I found this post inspiring! I will now succeed at a greater pace!
Charissa Cotrill
· 2 months ago
THANK YOU.
Name
· 2 months ago
Haha - I believe I said you should tell them what a "dumbass" you are - not "idiot" as you quoted me saying. BTW, on the class reflections at least one student (I just glanced through the responses) said that their favorite activity/topic of the year so far was "the lecture on failure." So how 'bout that? ;) Thanks again for coming to talk to them. -Natalia
amyc
· 2 months ago
Great thought-provoking post. I would like to challenge one point, though, although I'm not sure it's advocating 'inspiration' as much as recognizing that in seeing what's possible for others, new possibilities arise in ourselves.
It's about being exposed to new perspectives. I didn't know I could run 50 miles. I didn't even know I wanted to or the activity was even out there until I began to meet and read about others doing it. There was inspiration there in a sense, but moreso, by hearing about it, seeing it, learning about the potential, I was able to envision myself there, and eventually be inspired by myself doing something I'd never imagined possible... and now? I wonder what else is out there for me to create that I haven't thought of yet.
Looking within is vital and something we all need to do more of. But I argue that they are complementary. I think hearing about inspiring stories and being inspired is about knowing what's possible in the world and seeing it in ourselves - and taking that lesson to do great things.
jacksnarkeybarns
· 2 months ago
I think you've missed an important point and you've only identified -inspiration- as a crappy word... which I actually do agree with. In the context that most of society views inspiration, yes, it can be painfully sappy. I mean, you've been on the internet and seen all of the de-motivational and mocking humor, right? So yes, if you choose to look at the world the way that society has demanded you to look at it- then yes, a lot of things are quite inherently sappy.
So also you've identified that internal inspiration is important.. well it's important, yes... but really who doesn't already know that. Funny thing is that a lot of people think they are transcending old ideas... which yes, it may be true that they don't like old ideas... but the reality is that those ideas were extinct years ago and you aren't transcending anything really. So to put it in simpler terms- People don't seem to recognize that they are riding the same pop culture wave of crowd think that they assume they've transcended; only difference is that it's a new wave and nope, sorry you didn't start it.
To actually think about and develop new perspective then yes that is respectable. You've pointed at internal inspiration but you've also tried to simplify the topic to "f this" or "screw that"... or really the topic is whatever you want it to be at that point and I think you've failed in examining the topic when you do that.
Example- here is what I think you've completely missed- there is a lot to be said for being compelled to do something... or to phrase in a better way, constantly finding compelling things in what you are doing. This comes from different sources for each individual and yes sometimes internally but not always. What motivates you? I guess depending on how you look at it then you could rationalize that the most important things are internal... BUT i don't think it's that simple. I mean, I get this is an opinion piece and I get your point but the delivery is just too -on the nose- I mean really? Look for inspiration from within?... It's just sort of a broad stroke in my opinion... I mean, who is going to disagree? Oh, but wait, then you contrast it with edgy fbomb dialogue as if it's some sort of radical notion. Maybe this is just your approach and you think it is most effective or whatever... fine but just recognize that you are very blatantly skipping the surface and realize that it is not as insightful as it may sound echoing off the surface.
Please don't take this the wrong way... just thought you needed a dose of actual true honest to God insight.
micah
· 2 months ago
The concept of compelling vs. inspiration is very interesting. Thanks for bringing it up, I will have to think on it... Can people be compelled to do something based on others actions? Probably...
Sloane Berrent
· 2 months ago
Confession. I read this post BEFORE we met at #bwe09 and I was nervous to meet you. After all, I often say my mantra is to inspire others and be inspired every day. The idea to "fuck inspiration" as a blog post title seems, on the surface, to be somewhat against everything that I blog about at The Causemopolitan.
But what I know now, and from reading your post again, is that we're saying the same thing. I absolutely agree with your failure talk and concept. And I absolutely agree that we need to look within ourselves to find inspiration.
Just don't discount the power of one individual to help someone do that. Because I do get emails all the time from people saying they made their FIRST donation every to a nonprofit because of a campaign I ran or something I support. I can't, and won't, hold peoples' hands along the way...but to take that first step, I think we should take inspiration whereever we can get it. From looking in the mirror, across the table, or even in a little spot online.
See you in NOLA next week for TribeCon!
micah
· 2 months ago
You were nervous to meet me? See, that always bums me out. Im not that scary... :)
Thanks for the kind words. I do think that people can be spurred to action by others, but I dont people “inspire” people. Most people are already leaning in a particular direction, and just need a nudge.
It is clear that you nudge better than most.
Me? Im kinda a shover.
micah
· 2 months ago
You were nervous to meet me? See, that always bums me out. Im not that scary... :) Thanks for the kind words. I do think that people can be spurred to action by others, but I dont people “inspire” people. Most people are already leaning in a particular direction, and just need a nudge.
It is clear that you nudge better than most.
Me? Im kinda a shover.
Brian Oberkirch
· 2 months ago
Word. "Inspiration is for amateurs. I just get to work." Chuck Close.
That is an amazing quote. I might have to get that tattoo’d somewhere...
micah
· 2 months ago
That is an amazing quote. I might have to get that tattoo’d somewhere...
Brad F.
· 1 month ago
Very well written and a good idea to push to people. We should stop waiting for something to happen before we strive to achieve, and instead look to ourselves to make it happen. Nothing in life is handed out on a silver platter, unless you're born rich I guess.
All Comments
-Natalia
It's about being exposed to new perspectives. I didn't know I could run 50 miles. I didn't even know I wanted to or the activity was even out there until I began to meet and read about others doing it. There was inspiration there in a sense, but moreso, by hearing about it, seeing it, learning about the potential, I was able to envision myself there, and eventually be inspired by myself doing something I'd never imagined possible... and now? I wonder what else is out there for me to create that I haven't thought of yet.
Looking within is vital and something we all need to do more of. But I argue that they are complementary. I think hearing about inspiring stories and being inspired is about knowing what's possible in the world and seeing it in ourselves - and taking that lesson to do great things.
So also you've identified that internal inspiration is important.. well it's important, yes... but really who doesn't already know that. Funny thing is that a lot of people think they are transcending old ideas... which yes, it may be true that they don't like old ideas... but the reality is that those ideas were extinct years ago and you aren't transcending anything really. So to put it in simpler terms- People don't seem to recognize that they are riding the same pop culture wave of crowd think that they assume they've transcended; only difference is that it's a new wave and nope, sorry you didn't start it.
To actually think about and develop new perspective then yes that is respectable. You've pointed at internal inspiration but you've also tried to simplify the topic to "f this" or "screw that"... or really the topic is whatever you want it to be at that point and I think you've failed in examining the topic when you do that.
Example- here is what I think you've completely missed- there is a lot to be said for being compelled to do something... or to phrase in a better way, constantly finding compelling things in what you are doing. This comes from different sources for each individual and yes sometimes internally but not always. What motivates you? I guess depending on how you look at it then you could rationalize that the most important things are internal... BUT i don't think it's that simple. I mean, I get this is an opinion piece and I get your point but the delivery is just too -on the nose- I mean really? Look for inspiration from within?... It's just sort of a broad stroke in my opinion... I mean, who is going to disagree? Oh, but wait, then you contrast it with edgy fbomb dialogue as if it's some sort of radical notion. Maybe this is just your approach and you think it is most effective or whatever... fine but just recognize that you are very blatantly skipping the surface and realize that it is not as insightful as it may sound echoing off the surface.
Please don't take this the wrong way... just thought you needed a dose of actual true honest to God insight.
bringing it up, I will have to think on it...
Can people be compelled to do something based on others actions? Probably...
But what I know now, and from reading your post again, is that we're saying the same thing. I absolutely agree with your failure talk and concept. And I absolutely agree that we need to look within ourselves to find inspiration.
Just don't discount the power of one individual to help someone do that. Because I do get emails all the time from people saying they made their FIRST donation every to a nonprofit because of a campaign I ran or something I support. I can't, and won't, hold peoples' hands along the way...but to take that first step, I think we should take inspiration whereever we can get it. From looking in the mirror, across the table, or even in a little spot online.
See you in NOLA next week for TribeCon!
Thanks for the kind words. I do think that people can be spurred to action by others, but I dont people “inspire” people. Most people are already leaning in a particular direction, and just need a nudge.
It is clear that you nudge better than most.
Me? Im kinda a shover.
scary... :)
Thanks for the kind words. I do think that people can be spurred to action
by others, but I dont people “inspire” people. Most people are already
leaning in a particular direction, and just need a nudge.
It is clear that you nudge better than most.
Me? Im kinda a shover.
http://www.43folders.com/2008/01/11/working-close