This 37-Year-Old Gave the Best Motivational Speech Ever

“In today’s world, you have to step up to the plate if you want to break down the silos.

But what if we pushed the envelope further?

What if, thanks to strong actionable insights, we took it to the next level?

Yes, we’ll be burning the candle at both ends. Do you know why? Because failure isn’t an option. Not anymore. But don’t worry, friends, we’re a family, we support each other. Teamwork makes the dream work.

We are … AMBITIOUS.

Put your ducks in a row and your brains between your ears; I’m gonna get granular now.

This isn’t going to be about the low-hanging fruits. Put a pin on that thought — right now. We’re going for the win, people. This is a paradigm shift. THE paradigm shift we’ve all been waiting for. I put it in the pipeline a long time ago, and the time to act on it is NOW.

We don’t need to run it to the flagpole because this is a win-win situation.

If you feel like you don’t have the bandwidth let’s take it offline. Let’s take you offline. Because this is the time to drink the Kool-Aid, this is when you can earn your chops.

Don’t complain. It is what it is.

I didn’t have to pick your brains on this one because the data never lies. It was in front of my eyes the whole time.

I found a way to increase the value-added tenfold. It’s about thinking outside the box. Literally.

Going forward, my door will always be open.

I just won’t be there anymore.

I quit.”

Backstory

I gave this speech during my last all-hands meeting when I left corporate life. Two years later, people still call me to say how inspiring it was for them. They usually call on their last day, right before they give their resignation letter.

I cherish these calls more than any moment of my past corporate life.

I’m proud to say I inspired them to go for their dreams and live their life to the fullest.

These people, my former colleagues (friends really), are reaching for the moon now. It doesn’t matter if they miss; at least they’ll be among the stars. And it doesn’t matter how slowly they went on the path to freedom; what matters is that they didn’t stop.

So.

What are YOU waiting for?

The best way to get started is to quit reading and begin doing.

GO!

That said, I would recommend leaving with a golden parachute and some stock options.

Smillew is a Medium artist who writes about work-life, his Medium newsletter, and his Medium referral link. No need to follow him; he’ll show up in your feed.