“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
Amy Poehler
“Challenge and inspire” is an essential part of today’s quote. It isn’t about finding people who make you comfortable and let you stay in your bubble of contentment. Just the opposite is true. Instead, you must find people who make you UNCOMFORTABLE in all the right ways. Only then will you grow and evolve and become the person you were born to be.
Who are the people you are intentionally curating into your life who challenge and inspire you?
“I will sprinkle compliments and uplifting words everywhere I go.”
Steve Maraboli
It is amazing how powerful a few letters and syllables strung together in just the right order can be. Lives can be changed forever based on the words we use. Knowing this shouldn’t we choose words that uplift and positively impact the lives of others?
10 years from now what do you want people to remember about you and the words you chose to use? Will your words matter?
“The best feeling in the world is finally knowing you took a step in the right direction. A step towards the future where everything that you never thought possible, is possible.”
Author Unknown
One of my favorite speeches from all of Shakespeare is the one King Henry delivers to his troops during the storming of Harfleur. These words convey such passion, such emotion, and summon energy that is palpable every single time I read them. (I might be guilty of having the entire speech memorized…)
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favour’d rage;
I can only imagine the impact this speech would have had on the soldiers upon hearing this delivered by their King.
Fortunately, we aren’t charging castles much anymore but the passion and fire demonstrated in these words captures the essence of how I feel when I’ve made the decision and it is time to charge forward and turn dreams into reality. There is nothing quite like knowing you have made the call, and you know it is the right call because there is a lightness in your step and an energy that is felt in every fiber of your being.
What are you waiting on? What decisions are you wrestling with? What is holding you back? Find the actions of the tiger, stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood and spring forward. That next step might be the one that changes your world forever.
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
Jack London
Jack London was one of the favorite authors from my childhood. “The Call of The Wild,” “White Fang,” “The Sea Wolf” were all my companions and inspirations for life. I read each, and other of London’s works, many many times in my youth. I haven’t read any of them since that time but recently came across the copies of my books and have put them on my reading list to reread and explore again. I am very curious to see what inspiration and motivations rise after I read these book some thirty plus years after the first time I read them.
What I love about this quote is that it imbues action. There is no reason to wait for some “perfect time” in the future to do what needs to be done. If you are waiting for something to happen in order to “be inspired” or start something then you are choosing to delay.You are choosing to wait. Sometimes waiting is exactly the right thing, but that waiting should be a conscious choice, not a delay or a passive waiting for some “ideal” time or moment of cosmic alignment. Be intentional with your waiting. Go after life, it is waiting for the taking. Listen for the call of the wild, and take action.
“The greatest leaders are not necessarily the ones who do the greatest things. They are the ones that inspire others to do great things.”
Ronald Reagan
An important aspect of leadership is the unlocking of the hidden and untapped talents in others. No one person can do everything or be the source of all great things. Inspiring others is an incredible multiplier that makes the impossible possible. Focus on helping others find their potential and you will help unlock greatness.
“Inspiration doesn’t usually show up until you do.”
Michael Hyatt
If you are waiting to “get inspired” to do something great then what are you really waiting on? The perfect moment? The stars to align? For a magic fairy to appear and make all your dreams come true?
Waiting for inspiration is just an excuse for being lazy. There is no such thing as the “overnight success.” Either you show up, do the work, and put in the blood, sweat and tears. Or you don’t. It’s your choice. Waiting for inspiration is just another way of saying “I don’t really have enough desire to do this.” Ask yourself is this is an acceptable outcome. If it isn’t, then there is your inspiration. Channel it into something special…
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lit the flame within us.”
Albert Schweitzer
During this season of Thanksgiving it is easy to remember the THINGS we are grateful for but what about the PEOPLE who have touched our lives? Sometimes the person we are today is a result of someone sharing a spark with us years ago, sometimes it can be as recent as yesterday. Regardless, it is the people in our lives that create the energy for each of us to go forward and become better selves and servants of others.
Thinking about the quote from yesterday, I am challenged today because I know that while I am tremendously grateful for people the people who have rekindled my spark when I am run down, that I don’t do nearly a good enough job making that thanksgiving an active reality and expressing my appreciation to them.
Being deeply grateful makes me feel better. Sharing that gratitude actively makes others feel better. I like the latter option a lot better. Something to really think and reflect on during this season of Thanksgiving.
