Or does it? Can you have one without the other? Does this picture inspire you or motivate you?
I have been meaning to write something here all weekend but it was, for me, a disjointed everything out-of-order weekend. So while I had some idea what I wanted to write (inspiration) I lacked the motivation to do it.
I looked up the definitions of motivation and inspiration and found they are used as synonyms. Huh. I believe the terms differ – I think another person can provide inspiration but motivation comes from within. You might be wondering by now why it matters. Good question!
I sort of wanted this blog to provide some motivation for others to run out and achieve things on their bucket list and to live a full life regardless of marital status. And then I read the book 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself by Steve Chandler and realized motivation can only come from within. So much for that idea.
It is very difficult to “make” people do things and isn’t that really what “motivate” means? Motivational speakers are trying to “make” you get off your butt and do something…generally buy their motivational DVD’s and books. This is likely why I failed so miserably as a manager. All the leadership courses harped on motivating subordinates and I just didn’t buy into it.
Inspiration is the grand idea while motivation is the kick in the pants that puts the inspiration into action. Don’t wait for someone else to provide motivation, it’s just not gonna happen. I’ll have to settle for trying to provide inspiration instead.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Ghandi
Hmmm, I have always thought that motivation and inspiration are quite different too.
I also wonder if introverts and extroverts might be motivated differently. I tend to think of these distinctions as a definition of how different people are motivated. Extroverts being motivated by their surroundings and others while introverts are motivated from within but, maybe it is inspiration?
Ok yeah, I am confused!
Well, I think introverts and extroverts are probably motivated by different things but it still comes from within. The book I read about introverts talked a lot about “energy”. Extroverts are energized when around other people while introverts are drained of energy when around other people. That is certainly true for me – I find being around a group of people for any length of time draining. It has really nothing to do with what I ultimately find motivating. That make sense?
Come to think of it, I do remember reading that introversion and extroversion is about how one is energized so, yes, it does make sense. Thanks for that clarification.