How to be an inspiration
I wanna Be like You Hoo Hoo sang out King Louis In the Disney film Jungle book, That song had me singing to one of my best friends as he inspired me to develop a project I was working on.
“You cannot be like me,” he laughed, “we are all different” “
No” I replied, ‘I want to inspire others like you inspire me.”
It can be contagious and it gives you a buzz. When you realise that the examples you are setting could be helping someone to be the person they want to be. Inspiring those around you can be what makes the difference between a good or bad teacher or boss.
How do we Inspire others to learn or to make changes in their lives?
I have always loved this saying,
‘It is not what we do for our children, it is what we get them to do for themselves’
You have to use bucket loads of inspiration as a parent.
BE HAPPY. Even if you do not feel it. People find it difficult to be inspired by a person who continuously complains and is down in the dumps.
LEARN HOW TO PORTRAY CONFIDENCE. Look at your body language, are you smiling or are you hiding behind folded arms and shrugged shoulders. My friend could walk into a room and would turn heads just by the way he walked and held himself proud.
Alongside being happy is being NICE AND KIND. Use compliments but stay genuine. Do not invent your nice remarks. Be sincere or you will not be convincing. This teaches you to focus on the good in people instead of their faults leading them to open up conversations with you. Listen to what they say with interest and they will want to be around you.
SET EXAMPLES, If you want to inspire, then you need to show others that situations they would normally see as the impossible can become a reality hoping that there could be a chance that your inspiration will be enough to rub off on them.
I hear a lot of people say I couldn’t do what you do, but why not? We all have the power to do something if we really want to even if we have to make little changes along the way. Show what is possible and you will gain trust. People need that these days especially when society feels it has been bombarded with half truths and lies.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, Drop the “I’m being selfish” excuse. Look after number one and you will be around for everyone a lot longer.
Recently when I was travelling, a comment I continuously received from young travellers was, “I wish my mum would do what you are doing” this made me think about how I felt about my mother. She was a huge inspiration to me. She was always out chasing life, much to the dismay of some of her friends who thought she should be home, tied to her kitchen. I thought she was amazing and exciting. How things have changed.
BE HONEST AND FAIR, People can see through the Bullshit. When you are transparent people will trust you and be less suspicious of your motives, they are then more likely to show an interest and be inspired by you.
I have recently made a big health change in my life and this has been a lifestyle challenge that has turned my life around. This has resulted in so much more than just being able to fit into nicer clothes. My social network has grown around me as people tell me I am inspiring them to make their own changes. I am getting a buzz as I feel better about myself because the knock-on effect is helping others to come together. I am seeing new friendships forming under my eyes as I watch my own friends and family putting their own well being first.
I am now doing things I have been denying myself for the past 15 years. If I can be inspirational to just one person maybe they will do the same to somebody else who just needs a gentle lift. Sharing is caring I am told and we can all do it. It is a process but the best time to start is today and not next week. Now is your most inspirational moment and who knows where it will lead you.
