|
5 Keys To Lasting
Inspiration |
By:
Kevin Eikenberry
Everyone I know loves the feeling that
comes with being inspired. They like the mental lift, the energy,
the attitude, the productivity, the satisfaction and even the way it
makes them feel physically.
And as wonderful and valuable as
inspiration
is, for most of us, it`s hard to capture, expand and make last. We
want the eternal flame, but far too often settle for a spark as
fleeting as the flame provided by a match.
There are predictable ways you can
extend the life of your inspirational flame. When you learn these
ways, they become important to not just you, but also those you care
about, interact with and lead. As you begin to apply these ideas in
your life you can help others be inspired and
internally motivated as well.
Creativity: 3
Pillars
In short, these keys will help you
transform your spark into an exciting, lifelong, raging bonfire.
Passion
– the Fuel for the Fire
Every fire requires fuel. The more fuel
you have and the higher quality of that fuel, the bigger and more
powerful your fire.
If you want to create lasting
inspiration you must be working and living from a place of
passion. You must be doing things you love! If you know today
how to make money with your passion, and therefore live it 24/7,
great! If not, start with tapping your passion in as many ways as
you can, as much of the time as you can.
Purpose – the Big
Why
Before you can make anything happen,
you need to understand and clearly define your purpose. Why do you
want to
achieve?
What is in it for you, your family and those around you? When you
connect your passion to a purpose you get excited about, your fire
is already roaring; the rest is channeling the flames in the proper
direction. Which leads directly to . . .
Be Different and Make a
Difference!
Goals – the
Direction of Your Dreams
Goals are an extremely important part of the inspiration
equation, but they aren`t the start. Have you ever set a goal and
become discouraged, or perhaps even despondent, when you weren`t
making progress? This is much less likely to happen, when your goals
are set in connection with your passion and spurred by your purpose.
Goals, in order to channel your inspirational fire, must be your
goals and they must be aspirational.
The Wheel of Personal Success
Inspirational Inputs
– the Oxygen for Your Inspiration
The first three components can be in
place, and your inspirational flames can still smolder. Why? Because
life happens! Things change, setbacks occur and we fall prey to our
humanness. Just like a fire needs oxygen, we all need inputs that
continue to breathe life into our inspiration. Perhaps for you it's
your favorite music or movie. Perhaps it is a play or poetry. Maybe
it is a seminar, workshop or time spent with the most positive
person you know. Maybe it is all of these and more. Whatever your
inspirational inputs are recognize that they are the oxygen for your
fire. You don`t get upset at a fire when it needs oxygen. Neither
should you expect your inspiration to tend to itself without
additional inputs on a regular basis.
Action – the Small
Steps that Create Momentum
Want the ultimate cure for waning
inspiration? Take action! Do something! Get off the couch and get
going. Lethargy breeds lethargy and will kill your inspirational
fire like sand in the campfire. You can`t do everything today, and
you don`t have to. Do something. Take a step. And then keep going.
You will get there, and you will move further faster than you
realize.
 These
five keys can give you a lifetime blazing fire of inspiration in
your life. You must recognize that the spark you love will never
become a raging fire without help.
Smokey the Bear says only you can
prevent forest fires. He`s right. And only you can create a personal
fire hot enough to help you create the life you desire. Don`t settle
for a spark. Fan your flames every day.
|
