in Inspiration, Life |

4 Insanely Great Commencement Speeches That Will Change Your Life For Ever

Some people speak, some convey, some connect with their audience but a very rare breed of speakers uplift and get you motivated to go and do it, whatever you are dreaming of doing in your life. Here are a few timeless, earth-shattering, all-time best commencement speeches from a business man, two authors and a talk show host. You probably guessed at least 2 of the 4 people that I am talking about. Watch them unravel their life secrets, inspiration and destiny to huge gatherings of college graduates. Be inspired, take action and go change the world for better.

I have summarized the speeches under each video, in case you don’t have time for all of it.

1. Steve Jobs’s Stanford Commencement 2005

  1. You can only connect the dots looking backwards, you have to believe in something, Destiny, Karma or Fate.
  2. The only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work and the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
  3. If you have not found your purpose, keep looking, don’t settle. Like all matters of the heart, you will know when you get there.
  4. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

2. Ray Bradbury at UCLA, 2001

  1. Every night before going to bed, read a short story, an essay and a poem, do this for 10 years.
  2. If you are writing to get rich, forget it.
  3. Write short stories before going on to plays, novels, screenwriting.
  4. Read great short stories by writers like Roald Dahl
  5. Write everyday.

3. Neil Gaiman at University of Arts, 2012

  1. If you have an idea of what you are put on the earth to do, go do that
  2. Don’t say YES to everything, learn to say NO.  Never write just for the money.
  3. I hope you will make mistakes.
  4. When your husband runs away with a politician, Make Good Art. Cat explodes, Make Good Art. When IRS is on your back, Make Good Art.

4. Oprah Winfrey at Stanford 2008

  1. We are all trying to be more of ourselves
  2. Feelings are your GPS (Emotional Guidance System). Trick is to check your ego at the door.
  3. Every right decision I made came from my gut. If doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.
  4. To move forward, you have to give back. To be happy, you have to give.
  5. Do everything with a feeling of service. Think, how can I be of service and that’s what made me successful.

Speeches are good for your heart and mind. Here is some inspiring music to refresh your soul.

Janani Maa Sai Janani Maa