop The Nerves & Fear

Another short video with some tips on stopping your nerves, fear, and how to move with purpose across stage.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - A keynote with stories

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author, gives a keynote about her part of her life. She weaves personal stories throughout her keynote as well as the dangers about believing just a single story about other people or places. she covers several topics such as racism, feminism, humour, entitlement, and life in Nigeria. The importance of using stories in talks is clear. You also have many stories you can use. Maybe it's time to get your own journey down on paper, create several stories from all your experiences, and inspire your audiences.

Love Liberates - Dr.Maya Angelou

You will see more from this amazing and inspirational Lady who passed away but her legacy certainly lives on as she continues to touch lives around the world. I chose a short, powerful, inspirational video in which Dr. Angelou talks about a small but very touching part of her story with her mother; Love indeed Liberates. YOUR story will touch lives, YOU will impact people, YOU will make a difference....are you ready?

This will change you - Navy Seal Admiral William H.McRaven

A different but highly motivational speech by the Navy seal Admiral as he talks about the lessons learned from Navy Seal training. I have seen this keynote a few times and it keeps re-appearing. Watching it again made me realise my need to share this in my blog. This talk shows that it does not matter if you have your notes in front of you, your message is what impacts the audience. Watch this for another aspect of speaking in public....but more so for the stunning messages for life Admiral McRaven shares with all of us; From the importance of making your bed to the power of 1 and that nothing matters but the will to succeed.

Your body language may shape who you are - Amy Cuddy

A wonderful and most informative TEDTalk by Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist. With many TEDTalks, the presenters are often not household names even though this particular talk has already had nearly 17 million views. Body language is most important in speaking, presenting, even just communicating with others, as it counts for much more than the spoken word. Amy uses practical examples and a good dose of humour to keep her audience engaged. I know this will be very helpful when developing your own talk or presentation and I will most certainly address this during training as well. Remember, small tweaks will result in big changes.

The speech that broke the internet - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Loved this speech by Arnold Schwarzenegger. He delivered this talk only this year and already more than 6 million people have watched it! There is a lot of wisdom we can take away from these 15 minutes; The need for having a vision, a goal, it is all possible, work your backside off, even to sleep faster! Arnold has achieved a lot. He's a successful actor, politician, Mr.Universe, businessman and much more, despite all the 'naysayers', despite being a poor immigrant with an accent :-). Fail often...and get up ...and, yes, you'll also be back! What kind of talk do YOU want to deliver?

The #1 Habit of Super Producers - Robin Sharma

Yet another favourite of mine, Robin Sharma, speaker, author, trainer, blogger and so much more. You are bound to have heard from him, if not, check him out and buy some of his books such as "The Monk who sold his ferrari". Here he teaches us all a great idea which many of the very successful in all areas of life follow. Robin also wrote a book about this, "The 5AM Club". He always gives freely for us to benefit greatly. I really enjoy his books, his talks and it is so easy to listen to him when he shares his immense wisdom with us. I believe this is another giant in the world today, who we can learn a lot from.

Fall Forward. A stunning speech by Denzil Washington

A great eye opening address by Denzel Washington. He is not only a phenomenal actor but also a most accomplishes orator, delivering fabulous amounts of wisdom every time he graces a stage. His message of falling forward with some great personal stories and examples of other great speakers hits the spot....in less than 12 minutes. It's not the length of your speech but the content of your delivery and how it connects with your audience which is ALL important. "True desire in the heart is God's proof to you that set beforehand, it's already yours..." Each one, teach one...and move forward together! Aspire to make a difference... Just love all the wise words of encouragement in this delivery.

Presenting and Public Speaking Tips - Rachel Willis

How to improve skills and confidence. Some great information that will help you on your speaking journey. I could have written this in a short blog post but, as we already get bombarded by emails and written information, I hope these tips, tools, and instructional videos will be a little easier to take in. I know that there are some points in this short video where not everyone agrees because they have learned a different way than, for example: don't use fancy words, stand still, and others. I DO happen to fully agree with Rachel Willis. This does not mean you have to follow them all as they are recommendations but let's keep it simple. These 10 points are most helpful indeed!

Awesome speech at the Oscars - Paul Hogan

Humour is important as it is a stunning way to connect with people. I will definitely include many different video clips or full speeches which the audience very much enjoyed. A short video of a young and funny Paul Hogan at the Oscars in 1986 will wet the appetite for more of the same and will give you an idea of one aspect of this tremendous craft....which can be learned by all.

How to open and close presentations - Mark Powell

When looking at amazing speeches by a wide variety of people, we often admire the message, the delivery, the person....but not often look at the structure of their speeches or why these orators connect well with their audiences. As we are studying the craft of speaking and all that entails, this is certainly a most important lesson to take into consideration while creating your story, presentation, or keynote.

Advice for life that will change your future - Oprah Winfrey

Of course we all know and love Oprah Winfrey, of course we are inspired by her story, and of course we should hear more of her motivational speeches which leave a trail of inspired people where ever she talks. I am spoiled for choice as to which of Oprah's talks to include first; Yes, there will be many more, but this one just grabbed me by its simplicity, its message, and its phenomenal delivery.

You have a story to share...Are You Ready? - Jan Robberts

I just know there are many amazing speakers right on our doorsteps. There are many people who have stories that should not be hidden from the rest of the world, even if that is just in our own communities.

There are teenagers, young adults, and others who have lived a bit longer, with a desire to touch lives, with a passion to make a difference, with a burning purpose to not just go through life but know that when they exhale for the last time, that their lives mattered!

If that is indeed the case, why are we not hearing from them, why are we not seeing many YouTube videos about them, why are we not witnessing them sharing their messages of despair, compassion, and hope on the stages of our countries?....or even the Global Stages?

If I am anything to go by, one of the reasons is simple: I did not believe I had a story worth listening to! In coaching others, I had listened to many individuals with most heart wrenching personal experiences which sometimes left me crying on the inside. Yet, all that had happened to me is that I was bullied as a young child....because I was severely under height for my weight; I was a fat kid.

Yet, my friend and mentor Les Brown told me that everyone has a story, everyone has a message, everyone should be sharing from their own experiences straight from the heart.
THAT's when I started to talk about my bullying and the aftermath of that period in my life. People started to come up to me afterwards to share with me and tell me that they needed to hear that. They told me that me telling my story had made a positive difference in their lives. 

At first I was a little surprised but I started to realise that we all have stories that need to be told, even if not everyone needs to hear it, SOME people DO need to hear YOUR story.

It hasn't stopped there, I now talk about a variety of subjects on different stages across the world but I also realised I wanted to support others to embrace their journey and share their stories on the various stages, whatever those platforms look like to them and where ever they are.

I also know very well that, not thinking your story is 'good enough' to be heard, is only one of the challenges to stand in front of a group of people and pour your heart out.
The fear of public speaking, low self esteem, the fear of what other people will think, how to craft their stories to make it interesting to others, and many more areas are what ensures that, at the moment, we have many speakers come from overseas and grace our stages, impact our people,...and earn lots of money for doing so instead of local talent gracing the very same stages.

I want us to work together and support you on your journey from this point forward in a way that you will not only find your voice and create your story, but impact many others around you.
...That people will come up to you and tell you that you changed their lives, that you might even have saved their lives because they heard you at a time when someone else's story would not have made any difference at all.

That is not going to happen overnight but, with the right guidance, the right tools, and lots of practice, it is possible.

As another one of my friends and mentors, John Maxwell, tells us:

"Once you have tasted significance, success will never be enough!"

I can honestly tell you, once I understood that sentence because of a life changing transformational trip to Guatemala in 2013, it was a done deal!!! (I even fired my boss but that's a story for another day)

Do you want to follow the crowd? Do you want to just go through life? OR Do you want to grow through life, impact lives and make a difference?

...Are you ready?

Connect with me via e-mail : 

jan.robberts@kileadershipinstitute.com

The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama

I do not get into politics for a variety of reasons so this amazing speech by former President, Barack Obama, is just one of his speeches that will be included in my blog. At this moment, I am reading a book: We are the change we seek, which is all about the speeches of this gifted orator. Barack Obama has been mentioned in the same short list of Presidents who were seen as gifted speakers; Franklin Roosevelt, John F.Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Like him or not, we can all learn a lot by watching and listening intently to the way he speaks, the way he connects, as well as the content he delivers to his audiences.

Finding My Purpose - John C.Maxwell

John Maxwell is my friend and mentor and I am privileged to be an Executive Director in the John Maxwell Team. These are only a few of the reasons I had to include some of his keynotes in this blog. John is also THE #1 Leadership Expert in the world and has written 120+ books on the subject with many best sellers. On top of that, he is the highest paid non celebrity/sports personality speaker in the world. I am continually learning from this amazing giant and am often mesmerised by the engaging way he delivers his stunning content...in a way only John can! Find YOUR Purpose.

How to start a speech - Conor Neill

Some simple but very good advice on starting a speech. This is obviously a most important part of your presentation as, getting this wrong, can lose you your audience before you ever really get started. You want them to pay attention to all you planned to deliver, not just the first few minutes, then grab their mobile phones or read over the program while you are doing your best. There is more advice available but this will already add value to many people and I just like the simplicity of this 10 minute educational.