The news headlines reflect the world in which we live. They speak of murder and rape not to mention drugs and drink and all the other social problems of our days. They show us in gory detail the consequences of speeding on our roads. How can we get the message across that it’s not cool to be stone cold dead or that drink is a death warrant? Perhaps all drivers should have to visit a rehabilitation centre before they are issued with a licence?. Maybe they ought to spend a night in a prison to see what the consequences would be if they killed or maimed someone. Perhaps role playing should be a part of road safety courses and learner drivers would have to act the part of the policeman who tells a wife her husband is dead or of a doctor telling parents their child will never walk again. Despite all the publicity we have not succeeded in stopping the carnage so perhaps its time we had other ways of getting the safety message across. In a good speech we should be able to get across the idea that we don’t want to make the headlines for the wrong reasons.

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It’s given to very few of us to change the world. Nelson Mandela did it when he fought the scourge of apartheid. Most of us aren’t brave enough or determined enough or indeed far seeing enough to make such a sweeping change at immense cost to ourselves. We can, though, change our own little corner of the world by making it a happier place. Volunteering is one way of doing this and there are countless causes that need our involvement and our time. You might, for instance, learn to play the guitar and give hours of pleasure to hospital patients or at an old folks’ party. You could fundraise for a good cause or indeed send a donation to a charity. You might campaign for more jobs in your area or for more help for the disabled. You could visit the lonely or become a scientist who finds cures for diseases. Volunteers run marathons, climb mountains and cut off their beards in aid of good causes. They give out leaflets and knock on doors in aid of political candidates. They help train children in sports clubs and feed the starving in the third world. So whatever you choose to do you can change someone’s world simply by volunteering.

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Most of us want to be successful whether it’s in our business or our personal lives. We read articles about people who have managed it and we want to be like them. In business there are few of us who wouldn’t like to be a Henry Ford or a Bill Gates. Golfer’s dream of being another Tiger Woods and no footballer would mind being as successful as Pele… A singer might aspire to be a Bob Dylan or to form a group like the Beatles. For most of us, of course, being famous is just a dream but if you believe you can achieve success you will. How did those household names do it? Persistence, patience and passion are the secrets of success. There is no doubt too but that creativity is crucial to success. Obviously hard work and determination are factors but if you find a business mentor it’s a shortcut to success. So if you do get around to starting a business and you make a go of it always remember how much your staff has contributed and work on the basis that everyone should share in success. That way you will truly be a real achiever.

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School may be out but educators everywhere are already preparing speeches for upcoming parent/teacher meetings in the new term. University deans are practising their welcome to the faculty speeches at the beginning of the academic year. Then of course there is the need for head teachers to say a few words in their induction speeches for new staff. Teachers everywhere have the need to give welcoming speeches to their pupils at the re-opening of school. They may be deciding on how to motivate their pupils by addressing such words of wisdom as telling them to improve their concentration or telling them to say “No” and have the courage of their convictions. They may be explaining how much good grades matter or giving the age old advice that breakfast is the way to kick start your life. No matter what age the pupils are, or how they word it, teachers will always be getting across the same message to every student “Be yourself you are special”.

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Most of us love our parents but how many of us express that love? Yet your father’s birthday, your step-mother’s birthday or your mother’s retirement are ideal days on which to say a few loving words. In fact any family occasion such as a family re-union gives you an opportunity to express your feelings for them. Weddings, of course, being the sentimental occasions they are, are the ideal time to thank them for all they have done for you. So whether you are the groom or the bride make it their big day too by expressing how much they mean to you. This also applies of course if you are the best man who is son of the groom or indeed the son of the bride. Finally, if you have not told them you love them before they die a thoughtful eulogy for mother or appreciative eulogy for father will be a fitting tribute to well loved parents.

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Independence is something we take for granted. Yet the citizens of many countries do not have that privilege. That is why it is good to express our feelings of privilege on the 4^th July on Independence day. On Flag Day we can express our feelings for the flag, the symbol of that independence. Other independent countries of course celebrate not strictly independence but their pride in the nationhood. Australia day is one such celebration. Yet more countries celebrate their nationhood based on a religious festival such as the Irish St. Patrick’s Day. The age old question for many countries is will we have Patriotism or peace? Only when that is resolved can they truly enjoy Independence.

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It’s a time when people learn to swim or play soccer the beautiful game in parks or on the beach . It’s a time when the sportsperson of the year is presented with an award or the sponsor of a sport says a few words. It’s a time when a mentor will give a motivational speech before a game or you hear an acceptance of a prize speech from a winner. It’s the season to get walking and get fit or to try and emulate Tiger Woods or Pele. Whatever age or gender you are summer is the time when we realize that sport is for all.

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It’s unlikely that you will persuade most ordinary audiences to climb Mouth Everest. So if you are giving a speech where you hope to motivate people you should choose as a topic something that will help them improve their own lives. You might speak to them about helping to improve their concentration for instance. You could encourage them to learn to breathe properly by doing yoga. You could suggest that they think outside the box, to be an original. You might show them how to be customers who are assertive and not aggressive. You might make them think if you suggested they ate brain foods or took out in the open the fact that they are jealous and that they could deal with this. All of us have our failing and most of us would be happy to have some sound advice on how to deal with them. So go on make your speech an action speech and help them to help themselves.

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Most of us would feel proud if someone told us that they thought we had leadership qualities. It is a quality, of course, that we expect army officers and business executives to possess. Community leadership is very important and good leaders can make a huge difference in the communities they serve. There is nothing magical about it. Leadership doesn’t have to be an innate quality. It can be an acquired skill and it can be taught. A speech that tells your audience how to develop the confidence necessary for a leadership role will be of interest to most listeners. Such skills can be developed in everyday life but if you can develop your leadership skills in the office you will certainly benefit and probably make a name for yourself.

So it doesn’t matter if your audience consists of high powered executives or a local group. Your speech can make them feel better about themselves and show them how to develop the necessary qualities of a Lee, a Nelson or a Lincoln.

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Most of us attend birthday or wedding anniversary speeches at some time during the year. There is often a great sameness about these occasions. They can be personalised, however, if you give a really memorable speech. In such a speech you should bring the party boy or girl or the couple celebrating their anniversary to life. Your speech should make people say “I never knew that” or “oh I remember when that happened” It should include your audience and make them feel as though they are celebrating the years the couple spent together or the celebrant’s achievements over the years. Such a speech should be warm-hearted and loving with a touch of humour. Everyone loves to be feted and that’s exactly what you do when you give such a speech. So give your party the personal touch by talking about someone’s personality and life choices. They’ll be glad you did.

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