FALL FORWARD | TAKE RISKS | Denzel Washington Motivational Speech 2020

Go Motivation

26 Oct 202004:00

Summary

TLDRThis inspiring speech emphasizes the importance of embracing risks and failure as pathways to success. It challenges the conventional wisdom of having a 'plan B', advocating instead for falling forward with faith. The speaker cites historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Thomas Edison to illustrate that failure is a stepping stone to greatness. The message encourages listeners to leverage their unique talents and gifts, to take risks, and to always move forward, even in the face of setbacks.

Takeaways

🚀 Embrace risk-taking as a pathway to a worthwhile life, as Nelson Mandela suggests.
🛡️ Reject the idea of having a 'plan B' or a fallback option; instead, rely on your faith and aim to fall forward.
🏏 Recognize that failure, like Reggie Jackson's strikeouts, is a part of the journey to success, not the story itself.
💡 Thomas Edison's 1,000 failed experiments led to the light bulb, illustrating that each failure brings you closer to success.
🏋️‍♂️ Accept that failure is inevitable and necessary for growth; it's a sign that you're pushing your boundaries.
🚫 Understand that without failure, you're not truly striving for something new or challenging.
🔍 Be open to learning from both your successes and failures, as they both contribute to your understanding and growth.
🎯 Utilize your unique gifts, whether they be time, talent, or resources, to their fullest potential.
💼 Remember the value of taking risks is not just in career pursuits but also in personal growth and embracing new ideas.
🌟 Live life without holding back; give everything you've got, and when you fall, make sure it's forward.

Q & A

What is the main message conveyed by the speaker regarding taking risks in life?
-The main message is that taking risks is essential for a worthwhile life, and one should be willing to fall forward rather than having something to fall back on.
Who is the famous personality mentioned in the script who emphasized the importance of taking risks?
-Nelson Mandela is the famous personality mentioned who emphasized the importance of taking risks.
What does the speaker mean by 'fall forward'?
-The speaker means that one should be willing to face failures head-on and learn from them, moving forward rather than retreating or settling for less.
How many times did Reggie Jackson strike out in his baseball career?
-Reggie Jackson struck out 2600 times in his career.
What is the significance of Thomas Edison's 1000 failed experiments according to the script?
-The significance is that each failure brought him one step closer to success, and his persistence led to the invention of the light bulb.
Why does the speaker say that failure is important?
-The speaker says failure is important because it indicates that one is trying and pushing boundaries to achieve something they've never had before.
What is the speaker's view on having a 'plan B' or something to fall back on?
-The speaker is critical of the concept of having a 'plan B' or something to fall back on, advocating instead for full commitment and risk-taking.
What does the speaker encourage the audience to do with their talents and resources?
-The speaker encourages the audience to give everything they have, whether it's time, talent, prayers, or treasures, and to be open to life and new ideas.
What is the metaphorical meaning of 'you will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse'?
-This metaphor suggests that material possessions are not important in the end, and one should focus on living life fully and taking risks rather than accumulating wealth.
What is the speaker's advice for dealing with failure throughout life?
-The speaker advises to embrace failure as a part of life, learn from it, and always 'fall forward' to continue moving towards success.
How does the speaker relate the concept of taking risks to the audience's future endeavors?
-The speaker relates taking risks to the audience's future by emphasizing the importance of stepping out of comfort zones, being open to new experiences, and using their unique gifts and talents.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Embracing Risks for a Worthwhile Life

The paragraph emphasizes the importance of taking risks in life, as quoted from Nelson Mandela, to achieve a life of passion and fulfillment. It challenges the conventional advice of having a 'plan B' or something to fall back on, advocating instead for falling forward with faith. The speaker uses examples from sports and history, like Reggie Jackson's strikeouts and Thomas Edison's failed experiments, to illustrate that failure is a stepping stone to success. The message encourages embracing failure as a part of the journey towards achieving one's potential.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Risks

Risks refer to the potential dangers or uncertainties in a situation where there is a possibility of loss or failure. In the context of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of taking risks as a necessary step towards achieving a worthwhile life. The video encourages embracing risks to push beyond comfort zones and to achieve one's full potential, as exemplified by the speaker's own philosophy of 'fall forward' rather than having a fallback plan.

💡Fall Forward

'Fall forward' is a metaphor used in the video to describe an approach to failure where one uses setbacks as opportunities to move ahead rather than retreating or giving up. It symbolizes a proactive attitude towards life's challenges, where one learns from failures and uses them as stepping stones towards success. The speaker uses the example of Reggie Jackson, who struck out 2600 times but is remembered for his home runs, to illustrate the concept of falling forward.

💡Failure

Failure in the video is presented not as a negative outcome but as a natural part of the journey towards success. The speaker argues that failure is inevitable and should be accepted as a part of life. It is also posited as a sign that one is pushing boundaries and trying new things, as exemplified by Thomas Edison's 1000 failed experiments before inventing the light bulb. The video uses failure as a motivational tool to encourage continuous effort and learning.

💡Passion

Passion is described in the video as a driving force that fuels one's pursuit of a life beyond mediocrity. It is linked to the willingness to take risks and to commit fully to one's endeavors. The speaker implies that without passion, one might settle for a life that is less than what they are capable of achieving, thus urging the audience to find and pursue their passions to live a fulfilling life.

💡Settling

Settling, as used in the video, refers to the act of accepting a less ambitious or less fulfilling life out of fear or lack of motivation to strive for more. The speaker discourages settling, advocating instead for a life of ambition and continuous pursuit of one's capabilities. It is contrasted with the idea of taking risks and aiming for a life that matches one's potential.

💡Experiments

Experiments in the video are used to symbolize attempts at innovation or achievement, which may not always be successful but are necessary for progress. The speaker mentions Thomas Edison's 1000 failed experiments to highlight that each failure brings one closer to success. It underscores the idea that the process of trial and error is integral to discovery and innovation.

💡Success

Success in the video is portrayed as the outcome of taking risks, embracing failure, and learning from experiences. It is not just about achieving a particular goal but also about the personal growth and development that comes from the journey. The speaker connects success with the willingness to fall forward, indicating that true success is achieved through perseverance and continuous effort.

💡Talent

Talent in the video is discussed as an individual's innate abilities or skills that can be developed and utilized to achieve greatness. The speaker challenges the audience to consider what they will do with their talents, whether it be in business, theology, nursing, or any other field. It is a call to action to use one's talents to the fullest and to contribute meaningfully to the world.

💡Resources

Resources in the video encompass not only material wealth but also intangible assets like time, talent, prayers, and kindness. The speaker encourages the audience to fully commit their resources to their pursuits, emphasizing that holding back is not advisable. The phrase 'you will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse' is used to illustrate the transient nature of material possessions and the importance of using one's resources while one can.

💡Openness

Openness in the video is presented as a mindset of being receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. It is linked to the ability to learn, grow, and adapt, which are essential for personal and professional development. The speaker advises the audience to be open to life, to accept new views, and to not be discouraged, suggesting that openness is key to a rich and fulfilling life.

Highlights

Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.

Nelson Mandela emphasized living a life less than your capabilities is not living passionately.

The concept of having something to fall back on is critiqued; instead, one should fall forward on their faith.

Falling forward is a metaphor for moving towards success despite failures.

Reggie Jackson's 2600 career strikeouts are less remembered than his home runs, illustrating the focus on success over failure.

Thomas Edison's 1000 failed experiments led to the invention of the light bulb, showing that failure is a step towards success.

Taking risks is essential for achieving success.

Accepting failure as a part of life is crucial.

Failure indicates that you are pushing your boundaries and trying new things.

Taking risks involves knowing both your strengths and weaknesses.

Being open to new ideas and people is part of taking risks.

The importance of using your unique gifts and talents to their fullest extent is highlighted.

The message to give everything you have, whether it's time, talent, prayers, or treasures.

The saying 'you will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse' is used to emphasize living life fully and taking risks.

Encouragement to be open to life, accept new views, and never hold back.

Advice to fall forward in life, using failure as a stepping stone to success.