Innovation.
Inspiration.
Motivation.
Other-ation.
They’re all just words that, when acted upon, can change the course of the world. Yeah, that’s all they can do…
Getting Inspired
Quotes are something that inspire us as we read through them. I always think, did someone really think “that was so awesomely said that I’m going to document it?”
I doubt it.
In fact, I often wonder if the quotes from way-back-when are even 100% accurate. Someone may have heard it and decided to write it down days later missing a word or two.
But the point is that they are inspiring to us. They cause us to think about things, revamp our thoughts and, hopefully, act on it. Inspiration is nothing without motivation. And without those we are doomed a life of mediocrity where we never grow or change.
“You are the same today you’ll be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read.”
– Charlie “Tremendous” Jones
Getting inspired is the key to growth because, without it, action cannot follow.
Are you stunted?
I recently read a post from Simon Sinek (yes, I know I’m quoting him a lot lately) and it made me think about the reason I’m in your life.
I wasn’t growing. My web design business was causing me to become stale and not change as a person. My true self was not coming out in my work because clients didn’t pay for me, they paid for them. Which is fine, except that I wasn’t growing.
Fear is something that drives courage. We can’t have courage without it. And the fear of me being exactly the same tomorrow (or in 5 years) drove me to try something new. It inspired me to act and change course.
Have I left everything in the dust? Of course not. There’s still bills to pay and design is still a passion of mine. But it was not allowing me to express myself the way I needed to.
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
– Ernest Hemingway
Or a computer. Or paper. Or tablet. Or Whatever.
And that’s where I find myself today. Bleeding on this screen things that I never thought I’d actually share with the world. Why?
Because I was afraid that my web design was drying up. Maybe it was, maybe not but it caused action. It inspired.
You Will Keep Growing
Imagine for a second a life where you do the exact same thing over and over every single day. I don’t just mean work, I mean every single step exactly the same. Everyday for years.
Some people are living that. They aren’t afraid, inspired, motivated or innovative. And they’re okay with that.
But I’ll venture to say that you’re not one of them. You’re not willing to let life pass you by and keep you stunted.
I know you’re not.
What’s something that inspired you take action on a goal or dream? Name a person, place or thing and tell us how. Be sure to link to their site or the resource so others can see.
Someone once asked me, “exactly what drove you into business? passion? dare-devil attitude?”
my answer ‘desperation”. Sometimes we just get cornered and jump…not cos we are smart or passionate or have figure it out..but cos ‘something just has to work out’ 🙂
I love that statement, inspiration is nothing without motivation.
great post!
Very true Ngina! I like that question…and that answer!
One of the benefits to personal growth is that when you read and listen to other people’s story’s, they can motivate you to start doing and moving closer to your dreams. Great thoughts.
Very true. All of you have definitely been a huge inspiration and help to me as I’ve started writing and changing what I’m working towards.
Dan Miller inspired and encouraged me to step forward years ago and do something different. While the steps I took didn’t pan out the way I thought, it un-stunted me and got me going in a new direction.
At least it got you going! I think thats the most important thing…to actually start. 😀