Recently I re-watched Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture. It’s been six years since he passed away, leaving an incredible legacy as a motivational speaker.
Pausch was a university 
professor and father of three young kids who, while defying prostate cancer, summed up what he had learned in life in his final teaching lesson. That lecture was made into a book and continues to inspire.
Why has it lasted? Here’s my analysis.
1. He welcomed feedback.
We all like compliments, and our nature is to defend ourselves against criticism. What is so counterintuitive and powerful is to turn that defensiveness into curiosity. Where others would close up, Pausch opened himself up for examination. That’s where growth is.
2. He considered imagination a gift.
We are born with the ability to see with our mind’s eye what is not in front of our physical eyes. It’s amazing how much we take this for granted—and leave it untapped. Imagination is an engine to make where we are better and to reveal where we will go next. As a motivational speaker, he left his audience with this spark.
3. He believed brick walls could help you.
We all face obstacles. Pausch pointed out that these exist as a measuring device. A brick wall reveals how badly we want to reach our goal. In the face of adversity, do you give up? That shows how much you truly desired your goal—or didn’t.
4. He grasped that humility matters.
Pausch recognized the power in understanding “it’s not about me.” From this space, you can do so much more than if you are self-centered.
5. He valued people more than things.
Most of us have work that focuses on objects. My latest thing is promoting my upcoming book. As much as I need people to buy it, I value my readers more. My foremost desire is that you succeed in negotiating, sales or whatever your goal. I hope my book can help you, but my overarching goal is to help equip you with inspiration and concrete methods for success. Pausch connected with strangers because they sensed his authentic care of them more than any object.
6. He sparked enjoyment.
Pausch had a great sense of humor. People loved his spirit. We all have our own definition of what makes us joyful. Go for it! Have fun! And never stop. A sense of play can point to our truest purpose.
7. He strived for integrity.
Every day we all face forks in our lives, where we can cut a corner or take the easy way out. No one will notice, right? What Pausch recognized was the opportunity to do the right thing was the chance to affirm your best self. The message he conveyed as a motivational speaker was that living with integrity is truly living.
8. He wasn’t afraid to apologize.
Too often we are all about defending our ground and making sure we are right. Too often winning means that someone has to lose. Competitiveness leads to reluctance to apologize. We don’t want to seem weak. Pausch reversed that and urged his students to own up to their mistakes. A timely, genuine apology is a sign of strength.
9. He didn’t complain.
Pausch became a famous example of terrible things happening to a good person. He could have gone underground … radio silence … his own well-deserved pity party. Instead, his strength was in owning his circumstances and moving forward anyway.
10. He played the game hard.
We’ve all got one shot at today, at this hour, at this minute. Then it’s history.
Takeaway
Randy Pausch recognized that he was living a precious, short amount of time, and his power as a motivational speaker came from his passion to share what he had learned about life. He filled his life and message with gusto—a word that in Latin means taste. He never lost his appetite for a full life, and pursued it to the fullest. Shouldn’t we all?
As a motivational speaker, Molly Fletcher draws inspiration and tools from a successful career as a sports agent. Her book, “A Winner’s Guide to Negotiating: How Conversation Gets Deals Done” (McGraw-Hill), will be published in September. Please contact us for more information on how she can help your team achieve its greatest potential.
