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What inspires you to be your best? (1 Viewer)

A

Atomic Punk

Footballguy
I write a quarterly message to my staff (~300). They were originally intended to give updates on corporate plans, priorities, etc. but they have morphed over the last few years to be more about competencies and leadership. Topics have included personal accountability, service, innovation and subjects of that nature. I weave in personal stories and even a few references to FBGs.

Occasionally I do a “Random Thoughts” kind of thing like @Joe Bryant and the one I am working on this quarter is a take on that called “Random Words”. One of the words I’ll be writing about is inspire. In preparation for this, I have asked a few people this question as input and I thought I would pose it to the FFA as well.

So, what say you? What inspires you to be your best?

 
nirad3 said:
My kids.
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Kids and/or family has been the most frequent response thus far. I have answered kids/family before too but when I think about that response I then ask myself, why? Is it the inspiration to be my best self as a role model for them? Or is it that they truly inspire you due to something they have done or traits they show?

 
Atomic Punk said:
Kids and/or family has been the most frequent response thus far. I have answered kids/family before too but when I think about that response I then ask myself, why? Is it the inspiration to be my best self as a role model for them? Or is it that they truly inspire you due to something they have done or traits they show?
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I just consider them as my legacy and they will take on my traits, habits, etc.  

 
Atomic Punk said:
Kids and/or family has been the most frequent response thus far. I have answered kids/family before too but when I think about that response I then ask myself, why? Is it the inspiration to be my best self as a role model for them? Or is it that they truly inspire you due to something they have done or traits they show?
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Right, that seems more like a reason to do your best which to me is different than what inspires you to do your best.  I think that has to come from within to some degree.  I am not quite sure how to exactly explain it.  It's more than an outside influence.  It's an internal pride you take in doing something to your best.  It's not always there as there are plenty of things people do just to get them done or get through something but for the inspiration to be the absolute best is something more.  It doesn't have to be there all the time either. 

 
Simply the idea of being the best. 

If one needs inspiration to do something well then he or she probably shouldn't do it. 

ETA: I give little to no credence and respect to life coaches and motivational speakers as I find they just use flowery language with positive connotations to actually not say anything. 

 
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Gally said:
Right, that seems more like a reason to do your best which to me is different than what inspires you to do your best.  I think that has to come from within to some degree.  I am not quite sure how to exactly explain it.  It's more than an outside influence.  It's an internal pride you take in doing something to your best.  It's not always there as there are plenty of things people do just to get them done or get through something but for the inspiration to be the absolute best is something more.  It doesn't have to be there all the time either. 
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I agree with this completely. It is the harnessing of all that you describe that I find interesting. The difference between those that can and those that can’t. And how to pass that on to others without using a sledgehammer.

 
Atomic Punk said:
Kids and/or family has been the most frequent response thus far. I have answered kids/family before too but when I think about that response I then ask myself, why? Is it the inspiration to be my best self as a role model for them? Or is it that they truly inspire you due to something they have done or traits they show?
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My kids and my childhood are my motivation. I don't want them to go through all the #### I did. As a child I didn't always go sleep fed, feeling loved or feeling safe. I impart my life lessons to my kids hoping my past pain saves them future pain. I give them the stability and love I wished for as a child.

 
Just trying to be a little better than I was yesterday.  Don't always hit it, but at the stage of my life, it comes mostly from within. 

 
Zow said:
Simply the idea of being the best. 

If one needs inspiration to do something well then he or she probably shouldn't do it. 

ETA: I give little to no credence and respect to life coaches and motivational speakers as I find they just use flowery language with positive connotations to actually not say anything. 
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I always pegged you as being a pretty empathetic guy.  That's cool you're a self starter and all, but to the vast majority of people the idea of being "the best" at anything is an unpractical pipe dream.   The bolded is just ridiculous to me.  Everyone, but maybe 5% of people, need an occasional kick in the ### to do something or to see someone else do it first to believe it's a possibility.  If the bolded were true nothing would be accomplished.  

 
cockroach said:
I always pegged you as being a pretty empathetic guy.  That's cool you're a self starter and all, but to the vast majority of people the idea of being "the best" at anything is an unpractical pipe dream.   The bolded is just ridiculous to me.  Everyone, but maybe 5% of people, need an occasional kick in the ### to do something or to see someone else do it first to believe it's a possibility.  If the bolded were true nothing would be accomplished.  
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I understand Zow’s perspective but tend to agree with you. Everyone needs the reminder or kick in the ### to get them going. The little jolt back to your core values to give it your all. I probably need that once a week!

 
Atomic Punk said:
I write a quarterly message to my staff (~300). They were originally intended to give updates on corporate plans, priorities, etc. but they have morphed over the last few years to be more about competencies and leadership. Topics have included personal accountability, service, innovation and subjects of that nature. I weave in personal stories and even a few references to FBGs.

Occasionally I do a “Random Thoughts” kind of thing like @Joe Bryant and the one I am working on this quarter is a take on that called “Random Words”. One of the words I’ll be writing about is inspire. In preparation for this, I have asked a few people this question as input and I thought I would pose it to the FFA as well.

So, what say you? What inspires you to be your best?
Click to expand...
My wife and my daughter.. Nothing matters more then doing my best for them. :wub:

 
cockroach said:
I always pegged you as being a pretty empathetic guy.  That's cool you're a self starter and all, but to the vast majority of people the idea of being "the best" at anything is an unpractical pipe dream.   The bolded is just ridiculous to me.  Everyone, but maybe 5% of people, need an occasional kick in the ### to do something or to see someone else do it first to believe it's a possibility.  If the bolded were true nothing would be accomplished.  
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Yeah, I can see how that sounded harsh. I don't think I articulated what I meant exactly.  I'll reflect on it and try to express it better. 

 
This is a really good question. To me it depends on the context.

Work: Inspiration comes from not letting my employer down. They pay me well and provide me responsibility that if I don’t perform it hurts the company. 

Spouse: Not ever doing everything to hurt her is my inspiration.

Kids: Not to pass along the demons left inside of me by my own upbringing. That pain dies with me.

Society: Being a kind person always is my inspiration.

 
Atomic Punk said:
Interesting ... of failure?
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Failure?  Not really - it’s more like being unemployed and not providing for my family.  Fear of being bad role model for the kids.  I’m very conservative and risk adverse in general.  But I’m also very content - I’m not looking to make my mark on history or do great things.  I want to enjoy myself, enjoy my family/ provide for them and set them up for success.  

 
ChiefD said:
This is a really good question. To me it depends on the context.

Work: Inspiration comes from not letting my employer down. They pay me well and provide me responsibility that if I don’t perform it hurts the company. 

Spouse: Not ever doing everything to hurt her is my inspiration.

Kids: Not to pass along the demons left inside of me by my own upbringing. That pain dies with me.

Society: Being a kind person always is my inspiration.
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I agree with this but I have purposely left it ambiguous so each person applies their own slant to it. Like most questions like this, it is all about your particular perspective the moment you are thinking about it.

 
To be a good example for my son. Something I fail at more often than I'd like but I haven't quit and that's a good example itself.

 
Atomic Punk said:
I agree with this completely. It is the harnessing of all that you describe that I find interesting. The difference between those that can and those that can’t. And how to pass that on to others without using a sledgehammer.
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The thing is I don't think it can be "passed on to others".  I think this is what @Zowwas trying to convey.  Striving to be the best at something really has to come from inside you.  I don't think you can make someone have this trait.

 
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Gally said:
The thing is I don't think it can be "passed on to others".  I think this is what @Zowwas trying to convey.  Striving to be the best at something really has to come from inside you.  I don't think you can make someone have this trait.
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I hear you but if you own a company or run a business, do you just not bother trying to get the most out of people and try to inspire them? That is the main part of the gig!

 
Atomic Punk said:
I hear you but if you own a company or run a business, do you just not bother trying to get the most out of people and try to inspire them? That is the main part of the gig!
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Hire better people.......I am somewhat kidding but there is some merit.  In the interview process you can ask questions to see if they are the type of people that have that enthusiasm and can be inspired.  Some people are receptive to that sort of thing and some are not.

You can also figure out what type of people you connect with and steer towards that personality.  When I was doing alot of hiring my goal was to find people that fit into the culture of my group.  That was more important to me than being the smartest candidate.  I can teach the job.....I can't teach personality.

 
Gally said:
Hire better people.......I am somewhat kidding but there is some merit.  In the interview process you can ask questions to see if they are the type of people that have that enthusiasm and can be inspired.  Some people are receptive to that sort of thing and some are not.

You can also figure out what type of people you connect with and steer towards that personality.  When I was doing alot of hiring my goal was to find people that fit into the culture of my group.  That was more important to me than being the smartest candidate.  I can teach the job.....I can't teach personality.
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Totally agree. Just a little easier said than done. I’m spread across all of western Canada and not involved in every hire. We definitely try to do this but people are people and there are a fair percentage that need the extra kick in the pants (as my Dad would say). We’ve been pretty successful lately in slanting our hiring process toward how you’ve described it but I always like to try moving the yardsticks further with people if possible.

 
My mother worked 60 hours a week for 30 years to provide for us and then passed away due to ALS prematurely.

Not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for her sacrifices.  It would be an insult to her legacy if I gave anything less.

 
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The time I earn by doing my best.

Lake on the weekends, vacations, golf.... pretty much every moment I don't have to spend being my best.

 
I couldn't care less if you are a better sales guy than me.

I'm going to beat you because I value what the win provides more than you do.

Another way of putting the above.

 
Really good question.  And some really good answers here.

I'm inspired to do the best I can at work.  Helps me sleep at night.  I'm inspired to help people.  Especially people on my teams.  Love nothing more than mentoring a younger sales rep and see them grow in their careers, provide for their families, celebrate at President's Club, etc.  I am inspired to help customers and better our healthcare system.  I'm inspired to provide for my family.  To be a great husband and Dad.  To be a great friend.  To create memories.

 
Honestly- the deeper I think about it- I think that the feeling of being productive and demanding the most out of myself is euphoric and rewarding. That inspires me to try to accomplish my daily goals with each passing day. When i’m not inspired and consequently am not super productive- i feel disappointed in myself 

 
I don't believe I will ever be inspired to do my best at work. I will do pretty darn good, but my best is a level of effort that I do not use for my job.

To answer the question, I am inspired to do my best when my curiosity intersects with my opportunity.

 
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Judge Smails said:
Really good question.  And some really good answers here.

I'm inspired to do the best I can at work.  Helps me sleep at night.  I'm inspired to help people.  Especially people on my teams.  Love nothing more than mentoring a younger sales rep and see them grow in their careers, provide for their families, celebrate at President's Club, etc.  I am inspired to help customers and better our healthcare system.  I'm inspired to provide for my family.  To be a great husband and Dad.  To be a great friend.  To create memories.
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This hits home for me. I think “people”would be my one word answer. As much as people drive me crazy, they are also what inspire me to be my best. My family, staff and colleagues at work, strangers ... you name it. The look on your kids face when they learn something new or a younger staff member that you are encouraging, it really just wants me to do even more. As with everything, it is all about perspective. Thanks Smails 👍

 
jvdesigns2002 said:
Honestly- the deeper I think about it- I think that the feeling of being productive and demanding the most out of myself is euphoric and rewarding. That inspires me to try to accomplish my daily goals with each passing day. When i’m not inspired and consequently am not super productive- i feel disappointed in myself 
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Another one that really resonates with me. The problem I have some times is that feeling of disappointment when I’m not hitting the mark. That is where I struggle. I think the answer is what Gally said upthread - you do not always have to be your best and there is nothing wrong with that. I need to work on that.

 
nirad3 said:
My kids.
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Yep. Before them I had major accountability problems. I was a smart kid, but was raised entitled. My time and energy was spent most days on testing my limits - to see how much I could get away with something and not deal with any consequences.

It wasn't an instant change after they entered the picture, but my priorities and motivation levels evolved very quickly. I'm not the same person now that I was before them. Thankfully.

 
It used to be looking at the yoga pants thread.  Now it's the facebook reels that appear in my feed.  They are great motivation.

 
I have no idea why the human race dont get this, but the entire point of life is self-reform, getting better. At about 15 or so, we take what the cluster#### of life has given in way of strengths, weaknesses, lifeluck & status, plus values & neurological patterns grooved on us by our upbringing and make a go of it. If one understands such as the gift & challenge of life and finds the way to be thrilled by that opportunity, they will never be bored, depressed or overwhelmed. Let the opinion of others determine how you feel about yourself and you are a slave and always will be. Get better - simple.....not easy, but simple. Get better at anything, everything. Start now.

 
At work, the crippling fear that someone is going to find out I have no idea what I'm doing and calls me out on it. Has served me well for 32 years in the same industry now.

 
Bogart said:
At work, the crippling fear that someone is going to find out I have no idea what I'm doing and calls me out on it. Has served me well for 32 years in the same industry now.
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That would be a great story to tell your co-workers at your retirement party.

 
I had a great answer for this. It was the anti-wikkid. I deleted it because I didn't want people to wonder if there was something wrong with me. 

I should have let it stand. It was ####### great. 

 
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