Inspiration has become such a buzzword with many of us seeking more of it and getting our daily fix from the plethora of quotes online and the slogans on clothing we get a quick glimpse of as the joggers go by and the yogis stretch it out.
As a speaker and coach, “inspiration” features in my vocabulary and actions as does that sometimes overlooked important aspect of your life and business – your aspiration.
Let’s look at the distinction between aspiration and inspiration – how they interconnect with your world and some tips to enhance your aspiration and your inspiration.
What is an Aspiration?
Your aspirations embody the sum total of the things that you want in life and through your business that represent a higher or greater achievement such as an individual goal; rather it is the sum total of a number of goals. Aspiration involves striving in a long-lasting and often meaningful way to achieve or become something in particular and is often cause or purpose driven.
If you want to be the world champion at something then you will need to achieve a series of goals to get there or if you aspire to spend your life with your soul mate, you might have to kiss a few frogs before you get the prince or princess. You may aspire to hold a specific position in society or business to make a social impact, find the cure for a disease, help stamp out poverty or travel the seven seas.
An aspiration is something that is more “out there” or external from your current or moment-to-moment experience and something that you have not yet achieved. For some having a sense of something not yet achieved can cause a sense of lack or unease while for others it becomes their raison d’être.
How can I enhance realizing my aspiration?
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. – Francis of Assisi
- Make your aspiration values-driven; make sure it is a match with your values
- Make it realistic: is it achievable for you; is it humanly possible for you to achieve your aspiration i.e. has someone else done something similar or the same before single-handedly or do you aspire to contribute to the aspiration of many i.e. save the whales?
- Identify the resources; tangible and intangible that you need
- Get a mentor or model the behavior of someone who has already achieved it
- Share your aspirations with those people in your circle of influence that share similar values
- Create a support network and reach out for help when you need it
- Remember this proverb – “Great oaks from little acorns grow”
An aspiration can work as a motivating force and in influencing the goals that you set and strive to achieve so that they then become the stepping-stones to fulfilling that aspiration. What then becomes the motivating force behind our aspirations and what can enhance our ability to achieve our goals or the seemingly out of reach? Enter inspiration.
What is an Inspiration?
Inspiration is the stimulation we experience by an idea, object, passion, person or thought that can move us to take action that we may not have previously considered or to embrace a thought or enjoy a feeling in that moment. Inspiration is not something that exists outside of ourselves – we experience it within ourselves as a moment of awareness; it is an in the moment experience or experience that we have just had.
Inspiration is often the driving force behind motivation and what moves us to take the first step out of our comfort zone or on to a path to something new, to write that article, take up a cause or be more grateful for all that we have.
When you seek to live a life enriched through inspiration, a sense of gratitude follows, possibilities and unseen opportunities unfold and every moment of inspiration can move you closer to achieving your aspiration.
How can I enhance Inspiration?
I dream my painting and I paint my dream. – Vincent Van Gogh
- Take time out to meditate or sit quietly in contemplation – the day-to-day grind can distract you from the connection to inspiration and drown out its voice so that it goes unnoticed. Sitting quietly or meditating will allow you to clear your mind and be in a state where you are more receptive to inspiration
- Get a coach and/or go to events that a have speakers that you know will give you that light bulb or feel good moment of inspiration.Often times something someone else says or does will ignite your imagination and inspiration to bring an idea to mind that you can expand on and grow to another step on the path to realizing your aspiration
- Exercise such as yoga, swimming or walking can improve your inspiration especially when done in a more natural environment such as in a park, the ocean or a river or a forest or mountain
- Read books on subjects that are of interest to you and are relevant to your personal or professional interests and needs by authors that speak to you
- Keep a note pad and pen with you at all times. Yes, handwriting is better for this one
- Switch off from any media that blows out the fire of inspiration
- Give your imagination a chance; it is a close relative of inspiration: Write a story about your future without censoring or editing as you go, paint or draw
“Never underestimate your ability to impact the people around you. As you inspire others, along your journey of life you continue with being connected to your own process of transformation.” – Louise Crosby
In every moment, there is an opportunity to ignite the flame of inspiration for someone and help him or her to move closer to achieving his or her “aspiration.” Inspiration motivates us on the path to achieving our aspiration.
My aspiration is to”Create a kinder, more compassionate and happier world.” I know that it is not possible to do that single-handedly however I am inspired to be walking this path with so many other coconscious people on the planet and to know that you might be one of them. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
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