FALL FORWARD | TAKE RISKS | Denzel Washington Motivational Speech 2020

Summary

This 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.