The Difference Between Inspiration & Motivation

(To our blog followers. This is a short article I wrote to share on another site. I thought it be appropriate to post it.)

Understanding the difference between inspiration and motivation is key to success and failure in life as well as in business. Have you ever really thought about what inspires you and what motivates you?  Far too often in our “need it now” culture these two words have been blended together to our detriment. When we’re able to take a step back and cognize the meaning of both we come to understand that motivation is actually a bi-product of inspiration. For example, when you helped that person who was in need; you were most likely motivated to do so because you were inspired by seeing someone else do the same. It was that feeling of assisting someone in need that motivated you. Furthermore, it is by inspiration that businesses are built in garages and then become behemoths like Microsoft. Success in life and business is achieved when motivation hitches a ride on the wave of inspiration. What is wonderful about inspiration is that it is prejudice to no one, and can take on countless forms. Moreover, finding your perfect “wave”of inspiration can only be found by you.  For me, I have found that watching/listening to any combination of music, nature or selfless act will inspire me to be a better person. The result is being motivated to reach beyond my normal capacity.

So, today as you sit in morning traffic or perhaps take that 4am train/bus ride into work, instead of asking yourself; what motivates me to succeed? Ask yourself: what inspires me to succeed?  When you figure that out, then you will have the ability to ride the wave of inspiration to success in life, as well as in business.  Get out there and find what it is that inspires you.

Tyler

The story in this short Youtube clip is something that inspires me. My daughter Natalie, and son Blair.