Seeking Sources of Inspiration

I was profiled today on Inspire Me today. If you

have a chance, please check it out and post a comment:

https://www.inspiremetoday.com/archiveDisp.php?type=0&ref=951

I think one of the incorrect assumptions people make

about professors is that we can motivate students. However, when we study the

phenomenon of motivation it is soon clear that we cannot. Motivation is

intrinsic...it comes from within the individual. In other words: students need

to motivate themselves. Of course, professors should nurture this motivation

and help it grow, but the actual spark of resolve needed to accomplish a goal

has to come from within the student.

However, I think it is fair to say that professors

can and should inspire students. In the MBA area we see lots of inspirational

and advice articles by and about famous entrepreneurs who've built huge

businesses, which provide value to readers. However, the vast majority of

businesses are being run by ordinary folks trying to raise kids, pay bill,

protect employees and serve their communities. We don't hear enough from these

leaders in the main stream press, but this group of entrepreneurs are hugely

important to society. What they are doing is really amazing. Inspire Me Today

is to be commended for their willingness to shine the light of appreciation on

this under-appreciate community.

InspireMeToday.com is a good site to visit daily, or

just when you need a shot of inspiration. I like the site because it reminds me

that everyone struggles and has challenges to overcome in life. However,

challenge and struggle are not bad things. In fact, they are needed to

experience and appreciate success once you've achieved it. Walt Disney

said  "you may not realize it when

it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for

you". The challenge for us as students-of-life and leaders is to adjust

our thought process to recognize a challenge as an opportunity. The luminaries

profiled do this, and remind us we should do the same.

Everything we do begins with a thought in our minds.

Most of the great things we have in the world resulted because someone had a

positive thought and acted on it. Check out Inspire Me Today, I'm sure you'll

get a lot out of it. If you ever think a student or co-worker is getting down

or discouraged, sharing an inspirational quote or profile of someone with a

similar background can give them a huge lift.