The Most Powerful Motivational Force on the Planet

Three-time Carnegie Hall headliner, keynote speaker, humorist and captivating musician, Mike Rayburn uses his multifold skills to deliver inspirational and motivational speeches. Mike’s unique style and message have been profiled in, among others, USA Today, Newsweek, Billboard, Gig, Programming, American Entertainment, and Successful Meetings.

SPEAKING.COM: Could you give us three tools to help people realize their full potential?

RAYBURN:
1. Ask the question, “What if…? I know it sounds crazy, but what if we could do that; how would it work?

2. Write music that you can’t play. In other words, set goals that don’t exist. When you set goals, don’t start with what’s possible, start with what’s COOL. Ok, this is crazy but we’re going to ________!

3. Become A Virtuoso. Most people never make the choice to become their personal best at what they do. Choose and act on becoming your personal best.

SPEAKING.COM: What is the most powerful motivational force on the planet?

RAYBURN: Purpose. Why we do what we do means EVERYTHING to us as human beings.

SPEAKING.COM: In one of your keynotes, you discuss that “managing change is dangerous.” What do you mean by this?

RAYBURN: Change is happening so fast and it’s only getting faster. If you have the mindset that you’re going to “manage change,” you’ll be obsolete very soon. The only way to manage change is to CREATE CHANGE: to be the ones who step out and DEFINE the curve rather than follow it. Every one of us has the power to do that, and I teach people how.

SPEAKING.COM: What are some tips you can share about achieving bold goals?

RAYBURN: First, you have to write your goal down. Next, you have to commit to it. Then, you have to act on it. In my breakout session on “Secrets of Goal Achievement,” I teach people how to visualize their goals by creating a vision board and writing their goal(s) down in present tense every morning.

SPEAKING.COM: How important is a sense of purpose to effect exponential change?

RAYBURN: Purpose is indispensable. If you give people a good reason they’ll do anything. Exponential change, or transformation, is huge and requires fuel; purpose is that fuel.

SPEAKING.COM: What is the most basic human brain function and how can it be harnessed for positive change?

RAYBURN: Asking questions. Our brains are like computers, asking and answering questions thousands of times per day. To harness this function we need to intentionally word our questions. If you ask negative questions like, “Why am I so fat?” your brain will respond, “You sit around, you don’t eat right, and you don’t exercise.” But if you ask, “How can I lose weight?” your brain will seek that out. A better question you can ask is: “How can I lose weight and be healthy in the process?” An even better question you can ask is: “How can I lose weight, be healthy, and enjoy the process?”

Your brain will answer whatever question you choose to ask, from “Why am I a loser?” to “What if we become the industry leaders? How could we do that?” That’s why I teach people to ask positively, “What if…?”