Inspired Or Motivated

I spent a lot of time today thinking about motivation and inspiration.

I wonder if I’m motivated or inspired to do this ride. It’s the sort of question you ask yourself while cranking along on a nondescript backroad that you thought was in Arkansas until you encounter this sign and realize you were still in Missouri.

I’ve known people who chased dreams for all kinds of reasons. Seems like many of them were motivated by external factors—money, attention, approval. Maybe that works, but I think it’s a tough way to pursue a dream. I wonder how much joy comes from the sacrifice involved when the motivation is extrinsic.

Perhaps dreams need to be inspired. The word itself implies breathing, taking in something life-sustaining. Maybe that’s the best way for a dream to come alive.

Leaders inspire. They say, “Here’s where I’m going. It’s really cool. You’re welcome to come along, but I’m going either way.”

Inspiration is about choosing, deciding on a direction and pursuing it.

Motivation involves pushing from behind. Managers motivate with money or approval or fear. Might be good ways to get folks to do what you want, but I’m not sure they’d be my choice for driving a dream.

I’ve developed my standard answer when someone asks, “Why are you doing this?” It’s true, and it’s the best answer I can offer in a short space.

But at the bottom, this ride isn’t about raising money or talking to groups. Those are awesome side benefits, but they’re not why I’m here. They’re not the reason I’m wandering past cotton fields in Arkansas or Missouri or Tennessee or wherever I am.

This dream is inspired, I believe, by God. It’s a heart thing.

I suspect that’s how it is with most dreams.

Please leave a comment here.

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Over at Bouncing Back today I posted an observation called Just Enough about God’s direction in this project. Please slide over there and see what you think.

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