What makes a good belt promotion speech?

[SisyphusMyth]

I got promoted to brown belt yesterday. Here's a blog post with the details: http://lexbjj.com/2970

My instructor put me on the spot and asked that I make a speech. I thought that was a black belt thing, so thought I could get away saying nothing.

The first thing I could think of was to quote Rickson Gracie that you shouldn't train like it's a competition but train to learn and to have fun.

Anyway, my question is for people that have made speeches or heard speeches during promotions. What were your favorites? What makes a good promotion speech?

 

[Sexy Pants]

Humility! Giving credit to all who have helped you get to your level. If it wasn't for instructor and training partners there would be no advancement

 

[Sexy Pants]

And Congrats

 

[lechien]

congrats

 

[Newbie668]

congrats!
As for a good speech...remember to thank everyone. Include some motivational aspect as I am sure this was a long, challenging and rewarding journey for you. again...congrats!!

 

[gorillajump]

My hypothetical speech for next belt promotion: "Details matter. Have fun. Work hard in and out of the gym. Thanks to all. And don't give Lloyd Irvin, David Avellan or DJ Jackson any money or praise."

 

[nefti]

didn't know that brown belts gave speeches...

 

[wordspeaker]

Just thank everyone and be humbled theyve recognized your hard work in the form of a belt.
Let them know you intend to honour the gesture by keeping on working hard and supporting those under you.,

 

[Einarr]

Just keep it short. It's a big moment for you but everyone else just wants to go home at the end of class, not listen to someone ramble on. Thank your instructor, thank your training partners, say something vaguely motivational - shouldn't last more than a minute or two. I've been stood around for 15 minutes at the end of a seminar listening to some guy I never met before ramble on, after probably 3 minutes I was thinking "just STFU already".

 

[mmafan0]

[YT]7O2jcGc8cMg[/YT]

 

[rmongler]

I got promoted to brown belt yesterday. Here's a blog post with the details: http://lexbjj.com/2970

My instructor put me on the spot and asked that I make a speech. I thought that was a black belt thing, so thought I could get away saying nothing.

The first thing I could think of was to quote Rickson Gracie that you shouldn't train like it's a competition but train to learn and to have fun.

Anyway, my question is for people that have made speeches or heard speeches during promotions. What were your favorites? What makes a good promotion speech?

though he will never be hickson, one must imagine sisyphus happy