As we approach the end of the year, we often find ourselves in a position of looking back and looking forward at the same time. How do we best learn from the past year and enter into the new year with positive momentum?
I have allowed myself the luxury to sit still and reflect on some of the strongest messages which I am taking with me from 2011 into 2012. The most prominent – INSPIRE ACTION. Those of you who have interacted with me directly this year know where I’m coming from on this. And some of you know where I’m going.
When I saw this phrase on the one side of a coin Simon Sinek gave me last Friday, I imagined another coin with INSPIRE on one side and ACTION on the other. Two sides of the same coin.
To inspire is defined as “to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence”. Action is then the result of taking this influence and putting it into a state of progress or motion. Amazing. Influenced into motion. Inspired into Action.
Think back on your year. Seriously. Stop and think.
1) What inspired you? Was it something you saw, heard or read? Is there a delivery method which you connect with more directly than another?
2) Who inspired you? What is your relationship with the person who inspired you? Does your relationship change after the moment of inspiration? In what way?
3) Where were you physically when inspired? What was your mind-set? What situations open you to being inspired?
People inspire me. It could be through their presence or their story. It almost always involves either overcoming adversity or exploding with creativity. It’s in those moments where I have clarity of the potential people really hold. I am influenced into motion….
So now that we’re inspired, what do we do with the inspiration. Some of you journey-seekers may not care that anything comes of the inspiration but are fulfilled by the calm, warming influence of that inspiration. Others are all about execution. I include myself amongst you. Inspiration is the fuel which gives me drive, confidence, and ambition to fulfill my dreams and help those around me fulfill theirs. Inspiration is the starting point. Action follows.
It gets better. Once inspiration drives me to action, then action becomes my inspiration.
I thank all those with whom I’ve crossed paths this year and who have been an inspiration for me. I look forward to many more discoveries with you in the year to come. For those of you who have embarked on a journey with me of inspiration as well as action. Thank you.
Warmest wishes for the holiday season. May all your inspirations be actioned and your actions be inspired.
