How would you fill in the "blanks"?

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here

Inspiration sparks creativity and creativity powers action, and this, as we know leads to getting it done - And getting it done, more often than not, takes us to wonderful places... if only to say, "Hey everyone, look what I did!" 

Inspiration is defined as something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create, and is very much individual. For me, inspiration seems to come from watching the "hustle and bustle" of the world, nature, friends, as well as the biographies, lives and creativity of others* (a majority of whom I will never have the pleasure of meeting) - It is in the creativity of others where I have found my latest inspiration.

It came to me as an "interactive" birthday quote by Neil Gaiman** where the sender can fill in the blanks for the well wishes of the coming year (at least this is how I've interpreted it). The quote looks like this before it is filled in: 

" I hope you have a {fill in blank} year, that you will {fill in blank} dangerously and outrageously, that you'll {fill in blank}, that you will {fill in blank} and that you will {fill in blank}, and that you will have {fill in blank}. And most importantly (because I think there should be more {fill in blank} and {fill in blank} in the world right now) that {fill in blank}, when you need to be, {fill in blank} and that you will {fill in blank}."

Neil Gaiman filled it out like this - 

"I hope you have a wonderful year, that you will dream dangerously and outrageously, that you'll make something that didn't exist before, that you will be loved, and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and like in return. And most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and wisdom in the world right now) that you will, when you need to be, be wise and that you will always be kind."

Inspiration is found in the quote itself to be sure, but it is the creativity behind the quote that has captured my imagination. This creativity offers a framework to make something that has amazing birthday wishes, thought and meaning... and as we all know, fifteen minutes of heart felt effort will trump a pricy gift anytime.

Being more creative still, if you "fill in the blanks" as if you are sending this to your self, it can be used to develop your mantra, your goals and your aspirations - The core values at the heart of who you are, where you want to go, and what you want to be. 

And there is an importance in doing this... it can help ensure your plans, your activities and everything you are doing are aligned with your core vision. Because as you know, being misaligned with this will have you spinning your wheels, missing your goals and probably making you unhappy more often than not.

The utility of this quote is really quite versatile it seems and with all of that said, here what it looks like when I fill in the blanks:

" I hope you have a phenomenal year, that you will explore dangerously and outrageously, that you'll continue to stretch yourself beyond what you know, that you will be mindful and that you will be exhilarated with what you do, and that you will have fun with it. And most importantly (because I think there should be more involvement and collaboration in the world right now) that you will, when you need to be, be present and that you will help those around you."

And if you decide to fill in your own blanks, don't be surprised if it takes you longer than you thought. 

All rather inspirational don't you think?

iamgpe

* The creativity of my daughter offers me regular inspiration.

** Neil Gaiman is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book. He has won numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, as well as the Newbery and Carnegie medals. His commencement speak entitled "Make Good Art" is a must see.

Inspiration... something important for getting it done.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here.

If asked what inspires me, I am not sure "pirates" would have come to mind, but it seems for Scott Leckie, the principal at Takota Asset Management, they do; after watching his video, I now have a better understanding as to why. 

I could not help but wonder about inspiration and why it is so very important, particularly when it comes to getting things done.

I will say right away, and somewhat emphatically, inspiration is not a replacement for having a well thought out plan aligned with your situation - Having said that, inspiration can be a very powerful force for working through that plan, or when working thorough any situation for that matter. 

Merriam-Webster defines inspiration  \ˌin(t)-spə-ˈrā-shən, -(ˌ)spi-\ as:

Something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create : a force or influence that inspires someone.

Three ways to categorize inspiration come to mind:

Inspiration that can lead you to pursue a goal: I think this is a pretty inspirational example, don't you?

 "Chris Hadfield says Neil Armstrong's 1969 walk on the moon inspired him to pursue a path that will see him become the first Canadian to command the International Space Station. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)".

Inspiration to help generate an idea (used for any and all situations like executing on your plan, solving a problem or taking advantage of and opportunity) - I got the following from tiny buddha for finding inspiration:

• Find inspiration in Nature
• Find inspiration on the Web (it's what I did)
• Find inspiration in Possibilities
• Find inspiration in People
• Find inspiration in Yourself

Lori Deschene, the founder of tiny buddha has offered up 50 places in total to find inspiration... definitely worth a look. You may get an idea.

Inspiration that emotionally engages and helps you work through the difficulties that come with executing on plans, solving problems or dealing with situations: We have all heard the stories of overcoming insurmountable odds, making the impossible possible, and validating the strength of the human spirit. Inspiration encourages us, strengthens us, reminds us that we are not alone, and what we are trying to do is possible. The world is full of these inspirational stories and is evident by a quick Internet search.  

Inspiration helps us get over the hurdles needed to get it done - it can stimulate a new idea or give you the energy to get back up when everything, I mean everything, is knocking you down. So as you build out your 2016 Goals, Objective and Plans, take some time to investigate what and who inspires you. You will be served well for it.

For me, I don't think it will be pirates.

gpe

Some thoughts on inspiration... and I guess leadership.

The following is the original and the rewrite can be found by clicking here

A long time friend* brought the following quote to my attention a couple of days ago, as we were talking about life and its meanderings. It was written by Marianne Williamson and has also found its way into the movie Coach Carter as a tribute to the themes of the story. The quote goes like this -

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. You playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others”. 

It is not my intention to offer an interpretation of this per se, but since we are here, why not? Success does frighten some of us... even to the point that we will very expertly sabotage ourselves to ensure we never quite find it** - Where as with others, they will avoid success as they believe it will come with a feeling that they are somehow fraudulent and at any moment be discovered. Aside from the above comments though, what really struck me about this quote was that it evoked a strong emotional feeling of inspiration, much more than any intellectual interpretation of the words. 

There is a great social complexity with the human condition, our social structures, our interactions, and our desire as individuals to be understood and to understand. The emotion that came with the quote above, at least for me, speaks directly to this desire to be understood and to understand. I will be so bold to suggest that it is not just myself; if you look at the social media streams they are full of inspirational quotes and videos that speak to - 

• Personal growth
• Individuality
• Struggle, success and failure 
• Love and heartbreak
• Understanding

Just to name a few.

So I think it is fair to say, more than ever, that the "collective" inspires and feeds our need to be understood and to understand. It just struck me now that I should offer a definition for the word "Inspire" and it goes something like this, "to fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something"; inspiration, by extension, is the act to inspire. How neatly my thoughts are coming together don't you think? This aspect of inspiration feeds the feelings and emotions of our desire to be understood and to understand... it helps us find our way. So the collective is feeding this desire to be inspired... but what about when we look to the individual - And this I guess, brings us to leadership.

My intention here is to offer a perspective on leadership as it pertains to what we have been discussing... and yes, I know it's mostly been a monolog so far, but a dialogue is just a comment button away. I have found that leaders, and by extension leadership can be defined in two ways; Selfless Leadership and Selfish Leadership.

Selfless Leaders, tend to see their people as more valuable than themselves, participate with and understand them, and strive to develop an environment of trust; with mutual success. They more often than not, through their words and actions, evoking that emotion which leads to that connection and trust needed to be successful in our social structure.

Selfish Leaders, tend to see people as a resource for their personal needs and agenda, focus only these agendas and display little interest in people or any mutual success, other than any required operational function. I have found selfish leaders tend to offer little in the way of emotion that drives this feeling of being understood and understanding - Never creating a connection or trust.

And why should you care about any of this? Well... if you are involved with a team, couldn't it be said a team is really just a micro reflection of the great social complexity of the human condition, our social structures, our interactions, and our desire as individuals to be understood and to understand? And if so, you know what they say about how Great Teams Doing Great Things.

All of this just because I read a quote by Marianne Williamson and was inspired.

gpe

* The long time friend I refer to is "The Duke", who I mentioned in my blog entitled "Reflections" (Dec 31, 2014). I will be curious to see if he drinks his bourbon straight up the next time we go out (none of this will make sense unless you have read the post, but it sure has made me smile).

** Dr Brene Brown alludes to sabotaging her success by flying just under the radar in one of her TED talks, as well as discusses much, much more (I have attached the talk). If you are not familiar with Brene I encourage you to check out her two TED talks and even her books. She is a qualitative researcher by training and has explored the areas of shame and vulnerability. It is interesting, thought provoking, enlightening and very entertaining.