Canadian Motivational Speaker - Inside Motivation

If you would like to get inside the mind of Canadian motivational business speaker, George Torok, then you will enjoy this page. It is a collection of random thoughts, questions and confessions from Canadian motivational speaker, George Torok.

Contact George Torok: 905-335-1997 Toll Free 800-304-1861 Visit main website: www.Torok.com

Canadian motivational speaker, Canadian bestselling author, Canadian business speaker

In times like these, people need motivation

Motivational speakers are in demand more than ever and they’re up to the task to encourage people to share their optimistic outlook and to provide the spark that gives them the courage in hard times to pursue their goals and dreams

The Hamilton Spectator
Feb 14, 2009

George Torok
George Torok initially rejected the title ‘motivational speaker.’

“I thought no, I have content. That term is associated with fluff and nothing being real.”
But after 12 years of speaking to entrepreneurs, executives and employees about marketing and presentation skills, Torok realized that’s exactly what he was.

“I have content packaged with entertainment and motivation. Content without motivation is useless because nothing happens without motivation.”

He finally started calling himself a motivational speaker.

“In times like these, people need motivation more than any other time. But people don’t always buy what they need, they buy what they want.”

And in times like this, it’s a tough sell to encourage people, who are watching their co-workers get laid off, to work harder, increase sales, cut costs, do things differently.

“There is definitely resistance but people eventually come around.”

Calls are up for speeches and for one-on-one coaching in presentation skills. Torok typically does close to 100 speaking or training engagements in North America each year.

He says people see the thousands he gets paid for a speech and think it’s a glamorous life. Torok says they don’t see the hours going into writing and rewriting material, researching a company, making calls, writing articles.

“It’s constant learning. If I’m going to teach people, I have to know 10 times what they know or it’s not useful to them.

“Then it’s about what you can say that will help the company make that money back.”

Reported by Meredith MacLeod in the Hamilton Spectator, Saturday, February 14, 2009

Click here to watch the video of the four Hamilton motivational speakers

PS: George Torok is the fourth speaker on this video. He's worth waiting for - or just fast forward

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Are you a motivational speaker? I heard that question often. I used to cringe when I heard it. Why? Because, I wanted to be known for my expertise and content. My book, Secrets of Power Marketing, is a national bestseller and published in seven countries. My clients learn power marketing principles and are reminded of simple marketing techniques. Yet, they still want to call me a motivational speaker.

The image of a motivational speaker was not what I wanted to convey. To me a motivational speaker was all about fluff. A motivational speaker repeated clichés like, “Think outside of the box.” Or “There is no I in team.” A motivational speaker told the overused “starfish story” or the “lighthouse analogy”. They were both good the first time I heard or read them. But those motivational stories quickly lost steam as almost every motivational speaker repeated them.

It’s curious that even the biggest motivational speaker of all - Tony Robbins recently denied the label of motivational speaker. That might be hard to believe for all of you that read his books for listened to his motivational tapes. I was in the audience as Tony announced that he was not a motivational speaker. He was the “Why guy”. I don’t know what that means but Tony preferred that to motivational speaker.

TV has been unkind to motivational speakers recently. Jason Alexander starred as a motivational speaker in a failed TV series. And 60 Minutes ran a smear on motivational speakers. So who wants to be known as a motivational speaker?

I do. I finally realized that all the content, expertise and tips mean nothing if people are not motivated to act on it. You can give people information. You can load them down with statistics and data but if they don’t act - the information was wasted.

Information and tips do not move people- only motivation does. And motivation can come in many ways but the common denominator is emotion. Emotion motivates. In fact motivated people twist the facts to justify their actions. And nothing happens without motivation. So, yes I am a motivational speaker. I help make things happen.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivational Myths

Information Motivates
The biggest myth is that information motivates. Information does not motivate. People who say they want more information before they make a decision are motivated by the fear of not knowing everything – by the fear of not being in control. In that case their motivation is to do nothing. Information is not motivational. More information usually strengthens an existing opinion.

Money by itself is not motivational. There are a few motivational aspects associated with money. The strongest might be greed, pride and fear. Each of these emotions is motivational when it comes to money. But money does not motivate. Money by itself does not motivate. Money can lead to power which motivates.

Greed is a motivational driver to want more. Greed is the motivation that some connect with the concept of entitlement. Like the old royalty. I’m the King - I deserve more.

Pride is the motivational driver that makes boat owners want a bigger boat. Money can be an enabler. It’s the end that motivates not the money.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivational Chicken and Egg

You know the old conundrum, “What came first, the chicken or the egg?”One leads to other and one cannot exist without the other.Well a similar conundrum exists when it comes to motivation.

Motivation and motion are closely related and interdependent. The words come from the same root. Certainly motivation leads to motion and motion builds motivation.

So if you don’t feel motivated – move. Do something. Start something. Get yourself into motion and you will start to feel more motivated.

Doing things motivates. Resting seldom motivates you. Yes everyone needs a break but “break” is relative and a good break can just be a change.

When you want to feel motivated – move. Put yourself into motion. You might be surprised at how motivated you feel.

We feel most motivated just after we have completed a tremendous task. Right after I finish a marathon I feel like I can run another (not right away of course).

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

When he was a boy his sister taunted him, “You’ll never be anything.” He skipped classes and slept during the day. But that taunt hurt him. It angered him. It awakened the fighting spirit within him. He wanted to change but he didn’t know how. George Foreman became heavy weight boxing champion of the world. Today he is a preacher, entrepreneur and the spokesperson for the George Foreman Grill with over 1 million units sold. And yes a motivational speaker.

I had the opportunity to see George Foreman speak at a Learning Annex event in Toronto. What could George Foreman, a former boxer, say that might motivate you?

That was the opening line of his speech and one that he repeated like a refrain throughout his presentation.

What did that mean? “Look at me.” Don’t look at my scars, my color, education or obstacles. “Look at me.” See the fighting spirit within me. See me for who I am and can be. Although Foreman shouted that to his fight manager – the phrase is one that he might have shouted at his sister, his teacher and at his own reflection in the mirror. His own self talk – to push himself to look at himself.

And maybe the best lesson he offered us that day was for each of us to have the courage to look in the mirror and look at ourselves. To see the possibilities and to fight for what we believe we can be.

I was very impressed with George Foreman. He fit the role of motivational speaker exceptionally well. He told his own story – a poor black kid who did not fit in, who didn’t want to go to school, who only wanted to use his physical advantage to intimidate and beat up other kids…

As a child, George Foreman did not have a future nor a direction. The only motivation he had might have been anger and a fighting spirit.

A guidance counselor told him – “If you only want to beat up people you might as well become a boxer.”

George Foreman pointed out that he was never a boxer – he was a fighter. The difference as he illustrated was that a boxer was one who took the perfect stance – hands and feet in the perfect position – looks pretty – almost like a dancer. A fighter was one who ignored the blood and pain and simply fought.

As a true motivational speaker, George Foreman talked about his inner fears and doubts. He laughed at himself and encouraged us to do the same. A true motivational speaker knows that it is not about appearing superior to your audience. You can only motivate people who can identify with you and your pain.

When he started to fight, he confessed that he got scared, closed his eyes and swung his huge fists at his opponent. He was the surprised one when he opened his eyes to discover his opponent on the floor.

That strategy worked until he met better boxers who danced out of the way of his blind-fury fists. The new surprise for him was that after he opened his eyes his opponent was still standing and grinning at him. That demanded a new strategy – time to keep his eyes open when he swung his massive fists.

A motivational speaker must demonstrate the power of his opponent. No one is motivated by an easy victory.

George Foreman talked about his fear of fighting “Smokin’ Joe Frazier”. George Foreman had to knock Joe Frasier down six times to win that fight. Six times! And each time that Foreman knocked Frasier to the mat Foreman prayed that Frasier would stay down this time. How many of you are willing to do the same thing six times just to win one fight? How many give up too soon?

Then it was time to face Mohamed Ali. Five rounds and Ali did not throw a punch. Ali simply danced. George thought he had Ali beat. In the fifth round as they embraced – Ali taunted him with “Is that all you got George?” That taunt chilled George and foreshadowed what was still to come.

George was spent and Ali had made an accurate analysis of his opponent’s endurance. Mohamed Ali won that fight, not because he was tougher, but because he fought smarter.

George Foreman was defeated that day by more than a boxer; he was defeated by a smart fighter.

In his speech, George Foreman honored his opponents. George did not whine nor complain. A real motivational speaker tells life the way it is – not the way it should be.

As he marched purposely off stage, motivational speaker George Foreman closed his presentation with this powerful message:

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Your Motivation is not my Motivation

Why is that so surprising? Because we assume that everyone or most think and feel the same way that we do. Therefore we assume that what motivates use also motivates you. When you think about it – it is silly. But when you realize the way we think and feel is it logical. We just assume that most everyone else thinks and feels the same way we do.That can be a huge mistake when it comes to motivating others. If you assume that they think and feel the same as you – you might never appear motivational to them. After you relate to them on the same levels the motivational value of your messages will sky-rocket.

A motivational message must be delivered in the language and perspective of the listeners. A motivational speaker must understand how the audiences perceives the message.

An effective motivational speaker understands that it is not about the speaker – it is about the listener and how he or she perceives the message of the speaker. If the listener feels motivated after listening to the speaker - then the speaker was motivational.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivational Spring

Why is spring so motivational? I am lucky to live in south-western Ontario, Canada which experiences four distinct seasons and I enjoy them all.

Summer is the time to sit outside, watch the garden grow, wear t-shirts and shorts and ride my motorcycle. Summer is less motivational than other seasons. Summer is the lazy relaxing season.

Fall is resplendent with the changing colours of the leaves. It is a photographer’s canvas. And the cooler temperatures arrive as a welcome relief from the sweltering dog days of the summer.

Then comes winter - the season so different from the others. The first snow always delights me. The touch of cold flakes on my face refreshes. Yes, driving can be messy and some mornings that chill is de-motivating. But that makes sitting in front of the fireplace so enjoyable. And the real gift of winter is downhill skiing. The thrill of racing downhill with cold air on my face is one thing I look forward to every winter. I miss it when there isn’t enough snow.

Spring represents new life. It starts with the crocuses – the flowers that foretell the coming of spring. They push their bright purple flowers through the snow. How do they do that? What a joyful motivation. Spring is the harbinger of new growth, new opportunities and a reminder to refocus on our goals.

Maybe spring is so motivational because it symbolizes that even after the cold and darkness of winter new life and new hope can spring.

Maybe spring is so motivational because we all need to come out of our cold dark periods and believe in new growth and opportunities.

Maybe spring is so motivational because the extra sunlight motivates us to be more positive and cheery.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivational Speaker Dilemma

George Torok is often described as a motivational speaker. For many years he rejected that label by declaring, “I have content.” George Torok did not want to be labeled as a motivational speaker because of the perceived stigma that a motivational speaker was only providing fluff.

Right or wrong many organizations would claim, “We want content”, and then they would pay big bucks for a motivational speaker.

They might hire a motivational speaker who was a national president, climbed Mount Everest, lost a limb, won an Olympic medal, made billions, walked on the moon, or walked on fire.

However, audiences still describe him as a motivational speaker. Why? Because the stories he tells relate to the audience, gives them hope, entertains them and inspires them.

George Torok speaks about everyday people with everyday challenges and yes he has accepted the fact that he is a motivational speaker.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivate Yourself

Self motivation is an important question, because we can not depend on others to motivate us. Sure you might listen to a motivational speaker, read a motivational book or even watch a motivational video. But what do you do in the mean time to motivate yourself?

Motivate yourself by feeding off other motivational leaders, speakers and innovators.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

What is a Motivational Speaker?

A motivational speaker must relate to the listeners. The listeners must see themselves in the motivational speaker. The speaker must not place himself above the listeners.

The motivational speaker must offer the listeners hope. That is what everyone wants – more than anything else. Hope inspires.

The motivational speaker must inspire hope to be free, to be better, to be richer, to be happier, to be stronger, to be more successful.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivational Logic

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Your loved ones might motivate you. They might encourage you to keep doing what you are doing. They might motivate you to try harder. They might even anger you. Yes your loved ones can motivate you in several ways.

Music might motivate you. It might excite you to energize you. It might sooth and relax you. Music might help you recall good memories. It might also sadden you with bad memories. Music can motivate you in several ways.

Images might motivate you. The sight of a mountain range might inspire you to greatness. An ocean view might offer you perspective. A jungle scene might inspire you to action. A desert scene might motivate you to conserve. A photo of a starving child might motivate you to donate.

Odors can motivate you. Some smells can motivate you to sexual readiness. Rotting smells can stimulate disgust. Odors can trigger old memories – both pleasant and bad. There is a good reason why real estate agents tell to you bake cookies, or put out potpourri before you show your house. Yes, smells can motivate you.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivational Message: Hope

What is the most important motivational message that you can deliver? The most important motivational message is one of hope. Hope is the motivation that business, political and religious leaders offer. That no matter how bad things might seem right now – there is hope. That things can and will change. That you can expect something better. That you are entitled to something better. That you can make things better. You have hope.

Offer hope. If you want to motivate people to buy, vote, protest, contribute, or fight - offer hope. Hope is the most important motivational message. Check your motivational message for evidence

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Your Motivation is not my Motivation

Why is that so surprising? Because we assume that everyone or most think and feel the same way that we do. Therefore we assume that what motivates us also motivates you. When you think about it – it is silly. But when you realize the way we think and feel is it logical. We just assume that most everyone else thinks and feels the same way we do.That can be a huge mistake when it comes to motivating others. If you assume that they think and feel the same as you – you might never appear motivational to them. After you relate to them on the same levels the motivational value of your messages will sky-rocket.

A motivational message must be delivered in the language and perspective of the listeners. A motivational speaker must understand how the audiences perceives the message.

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Motivational Logic

When you want a Canadian motivational speaker with practical business content, call George Torok at 905-335-1997.

Inside Motivation

Contact George Torok: 905-335-1997 Toll Free 800-304-1861 Visit main website: www.Torok.com