YouTube has been a great place for posting and sharing video content. Personally, I like to keep an eye out for popular and new inspirational videos on YouTube. As a matter of fact, I have made a habit of watching inspiring videos for at least 15 minutes every morning after I return from the gym. It really helps me get the day started right and keep the positive energy flowing. Here let me share the top 13 of my favorite videos (plus 2 bonuses).
Category A – Speakers/Celebrities
1) Susan Boyle’s Sensational Britain’s Got Talent Video
Note: The above video can also be found on YouTube.
This clip is now one of the most popular videos in the history of YouTube. The aggregate viewership of Susan Boyle’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent approached near 100 million views in its first nine days and earning the producers of the program (Wired.com). This inspiring masterpiece is a classic example of viral hit. Therefore, it is the #1 out of all the inspirational videos.
2) Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture
“On September 18, 2007, Carnegie Mellon professor and alumnus Randy Pausch delivered a one-of-a-kind last lecture that made the world stop and pay attention. It became an Internet sensation viewed by millions, an international media story, and a best-selling book that has been published in 35 languages. To this day, people everywhere continue to talk about Randy, share his message and put his life lessons into action in their own lives (Carnegie Mellon University).”
3) Tony Robbins Tells Rocky Story
This clip has always been my favorite. I like the movie “Rocky” since I was little. Tony Robbins has done a great job in telling a revealing story about Stallone’s relentless pursuit of a movie career. Although the beginning wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, Stallone persevered and succeeded massively! Great inspiration indeed.
4) Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Here is a brief summary from Stanford University about this video – “Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks — including death itself — at the university’s 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005.” The speech script is available at here.
5) Will Smith – Running & Reading
I love Will Smith’s inspirational movies such as the Pursuit of Happiness. In this video, Will is emphasizing the importance of running and reading as a means to develop daily discipline. It features Will’s inspirational speech after winning at the 2005 Kid’s Choice Awards, accompanied by an awesome instrumental (For Da Love of Da Game) from DJ Jazzy Jeff’s 2002 Album, The Magnificent. Will says “The person who works the hardest wins.”
6) Get Motivated with Tony Robbins (A 22-Minute Ted Video Podcast)
Rarely do I see Tony Robbins’ seminars being uploaded on YouTube. Tony Robbins discusses the “invisible forces” that motivate everyone’s actions. Listen to this if you haven’t been to Tony’s live seminars. It is a great experience even watching it on YouTube!
Category B – Movie Clips
7) Al Pacino – “life’s This Game of Inches” Speech (Any Given Sunday)
“…You find out life’s this game of inches. And so is football. Because in either game, life or football, the margin for error is so small. I mean… one half a step too late or too early and you don’t quite make it. One half second too slow too fast, you don’t quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They are in every break of the game, every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when we add up all those inches, that’s gonna make the fucking difference between winning and losing! Between living and dying! I’ll tell you this – in any fight, its the guy whose willing to die who’s gonna win that inch. And I know if I’m going to have any life anymore, it’s because I’m still willing to fight and die for that inch. Because that’s what living is! The 6 inches in front of your face…”
8 ) The Best Dialogue of All Rocky Movies
“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place… and I don´t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently, if you let it. You, me or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life. But ain’t about how hard you hit… It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward… how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That´s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you worth, go out and get what you worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits. And not pointing fingers saying: You ain´t what you wanna be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain´t you! You´re better than that!” (Rocky Balboa)
9) Movie Clip from Facing the Giants
I think this movie clip is pretty self-explanatory. If we can, we must. Everybody has the potential, within themselves, to do something remarkable and outstanding. Key phrase here – “Keep Stretching Yourself.”
10) 40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes
Always love creative initiatives in utilizing Web 2.0 tools. Aside from being inspirational, this clip is a masterpiece which combines 40 movie speeches that runs for only 2 minutes. The remix is brilliant and I certainly appreciate the editor’s efforts.
Category C – Inspiring Slideshows
11) The Law of Attraction
Law of Attraction has always been the big secret for any success, no matter what you do. According to the great business philosopher Jim Rohn, “Success is something you attract by the person you become.” It’s really a great experience to reinforce our beliefs by watching this video again and again.
12) The Don’t Quit Poem (Video Version)
The video is based on the famous The Don’t Quit Poem. To read the poem, click here.
13) Inspirational Quotes
Great slideshow video featuring Beatle’s song “Imagine” and some of the best inspirational quotes ever!
Category D – Soundtracks
Bonus 1 – Rocky Theme Song
The Rocky series was originated in 1976. The film was written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. The film was inspired by the famous fight between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner. Wepner had been TKO’d in the 15th round by Ali, but nobody ever expected him to last as long as he did. Wepner recalls in a January 2000 interview, “Sly (Stallone) called me about two weeks after the Ali fight and told me he was gonna make the movie.”
Bonus 2 – Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around the World
Some time it is better to know that you are not alone in your journey of pursuing happiness and success. From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music“, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.
The End
This wraps up our ultimate list of the inspirational YouTube videos. As the list grows or changes in the future, we will make updates accordingly. Is this helpful for you in the area of personal growth? Would like to hear from other like-minded professionals. Please leave your comments below.
